Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc 10-K for FY2024
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR)
10-K
2025-03-04
For: 2024-12-31
View Original
Added on
April 05, 2026
About this 10-K
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc filed this 10-K on March 4, 2025, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (FY2024).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $104.57M
- up 2.2% from $102.33M a year earlier
- Net loss
- $9.58M
- compared with a net loss of $4.69M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$317.02
- compared with -$13,157.97 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2024
OR
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission file number 001-35713
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
(757 ) 627-9088
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
| Large accelerated file | ¨ | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ||||||||||||||
þ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ¨
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No þ
As of June 30, 2024, the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $4,414,166 , based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock on such date as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market. For the purposes of this computation, shares held by directors and executive officer of the registrant have been excluded. Such exclusion is not intended, nor shall it be deemed, to be an admission that such persons are affiliates of the registrant.
As of February 28, 2025, there were 1,166,433 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
Table of Contents
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the "Trust," the "Company," "WHLR," "we," "our" or "us") contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "estimates", "projects", "anticipates", "believes", "expects", "intends", "future", and words of similar import, or the negative thereof. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements that were true at the time made may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our management’s view only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.
Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K include, but are not limited to:
•the use of and demand for retail space;
•general and economic business conditions, including the rate and other terms on which we are able to lease our properties;
•the loss or bankruptcy of the Company's tenants;
•the geographic concentration of our properties in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Northeast;
•consumer spending and confidence trends, including those affecting the ability of individuals to spend in retail shopping centers;
•availability, terms and deployment of capital;
•substantial dilution of our common stock, par value $0.01 ("Common Stock") and steep decline in its market value resulting from the exercise by the holders of our Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series D Preferred Stock") of their redemption rights and downward adjustment of the Conversion Price (as defined below) on our outstanding 7.00% Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2031 (the "Convertible Notes"), each of which has already occurred and is anticipated to continue;
•given the volatility in the trading of our Common Stock, whether we have registered and, as necessary, can continue to register sufficient shares of our Common Stock to settle redemptions of all Series D Preferred Stock tendered to us by the holders thereof;
•the degree and nature of our competition;
•changes in governmental regulations, accounting rules, tax rates and similar matters;
•the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants and other third parties to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with the Company;
•the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration;
•the Company’s ability to re-lease its properties on the same or better terms in the event of non-renewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations the Company may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant;
•litigation risks generally;
•the risk that shareholder litigation filed by the Company's former CEO, Daniel Khoshaba, may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability, and divert management's attention away from running the Company;
•the Company's ability to maintain compliance with the financial and other covenants in its debt agreements and under the terms of its Series D Preferred Stock;
•financing risks, such as the Company’s inability to obtain new financing or refinancing on favorable terms as the result of market volatility or instability and increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors;
•the impact of the Company’s leverage on operating performance;
•our ability to successfully execute strategic or necessary asset acquisitions and divestitures;
•risks related to the market for retail space generally, including reductions in consumer spending, variability in retailer demand for leased space, adverse impact of e-commerce, ongoing consolidation in the retail sector and changes in economic conditions and consumer confidence;
•risks endemic to real estate and the real estate industry generally;
•the adverse effect of any future pandemic, endemic or outbreak of infectious diseases, and mitigation efforts, including government-imposed lockdowns, to control their spread;
•risks to our information systems - or those of our tenants or vendors - from service interruption, misappropriation of data, breaches of security or information technology, or other cyber-related attacks;
•competitive risks;
•the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq");
•the effects on the trading market of our Common Stock of the one-for-10 reverse stock split effected on August 17, 2023 (the "August 2023 Reverse Stock Split"), the one-for-24 reverse stock split effected on May 16, 2024 (the "May 2024 Reverse Stock Split"), the one-for-five reverse stock split effected on June 27, 2024 (the "June 2024 Reverse Stock Split"), the one-for-three reverse stock split effected on September 19, 2024 (the "September 2024 Reverse Stock Split", the one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 18, 2024 (the "November 2024 Reverse Stock Split" and collectively with the May 2024 Reverse Stock Split, June 2024 Reverse Stock Split, September 2024 Reverse Stock Split and November 2024 Reverse Stock Split, the “2024 Reverse Stock Splits”), the one-for-four reverse stock split effected on January 27, 2025 (the "January 2025 Reverse Stock Split" and, together with the August 2023 Reverse Stock Split and the 2024 Reverse Stock Splits, the "Reverse Stock Splits") and any reverse stock splits the Company may effect in the future;
•damage to the Company’s properties from catastrophic weather and other natural events, and the physical effects of climate change;
•the risk that an uninsured loss on the Company’s properties or a loss that exceeds the limits of the Company’s insurance policies could subject the Company to lost capital or revenue on those properties;
•the risk that continued increases in the cost of necessary insurance could negatively impact the Company's profitability;
•the Company’s ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations;
•the ability of our operating partnership, Wheeler REIT, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), and each of our other partnerships and limited liability companies to be classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes;
•the impact of e-commerce on our tenants’ business; and
•the inability to generate sufficient cash flows due to market conditions, competition, uninsured losses, changes in tax or other applicable laws.
Forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K should be read in light of these factors. Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect the Company’s actual results and may be beyond the Company’s control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company’s management to predict all such factors or to assess the effects of each factor on the Company’s business. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company’s current expectations will be realized.
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Part I
Item 1. Business.
Overview
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation formed on June 23, 2011 in connection with the Company's initial public offering. The Trust serves as the general partner of Wheeler REIT, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), which was formed as a Virginia limited partnership on April 5, 2012. Prior to the Cedar Acquisition (as defined below), substantially all of our assets were held by, and all of our operations were conducted through, our Operating Partnership. At December 31, 2024, the Company owned 99.82% of the Operating Partnership.
On August 22, 2022, the Company completed a merger transaction with Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. ("Cedar" or "CDR"). As a result of the merger, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Cedar’s common stock (the "Cedar Acquisition"), which ceased to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). Cedar’s outstanding 7.25% Series B Preferred Stock ("Cedar Series B Preferred Stock") and 6.50% Series C Preferred Stock ("Cedar Series C Preferred Stock" and, together with the Cedar Series B Preferred Stock, the "Cedar Preferred Stock") remain outstanding and continue to trade on the NYSE. As a result, Cedar became a subsidiary of the Company. Cedar's assets are held by, and its operations are conducted through, its operating partnership, Cedar Realty Trust Partnership, LP.
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). To qualify as a REIT under those provisions, the Company must have a preponderant percentage of its assets invested in, and income derived from, real estate and related sources. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed commercial real estate investment company that owns, leases and operates income-producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored centers.
For additional information on recent business developments, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-K.
Portfolio
Our portfolio contains retail properties in secondary and tertiary markets, with a particular emphasis on grocery-anchored retail centers. Our properties are in communities that have stable demographics and have historically exhibited favorable trends, such as strong population and income growth. We generally lease our properties to national and regional retailers that offer consumer goods and services and generate regular consumer traffic. We believe our tenants carry goods and offer services that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, generating more predictable property level cash flows.
The Company’s portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions. As of December 31, 2024, we own a portfolio consisting of seventy-five properties, including seventy-two retail shopping centers, totaling 7,660,979 leasable square feet which is 93.1% leased (our "Operating Portfolio"), and three undeveloped land parcels totaling approximately 11 acres. The properties are geographically located in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Northeast, which markets represented approximately 44%, 43% and 13%, respectively, of the total annualized base rent of the properties in its portfolio as of December 31, 2024.
No tenant represents greater than approximately 6% of the Company’s annualized base rent or 7% of gross leasable square footage. The top 10 tenants account for 24.1% or $17.6 million of annualized base rent and 26.3% or 2.0 million of gross leasable square footage at December 31, 2024.
Human Capital Management
As of December 31, 2024, we have 56 full-time employees. We seek to hire experienced leaders and team members and offer competitive wage and benefit programs. Employees are offered flexibility to meet personal and family needs. In addition to medical insurance support, the Company offers wellness programs, including free short- and long-term disability insurance, free basic life insurance policy with accidental death and dismemberment coverage, employee assistance programs
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that include emotional health support, gym memberships, volunteer time off and tuition assistance. Tuition assistance includes assistance to learn a new language as the Company identifies opportunities to better serve a diverse tenant base.
The Company takes steps to measure and improve upon its level of employee engagement all while creating value for our stakeholders. The Company’s employees are expected to exhibit honest, ethical and respectful conduct in the workplace. Every year, the Company requires its employees to review and certify their compliance with the Company's various policies, including its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Business Objectives and Investment Strategy
Our primary business objective is to maximize the value of our portfolio. We intend to achieve this objective utilizing the following investment strategies:
•Focus on necessity-based retail. Own and operate retail properties that serve the essential day-to-day shopping needs of the surrounding communities. These necessity-based centers attract high levels of daily traffic resulting in cross-selling of goods and services from our tenants. The majority of our tenants provide non-cyclical consumer goods and services that are less impacted by fluctuations in the economy. We believe these centers that provide essential goods and services such as groceries result in a stable, lower-risk portfolio of retail investment properties.
•Focus on secondary and tertiary markets with strong demographics and demand. Our properties are in markets that have strong demographics such as population density, population stability, consistent tenant sales trends and growth in household income. We seek to identify new tenants and renew leases with existing tenants in these locations that support the need for necessity-based retail and limited new supply. We aim to identify and pursue attractive investment opportunities in regions with low taxes and a pro-business environment.
•Increase operating income through leasing strategies and expense management. We employ intensive lease management strategies to optimize occupancy. Management has extensive expertise in acquiring and managing under-performing properties and increasing operating income through more effective leasing strategies and expense management. Our leases generally require the tenant to reimburse us for a substantial portion of the expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, and managing the shopping center and the common areas, along with the associated insurance costs and real estate taxes. In many cases, the tenant is either fully or partially responsible for all maintenance of the property, thereby limiting our financial exposure towards maintaining the center and increasing our net income. We refer to this arrangement as a "triple net lease."
•Selectively utilize our capital to improve retail properties. We intend to make capital investments where the risk adjusted returns on such capital is accretive to our stockholders. We allocate capital to value-added improvements of retail properties to increase rents, extend long-term leases with anchor tenants and increase occupancy. We selectively allocate capital to revenue enhancing projects that we believe will improve the market position of a given property.
•Recycling and sensible management of our property portfolio. We intend to sell non-income producing land parcels or non-core assets utilizing sales proceeds to deleverage the balance sheet and invest in higher yielding opportunities. Properties may be slated for disposition based upon management's periodic review of our portfolio, and approval by our Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors").
•Strategy for optimizing capital structure. The Company seeks to mitigate risk and optimize its capital structure through continuous focus on maintaining prudent leverage and lengthy average debt maturities, as well as access to a diverse selection of capital sources, including the secured and unsecured debt markets, unsecured lines of credit, and other sources. In addition, the Company has reduced and intends to continue to reduce the total outstanding preferred stock of the Company and that of Cedar through the following strategies:
◦The Company has been and intends to continue to continue opportunistically exchanging shares of its Common Stock for its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") and/or its Series D Preferred Stock with the holders thereof.
◦The Company has been and intends to continue repurchasing the Cedar Preferred Stock as both series are currently trading at a discount to their liquidation value, presenting a strategic opportunity to buy back shares
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at favorable prices. By reducing the number of shareholders eligible for dividend payments, we can offset the net operating income lost from the recent sales of certain properties.
These strategies are intended to enhance the Company's financial stability, strengthen its balance sheet, optimize its capital allocation, and maximize shareholder value.
•Strategy for integrating acquisitions. As the Company undertakes acquisitions, we seek to thoughtfully integrate the acquired properties and any software and personnel to maximize efficiencies both at the property and corporate level.
Governmental Regulations Affecting Our Properties
We and our properties are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental, health, safety, tax and similar laws. The application of these laws to a specific property that we own depends on a variety of property-specific circumstances, including the current and former uses of the property, the building materials used at the property and the physical layout of the property. Neither existing environmental, health, safety and similar laws nor the costs of our compliance with these laws has had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, and management does not believe they will for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. In addition, we have not incurred, and do not expect to incur, any material costs or liabilities due to environmental contamination at properties we currently own or have owned in the past. However, we cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on properties we currently own or may acquire in the future. We have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures with respect to compliance with environmental, health, safety and similar laws and we carry environmental insurance that covers a number of environmental risks for most of our properties.
Competition
Numerous commercial developers and real estate companies compete with us with respect to the leasing of properties. Some of these competitors may possess greater capital resources than we do, although we do not believe that any single competitor or group of competitors in any of the primary markets where our properties are located are dominant in that market. This competition may interfere with our ability to attract and retain tenants, leading to increased vacancy rates and/or reduced rents and adversely affect our ability to minimize operating expenses.
Retailers at our properties also face competition from online retailers, outlet stores, discount shopping clubs, superstores, and other forms of sales and marketing of goods and services, such as direct mail. This competition could contribute to lease defaults and insolvency of tenants.
Climate
Some of our properties could be subject to natural or other disasters. In addition, we may acquire properties that are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and droughts. Because of the geographic concentration of our properties, a single severe weather event or natural disaster could impact multiple of our properties. Properties could also be affected by increases in the frequency or severity of tornadoes, hurricanes or other severe weather, whether such increases are caused by global climate changes or other factors. The occurrence of natural disasters or severe weather conditions can increase investment costs to repair or replace damaged properties, increase operating costs, increase future property insurance costs, and/or negatively impact the tenant demand for lease space. If insurance is unavailable to us, or is unavailable on acceptable terms, or if our insurance is not adequate to cover business interruption or losses from such events, our earnings, liquidity and/or capital resources could be adversely affected. While several of our properties are located in areas that have experienced hurricanes, tornados, severe rain storms, or snow during the past two years, there has been no substantial damage or change in operations related to weather events.
Insurance
The Company carries comprehensive liability, property, fire, flood, wind, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio under an insurance policy, in addition to other coverages, such as trademark and pollution coverage that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors’, officers’, entity and employment practices liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage, requirements from any and all lenders and general industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover losses.
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Available Information
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Therefore, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us.
Additionally, we make available free of charge through our website http://www.whlr.us our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, including exhibits, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website is intended to be inactive textual references only.
Investors and others should note that we currently announce material information using SEC filings and press releases. In the future, we will continue to use these channels to distribute material information about the Company, and may also utilize public conference calls, webcasts, our website and/or various social media sites to communicate important information about the Company, key personnel, trends, corporate initiatives and other matters. Information that we post on our website or on social media channels could be deemed material; therefore, investors, the media, our customers, business partners and others interested in the Company should review the information posted on our website as well as on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheeler-real-estate-investment-trust/, in addition to following the Company’s press releases and SEC filings. Any updates to the list of social media channels we may use to communicate material information will be posted on the Investor Relations page of our website at http://www.whlr.us. The information we post through these channels is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other document we file with the SEC, and the inclusion of our website addresses and LinkedIn account are as inactive textual references only.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
The Company depends on the proper functioning, availability and security of its information systems, including financial, data processing, communications and operating systems. Several information systems are software applications provided by third parties. Although risks from cybersecurity threats have to date not materially affected, and we do not believe they are reasonably likely to materially affect, us, our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, like other companies in our industry, we could, from time to time, experience threats and security incidents related to our and our third-party vendors’ information systems, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential data, and other electronic security breaches. Such cybersecurity attacks can range from individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems to more sophisticated security threats. While we employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cybersecurity attack. A cybersecurity attack could compromise the confidential information of our employees, tenants and vendors. A successful cybersecurity attack could disrupt and otherwise adversely affect our business operations.
The Company does not believe that it has experienced any cybersecurity threats or incidents that have materially
affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company and its business strategy, results of operations and/or
financial condition.
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Cybersecurity Governance
The Company retained an information technology expert third party company to assist in managing relevant risks. In particular, the Company outsources its information technology function and monitoring to a third party provider whereby it benefits from a professionally managed network monitoring, management, maintenance, detection and response system and a 24/7 security operations center with both onsite and remote support services. Any cybersecurity incident would be reported to the Company promptly by our third party consultant and material and potentially material incidents would be assessed by management and the Audit Committee for remediation and future prevention and detection.
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Item 2. Properties.
Real Estate Portfolio
The following tables present an overview of our properties and undeveloped land as of December 31, 2024.
Property | Location | Number of Tenants | Total Leasable Square Feet | Percentage Leased | Percentage Occupied | Total SF Occupied | Annualized Base Rent (in 000's) (1) | Annualized Base Rent per Occupied Sq. Foot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHLR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alex City Marketplace | Alexander City, AL | 20 | 151,843 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 151,843 | $ | 1,330 | $ | 8.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amscot Building | Tampa, FL | 1 | 2,500 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 2,500 | 83 | 33.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beaver Ruin Village | Lilburn, GA | 28 | 74,038 | 92.5 | % | 92.5 | % | 68,448 | 1,287 | 18.80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beaver Ruin Village II | Lilburn, GA | 4 | 34,925 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 34,925 | 497 | 14.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brook Run Shopping Center | Richmond, VA | 17 | 147,738 | 91.5 | % | 91.5 | % | 135,110 | 1,187 | 8.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bryan Station | Lexington, KY | 9 | 54,277 | 94.5 | % | 94.5 | % | 51,275 | 612 | 11.94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cardinal Plaza | Henderson, NC | 10 | 50,000 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 50,000 | 519 | 10.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chesapeake Square | Onley, VA | 13 | 108,982 | 90.9 | % | 90.9 | % | 99,006 | 768 | 7.75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clover Plaza | Clover, SC | 10 | 45,575 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 45,575 | 386 | 8.47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conyers Crossing | Conyers, GA | 14 | 170,475 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 170,475 | 1,023 | 6.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crockett Square | Morristown, TN | 4 | 107,122 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 107,122 | 978 | 9.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cypress Shopping Center | Boiling Springs, SC | 19 | 80,435 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 80,435 | 807 | 10.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darien Shopping Center | Darien, GA | 1 | 26,001 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 26,001 | 140 | 5.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Devine Street | Columbia, SC | 1 | 38,464 | 89.1 | % | 89.1 | % | 34,264 | 180 | 5.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Folly Road | Charleston, SC | 5 | 47,794 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 47,794 | 737 | 15.43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forrest Gallery | Tullahoma, TN | 28 | 214,451 | 91.2 | % | 91.2 | % | 195,642 | 1,499 | 7.66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fort Howard Shopping Center | Rincon, GA | 20 | 113,652 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 113,652 | 1,312 | 11.55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freeway Junction | Stockbridge, GA | 17 | 156,834 | 97.6 | % | 97.6 | % | 152,984 | 1,356 | 8.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franklin Village | Kittanning, PA | 24 | 151,821 | 93.9 | % | 93.9 | % | 142,493 | 1,383 | 9.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franklinton Square | Franklinton, NC | 13 | 65,366 | 93.0 | % | 93.0 | % | 60,800 | 589 | 9.69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgetown | Georgetown, SC | 2 | 29,572 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 29,572 | 267 | 9.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grove Park Shopping Center | Orangeburg, SC | 13 | 93,265 | 94.2 | % | 94.2 | % | 87,851 | 722 | 8.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harrodsburg Marketplace | Harrodsburg, KY | 8 | 60,048 | 91.0 | % | 91.0 | % | 54,648 | 466 | 8.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
JANAF | Norfolk, VA | 111 | 796,624 | 86.4 | % | 86.4 | % | 688,033 | 9,042 | 13.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laburnum Square | Richmond, VA | 20 | 109,405 | 98.2 | % | 98.2 | % | 107,405 | 1,031 | 9.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ladson Crossing | Ladson, SC | 15 | 52,607 | 97.7 | % | 97.7 | % | 51,407 | 563 | 10.95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| LaGrange Marketplace | LaGrange, GA | 13 | 76,594 | 92.2 | % | 92.2 | % | 70,600 | 463 | 6.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lake Greenwood Crossing | Greenwood, SC | 8 | 43,618 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 43,618 | 414 | 9.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lake Murray | Lexington, SC | 5 | 39,218 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 39,218 | 364 | 9.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Litchfield Market Village | Pawleys Island, SC | 25 | 86,717 | 100.0 | % | 98.6 | % | 85,517 | 1,124 | 13.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumber River Village | Lumberton, NC | 11 | 66,781 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 66,781 | 519 | 7.77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moncks Corner | Moncks Corner, SC | 1 | 26,800 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 26,800 | 330 | 12.31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nashville Commons | Nashville, NC | 12 | 56,100 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 56,100 | 675 | 12.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Market Crossing | Mt. Airy, NC | 13 | 117,076 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 117,076 | 1,052 | 8.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parkway Plaza | Brunswick, GA | 5 | 52,365 | 84.8 | % | 84.8 | % | 44,385 | 483 | 10.88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pierpont Centre | Morgantown, WV | 15 | 111,162 | 98.5 | % | 98.5 | % | 109,437 | 1,099 | 10.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Port Crossing | Harrisonburg, VA | 8 | 65,365 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 65,365 | 866 | 13.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ridgeland | Ridgeland, SC | 1 | 20,029 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 20,029 | 140 | 7.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Riverbridge Shopping Center | Carrollton, GA | 11 | 91,188 | 96.9 | % | 96.9 | % | 88,375 | 756 | 8.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rivergate Shopping Center | Macon, GA | 24 | 193,960 | 87.5 | % | 86.5 | % | 167,816 | 2,602 | 15.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sangaree Plaza | Summerville, SC | 10 | 66,948 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 66,948 | 739 | 11.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoppes at Myrtle Park | Bluffton, SC | 13 | 56,609 | 97.5 | % | 97.5 | % | 55,185 | 674 | 12.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Lake | Lexington, SC | 11 | 44,318 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 44,318 | 275 | 6.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Park | Mullins, SC | 4 | 60,734 | 96.9 | % | 96.9 | % | 58,834 | 401 | 6.82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Square | Lancaster, SC | 6 | 44,350 | 81.0 | % | 81.0 | % | 35,900 | 311 | 8.65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Property | Location | Number of Tenants | Total Leasable Square Feet | Percentage Leased | Percentage Occupied | Total SF Occupied | Annualized Base Rent (in 000's) (1) | Annualized Base Rent per Occupied Sq. Foot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St. George Plaza | St. George, SC | 9 | 59,174 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 59,174 | 470 | 7.95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunshine Plaza | Lehigh Acres, FL | 22 | 111,189 | 100.0 | % | 98.7 | % | 109,689 | 1,127 | 10.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrey Plaza | Hawkinsville, GA | 3 | 42,680 | 82.0 | % | 82.0 | % | 35,000 | 222 | 6.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tampa Festival | Tampa, FL | 22 | 141,580 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 141,580 | 1,334 | 9.42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tri-County Plaza | Royston, GA | 8 | 67,577 | 96.0 | % | 96.0 | % | 64,877 | 464 | 7.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuckernuck | Richmond, VA | 18 | 93,391 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 93,391 | 1,129 | 12.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twin City Commons | Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 5 | 47,680 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 47,680 | 491 | 10.30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Village of Martinsville | Martinsville, VA | 22 | 288,254 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 288,254 | 2,449 | 8.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Waterway Plaza | Little River, SC | 10 | 49,750 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 49,750 | 498 | 10.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Westland Square | West Columbia, SC | 11 | 62,735 | 85.1 | % | 85.1 | % | 53,360 | 483 | 9.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winslow Plaza | Sicklerville, NJ | 18 | 40,695 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 40,695 | 693 | 17.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHLR TOTAL | 771 | 5,308,451 | 94.9 | % | 94.8 | % | 5,035,012 | $ | 51,411 | $ | 10.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CDR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brickyard Plaza | Berlin, CT | 11 | 227,598 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 227,598 | $ | 2,100 | $ | 9.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carll's Corner | Bridgeton, NJ | 7 | 116,532 | 36.9 | % | 36.9 | % | 43,012 | 450 | 10.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coliseum Marketplace | Hampton, VA | 9 | 106,648 | 94.9 | % | 94.9 | % | 101,198 | 833 | 8.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fairview Commons | New Cumberland, PA | 11 | 50,485 | 87.8 | % | 87.8 | % | 44,335 | 511 | 11.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fieldstone Marketplace | New Bedford, MA | 12 | 193,836 | 79.4 | % | 53.5 | % | 103,664 | 1,053 | 10.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gold Star Plaza | Shenandoah, PA | 6 | 71,720 | 97.8 | % | 97.8 | % | 70,120 | 643 | 9.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Triangle | Lancaster, PA | 18 | 202,790 | 89.2 | % | 89.2 | % | 180,940 | 2,706 | 14.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamburg Square | Hamburg, PA | 7 | 102,058 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 102,058 | 703 | 6.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon Avenue (2) | Philadelphia, PA | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patuxent Crossing | California, MD | 26 | 264,068 | 82.3 | % | 82.0 | % | 216,467 | 2,542 | 11.74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pine Grove Plaza | Brown Mills, NJ | 16 | 79,306 | 86.4 | % | 86.4 | % | 68,506 | 839 | 12.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southington Center | Southington, CT | 8 | 155,842 | 92.1 | % | 91.0 | % | 141,870 | 1,031 | 7.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timpany Plaza | Gardner, MA | 18 | 182,820 | 82.8 | % | 82.8 | % | 151,460 | 1,600 | 10.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trexler Mall | Trexlertown, PA | 23 | 342,541 | 98.7 | % | 98.7 | % | 337,944 | 3,820 | 11.31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington Center Shoppes | Sewell, NJ | 29 | 157,300 | 96.1 | % | 96.1 | % | 151,150 | 1,921 | 12.71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Webster Commons | Webster, MA | 9 | 98,984 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 98,984 | 1,285 | 12.98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CDR TOTAL | 210 | 2,352,528 | 88.9 | % | 86.7 | % | 2,039,306 | $ | 22,037 | $ | 10.81 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| COMBINED TOTAL | 981 | 7,660,979 | 93.1 | % | 92.3 | % | 7,074,318 | $ | 73,448 | $ | 10.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Monthly base rent on occupied space as of the end of the current reporting period multiplied by twelve months, excluding the impact of tenant concessions and rent abatements.
(2) Includes property where a redevelopment opportunity exists.
| Undeveloped Land | Company | Location | Parcel Size (in acres) | |||||||||||||||||
| Brook Run Properties | WHLR | Richmond, VA | 2.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Courtland Commons | WHLR | Courtland, VA | 1.04 | |||||||||||||||||
| St. George Land | WHLR | St. George, SC | 2.51 | |||||||||||||||||
South Philadelphia parcels | CDR | Philadelphia, PA | 4.47 | |||||||||||||||||
| Webster Commons | CDR | Webster, MA | 0.55 | |||||||||||||||||
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Major Tenants
The following table sets forth information regarding the ten largest tenants in our Operating Portfolio based on annualized base rent as of December 31, 2024.
| Tenants | Category | Annualized Base Rent ($ in 000s) | % of Total Annualized Base Rent | Total Occupied Square Feet | Percent Total Leasable Square Feet | Annualized Base Rent Per Occupied Square Foot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Food Lion | Grocery | $ | 4,280 | 5.86 | % | 520,000 | 6.79 | % | $ | 8.23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kroger Co (1) | Grocery | 2,097 | 2.87 | % | 239,000 | 3.12 | % | 8.77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dollar Tree (2) | Discount Retailer | 2,070 | 2.83 | % | 255,000 | 3.33 | % | 8.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planet Fitness | Gym | 1,949 | 2.67 | % | 205,000 | 2.68 | % | 9.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TJX Companies (3) | Discount Retailer | 1,721 | 2.35 | % | 195,000 | 2.55 | % | 8.83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piggly Wiggly | Grocery | 1,363 | 1.87 | % | 170,000 | 2.22 | % | 8.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowes Foods (4) | Grocery | 1,223 | 1.67 | % | 130,000 | 1.70 | % | 9.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aldi (5) | Grocery | 1,072 | 1.47 | % | 106,000 | 1.38 | % | 10.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kohl's | Discount Retailer | 1,049 | 1.44 | % | 147,000 | 1.92 | % | 7.14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lehigh Valley Health | Medical | 803 | 1.10 | % | 43,000 | 0.56 | % | 18.67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 17,627 | 24.13 | % | 2,010,000 | 26.25 | % | $ | 8.77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Kroger 4 / Harris Teeter 1 / 3 fuel stations
(2) Dollar Tree 18 / Family Dollar 7
(3) Marshall's 4 / HomeGoods 2 / TJ Maxx 1
(4) Lowes Foods 1 / KJ's Market 2
(5) Aldi 3 / Winn Dixie 1
Lease Expirations
The following table sets forth information with respect to the lease expirations of our properties as of December 31, 2024.
| Lease Expiration Period | Number of Expiring Leases | Total Expiring Square Footage | % of Total Expiring Square Footage | % of Total Occupied Square Footage Expiring | Expiring Annualized Base Rent (in 000s) | % of Total Annualized Base Rent | Expiring Base Rent Per Occupied Square Foot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available | — | 586,661 | 7.66 | % | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Month-to-Month | 10 | 50,092 | 0.65 | % | 0.71 | % | 414 | 0.56 | % | 8.26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 119 | 522,410 | 6.82 | % | 7.38 | % | 5,338 | 7.27 | % | 10.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 165 | 850,573 | 11.10 | % | 12.02 | % | 9,371 | 12.76 | % | 11.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | 171 | 697,499 | 9.10 | % | 9.86 | % | 9,103 | 12.39 | % | 13.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | 137 | 1,115,267 | 14.56 | % | 15.77 | % | 10,482 | 14.27 | % | 9.40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 | 148 | 965,879 | 12.61 | % | 13.65 | % | 10,671 | 14.53 | % | 11.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2030 | 74 | 969,764 | 12.66 | % | 13.71 | % | 8,357 | 11.38 | % | 8.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2031 | 39 | 496,453 | 6.48 | % | 7.02 | % | 5,018 | 6.83 | % | 10.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2032 | 33 | 415,702 | 5.43 | % | 5.88 | % | 3,592 | 4.89 | % | 8.64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2033 | 20 | 250,321 | 3.27 | % | 3.54 | % | 2,791 | 3.80 | % | 11.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thereafter | 65 | 740,358 | 9.66 | % | 10.46 | % | 8,311 | 11.32 | % | 11.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 981 | 7,660,979 | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | $ | 73,448 | 100.00 | % | $ | 10.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Management and Leasing Strategy
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We self-administer our property management and substantially all of our leasing activities and operating and administrative functions (including leasing, legal, acquisitions, development, data processing, finance and accounting). On-site functions such as maintenance, landscaping, sweeping, plumbing and electrical are subcontracted out at each location and, to the extent permitted by their respective leases, the cost of these functions is passed on to the tenants.
We believe that focused property management, leasing and customer retention are essential to maximizing the revenue per square foot, operating cash flow and value of our properties. Our primary goal in property management is to maintain an attractive shopping environment on a cost effective basis for our tenants.
The majority of our property management and leasing functions are supervised and administered by us. We maintain regular contact with our tenants and frequently visit each asset to ensure the proper implementation and execution of our market strategies. As part of our ongoing property management, we conduct regular physical property reviews to improve our properties, react to changing market conditions and ensure proper maintenance.
Our leasing representatives are experienced in the markets in which we operate; they are familiar with current tenants and potential local, regional, and national tenants that would complement our current tenant base. We study demographics, customer sales, merchandising mix and cultivate tenant relationships to optimize the sales performance of our centers and thereby increase rents. We believe this hands-on approach maximizes the value of our shopping centers.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
See the discussion set forth under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies" in Note 8 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On October 8, 2024, the Company agreed to issue 11,000 shares of its Common Stock to an unaffiliated holder of the Company’s securities in exchange for 22,000 shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and 22,000 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock from the investor (the “2024 Preferred Stock Exchange”). The settlement of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange occurred on the same day. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds as a result of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange, and the shares of the preferred stock exchanged have been retired and cancelled.
The Company issued the Common Stock under the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act contained in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act on the basis that the issuance of Common Stock constituted an exchange with an existing holder of the Company’s securities, and no commission or other remuneration was paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such transaction.
In 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,368 shares of Common Stock to satisfy conversion requests by certain holders of the Convertible Notes. The Company issued the Common Stock in the Convertible Note conversions in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act contained in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act on the basis that each issuance of Common Stock to the Convertible Note holders constituted an exchange with an existing holder of the Company’s securities, and no commission or other remuneration was paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such transaction. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds as a result of any Convertible Note conversion, and the Convertible Notes that were converted have been retired and cancelled.
All of the foregoing issuances of Common Stock were made to accredited investors.
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Market Information
Our Common Stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “WHLR.”
Approximate Number of Holders of Our Common Stock
As of February 28, 2025 there were 14 holders of record of our Common Stock. This number excludes stockholders whose stock is held in nominee or street name by brokers.
Dividend Policy
In March 2018, the Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends on our Common Stock. The Board of Directors also suspended the quarterly dividends on shares of our Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") (together with Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, the "Preferred Stock"), Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, beginning with the three months ended December 31, 2018.
As the Company has failed to pay cash dividends on the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock, the annual dividend rate on the Series D Preferred Stock increased to 10.75% commencing on the first day after the first missed quarterly payment, January 1, 2019, and will continue until such time as the Company has paid all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock in full. Commencing September 21, 2023, the Series D Preferred Stock holders were entitled to cumulative cash dividends of 12.75%. At September 21, 2024, the annual dividend rate increased by 2% of the liquidation preference per annum to 14.75%. See Note 10, Equity and Mezzanine Equity, to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
As a result of the dividend suspension on the Series D Preferred Stock, our Charter provides that no dividends may be declared or paid on the Common Stock or on our other outstanding preferred until all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock have been paid in full. At this time, the Company does not intend to pay dividends other than those required dividend distributions, if any, that will enable us to maintain our REIT status and to eliminate or minimize our obligation to pay income and excise taxes. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Future Liquidity Needs.”
Item 6. Reserved.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. All share and share-related information presented in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements, has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Splits, unless otherwise noted. For more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information, you should read the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.
Company Overview
We are a Maryland corporation focused on owning, leasing and operating income producing grocery-anchored centers, neighborhood centers, community centers and free-standing retail properties. We have targeted properties located within developed areas, commonly referred to as in-fill, that are surrounded by communities that have strong demographics and dynamic, diversified economies that will continue to generate jobs and future demand for commercial real estate. Our primary target markets include the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Northeast.
Our portfolio is comprised of seventy-five properties, including seventy-two retail shopping centers and three undeveloped land parcels. Twenty-one of these properties are located in South Carolina, twelve in Georgia, ten in Virginia, eight in Pennsylvania, five in North Carolina, four in New Jersey, three in Massachusetts, three in Florida, two in Connecticut, two in Kentucky, two in Tennessee, one in Alabama, one in Maryland, and one in West Virginia. The Company’s portfolio had total gross rentable space of approximately 7,661,000 square feet and a leased level of approximately 93.1% at December 31, 2024.
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In August 2022, the Company acquired Cedar, and as a result of such transaction acquired its then 19 shopping centers (the majority of which are grocery-anchored), which increased the Company’s presence in the Northeast.
The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K include Cedar. We have determined that this acquisition is not a variable interest entity, as defined under the consolidation topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"), Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") and we evaluated such entity under the voting model and concluded we should consolidate the entity. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting rights and that other equity holders do not have substantive participating rights.
Recent Trends and Activities
There have been several significant events in 2024 that have impacted our Company. These events are summarized below.
Dispositions
The following properties were sold during the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| Disposal Date | Property | Contract Price | Gain (Loss) | Net Proceeds | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 26, 2024 | South Philadelphia retail center - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $ | 21,000 | $ | (5,389) | $ | 16,736 | |||||||||||||||||||
| November 27, 2024 | Brickyard Plaza land parcel - Berlin, Connecticut | 1,150 | 973 | 1,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 12, 2024 | Kings Plaza - New Bedford, Massachusetts | 14,200 | 6,509 | 13,746 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 11, 2024 | Edenton Commons land parcel - Edenton, North Carolina | 1,400 | 574 | 1,312 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 26, 2024 | Oakland Commons - Bristol, Connecticut | 6,000 | 3,363 | 5,662 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 18, 2024 | Harbor Point land parcel - Grove, Oklahoma | n/a | (480) | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On June 18, 2024, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the "Harbor Point Settlement Agreement") with the City of Grove, Oklahoma and the Grove Economic Development Authority of Grove, Oklahoma (collectively, the "City of Grove"), which provided for the transfer of the Harbor Point land parcel and a one-time payment of $160 thousand to the City of Grove in exchange for a release of the Company from all increment taxes and other obligations under the Economic Development Agreement the Company had entered into with the City of Grove and the dismissal of the litigation commenced by the City of Grove against the Company.
Impairment
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1.2 million on Oregon Avenue, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Term Loan, Five Properties
On June 28, 2024, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties") with Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC, for $25.5 million at a fixed rate of 6.80% with interest-only payments due monthly. Commencing on August 10, 2029, until the maturity date of July 10, 2034, monthly principal and interest payments will be made based on a 30-year amortization schedule calculated based on the principal amount outstanding at that time. The Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties' proceeds were used to refinance four loans, including paying $0.4 million in defeasance. The Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties is collateralized by Cypress Shopping Center, Conyers Crossing, Chesapeake Square, Sangaree Plaza and Tri-County Plaza.
Convertible Notes
On January 17, 2024, the Company paid down $0.6 million of the Convertible Notes through an open market purchase of 23,280 units at a total purchase price of $1.3 million. As a result of that transaction, the Company recognized a $0.7 million
13
loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, which represents the fair value of the purchase over principal pay down. The loss is included in "other expense" on the consolidated statements of operations.
In 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,368 shares of its Common Stock upon the conversion of Convertible Notes by certain holders thereof, which resulted in an aggregate net loss on conversion of Convertible Notes of $0.4 million.
As of December 31, 2024, the Conversion Price for the Convertible Notes was approximately $16.88 per share of the Company’s Common Stock (approximately 1.48 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted).
For the February 2025 Series D Preferred Stock redemptions subsequent to year-end, the lowest price at which any Series D Preferred Stock was converted by a holder thereof into Common Stock was approximately $7.05. Accordingly, under Section 14.02 (Optional Conversion) of the indenture governing the Convertible Notes (the "Indenture"), the Conversion Price was further adjusted, as of February 5, 2025, to approximately $3.88 per share of the Company’s Common Stock (approximately 6.44 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted).
Interest expense on the Convertible Notes consists of the following (in thousands, except for shares):
Years ended December 31, | Series B Preferred Stock number of shares (1) | Series D Preferred Stock number of shares (1) | Convertible Note interest at 7% coupon | Fair value adjustment | Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | — | 187,410 | $ | 2,163 | $ | 1,970 | $ | 4,133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | — | 306,380 | $ | 2,259 | $ | 1,649 | $ | 3,908 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Shares issued as interest payment on Convertible Notes. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock for Common Stock
On October 8, 2024, the Company agreed to issue 11,000 shares of its Common Stock to an unaffiliated holder of the Company’s securities in exchange for 22,000 shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and 22,000 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock from the investor. The settlement of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange occurred on the same day. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds as a result of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange, and the shares of the preferred stock exchanged have been retired and cancelled.
The Company intends to continue to opportunistically exchange shares of its Common Stock for its Series B Preferred Stock and/or its Series D Preferred Stock with the holders thereof as an additional strategy to reduce the outstanding number of each security, enhance the Company's financial stability and optimize its capital allocation. See Note 12 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional details.
Series D Preferred Stock - Redemptions
After September 21, 2023, each holder of the Series D Preferred Stock has the right, at such holder’s option, to request that the Company redeem any or all of such holder’s shares on a monthly basis (each redemption date, a “Holder Redemption Date”), at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the Holder Redemption Date, payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the Company's option.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company processed redemptions for an aggregate of 519,822 shares of Series D Preferred Stock from the holders thereof. Accordingly, the Company issued 294,083 shares of its Common Stock in settlement of an aggregate redemption price of approximately $20.4 million.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had received requests to redeem 102,487 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the January 2025 Holder Redemption Date. As such, the redemption of these Series D Preferred Stock is considered certain at December 31, 2024 and the liquidation value associated with these shares of $4.1 million is presented as a liability.
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Subsidiary
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During the year ended December 31, 2024, Cedar repurchased and retired 791,306 shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock in a series of repurchase transactions, including through a "modified Dutch auction" tender offer that commenced in September 2024 (the "September 2024 Cedar Tender Offer"). The shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock were repurchased for an aggregate of $11.5 million at a weighted average price of $13.93 per share, representing a premium to the book value of $9.75 per share. The repurchase of the noncontrolling interests caused the recognition of $3.8 million deemed distributions during the year ended December 31, 2024.
On December 27, 2024, the Company announced and commenced a second "modified Dutch auction" tender offer to purchase up to an aggregate amount paid of $12.5 million of shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock at a price of not less than $13.75 nor greater than $15.75 per share of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock, to the sellers in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. Following the expiration of the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer on January 28, 2025, the Company accepted for purchase 645,276 shares of its Cedar Series C Preferred Stock at $15.75 per share for approximately $10.2 million. See Note 12 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional details.
Related Party Transactions
Management and Leasing Services for Cedar
The Company performs property management and leasing services for Cedar, a subsidiary of the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, Cedar paid the Company $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for these services.
Related party amounts due to the Company from Cedar for financing and real estate taxes, management fees, leasing
commissions and Cost Sharing Agreement (as defined below) allocations were $9.5 million and $8.1 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.
Investment in Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P
The Company’s investments with the Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“SAI”) are accounted for under the equity method and measured at net asset value as a practical expedient and has not been classified within the fair value hierarchy. All gains and losses, realized and unrealized, and fees are recorded through "gains (losses) on investment securities, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of the Company’s SAI investment was $12.0 million, which includes $10.0 million from 2023 subscriptions and $0.5 million from the 2024 subscription. These subscriptions were approved by the disinterested directors of the Company, and, after the
formation of the Related Person Transactions Committee (the “RPT Committee”), by the RPT Committee. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $323 thousand and $204 thousand in fees, respectively. See Note 4 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional details.
Excepted Holder Limits
On December 4, 2023, the Board of Directors, under the terms of the Charter, created a Capital Stock Excepted Holder Limit of 55% and a Common Stock Excepted Holder Limit of 86% for each of SAI, Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P., and Stilwell Associates, L.P. (collectively, the “Stilwell Investors”). Joseph Stilwell, a member of our Board of Directors, is the managing member and owner of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of each of the Stilwell Investors.
On December 5, 2023, the Company entered into an Excepted Holder Agreement with the Stilwell Investors with respect to such limits. The Capital Stock Excepted Holder Limit provides that the Stilwell Investors are exempted from the Charter’s aggregate stock ownership limit of not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes of the Company's capital stock (as calculated under the definitions of “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” and “Beneficial Ownership” in the Charter) and are instead subject to the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors. The Common Stock Excepted Holder Limit provides that the Stilwell Investors are exempted from the Charter’s common stock ownership limit of not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (as calculated under the definitions of “Common Stock Ownership Limit” and “Beneficial Ownership” in the Charter) and is instead subject to the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors. The Capital Stock Excepted Holder Limit and
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Common Stock Excepted Holder Limit will automatically terminate upon reduction of the Stilwell Investors’ capital stock and Common Stock ownership below 9.8%, respectively.
In consideration of the grant of these Excepted Holder Limits, the Stilwell Investors concurrently entered into a one-year letter agreement (the "Stilwell Letter Agreement") with the Company whereby each Stilwell Investor agreed that it will not exercise its right to convert the Convertible Notes into shares of Common Stock to the extent that such conversion would result in such Stilwell Investor, whether on its own or as part of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, becoming the direct or indirect “beneficial owner”, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of common equity of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of common equity of the Company that is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Following the transfer of Common Stock to the Stilwell Investors in consideration of the February 2024 Series D Preferred Stock redemptions made by the Stilwell Investors, the Stilwell Investors would have beneficially owned or constructively owned an amount of capital stock in excess of the Prior Excepted Holder Limits. On February 5, 2024, the Board of Directors agreed to increase the prior Excepted Holder Limits to permit this additional ownership and, accordingly, the Company entered into an amendment to the Excepted Holder Agreement with the Stilwell Investors under which the Company increased the Capital Stock Excepted Holder Limit granted to Stilwell Investors under the Excepted Holder Agreement to 60% and the Common Stock Excepted Holder Limit to 90%.
Following approval by the Executive Committee of the Company's Board, the Company entered into an an amendment to the Stilwell Letter Agreement with the Stilwell Investors that extended the term thereof an additional year, through December 5, 2025.
Preferred Dividends
At September 21, 2024, the annual dividend rate increased by 2% of the liquidation preference per annum to 14.75%, including the default rate. The total cumulative dividends in arrears for Series D Preferred Stock is $32.8 million as of December 31, 2024 ($14.67 per share).
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New Leases and Leasing Renewals
The following table presents selected lease activity statistics for our properties:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Renewals(1): | |||||||||||
| Leases renewed with rate increase (sq feet) | 768,286 | 712,873 | |||||||||
| Leases renewed with rate decrease (sq feet) | 43,360 | — | |||||||||
| Leases renewed with no rate change (sq feet) | 157,504 | 295,173 | |||||||||
| Total leases renewed (sq feet) | 969,150 | 1,008,046 | |||||||||
| Leases renewed with rate increase (count) | 156 | 116 | |||||||||
| Leases renewed with rate decrease (count) | 3 | — | |||||||||
| Leases renewed with no rate change (count) | 11 | 20 | |||||||||
| Total leases renewed (count) | 170 | 136 | |||||||||
| Options exercised (count) | 34 | 31 | |||||||||
| Weighted average on rate increases (per sq foot) | $ | 1.36 | $ | 0.86 | |||||||
| Weighted average on rate decreases (per sq foot) | $ | (0.86) | $ | — | |||||||
| Weighted average rate (per sq foot) | $ | 1.04 | $ | 0.61 | |||||||
| Weighted average change over prior rates | 9.48 | % | 6.54 | % | |||||||
New Leases(1) (2): | |||||||||||
| New leases (sq feet) | 230,953 | 406,649 | |||||||||
| New leases (count) | 55 | 68 | |||||||||
| Weighted average rate (per sq foot) | $ | 14.45 | $ | 12.43 | |||||||
| Weighted average change of new leases over prior rates | 21.35 | % | 14.68 | % | |||||||
(1) Lease data presented is based on average rate per square foot over the renewed or new lease term.
(2) The Company does not include ground leases entered into for the purposes of new lease square feet and weighted average rate (per square foot) on new leases.
Big Lots Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On September 9, 2024, Big Lots, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, "Big Lots"), filed for protection under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Big Lots leased five locations from us (collectively, the "Big Lots Leases"). We don't anticipate that the Big Lots chapter 11 cases will have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial condition, or our results of operations.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements
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requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The critical accounting estimates and policies summarized in this section are discussed in further detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We believe that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition. The following accounting estimates are considered critical because they are particularly dependent on management’s judgment about matters that have a significant level of uncertainty at the time the accounting estimates are made, and changes to those estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition or operating results.
Revenue Recognition
Principal components of our total revenues include base and percentage rents and tenant reimbursements. The Company combines lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent and tenant reimbursement revenue. We accrue minimum (base) rent on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases which results in an unbilled rent asset or deferred rent liability being recorded on the balance sheet. Certain lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on tenants’ sales volumes (contingent or percentage rent) which we recognize when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements. Although we periodically review the valuation of the asset/liability resulting from the straight-line accounting treatment of our leases in light of any changes in lease terms, financial condition or other factors concerning our tenants, they are subject to uncertainty. These assessments are inherently sensitive as they are based on the judgment of management and information available at the time of evaluation.
Rents and Other Tenant Receivables
We record a tenant receivable for amounts due from tenants such as base rents, tenant reimbursements and other charges allowed under the lease terms. We periodically review tenant receivables for collectability and determine the need for an allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and other accounts receivable based upon customer creditworthiness (including expected recovery of a claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels and current economic trends. We consider a receivable past due once it becomes delinquent per the terms of the lease; our standard lease form considers a rent charge past due after five days. A past due receivable triggers certain events such as notices, fees and other allowable and required actions per the lease.
Acquired Properties and Lease Intangibles
We allocate the purchase price of the acquired properties to land, building and improvements, identifiable intangible assets and to the acquired liabilities based on their respective fair values. Identifiable intangibles include amounts allocated to acquired out-of-market leases, tenant relationships, the value of in-place leases and ground. We determine fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends and specific market and economic conditions that may affect the property. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related expenses. Such amounts are based on estimates and forecasts which, by their nature, are highly subjective and may result in future changes in the event forecasts are not realized.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We periodically review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable, with an evaluation performed at least annually. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in the property’s cash flows, occupancy and fair market value. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted future operating income before depreciation and amortization, plus its residual value, is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We estimate fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates or multiples,
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leasing prospects and local market information. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 and 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The Company may decide to sell properties. Properties classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, an impairment expense is recognized. The Company estimates fair value, less estimated closing costs, based on similar real estate sales transactions. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 and 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including stock purchase warrants and convertible notes, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations. The assumptions used in these fair value estimates are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Series D Preferred Stock
The Series D Preferred Stock was initially classified as mezzanine equity because the redemption provisions were conditional upon the occurrence of an event that was not certain. The Series D Preferred Stock was valued at net proceeds plus accrued and unpaid dividends. In 2023, this event became certain and in accordance with ASC 480, the Series D Preferred Stock was revalued at the redemption price which includes undeclared dividends, representing liquidation value. The adjustment to liquidation value was recognized in accumulated deficit as an adjustment to redemption value. Additionally, in accordance with ASC 480, as holders exercise their redemption rights the Series D Preferred Stock becomes mandatorily redeemable and the liquidation value of their exercise is classified as a liability.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2024, our consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $60.7 million compared to consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $39.8 million at December 31, 2023. Cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities were as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | Year Over Year Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 25,988 | $ | 20,934 | $ | 5,054 | 24.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | 15,480 | $ | (31,521) | $ | 47,001 | 149.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | (20,559) | $ | (5,471) | $ | (15,088) | (275.8) | % | |||||||||||||||
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities, before net changes in operating assets and liabilities, was $29.4 million and $22.4 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily due to (1) a $4.0 million decrease in capital structure costs, (2) a $2.9 million increase in Same-Property NOI and (3) a $0.8 million decrease in corporate administrative expenses, partially offset by (4) a $0.5 million increase in cash paid for interest.
Investing Activities
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Our cash flows from investing activities increased $47.0 million, primarily due to (1) the proceeds from the sale of three properties and two land parcels compared to one outparcel sale in 2023, (2) the investment subscription with SAI of $0.5 million as compared to $10.0 million in 2023 and (3) the 2023 acquisitions of two land parcels, partially offset by (4) the increase in capital expenditures of $2.5 million.
Financing Activities
Our cash flows used in financing activities were $20.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $5.5 million for the comparable period in 2023.
Financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily consist of:
Cash inflows:
•$3.9 million 2024 loan refinancing activities, net;
•$5.2 million draw on Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement; and
•$2.5 million draw on Timpany Plaza Loan Agreement.
Cash outflows:
•$11.5 million repurchase of noncontrolling interests;
•$10.4 million for distributions paid on noncontrolling interests;
•$1.6 million payments for deferred financing costs;
•$5.2 million payment on Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement;
•$1.4 million scheduled loan principal payments on debt;
•$1.3 million repurchase of debt securities;
•$0.4 million payment on Cedar term loan, 10 properties related to the sale of Brickyard Plaza land parcel; and
•$0.4 million defeasance payments.
Financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily consist of:
Cash inflows:
•$16.4 million 2023 loan refinancing activities, net, including the Timpany Plaza Loan Agreement.
Cash outflows:
•$10.8 million for distributions paid on noncontrolling interests;
•$4.4 million payments for deferred financing costs;
•$1.8 million defeasance payments;
•$3.1 million repurchase of debt securities; and
•$1.8 million scheduled loan principal payments on debt.
The Company continues to endeavor to manage its debt prudently with the objective of achieving a conservative capital structure and minimizing leverage within the Company. Our debt balances, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Fixed-rate notes | $ | 499,531 | $ | 495,572 | |||||||
| Total debt | $ | 499,531 | $ | 495,572 | |||||||
The weighted average interest rate and term of our fixed-rate debt were 5.53% and 7.5 years, respectively, at December 31, 2024. The weighted average interest rate and term of our fixed-rate debt were 5.42% and 8.2 years, respectively, at December 31, 2023. We have $6.0 million of debt maturing during the year ending December 31, 2025. While we anticipate being able to refinance all the loans at reasonable market terms upon maturity, our inability to do so may materially impact our
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financial position and results of operations. See Note 6 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional mortgage indebtedness details.
Nasdaq Notices
On December 7, 2023, the listing qualifications staff (the "Staff") of Nasdaq notified the Company that based on the Common Stock’s bid price closing below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer complied with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Rule") and that Company had a 180-day compliance period. This rule requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days.
On June 3, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff notifying the Company that it had regained compliance with the Bid Price Rule.
On June 28, 2024, the Staff notified the Company that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(4), which requires the Company to have a minimum of 500,000 "Publicly Held Shares" (defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5005(a)(35) as "shares not held directly or indirectly by an officer, director or any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of the total shares outstanding") (the "Publicly Held Shares Rule"). Per the Staff's notice, the Company had until July 12, 2024 to submit to Nasdaq a specific plan to achieve and sustain compliance.
On July 12, 2024, the Company timely submitted its plan of compliance to the Staff. On July 30, 2024, the Staff provided the Company with written notice of an extension through December 25, 2024 to regain compliance with the Publicly Held Shares Rule. Following the Company's issuance of its Common Stock in settlement of Series D Preferred Stock redemptions and in conversion of its Convertible Notes, the Company regained compliance with the Publicly Held Shares Rule and received a letter from the Staff on November 13, 2024 indicating the matter was closed.
Material Cash Requirements, Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Our expected material cash requirements for the year ended December 31, 2024 and thereafter are comprised of (i) contractually obligated expenditures; (ii) other essential expenditures; (iii) other investments; and (iv) the repurchase of noncontrolling interests, including through the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer.
The primary liquidity needs of the Company, in addition to the funding of our ongoing operations, at December 31, 2024 are $6.0 million in principal and regularly scheduled payments due in the year ended December 31, 2025 as described in Note 6 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
In addition, the Company has $1.2 million outstanding construction commitments at December 31, 2024.
In addition to liquidity required to fund debt payments and construction commitments, we may incur some level of capital expenditures during the year for our existing properties that cannot be passed on to our tenants.
To meet these future liquidity needs, the Company:
•had $43.0 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024;
•had $17.8 million held in lender reserves for the purpose of tenant improvements, lease commissions, real estate taxes and insurance at December 31, 2024; and
•intends to use cash generated from operations during the year ended December 31, 2025.
In 2024 and through the 2025 expiration of the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,436,582 shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock for a purchase price of approximately $21.2 million, excluding fees and expenses. These repurchases were funded by asset sales. In addition, the Company has been and intends to continue repurchasing its Cedar Series B Preferred Stock and Cedar Series C Preferred Stock as both series are currently trading at a discount to their liquidation value, presenting a strategic opportunity to buy back shares at favorable prices. By reducing the number of shareholders eligible for dividend payments, the Company believes it can offset the net operating income lost from the recent sales of certain properties as its seeks to enhance its financial stability and optimize its capital allocation. On
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February 21, 2025, the Company announced and commenced the February 2025 Cedar Tender Offers (as defined below). See Note 12 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for further information.
Additionally, the Company plans to undertake measures to grow its operations and increase liquidity through delivering space currently leased but not yet occupied, backfilling vacant anchor spaces, replacing tenants who are in default of their lease terms, increasing future lease revenue through tenant improvements partially funded by restricted cash, disposition of non-core assets in the ordinary course of business and refinancing properties.
In order to continue qualifying as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its "REIT taxable income," as defined in the Code. Future dividend declarations will continue to be at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and will depend on the cash flow and financial condition of the Company, capital requirements, annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. The Company intends to continue to operate its business in a manner that will allow it to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Our success in executing on our strategy will dictate our liquidity needs going forward. If we are unable to execute in these areas, our ability to grow may be limited without additional capital.
Convertible Notes
The Convertible Notes could have the effect of causing, if interest is paid in the future in shares of Series D Preferred Stock, substantial dilution of the Series D Preferred Stock and reduction in the value of any Series D Preferred Stock. In addition, depending on the prices at which the ongoing monthly redemptions of Series D Preferred Stock occur, the conversion price for the Convertible Notes could be repeatedly adjusted downwards, which has caused, and could continue to cause, significant downward pressure on the value of the Company’s Common Stock.
Series D Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock had an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $55.9 million, with aggregate accrued and unpaid dividends in the amount of approximately $32.8 million, for a total liquidation value of $88.7 million. After September 21, 2023, each holder of Series D Preferred Stock has the right, at such holder’s option, to request that the Company redeem any or all of such holder’s shares of Series D Preferred Stock on a monthly basis.
As the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock continue to exercise their redemption rights on a monthly basis, the Company will continue to pay the aggregate redemption price in shares of our Common Stock. The Company does not believe it is in its interests to liquidate assets or incur indebtedness to fund cash redemptions of the Series D Preferred Stock and, accordingly, it has no intention of doing so. Therefore, the Company intends to continue to settle redemptions of the Series D Preferred Stock in Common Stock until the earlier of (a) the redemption of all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock or (b) an agreed settlement with the holders of two-thirds of the then issued and outstanding Series D Preferred Stock. We believe that the issuance of Common Stock to settle redemptions in Common Stock will continue to result in a substantial dilution of the outstanding Common Stock.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements beginning on page 47 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Results of Operations
The following table presents a comparison of the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (in thousands).
Years Ended December 31, | Changes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 104,574 | $ | 102,325 | $ | 2,249 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Property operating expense | 35,100 | 34,870 | 230 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Property operating income | 69,474 | 67,455 | 2,019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (25,316) | (28,502) | 3,186 | (11.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | (1,195) | — | (1,195) | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate general & administrative | (10,982) | (11,750) | 768 | (6.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | 5,550 | 2,204 | 3,346 | 151.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 460 | 484 | (24) | (5.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on investment securities, net | 840 | 685 | 155 | 22.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (32,602) | (32,314) | (288) | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net changes in fair value of derivative liabilities | (8,332) | 3,458 | (11,790) | (340.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on conversion of Convertible Notes | (412) | — | (412) | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on Preferred Stock retirements | 4,772 | 9,893 | (5,121) | (51.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense | (1,489) | (5,482) | 3,993 | (72.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (1) | (48) | 47 | (97.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | 767 | 6,083 | (5,316) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues were higher primarily as a result of (1) an increase in tenant reimbursements of $2.7 million, (2) an increase in base rent of $0.7 million and (3) an increase in other income of $0.2 million, partially offset by (4) a decrease in market lease amortization of $1.4 million.
Property operating expenses were higher primarily as a result of (1) an increase in insurance of $0.3 million and (2) an increase in management fees of $0.1 million, partially offset by (3) a decrease of $0.2 million in ground rent expense, a result of the 2023 acquisition of a land parcel located on the Company's property.
Depreciation and amortization were lower primarily as a result of the purchase price allocation of lease intangibles due to the timing of the Cedar Acquisition and properties sold in 2024.
Corporate general and administrative expenses were lower primarily as a result of (1) a decrease in salaries of $0.5 million, (2) a decrease in legal fees of $0.4 million and (3) a decrease in taxes of $0.1 million, partially offset by (4) an increase in corporate administration of $0.2 million.
Interest expense increased 0.9%. Below is a comparison of the components which make up interest expense (in thousands):
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| December 31, | Changes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Property debt interest - excluding Cedar debt | $ | 17,118 | $ | 16,153 | $ | 965 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Convertible Notes interest (1) | 4,133 | 3,908 | 225 | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Defeasance paid | 368 | 1,758 | (1,390) | (79.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 2,673 | 2,860 | (187) | (6.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Property debt interest - Cedar | 8,310 | 7,635 | 675 | 8.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | $ | 32,602 | $ | 32,314 | $ | 288 | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
(1) Includes the fair value adjustment for the paid-in-kind interest.
The above increase in property debt interest inclusive of Cedar debt was $1.6 million, a result of (1) an increase of $1.1 million due to an increase in the overall average interest rate and (2) an increase of $0.5 million in the average principal debt balance.
Net changes in the fair value of derivative liabilities was a $8.3 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, which represents a non-cash adjustment from a change in the fair value, primarily related to the conversion rate on the Convertible Notes which can only be adjusted downward based on the redemption price(s) of the Series D Preferred Stock relative to market trade prices of the Convertible Notes and Common Stock. See Note 7 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for additional details.
Gain on Preferred Stock retirements is a result of the fair market value of the Common Stock issued on redemptions and exchanges of the Company's Preferred Stock, in comparison to the Preferred Stock's book value. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company realized a gain of $4.8 million and $9.9 million in the aggregate, respectively, as a result of the fair market value of the Common Stock issued in these transactions being less than the book value of the Preferred Stock retired.
Other expense represents expenses which are non-operating in nature. Other expenses were $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, which primarily consisted of capital structure costs, including repurchase of Convertible Notes and legal and other expenses incurred in connection with the 2024 Reverse Stock Splits, the registration of our Common Stock to issue in settlement of Series D Preferred Stock redemptions and redemptions of the Series D Preferred Stock by holders thereof. Other expenses were $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which primarily consisted of capital structure costs including repurchase of Convertible Notes and legal and other expenses incurred in connection with an exchange offer for the Company's outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock (the "2023 Exchange Offer"), redemptions by holders of the Series D Preferred Stock and the August 2023 Reverse Stock Split.
Same-Property Net Operating Income
Same-property net operating income ("Same-Property NOI") is a widely-used non-GAAP financial measure for REITs. The Company believes that Same-Property NOI is a useful measure of the Company's property operating performance. The Company defines Same-Property NOI as property revenues (rental and other revenues) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes). Because Same-Property NOI excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale or capital expenditures and leasing costs and impairment charges, it provides a performance measure, that when compared year over year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating commercial real estate properties and the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from operating income. The Company uses Same-Property NOI to evaluate its operating performance since Same-Property NOI allows the Company to evaluate the impact of factors, such as occupancy levels, lease structure, lease rates and tenant base, have on the Company's results, margins and returns. Properties are included in Same-Property NOI if they are owned and operated for the entirety of both periods being compared. Consistent with the capital treatment of such costs under GAAP, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other direct leasing costs are excluded from Same-Property NOI.
The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is consolidated operating income. Same-Property NOI should not be considered as an alternative to consolidated operating income prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. Further, Same-Property NOI is a measure for which there is no standard industry definition and, as such, it is not
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consistently defined or reported on among the Company's peers, and thus may not provide an adequate basis for comparison among REITs.
The following table is a reconciliation of same-property NOI from operating income (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure).
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands ) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 37,531 | $ | 29,407 | ||||||||||
| Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | (5,550) | (2,204) | ||||||||||||
| Corporate general & administrative | 10,982 | 11,750 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment charges | 1,195 | — | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 25,316 | 28,502 | ||||||||||||
| Straight-line rents | (1,334) | (1,370) | ||||||||||||
Above (below) market lease amortization, net | (3,434) | (4,849) | ||||||||||||
| Other non-property revenue | (1,043) | (137) | ||||||||||||
NOI related to properties not defined as same-property | (1,957) | (2,285) | ||||||||||||
| Same-Property Net Operating Income | $ | 61,706 | $ | 58,814 | ||||||||||
Total same-property NOI was $61.7 million and $58.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing an increase of 4.9% due to a 3.4% increase in property revenue, partially offset by a 0.7% increase in property operating expenses.
Funds from Operations
We use funds from operations ("FFO"), a non-GAAP measure, as an alternative measure of our operating performance, specifically as it relates to results of operations and liquidity. We compute FFO in accordance with standards established by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("Nareit") in its March 1995 White Paper (as amended in November 1999, April 2002 and December 2018). As defined by Nareit, FFO represents net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of loan origination costs), plus impairment of real estate related long-lived assets and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Most industry analysts and equity REITs, including us, consider FFO to be an appropriate supplemental measure of operating performance because, by excluding gains or losses on dispositions and excluding depreciation, FFO is a helpful tool that can assist in the comparison of the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods, or as compared to different companies. Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income alone as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, while historically real estate values have risen or fallen with market conditions. Accordingly, we believe FFO provides a valuable alternative measurement tool to GAAP when presenting our operating results.
We believe the computation of FFO in accordance with Nareit's definition includes certain items that are not indicative of the results provided by our Operating Portfolio and affect the comparability of our period-over-period performance. These items include, but are not limited to, legal settlements, non-cash amortization on loans and acquisition costs. Therefore, in addition to FFO, management uses Adjusted FFO ("AFFO"), which we define to exclude such items. Management believes that these adjustments are appropriate in determining AFFO as they are not indicative of the operating performance of our assets. In addition, we believe that AFFO is a useful supplemental measure for the investing community to use in comparing us to other REITs as many REITs provide some form of adjusted or modified FFO. However, there can be no assurance that AFFO presented by us is comparable to the adjusted or modified FFO of other REITs.
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A reconciliation of net income to FFO available for common shareholders and AFFO (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 767 | $ | 6,083 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets | 25,316 | 28,502 | |||||||||
| Impairment charges | 1,195 | — | |||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | (5,550) | (2,204) | |||||||||
| FFO | 21,728 | 32,381 | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends - undeclared | (8,267) | (9,262) | |||||||||
| Dividends on noncontrolling interests preferred stock | (10,295) | (10,752) | |||||||||
| Preferred stock accretion adjustments | 87 | 460 | |||||||||
| FFO available to common stockholders and common unitholders | 3,253 | 12,827 | |||||||||
| Other non-recurring and non-cash expenses | 368 | 2,051 | |||||||||
| Gain on investment securities, net | (840) | (685) | |||||||||
| Net changes in fair value of derivative liabilities | 8,332 | (3,458) | |||||||||
| Loss on conversion of Convertible Notes | 412 | — | |||||||||
| Gain on Preferred Stock retirements | (4,772) | (9,893) | |||||||||
| Straight-line rental revenue, net straight-line expense | (1,402) | (1,380) | |||||||||
| Deferred financing cost amortization | 2,673 | 2,860 | |||||||||
| Paid-in-kind interest | 4,133 | 3,908 | |||||||||
| Above (below) market lease amortization, net | (3,434) | (4,849) | |||||||||
| Recurring capital expenditures tenant improvement reserves | (1,532) | (1,628) | |||||||||
| AFFO | $ | 7,191 | $ | (247) | |||||||
Other non-recurring and non-cash expenses are costs of the Company that we believe will not be incurred on a go-forward basis. Other non-recurring expenses were $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a result of loan defeasance payments. Other non-recurring expenses were $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a result of $1.8 million in loan defeasance payments and $0.3 million costs to demolish decommissioned space not included in the Company's gross leasable area.
Inflation, Deflation and Economic Condition Considerations
Substantially all of the Company’s leases contain provisions designed to partially mitigate the negative impact of inflation in the near term. Such lease provisions include clauses that require tenants to reimburse the Company for inflation-sensitive costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and many of the operating expenses it incurs. In addition, many of our leases are for terms of less than ten years, which permits us to seek increased rents upon re-rental at market rates. However, significant inflation rate increases over a prolonged period of time may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business. Conversely, deflation could lead to downward pressure on rents and other sources of income.
Fluctuations in interest rates could significantly impact our Operating Portfolio and overall financial performance. Interest rate increases could result in higher incremental borrowing costs for the Company and our tenants. The duration of the Company's indebtedness and our relatively low exposure to floating rate debt have mitigated the direct impact of inflation and interest rate increases. In a low or stable interest rate environment, we may benefit from lower borrowing costs, enabling strategic investments, acquisitions, or capital returns to shareholders. Additionally, we monitor market conditions to adjust our capital allocation accordingly, maintain a disciplined financial approach and seek to optimize returns while managing exposure to interest rate volatility. The degree and pace of inflation and interest rate changes have had and may continue to have impacts on our business.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The information required by this Item 8 is incorporated by reference to our Financial Statements beginning on page 43 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our Board of Directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Our internal control over financial reporting is evaluated on a regular basis by personnel in our organization. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our internal control over financial reporting and to make modifications as necessary, as disclosure and internal controls are intended to be dynamic systems that change (including improvements and corrections) as conditions warrant.
Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, utilizing the framework established in “INTERNAL CONTROL-INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based on this assessment, management has determined that our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 were effective.
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All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
This Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with SEC rules.
Item 9B. Other Information.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our officers or directors adopted terminated
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Board of Directors
As of February 28, 2025, the members of the Board of Directors (and their respective committee memberships) are identified below:
| Director | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Governance and Nominating Committee | Executive Committee | Litigation Committee | Related Person Transaction Committee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| E.J. Borrack | — | Member | — | — | Chair | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert G. Brady | Member | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kerry G. Campbell | Chair | — | — | — | — | Member | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stefani D. Carter | — | — | Member | Chair | Member | Chair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebecca Musser | Member | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Megan Parisi | — | — | Member | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dennis Pollack | Member | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joesph D. Stillwell | — | Chair | Chair | Member | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
E.J. Borrack
Independent Director
Age — 60
Director since 2020
E.J. Borrack has served as a member of the Board of Directors since June 2020. Ms. Borrack serves as the Chair of the Litigation Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee. Ms. Borrack also serves on the Board of Directors of Cedar.
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Since 2013, she has been the General Counsel of The Stilwell Group, a group of private investment partnerships with a focus on activist investing in finance-related, small-cap companies. Previously, she was the Chief Compliance Officer of two SEC registered investment advisers. She was also the General Counsel of Wealthfront during that company's start-up phase. Prior to that, Ms. Borrack worked on complex commercial litigation matters as an associate at law firms in New York City and Philadelphia.
Ms. Borrack graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Borrack has been chosen as a director based on her breadth of experience working on issues involving complex commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, securities regulation, and corporate governance.
Robert G. Brady
Independent Director
Age — 64
Director since 2024
Robert Brady has served as a member of the Board of Directors since May 2024. Mr. Brady serves as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Brady has over 30 years' experience in the financial sector, having served in various roles with banks and other financial institutions. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, Underwriting with First Pacific Bancorp, a growth-oriented bank, since 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Brady served as Senior Vice President, Credit Administrator and in other roles at United Business Bank from 2012 to 2022.
Mr. Brady received a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University with a concentration in Accounting.
Mr. Brady has been chosen as a director based on his extensive financial, accounting, and investment experience.
Kerry G. Campbell
Independent Director
Age — 59
Director since 2019
Kerry G. Campbell was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2019. Mr. Campbell serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the RPT Committee. Mr. Campbell also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cedar.
Mr. Campbell is the principal of a financial litigation and investment management consulting firm, Kerry Campbell LLC, where since February 2014, he has served as a financial expert witness to law firms in arbitrations and litigations and provided consulting services to financial institutions and investors. His firm has been retained by institutional investors, high net worth investors and large global diversified financial institutions.
Mr. Campbell received an M.B.A in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance summa cum laude from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business. Mr. Campbell is an Approved FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator, a Chartered Financial Analyst®, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ and a Securities Experts Roundtable Member.
Mr. Campbell has been chosen as a director based on his 30 plus years of extensive and diverse financial industry experience, together with his experience as a financial expert witness on behalf of defendants and plaintiffs in arbitrations and litigations.
Stefani D. Carter
Independent Director — Chair
Age — 47
Director since 2019
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Stefani D. Carter has served as a member of the Board of Directors since December 2019. Ms. Carter serves as Chair of each of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and the RPT Committee, and as a member each of the Governance and Nominating Committee (the "Nominating Committee") and the Litigation Committee. Ms. Carter has been a practicing attorney since 2005, specializing in civil litigation, contractual disputes and providing general counsel and advice to small businesses and individuals. Ms. Carter currently serves as Honorary Chair of Dallas HERO, Inc., an entity that advocates for changes to the city charter. She also serves as the principal of two entities, Stefani Carter & Associates, LLC, a consulting and legal services firm, and Stable Realty, LLC, a real estate investments firm. From 2020 to 2023, Ms. Carter served as a litigation shareholder at Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC ("FBFK"), a full-service law firm. Prior to FBFK, Ms. Carter served as senior counsel at the law firm of Estes Thorne & Carr PLLC for three years. In addition, Ms. Carter served as an elected representative of House District 102 in the Texas House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. Between 2005 and 2011, Ms. Carter was employed as an associate in various law firms, including Vinson & Elkins, and served as a criminal prosecutor.
Ms. Carter currently serves as the Lead Director, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and as a Member of the Related Party Transactions Committee of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: BHR), a lodging real estate investment trust. Since 2021, Ms. Carter has also served as an Independent Director of Axos Bank and of its holding company Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AX), for which she is currently a Member of the Compensation and the Asset and Liability Committees and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Ms. Carter has a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government as well as a Bachelor of Journalism in News/Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ms. Carter brings her extensive legal, commercial real estate, corporate governance, and public board experience to the Board. In addition, Ms. Carter brings her experience with and knowledge of the Company and its operations gained as a director of the Company since December 2019 to her role as a director of the Company.
Rebecca Musser
Independent Director
Age — 43
Director since 2024
Rebecca Musser has served as member of the Board of Directors since August 2024. Ms. Musser serves as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Musser is an experienced accounting consultant with roughly 20 years of experience. She has accounting experience in a broad range of industries, with a recent focus in the private equity sector.
Ms. Musser, a licensed Certified Internal Auditor, began her internal audit experience roughly 20 years ago at Tyler Technologies, where she and the audit director formed the company’s first internal audit department, a requirement from the then-newly released Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Following Tyler Technologies, Ms. Musser worked for public company Dean Foods in their internal audit department and traveled to multiple offices throughout the United States performing audits to collaborate with the external auditors. Ms. Musser served as Controller at Paul Quinn College. While at the college, she was responsible for multiple departments and overseeing various audits, both financial and compliance related. While at the college, she helped the college attain new accreditation. Since leaving the college, Ms. Musser has worked as an independent accounting consultant for multiple clients. AH Belo hired Ms. Musser in 2015 to assist it in its 2014 annual 10-K preparation and review. This involved reviewing previous and current financial statements to ensure consistency in the reporting.
Ms. Musser’s clients within the last 8 years include global investment firm Sixth Street Partners, formerly part of TPG, and MUFG, a bank and private equity fund administrator. At MUFG, she served as the Interim Controller for a real estate private equity fund administrator. At Sixth Street, she assisted the management companies and the fund companies with complex accounting projects.
Ms. Musser also serves as an Independent Director for Braemar Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: BHR), which invests primarily in full-service luxury hotels and resorts. She is Chair of the Audit Committee.
Ms. Musser has been chosen as a director based on her based on her 20 years of extensive and diverse accounting and audit experience.
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Megan Parisi
Independent Director
Age — 44
Director since 2022
Megan Parisi has served as a member of the Board of Directors since November 2022. Ms. Parisi serves as a member of the Nominating Committee. Since 2010, she has been the Director of Communications of The Stilwell Group, a group of private investment partnerships with a focus on activist investing in finance-related, small-cap companies. Ms. Parisi is a graduate of Cornell University, where she obtained her B.S. degree.
Ms. Parisi has been chosen as a director based on her extensive experience with shareholder communications and corporate governance.
Dennis Pollack
Independent Director
Age — 74
Director since 2023
Dennis Pollack was elected to the Board of Directors in September 2023. Mr. Pollack serves as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Pollack has extensive experience in the financial services sector, having recently served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Member of the Board of Directors at Prudential Bank from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Pollack has been a Board Member at several banking institutions, including Connecticut Bank of Commerce, The Savings Bank of Rockland County, Wayne Savings Bank, TF Financial, and Savings Institute Bank & Trust Company. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Provident Bancorp and is a member of its Risk Committee and Compensation Committee. Previously, Mr. Pollack was President of Sony Medical Electronics Company, a Division of Sony Corporation of America and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Presilient Worldwide, an information technology company based in Colorado. He has served as a Board Member of several not-for-profit companies, including The Salvation Army and United Way, Rockland County Chapters.
Mr. Pollack received an M.B.A in Money and Financial Markets from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Seton Hall University. He also has a Diploma in Bank Lending from New York University. Mr. Pollack has authored and/or co-authored several articles on the state of banking which appeared in such publications as Bottomline Magazine and The Bankers Magazine.
Mr. Pollack has been chosen as a director because he brings decades of experience in the C-suite and on a multitude of boards of financial institutions.
Joseph D. Stilwell
Independent Director
Age — 63
Director since 2019
Joseph D. Stilwell was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2019. Mr. Stilwell serves as the Chair of each of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Stilwell is the owner and managing member of Stilwell Value, the general partner of a group of private investment partnerships known as The Stilwell Group.
Since April 2009, Mr. Stilwell has also served on the board of directors of Kingsway Financial Services Inc., a financial services company. Mr. Stilwell previously served on the boards of directors of American Physicians Capital, Inc. from November 2004 until it was acquired in October 2010 and SCPIE Holdings Inc. from December 2006 until it announced a sale of the company in October 2007.
Mr. Stilwell graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1983.
Mr. Stilwell has been chosen as a director based on his extensive experience and knowledge in capital allocation and maximizing stockholder value. Through the securities of the Company held by The Stilwell Group's private investment partnerships, Mr. Stilwell holds a substantial position in Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.
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Board of Directors Committees
Our Board of Directors has established six committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee, Executive Committee, Litigation Committee, and RPT Committee. The principal functions of each committee are briefly described below. Additionally, our Board of Directors may from time to time establish certain other committees to facilitate the management of the Company.
Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee currently consists of four directors: Kerry G. Campbell, Dennis Pollack, Robert G. Brady and Rebecca Musser. Mr. Campbell is the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Campbell qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined by the applicable SEC regulations and Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance requirements. In addition, each of the Audit Committee members is "financially sophisticated" as that term is defined by the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance requirements. The functions of the Audit Committee are described below under the heading "Report of the Audit Committee." The charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent within the meaning of SEC regulations, the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The Audit Committee met four times in 2024.
Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee currently consists of two directors: Joseph D. Stilwell and E.J. Borrack. Mr. Stilwell is the Chair of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing compensation paid to the Company's principal executive officers. The charter of the Compensation Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The Compensation Committee met once in 2024.
Governance and Nominating Committee. Our Nominating Committee currently consists of three directors: Joseph D. Stilwell, Stefani D. Carter and Megan Parisi. Mr. Stilwell is the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate governance, including reviewing and monitoring implementation of the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. In addition, the Nominating Committee develops and reviews background information on candidates for the Board of Directors and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding such candidates. The Nominating Committee also prepares and supervises the Board of Directors' annual review of director independence. The charter of the Nominating Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All of the members of the Nominating Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The Nominating Committee met twice in 2024.
Executive Committee. Our Executive Committee currently consists of two directors: Joseph D. Stilwell and Stefani D. Carter. Ms. Carter is the Chair of the Executive Committee. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to generally act with the full authority of the Board of Directors, in intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, particularly when there is a need for prompt review and action of the Board of Directors, and it is impractical to arrange a meeting of the Board of Directors within the time reasonably available. However, the Executive Committee does not have the authority to act on any matters that are expressly delegated to other committees of the Board of Directors or are under active review by the Board of Directors or another committee of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee was formed in February 2020. The charter of the Executive Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All members of the Executive Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The Executive Committee met three times in 2024.
Litigation Committee. Our Litigation Committee currently consists of two directors: E.J. Borrack and Stefani D. Carter. Ms. Borrack is the Chair of the Litigation Committee. The Litigation Committee is responsible for overseeing any material litigation matters involving the Company and assisting the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to such matters. In addition, the Litigation Committee has the authority to retain outside counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate in connection with any such matters, including the authority to approve the fees and other retention terms for such persons. The charter of the Litigation Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All members of the Litigation Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The Litigation Committee met once in 2024.
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Related Person Transactions Committee. Our RPT Committee currently consists of two directors: Stefani D. Carter and Kerry G. Campbell. Ms. Carter is the Chair of the RPT Committee. The RPT Committee is responsible for overseeing and approving Related Person Transactions of the Company. The charter of the RPT Committee is available on the Company's Investor Relations tab of our website (https://ir.whlr.us). All of the members of the RPT Committee are independent within the meaning of SEC regulations, the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. The RPT Committee met twice in 2024.
Executive Officers
As of February 28, 2025, the executive officers of the Company are identified below:
M. Andrew Franklin
Chief Executive Officer and President since October 2021
Age — 44
M. Andrew Franklin was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President in October 2021. In August 2022, he was appointed Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cedar. He previously served in the following roles at the Company: Interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2021; Chief Operating Officer since February 2018; and Senior Vice President of Operations since January 2017. Mr. Franklin has over 25 years of commercial real estate experience. Mr. Franklin is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.
Crystal Plum
Chief Financial Officer since February 2020
Age — 43
Crystal Plum was appointed Chief Financial Officer in February 2020. Ms. Plum has also served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Director of Cedar since August 2022. She previously served in the following roles at the Company: Corporate Secretary of Cedar from August 2022 through November 2023; Vice President of Financial Reporting and Corporate Accounting from March 2018 to February 2020; and Director of Financial Reporting from September 2016 to March 2018. Prior to that time, she served as a Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from September 2014 to August 2016 and as a Supervisor at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from 2008 to September 2014. Ms. Plum has experience reviewing and performing audits, reviews, compilations and tax engagements for a diverse group of clients, as well as banking experience. Ms. Plum is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Accounting and Finance from Old Dominion University.
Code of Ethics and Governance Principles
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to the directors, officers and employees. A copy of that code is available on the Company’s corporate website, which does not form a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We intend to post any amendments to such code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available at https//ir.whlr.us under "Governance - Governance Documents".
Insider Trading Policy
The Company has adopted the WHLR Insider Trading Policy, which applies to our directors, officers, and employees, and has implemented processes for the Company that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and Nasdaq standards. A copy of the WHLR Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Form 10-K.
Director Compensation
It is our policy that any employees of our Company or its subsidiaries who may also be directors of our Company or its subsidiaries shall not receive any compensation for their services as directors. As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any employee directors. However, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer also serve as directors of
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our subsidiary, Cedar. Consistent with the above policy, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer do not receive any compensation for their services as directors of Cedar.
For fiscal year 2024, the Company's non-employee directors were entitled to annual cash compensation in the amount of $65,000 for their services as directors, which represents an annual increase of $5,000 from 2023, effective as of November 7, 2024. An additional annual cash retainer of $40,000 is paid to the Chair of the Company's Board of Directors. All compensation is paid to directors quarterly.
Non-employee directors who serve on the Board of Directors of Cedar are entitled to annual cash compensation in the amount of $50,000 for their services as directors, with an additional annual cash retainer of $40,000 for service as Chair of the Cedar Board of Directors.
We reimburse each of our directors for his or her expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board of Directors and Committee meetings.
The following table summarizes our directors' compensation for 2024:
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1) | Stock Awards | All Other Compensation ($) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| E.J. Borrack | $ | 110,740 | — | — | $ | 110,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert G. Brady (3) | 39,781 | — | — | 39,781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kerry G. Campbell | 150,740 | — | — | 150,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stefani D. Carter | 100,740 | — | — | 100,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Saverio M. Flemma (2) | 20,877 | — | — | 20,877 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Rebecca Musser (4) | 24,452 | — | — | 24,452 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Megan Parisi | 60,740 | — | — | 60,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dennis Pollack | 60,740 | — | — | 60,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph D. Stillwell | 60,740 | — | — | 60,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Includes the following amounts payable to directors for service as directors of Cedar: Mr. Campbell, $90,000; and Ms. Borrack, $50,000.
(2) Mr. Flemma's term as a director of the Company expired at the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting, and he did not stand for reelection.
(3) Mr. Brady was elected to the Board of Directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
(4) Ms. Musser was elected to the Board of Directors on August 8, 2024.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports with the SEC indicating their holdings of, and transactions in, the Company's equity securities. Based solely on a review of copies of these reports, we believe that all of our executive officers, directors, and 10% owners timely complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements for fiscal 2024.
Material Changes to Director Nomination Procedures
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Compensation Tables
Compensation Tables
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Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation for the fiscal years indicated paid or awarded to each of our named executive officers ("NEO"), calculated in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. All per share amounts, amount of Common Stock outstanding, and other discussion of the Company's Common Stock for all periods presented in this Executive Compensation section reflect the Company's Reverse Stock Splits.
| Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($)(1) | Bonus ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(2) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M. Andrew Franklin | 2024 | 400,000 | — | — | 44,626 | 444,626 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | 2023 | 400,000 | 200,000 | — | 45,466 | 645,466 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal Plum | 2024 | 250,000 | — | — | 11,947 | 261,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2023 | 250,000 | 125,000 | — | 12,319 | 387,319 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) A portion of each of the salaries and bonuses noted above for each of our NEOs in 2024 and 2023 was allocated to the Company's subsidiary, Cedar, according to the terms of that certain Cost Sharing Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Cedar in connection with their merger in August 2022. In particular, the salary and bonus allocations, respectively, for 2024 and 2023 were approximately as follows for each NEO: (a) Mr. Franklin - $137,000 and $0, respectively, for 2024 and $159,000 and $70,000, respectively, for 2023; and (b) Ms. Plum - $84,000 and $0, respectively, for 2024 and $99,000 and $44,000, respectively, for 2023.
(2) The amounts reported in this column for fiscal 2024 include the following:
| Name | Company Matching 401(k) Contribution | Health Savings Account Contribution | Life Insurance Premiums | Gym Membership | Housing Allowance | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M. Andrew Franklin | 11,716 | 3,876 | 420 | 392 | 28,222 | 44,626 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal Plum | 9,259 | 1,932 | 240 | 516 | — | 11,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End
None.
Stock Plans
2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Pursuant to our 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, we may award incentives covering an aggregate of 4 shares of our Common Stock. As of February 28, 2025, we have issued 3 shares under the plan to employees, directors, and outside contractors for services provided.
2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Pursuant to our 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan, we may award incentives covering an aggregate of 21 shares of our Common Stock. As of February 28, 2025, we have issued 17 shares under the plan to employees, directors, and outside contractors for services provided.
Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards
The Company currently does not plan to, grant equity awards, including stock options, to officers, directors, employees, or service providers; accordingly, the Company does not have a formal policy in place with regard to the timing of awards of options in relation to the disclosure of material nonpublic information. The Company has not timed the disclosure of material nonpublic information to affect the value of executive compensation.
Employment Agreements with the Company's Named Executive Officers
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Generally
In February 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with M. Andrew Franklin, who was at that time our Chief Operating Officer. In October 2021, Mr. Franklin was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Franklin's employment agreement continued in effect as described below. In August 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Crystal Plum, our Chief Financial Officer (the "Plum Employment Agreement"). On August 13, 2024, the Plum Employment Agreement expired by its terms, at which point she remained employed by the Company on an "at will" basis.
Employment Agreement of M. Andrew Franklin
General Terms. On February 14, 2018, the Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership, entered into an employment agreement with M. Andrew Franklin (the "Franklin Employment Agreement") for a period of three years beginning on February 14, 2018, and ending on February 13, 2021 (the "Initial Term"). At the end of the Initial Term, the Franklin Employment Agreement automatically renews for subsequent one-year terms on a year-over-year basis unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the Franklin Employment Agreement. Under the terms of the Franklin Employment Agreement, Mr. Franklin is entitled to the following compensation:
•Base salary of $250,000 per annum (subsequently increased to $400,000 effective upon Mr. Franklin's appointment as Chief Executive Officer and President); and
• Reimbursement of reasonable and necessary business expenses, and eligibility to participate in any current or future bonus, incentive, and other compensation and benefit plans available to the Company's executives.
Severance Terms. Under the Franklin Employment Agreement, if Mr. Franklin's employment were terminated by the Company without "Cause" (as defined in the Franklin Employment Agreement), then Mr. Franklin would generally be entitled to severance pay of the greater of (i) salary continuation payments at Mr. Franklin's current salary, less mandatory deductions, for six months plus one (1) additional month for each full calendar quarter remaining in the then-current term of Mr. Franklin's employment or (ii) salary continuation for a period equal to the remainder of the term of the Franklin Employment Agreement. Mr. Franklin would also be entitled to any annual bonuses that would have been earned based solely on his continued employment for the remainder of the term of the Franklin Employment Agreement. In addition, Mr. Franklin would be entitled to disability, accident, and health insurance for a 12-month period following termination substantially similar to those insurance benefits Mr. Franklin was receiving immediately prior to the date of termination or the cash equivalent, offset by any comparable benefits actually received by Mr. Franklin.
If Mr. Franklin terminated his employment with "Good Reason" (as defined in the Franklin Employment Agreement), Mr. Franklin would generally be entitled to current base salary, less mandatory deductions for 12 months, plus any earned but unpaid bonus for the fiscal year prior to the year in which termination occurs. In addition, Mr. Franklin would be entitled to disability, accident, and health insurance for a 12-month period following termination substantially similar to those insurance benefits Mr. Franklin was receiving immediately prior to the date of termination or the cash equivalent, offset by any comparable benefits actually received by Mr. Franklin.
If Mr. Franklin terminated his employment with Good Reason following a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Franklin Employment Agreement) or was terminated by the Company without Cause and such termination occurred within six months of a Change in Control, Mr. Franklin would generally be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times Mr. Franklin's annual base salary less mandatory deductions payable within 90 calendar days of the termination (and, in the case of such a termination without Cause, a bonus amount based on any bonus determined by the Board of Directors and payable to other executives of the Company during the 12 months after the Change in Control). In addition, Mr. Franklin would be entitled to health care coverage pursuant to COBRA at Mr. Franklin's expense for up to 18 months.
Mr. Franklin would not be entitled to any severance benefits under the Franklin Employment Agreement in the case of the Company terminating his employment for Cause or Mr. Franklin terminating his employment without Good Reason.
Death and Disability. In the event of a termination of employment on account of death, Mr. Franklin's estate would be entitled to: (a) Mr. Franklin's regular base salary (determined on the date of death) for a period of 12 months following death; (b) the amount of any bonus remaining payable by the Company to Mr. Franklin for its fiscal year prior to death; and (c) any
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accrued and unpaid bonus determined by the Board of Directors for the year in which the death occurs prorated for the number of completed calendar months served prior to death.
In the event of a "Disability" (as defined in the Franklin Employment Agreement) by Mr. Franklin for 120 consecutive days or longer at any point during his employment, then the Company would pay to Mr. Franklin his regular base salary for a 12-month period following the date on which the Disability first begins, net of any benefits received by Mr. Franklin under any disability policy obtained by the Company or Mr. Franklin, the premiums for which were paid by the Company. Mr. Franklin would also be entitled to any bonus remaining payable to Mr. Franklin for his fiscal year prior to the date the Disability began and any unpaid bonus for the fiscal year in which the disability occurred prorated for the number of completed calendar months served prior to the date of Disability.
Miscellaneous Provisions. The Franklin Employment Agreement provides for confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions, and also contains a non-solicitation of employees clause for a duration of 18 months following the last day of Mr. Franklin's employment with the Company.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
See "Employment Agreements with the Company's Named Executive Officers" above.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our Common Stock as of February 28, 2025, unless otherwise indicated, for (1) each of our directors, director nominees and our NEOs, (2) all of our directors, director nominees and all of our NEOs as a group, and (3) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding Common Stock. Each person or entity named in the tables has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the shares of our Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the tables.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each named person is c/o Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., Riversedge North, 2529 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
Directors, Nominees and Named Executive Officers
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Class Beneficially Owned (1) | ||||||||||
| Directors | |||||||||||
| E.J. Borrack | — | — | |||||||||
| Robert G. Brady | — | — | |||||||||
| Kerry G. Campbell | 25,773 (2) | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
| Stefani D. Carter | — | — | |||||||||
| Rebecca Musser | — | — | |||||||||
| Megan Parisi | — | — | |||||||||
| Dennis Pollack | — | — | |||||||||
| Joseph D. Stilwell | 1,154,433 (3) | 49.9 | % | ||||||||
| Named Executive Officers | |||||||||||
| M. Andrew Franklin | 6,887 (4) | * | |||||||||
| Crystal Plum | — | — | |||||||||
All directors, nominees and named executive officers as a group (10 persons) | 1,187,093 | 50.7 | % | ||||||||
* Less than 1.0%
(1) Based upon 1,166,433 shares of Common Stock outstanding on February 28, 2025. In addition, amounts assume that all convertible securities held by each stockholder are converted into Common Stock.
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(2) Includes (i) 25,773 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, and (ii) 1,553 shares of Series D Preferred Stock convertible into 0 shares of Common Stock.
(3) As of February 28, 2025 and includes (i) 11,769 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 16 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 817,085 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, (iii) 4 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 129,442 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, and (iv) 1,142,644 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, after giving effect to certain ownership limits agreed to among the Company and the Stilwell Investors in the Stilwell Letter Agreement. Under the Stilwell Letter Agreement, each Stilwell Investor agreed that it will not exercise its right to convert the Convertible Notes into shares of Common Stock to the extent that such conversion would result in such Stilwell Investor, whether on its own or as part of a "group" within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, becoming the direct or indirect "beneficial owner," as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of common equity of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of common equity of the Company that is entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Does not include 5,375,893 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes that would exceed such limits. Mr. Stilwell is the managing member and owner of Stilwell Value, which is the general partner of each of the Stilwell Investors.
(4) Includes (i) 6,887 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Notes, (ii) 505 shares of Series D Preferred Stock convertible into 0 shares of Common Stock, and (iii) 1,223 shares of Series B Preferred Stock convertible into 0 shares of Common Stock.
5% + Beneficial Owners
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Class Beneficially Owned (1) | ||||||||||
Magnetar Financial LLC (1) | 142,594 | 9.8 | % | ||||||||
AY2 Capital LLC (2) | 142,594 | 9.8 | % | ||||||||
(1) Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025 by Magnetar Financial LLC ("Magnetar"). Magnetar's reported ownership is based on its interpretation of the ownership limits contained in the Company's Charter (collectively, the "Ownership Limits"). The percentage reported represents 142,594 shares of Common Stock, which Magnetar reports is the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that it may beneficially own in the Company based on the Ownership Limits. This 142,594 share figure is equal to 9.8% multiplied by 1,455,043 shares of the Company's Common Stock, rounded down to the nearest whole share. This 1,455,043 share figure includes (i) 1,312,449 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 6, 2024, and (ii) an assumed hypothetical conversion and/or exercise (as applicable, but subject to the Ownership Limits) of the warrants, Notes, Series D Preferred Stock and/or Series B Preferred Stock over which Magnetar possesses shared voting power and shared investment power into 142,594 shares of Common Stock. This percentage includes the shares reported by Magnetar Capital Partners LP ("Magnetar Capital"), Supernova Management LLC ("Supernova") and David J. Snyderman. Magnetar Capital is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar. Supernova is the general partner of Magnetar Capital. The manager of Supernova is Mr. Snyderman. The address of the principal business office of Magnetar, Magnetar Capital, Supernova, and Mr. Snyderman is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.
(2) Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025 by AY2 Capital LLC ("AY2"). AY2's reported ownership is based on its interpretation of the Ownership Limits. The percentage reported represents 142,594 shares of Common Stock, which AY2 reports is the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that it may beneficially own in the Company based on the Ownership Limits. This 142,594 share figure is equal to 9.8% multiplied by 1,455,043 shares of the Company's Common Stock, rounded down to the nearest whole share. This 1,455,043 share figure includes (i) 1,312,449 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 6, 2024, and (ii) an assumed hypothetical conversion and/or exercise (as applicable, but subject to the Ownership Limits) of the warrants, Notes, Series D Preferred Stock and/or Series B Preferred Stock over which AY2 possesses shared voting power and shared investment power into 142,594 shares of Common Stock. This percentage includes the shares reported by Harrison Wreschner, Never Summer Holdings, LLC ("Never Summer"), Joseph Cohen and RRJA LLC ("RRJA"). Never Summer and RRJA are the managing members of AY2. Mr. Wreschner is the managing member of Never Summer. Mr. Cohen is the managing member of RRJA. The address of the principal business office of AY2, Mr. Wreschner, Never Summer, Mr. Cohen and RRJA is 15 E. Putnam Ave. Box #374, Greenwich, CT 06830.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2024 regarding our equity compensation plans and the Common Stock we may issue under the plans.
| Equity Compensation Plan Information Table | |||||||||||||||||
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | ||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1) | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||
(1) Includes our 2015 and 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plans, which authorized a maximum of 4 and 21 shares, respectively, of our Common Stock for issue. Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee.
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Related Party Transaction Policies
Our Code of Conduct provides that a conflict of interest may occur when a director or an employee has an ownership or financial interest in another business organization that is doing business with the Company and characterizes these transactions between the Company and the other organization as "related person transactions." Under our Code of Conduct, Ms. Plum, in her capacity as our "Code of Conduct Compliance Officer," must be made aware of the details of any related person transaction so that she can make a judgment as to the appropriateness of the transaction and refer it for approval to our RPT Committee. The RPT Committee reviews and approves any related person transaction.
Related Party Transactions
See Notes 4 and 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Determination of Director Independence
The Board of Directors reviews the independence of each director yearly. During this review, the Board of Directors considers whether there are any transactions and relationships between any director (and his or her immediate family and affiliates) and the Company and its management to determine, to the extent such transactions and relationships exist, whether any such relationships or transactions are inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent in light of applicable law and listing standards.
The Company believes that its Board of Directors consists of directors who are all independent under the definition of independence provided by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
2024 Fiscal Year Audit Firm Fee Summary
The following table summarizes fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firm, Cherry Bekaert LLP ("Cherry Bekaert"), for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Types of Fee | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Audit Fees (1) | $ | 315 | $ | 350 | ||||||||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) | 17 | 63 | ||||||||||||
Tax Fees (3) | 11 | 10 | ||||||||||||
| All Other Fees | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 343 | $ | 423 | ||||||||||
(1) Audit fees included annual audits and quarterly reviews.
(2) Audit-related fees are for services related to (a) the Company's exchange offer and registration statement on Form S-11 in 2023 and (b) registration statement on Form S-11 in 2024.
(3) Tax fees related primarily to tax advisory services related to REIT status, including cost segregation studies.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies
Before Cherry Bekaert was engaged by the Company to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement was pre-approved by the Company's Audit Committee. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered those services provided by Cherry Bekaert and has determined that such services are compatible with maintaining the independence of Cherry Bekaert. The Audit Committee approved all of the fees of Cherry Bekaert described above.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1). Financial Statements.
The financial statements filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are as follows:
| Page | ||||||||||||||
(PCAOB ID: | ||||||||||||||
(a)(2). Financial Statement Schedules.
•Schedule II- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
•Schedule III- Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information of such schedules is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require a schedule or is included in the consolidated financial statements.
(a)(3). Exhibits.
See the Exhibit Index at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and schedules (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 December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate 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 critical audit matters 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 matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of Real Estate for Impairment
Description of Matter
At December 31, 2024, the Company’s net real estate totaled $534.9 million. As more fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates its real estate investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable. Management evaluates various qualitative factors in determining whether or not events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a real estate investment may not be recoverable.
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Auditing the Company’s impairment assessment involved subjectivity due to the estimation required to assess significant assumptions utilized in the recoverability of the real estate based on undiscounted operating income and residual values, such as assumptions related to renewal and renegotiations of current leases, estimates of new leases on vacant spaces, and estimates of operating costs.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
To test the Company’s evaluation of net real estate for impairment, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies applied, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the analysis. We compared the recoverability calculated to the remaining net book value of the assets to ensure recoverability for the properties’ remaining useful lives. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to relevant market information and other applicable sources. As part of our evaluation, we performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the undiscounted cash flows of the related property that would result from changes in the assumptions.
Derivative Liabilities
Description of Matter
At December 31, 2024, the Company had convertible notes with an outstanding principal balance of $30.9 million and outstanding warrants for common stock. Calculations and accounting for the notes payable and embedded conversion features as well as the warrants require management’s judgments related to initial and subsequent recognition, use of a valuation model, and determination of the appropriate inputs used in the selected valuation model. As more fully described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company utilizes a binomial lattice model valuation technique in measuring the fair value of the notes’ conversion features and the Black-Scholes valuation method in measuring the fair value of the warrants.
Auditing management’s valuations of the derivative liabilities was challenging due to the complexity of valuation model and the inputs that are highly sensitive to changes such as the common stock market price, volatility, risk free rates, and yields.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
To test the accounting for the derivative liabilities resulting from the issuance of warrants and convertible notes, our audit procedures included, among others, inspection of the contracts, and testing completeness and accuracy of the data used as well as management’s application of the relevant accounting guidance. We also involved our valuation specialists to evaluate the Company’s determination of the fair value of the derivative liabilities specific to the convertible notes, including testing the appropriateness of the methodology used and assessing the reasonableness of the underlying inputs.
/s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
March 4, 2025
42
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS: | |||||||||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Land and land improvements | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Buildings and improvements | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Real estate, net | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Receivables, net | |||||||||||
| Investment securities - related party | |||||||||||
| Above market lease intangibles, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Deferred costs and other assets, net | |||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES: | |||||||||||
| Loans payable, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Below market lease intangible, net | |||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Series D Preferred Stock redemptions | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | |||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | |||||||||||
| Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock | |||||||||||
| EQUITY: | |||||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock (no par value, | |||||||||||
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (no par value, | |||||||||||
Common Stock ($ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ( | |||||||||
Total Stockholders’ Deficit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Total Equity | |||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
43
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| REVENUE: | |||||||||||
| Rental revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other revenues | |||||||||||
| Total Revenue | |||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | |||||||||||
| Property operations | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Impairment charges | |||||||||||
| Corporate general & administrative | |||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | |||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | |||||||||||
| Operating Income | |||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Gain on investment securities, net | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net changes in fair value of derivative liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Loss on conversion of Convertible Notes | ( | ||||||||||
| Gain on Preferred Stock retirements | |||||||||||
| Other expense | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net Income Before Income Taxes | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net Income | |||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Wheeler REIT | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock dividends - undeclared | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deemed distribution related to preferred stock redemption value | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deemed distribution related to repurchase of noncontrolling interests | ( | ||||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Wheeler REIT Common Stockholders | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Loss per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Weighted-average number of shares: | |||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.
44
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
| Series A | Series B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Value | Shares | Value | Shares | Value | Operating Partnership | Consolidated Subsidiary | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of Series B Preferred Stock discount | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Operating Partnership units to Common Stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment of Series D Preferred Stock to redemption value | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in operating partnership | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends and distributions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of Series B Preferred Stock discount | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of debt to Common Stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment of Series D Preferred Stock to redemption value | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued in exchange for Preferred Stock | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in operating partnership | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption of fractional units as a result of reverse stock split | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends and distributions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.
45
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash from operating activities | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Deferred financing cost amortization | |||||||||||
| Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Loss on conversion of Convertible Notes | |||||||||||
| Above (below) market lease amortization, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Paid-in-kind interest | |||||||||||
| Loss on repurchase of debt securities | |||||||||||
| Gain on Preferred Stock retirements | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Unrealized gain on investment securities, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Straight-line income | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Credit adjustments on operating lease receivables | |||||||||||
| Impairment charges | |||||||||||
| Net changes in assets and liabilities | |||||||||||
| Receivables, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deferred costs and other assets, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Investment property acquisitions | ( | ||||||||||
| Expenditures for real estate improvements | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Purchases of investment securities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash received from disposal of properties | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Payments for deferred financing costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends and distributions paid on noncontrolling interest | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchase of noncontrolling interest | ( | ||||||||||
| Loan proceeds | |||||||||||
| Loan principal payments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchase of debt securities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Loan prepayment penalty | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | ( | ||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period | |||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure: | |||||||||||
| The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements.
46
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation formed on June 23, 2011. The Trust serves as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, which was formed as a Virginia limited partnership on April 5, 2012. At December 31, 2024, the Company owned 99.82 % of the Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2024, the Trust, through the Operating Partnership, owned and operated seventy-five properties, including seventy-two centers and three undeveloped land parcels. Twenty-one of these properties are located in South Carolina, twelve in Georgia, ten in Virginia, eight in Pennsylvania, five in North Carolina, four in New Jersey, three in Massachusetts, three in Florida, two in Connecticut, two in Kentucky, two in Tennessee, one in Alabama, one in Maryland, and one in West Virginia. Accordingly, the use of the word "Company", "we," "our" or "us" refers to the Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires. The Company includes the Trust, the Operating Partnership, the entities included in the REIT formation and the entities acquired since November 2012. The Company prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. All material balances and transactions between the consolidated entities of the Company have been eliminated.
The Company owns, leases and operates income producing grocery-anchored centers, neighborhood centers, community centers and free-standing retail properties with a strategy to acquire high quality retail properties that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Company targets properties in communities that have stable demographics. The Company considers properties that are generally located in the most prominent shopping districts in their respective markets, ideally situated at major “Main and Main” intersections. The Company generally leases its properties to national and regional supermarket chains and selects retailers that offer necessity and value-oriented services and items, and generate regular consumer traffic. The Company’s tenants carry goods and offer services that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, which it believes generates more predictable property-level cash flows.
The Trust through the Operating Partnership owns Wheeler Interests, LLC ("WI") and Wheeler Real Estate, LLC ("WRE") (WRE and, together with WI, the "Operating Companies"). The Operating Companies are Taxable REIT Subsidiaries ("TRS") to accommodate serving the Non-REIT Properties since applicable REIT regulations consider the income derived from these services to be “bad” income subject to taxation. The regulations allow for costs incurred by the Company commensurate with the services performed for the Non-REIT Properties to be allocated to a TRS.
Acquisition of Cedar Realty Trust
On August 22, 2022, the Company completed the merger transaction with Cedar. As a result of the merger, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of the Cedar's common stock, which ceased to be publicly traded on the NYSE. The Cedar Series B Preferred Stock and Cedar Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding and continue to trade on the NYSE. As a result Cedar became a subsidiary of the Company.
We have determined that this acquisition is not a variable interest entity, as defined under the consolidation topic of the FASB ASC, and we evaluated such entity under the voting model and concluded we should consolidate the entity. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting rights and that other equity holders do not have substantive participating rights.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Real Estate Investments
The Company records investment properties and related intangibles at fair value upon acquisition. Investment properties include both acquired and constructed assets. Improvements and major repairs and maintenance are capitalized when the repair and maintenance substantially extends the useful life, increases capacity or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
The Company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the asset based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, the Company may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and any intangible assets related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place leases the Company determines to exist. The Company
47
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
determines fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends and specific market and economic conditions that may affect the property. Factors considered by management in the analysis of determining the as-if-vacant property value include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, tenant demand and other economic conditions. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related expenses. Intangibles related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place lease value are recorded at fair value as acquired lease intangibles and are amortized as an adjustment to rental revenue or amortization expense, as appropriate, over the remaining terms of the underlying leases.
The Company records depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally 5 to 40 years. The Company reviews depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and makes adjustments to reflect a shorter economic life, when necessary. Tenant allowances, tenant inducements and tenant improvements are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter.
Amounts allocated to buildings are depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. The Company amortizes amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. The Company also estimates the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, and amortizes them over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration or not renewed, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be recognized in depreciation and amortization expense at that time.
Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations
The Company may decide to sell properties that are held for use. The Company records these properties as held for sale when management has committed to a plan to sell the assets, actively seeks a buyer for the assets, and the consummation of the sale is considered probable and is expected within one year. Properties classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, an impairment expense is recognized. The Company estimates fair value, less estimated closing costs, based on similar real estate sales transactions. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 and 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
48
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Assets held for sale are presented as discontinued operations in all periods presented if the disposition represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. This includes the net gain (or loss) upon disposal of property held for sale, the property's operating results, depreciation and interest expense.
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligation
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist primarily of bank operating accounts and money markets. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include its cash and cash equivalents and its trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with institutions of high credit quality.
Restricted cash represents amounts held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance, reserves for capital improvements, leasing costs and tenant security deposits.
The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash on deposit with financial institutions in the United States, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") up to $250 thousand. The Company's loss in the event of failure of these financial institutions is represented by the difference between the FDIC limit and the total amounts on deposit. Management monitors the financial institutions credit worthiness in conjunction with balances on deposit to minimize risk.
Tenant Receivables
Tenant receivables include base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. The Company determines an allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of a claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends. The Company considers a receivable past due once it becomes delinquent per the terms of the lease. The Company’s standard lease form considers a rent charge past due after five days . A past due receivable triggers certain events such as notices, fees and other allowable and required actions per the lease.
Above and Below Market Lease Intangibles, net
The Company determines the above and below market lease intangibles upon acquiring a property. Above and below market lease intangibles are amortized over the life of the respective leases. Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles is recorded as a component of rental revenues.
Deferred Costs and Other Assets, net
49
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including stock purchase warrants and convertible notes, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the . The assumptions used in these fair value estimates are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Debt Issuance Costs
Series D Preferred Stock
Operating Partnership Purchase of Stock
The Operating Partnership purchased 71,343 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock on September 22, 2020 from an unaffiliated investor at $15.50 per share. The Company considers the purchase of the Trust's equity securities to be retired in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Lease Contract Revenue
The Company has two classes of underlying assets relating to rental revenue activity, retail and office space. The Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of these underlying assets and accounts for these leases as operating leases. The Company combines lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent and tenant reimbursement revenue.
The Company accrues minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases which results in an unbilled rent asset or deferred rent liability being recorded on the balance sheet. Additionally, certain lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on tenants’ sales volumes (contingent or percentage rent). Percentage rents are recognized when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements as variable lease income.
The Company’s leases generally require the tenant to reimburse the Company for a substantial portion of its expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, insuring and managing the shopping center and common areas (collectively defined as Common Area Maintenance or “CAM” expenses). This significantly reduces the Company’s exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation or other outside factors. These reimbursements are considered nonlease components which the Company combines with the lease component. The Company calculates the tenant’s share of operating costs by multiplying the total amount of the operating costs by the tenant's pro-rata percentage of square footage to total square
50
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
footage of the property. The Company also receives payments for these reimbursements from substantially all its tenants throughout the year. The Company recognizes tenant reimbursements as variable lease income, as such expenses are reimbursed.
Additionally, the Company has tenants who pay real estate taxes directly to the taxing authority. The Company excludes these Company costs paid directly by the tenant to third parties on the Company’s behalf from both variable revenue payments recognized and the associated property operating expenses. The Company does not evaluate whether certain sales taxes and other similar taxes are the Company’s costs or tenants' costs. Instead, the Company accounts for these costs as tenant costs.
The Company recognizes lease termination fees, which are included in "other revenues" on the consolidated statements of operations, in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is reasonably assured. Upon early lease termination, the Company records losses related to unrecovered intangibles and other assets.
Segment Information
The Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s primary business is the ownership and operation of grocery-anchored shopping centers. The CODM reviews operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and, accordingly, each property represents an individual operating segment. The CODM uses net operating income ("NOI") to assist in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess the Company’s financial performance. The Company defines NOI as revenues (rental and other revenues), less real estate and other property-related taxes, insurance and property operating expenses. CAM expenses, utilities, ground rent and management fees are reviewed by the CODM collectively as property operating expenses. The Company has no operations outside of the United States of America. Therefore, the Company has aggregated its properties into one reportable segment as the properties share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities including the fact that they are operated using consistent business strategies, are typically located in similar markets, and have similar tenant mixes.
The following tables provide information about the Company's segment revenues, significant segment expenses, NOI and a reconciliation of NOI to the Company’s consolidated operating income (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
| Property operating expenses | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Real estate and other property-related taxes and insurance | ( | ( | |||||||||
Total | ( | ( | |||||||||
NOI | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
NOI | $ | $ | |||||||||
Add (deduct): | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Impairment charges | ( | ||||||||||
| Corporate general & administrative | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Gain on disposal of properties, net | |||||||||||
Operating income | $ | $ | |||||||||
Income Taxes
51
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the Company to distribute at least 90 % of its taxable income to stockholders and meet certain other asset and income tests, as well as other requirements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which it fails to qualify. If the Company loses its REIT status it could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for five years unless the Company’s failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied.
Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities approximates fair market value due to their immediate or short-term maturity.
Use of Estimates
Other Expense
Lease Commitments
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases, in which the Company is the lessee, are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company elects the practical expedient to combine lease and associated nonlease components. The lease components are the majority of its leasing arrangements and the Company accounts for the combined component as an operating lease. In the event the Company modifies existing ground leases or enters into new ground leases, such leases may be classified as finance leases.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in the Operating Partnership not attributable to the Trust and noncontrolling interest attributable to the acquisition of Cedar. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered
52
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, noncontrolling interests have been reported in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from the Company’s equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, the subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to the Company and noncontrolling interests. Consolidated statements of equity include beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for stockholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.
The noncontrolling interest of the Operating Partnership common unit holders is calculated by multiplying the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage at the balance sheet date by the Operating Partnership’s net assets (total assets less total liabilities). The noncontrolling interest percentage is calculated at any point in time by dividing the number of units not owned by the Company by the total number of units outstanding. The noncontrolling interest ownership percentage will change as additional units are issued or as units are exchanged for the Company’s Common Stock. In accordance with GAAP, any changes in the value from period to period are charged to additional paid-in capital.
The noncontrolling interest attributable to the acquisition of Cedar represents the fair value of the outstanding Cedar Preferred Stock as of August 22, 2022, the date of acquisition. The valuation assumption was based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurements and represents Level 1 inputs. Level 1 inputs represent observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Reclassifications
The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or loss. All share and share-related information presented in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements, has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Splits, unless otherwise noted.
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Information
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Non-Cash Transactions: | |||||||||||
| Conversion of common units to Common Stock | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Conversion of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Exchange of Series B and D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Accretion of Preferred Stock discounts | |||||||||||
| Accretion of Preferred stock to liquidation preference | |||||||||||
| Conversion of debt to Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Redemption of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | |||||||||||
| Buildings and improvements included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other Cash Transactions: | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for taxes | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | |||||||||||
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Disclosures." The amendments in this ASU enhance disclosures of the reportable segments, including entities with a single reportable segment. Additional disclosures include providing one or more measure of profit or loss that is regularly used by the CODM and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. The guidance is effective for
53
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. We adopted this guidance effective for the Company's annual reporting period beginning on January 1, 2024. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Other accounting standards that have been recently issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
3. Real Estate
A significant portion of the Company’s land, buildings and improvements serve as collateral for its mortgage loans. Accordingly, restrictions exist as to the encumbered property’s transferability, use and other common rights typically associated with property ownership.
The Company’s depreciation expense on real estate assets was $18.7 million and $18.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Land Acquisitions
On February 21, 2023, the Company purchased a 2.5 acre land parcel adjacent to St. George Plaza, located in St. George, South Carolina, for $0.2 million. On August 18, 2023, the Company purchased a 3.25 acre land parcel within Devine Street, located in Columbia, South Carolina, for $4.1 million (the "Devine Street Land Acquisition"). The Devine Street Land Acquisition terminated the Company's ground lease associated with this property.
Impairment and Dispositions
The Company recorded impairment charges of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 on Oregon Avenue, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The valuation assumptions were based on the three-level valuation hierarchy
for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 inputs. No impairment expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023. These impairment charges are included in operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The following properties were sold during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Disposal Date | Property | Contract Price | Gain (Loss) | Net Proceeds | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 26, 2024 | South Philadelphia retail center | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| November 27, 2024 | Brickyard Plaza land parcel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 12, 2024 | Kings Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 11, 2024 | Edenton Commons land parcel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 26, 2024 | Oakland Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 18, 2024 | Harbor Point land parcel | n/a | ( | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 11, 2023 | Carll's Corner outparcel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harbor Point Land Parcel Disposition
On June 18, 2024, the Company entered into the Harbor Point Settlement Agreement with the City of Grove, which, among other things, provided for the transfer of the Harbor Point land parcel and a one-time payment of $160 thousand to the City of Grove in exchange for a release of the Company from all increment taxes and other obligations under the Economic Development Agreement the Company had entered into with the City of Grove and the dismissal of the litigation commenced by the City of Grove against the Company related thereto.
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
4. Investment Securities - Related Party
In 2023, the Company subscribed for an investment in the amount of $10.0 million for limited partnership interests in SAI. On June 1, 2024, the Company subscribed for an additional investment in the amount of $0.5 million for limited partnership interests in SAI. The investment objective of SAI is to seek long-term capital appreciation through investing primarily in publicly-traded undervalued financial institutions or businesses with a strong financial component, or the securities of any of them, and pursuing an activist shareholder agenda with respect to those institutions.
Stilwell Value LLC ("Value") is the general partner of SAI. Joseph Stilwell, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, is the managing member of Value and a limited partner in funds advised by Value. Additionally, E.J. Borrack, a member of the Board of Directors, serves as the General Counsel to Value and its affiliated entities, including SAI and related funds, and is a limited partner in one of the funds advised by Value. Megan Parisi, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, serves as the Director of Communications to Value and its affiliated entities, including SAI and related funds, is a non-managing member of Value and is a limited partner in one of the funds advised by Value.
The Company's subscriptions were approved by the disinterested directors of the Company, and, after the formation of the RPT Committee, by that Committee.
A portion of SAI's underlying investments are in the Company's own equity and debt securities. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, approximately 36.0 % and 31.5 % of SAI's underlying investments were in the Company's own equity and debt securities, respectively, and approximately 6.5 % and 6.7 % were in the equity securities of the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, respectively.
SAI records investment transactions based on trade date. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividend income, net of withholding taxes, and dividend expense are recognized on the ex-dividend date, and interest income and expense are recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums to the face amount of debt securities are accreted and amortized using the effective interest rate method over the lives of the respective debt securities.
A limited partner in SAI may request a withdrawal after the expiration of the first anniversary of the date its investment was accepted into SAI. After the expiration of this lock-up period, withdrawal requests can be made quarterly and are generally paid out on a quarterly basis in accordance with the terms of the SAI limited partnership agreement.
In consideration for management, administrative and operational services, limited partners of SAI pay a management fee to an affiliate of Value each calendar quarter, in advance, equal to 0.25 % (an annualized rate of 1 %) of each limited partner's capital account balance on the first day of such calendar quarter. In addition, as of the last day of each specified performance period, an incentive allocation of 20 % of the amount by which the “positive performance change,” if any, that has been credited to the capital account of a limited partner during such period exceeds any positive balance in such limited partner's "carryforward account," is debited from the limited partner's capital account and is simultaneously credited to the capital account of Value.
The Company's SAI investment is accounted for under the equity method and measured at net asset value as a practical expedient and has not been classified within the fair value hierarchy. All gains and losses, realized and unrealized, and fees are recorded through "gain on investment securities, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair value of the Company's SAI investment was $12.0 million and $10.7 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the gain on investment securities, net was $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
55
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
5. Deferred Costs and Other Assets, net
Deferred costs and other assets, net of accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Leases in place, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Lease origination costs, net | |||||||||||
| Ground lease sandwich interest, net | |||||||||||
| Legal and marketing costs, net | |||||||||||
| Tenant relationships, net | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s intangible accumulated amortization totaled $70.7 million and $69.9 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s intangible amortization expense totaled $6.6 million and $10.4 million, respectively. Future amortization of leases in place, lease origination costs, ground lease sandwich interest, legal and marketing costs, and tenant relationships is as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31, | Leases in place, net | Lease origination costs, net | Ground lease sandwich interest, net | Legal & marketing costs, net | Tenant relationships, net | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
6. Loans Payable, net
The Company’s loans payable, net consist of the following (in thousands, except monthly payment):
| Property/Description | Monthly Payment | Interest Rate | Maturity | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cypress Shopping Center | $ | July 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conyers Crossing | Interest only | October 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winslow Plaza | $ | December 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuckernuck | $ | March 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chesapeake Square | $ | August 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sangaree/Tri-County | $ | December 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timpany Plaza | $ | September 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Village of Martinsville | $ | July 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laburnum Square | $ | September 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rivergate (1) | $ | September 2031 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible Notes | Interest only | December 2031 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loan, | Interest only | July 2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JANAF (2) | Interest only | July 2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cedar term loan, | Interest only | November 2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patuxent Crossing/Coliseum Marketplace | Interest only | January 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loan, | Interest only | June 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loan, | Interest only | June 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loan, | Interest only | July 2034 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Principal Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unamortized deferred financing cost | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Loans Payable, net (3) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) In October 2026, the interest rate under this loan changes to a variable interest rate equal to the 5-year U.S. Treasury Rate plus 2.70 %, with a floor of 4.25 %.
(2) Collateralized by JANAF properties.
(3) As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants as it relates to certain loans included in the table above.
Term Loan Agreement, 12 properties
On May 5, 2023, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement, 12 properties") for $61.1 million at a fixed rate of 6.194 % and interest-only payments due monthly through June 2025. Commencing in July 2025, until the maturity date of June 1, 2033, monthly principal and interest payments will be $0.4 million. Loan proceeds were used to refinance the loans on 12 properties, including $1.1 million in defeasance.
Term Loan Agreement, 8 properties
On May 18, 2023, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement, 8 properties") for $53.1 million at a fixed rate of 6.24 % and interest-only payments due monthly through June 2028. Commencing in July 2028, until the maturity date of June 10, 2033, monthly principal and interest payments will be $0.3 million. Loan proceeds were used to refinance the loans on 8 properties, including $0.7 million in defeasance.
Timpany Plaza Loan Agreement
On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the "Timpany Plaza Loan Agreement") for $11.6 million at a fixed rate of 7.27 % with interest-only payments due monthly for the first twelve months . Commencing on September 12, 2024, until the maturity date of September 12, 2028, monthly principal and interest payments will be made based on a 30-year amortization schedule calculated based on the principal amount as of that time. On the closing date, the Company received $9.1 million of the $11.6 million, and the remaining $2.5 million was received in 2024, upon the satisfaction of certain lease-related contingencies. The Timpany Plaza Loan Agreement is collateralized by the Timpany Plaza shopping center.
Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement
On February 29, 2024, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with KeyBank National Association to draw up to $9.5 million (the "Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement"). The interest rate under the Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement was the daily SOFR, plus applicable margins of 0.10 % plus 2.75 %. Interest payments were due monthly, and any outstanding principal was due at maturity on February 28, 2025. The Cedar Revolving Credit Agreement was collateralized by
57
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Term Loan, Five Properties
On June 28, 2024, the Company entered into the Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties with Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC, for $25.5 million at a fixed rate of 6.80 % with interest-only payments due monthly. Commencing on August 10, 2029, until the maturity date of July 10, 2034, monthly principal and interest payments will be made based on a 30-year amortization schedule calculated based on the principal amount outstanding at that time. The Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties' proceeds were used to refinance four loans, including paying $0.4 million in defeasance. The Term Loan Agreement, 5 Properties is collateralized by Cypress Shopping Center, Conyers Crossing, Chesapeake Square, Sangaree Plaza and Tri-County Plaza.
Debt Maturities
The Company’s scheduled principal repayments on indebtedness as of December 31, 2024, are as follow (in thousands):
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | $ | |||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| Total principal repayments and debt maturities | $ | |||||||
Convertible Notes
The Company’s Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00 % per annum. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year, at the Company's election: (a) in cash; (b) in shares of its Series B Preferred Stock; (c) in shares of its Series D Preferred Stock; or (d) in any combination of (a), (b), and/or (c). For purposes of determining the value of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series D Preferred Stock paid as interest on the Convertible Notes, each share of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have a value equal to the product of (x) the average of the volume-weighted average price (as defined in the Indenture) for the Series B Preferred Stock or the Series D Preferred Stock, as the case may be, for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date, and (y) 0.55 .
Interest expense on the Convertible Notes consists of the following (in thousands, except for shares):
Years ended December 31, | Series B Preferred Stock number of shares (1) | Series D Preferred Stock number of shares (1) | Convertible Note interest at | Fair value adjustment | Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Shares issued as interest payment on Convertible Notes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, the Company paid down $1.5 million of the Convertible Notes through an open market purchase of 58,784 units totaling $3.1 million. On January 17, 2024, the Company paid down $0.6 million of the Convertible Notes through an open market purchase of 23,280 units at a total purchase price of $1.3 million. As a result of these transactions, the Company recognized a $0.7 million and $1.6 million loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which
58
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
represents the fair value of the purchase price over the amount of principal reduction. The loss is included in "other expense" on the consolidated statements of operations.
Prior to September 21, 2023, the Convertible Notes were convertible, in whole or in part, at any time, at the option of the holders of the Convertible Notes, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price of $180,000 per share of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Conversion Price”). After September 21, 2023, as a result of the Company being required to redeem (payable in cash or stock) in the aggregate at least 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, the Conversion Price adjusted to the lower of (i) 55 % of the Conversion Price or (ii) a 45 % discount to the lowest price at which any Series D Preferred Stock was converted into the Common Stock. Upon a change of control, each Convertible Note will mandatorily convert into shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to: (i) the principal amount of each Convertible Note divided by (ii) the product of (x) the average of the per share volume-weighted average prices for the Common Stock for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day immediately preceding the date of such change of control, and (y) 0.55 . After January 1, 2024, the Company may redeem the Convertible Notes at any time (in whole or in part) at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to 100 % of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest as of the redemption date (the "Note Redemption Price"). The Note Redemption Price may be paid: (a) in cash; (b) in shares of Common Stock; or (c) in any combination of (a) and (b).
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,368 shares of its Common Stock, having an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million, to settle conversion requests of the holders of the Convertible Notes comprising an aggregate principal amount of $0.1 million, which resulted in an aggregate net loss on conversion of Convertible Notes of $0.4 million.
As of December 31, 2024, the Conversion Price for the Convertible Notes was approximately $16.88 per share of the Company’s Common Stock (approximately 1.48 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted).
The Convertible Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Company's obligations to the holders of senior indebtedness, and that in the case of any insolvency, receivership, conservatorship, reorganization, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings or any liquidation or winding-up of or relating to the Company as a whole, whether voluntary or involuntary, all obligations to holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to be paid in full before any payment shall be made on account of the principal or interest on the Convertible Notes.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate secured term loans was estimated using available market information and discounted cash flow analyses based on borrowing rates the Company believes it could obtain with a similar term and maturities. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate secured term loans, which were determined to be Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy, was $451.0 million and $420.8 million, respectively, and the carrying value of such loans, was $456.1 million and $451.2 million, respectively.
7. Derivative Liabilities
Fair Value of Warrants
The Company utilized the Black-Scholes valuation method to calculate the fair value of the warrants noted below. Significant observable and unobservable inputs include stock price, conversion price, risk-free rate, term, likelihood of an event of contractual conversion and expected volatility. The Black-Scholes valuation method simulation is a Level 3 valuation technique because it requires the development of significant internal assumptions in addition to observable market indicators. The warrants noted below contain terms and features that give rise to derivative liability classification.
As of the close of business on March 12, 2024 (the third anniversary of the issuance of that certain Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated March 12, 2021, to the holders thereof (the "Warrant")), the exercise price of the Warrant was reset to
59
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
an amount equal to the product of the Common Stock volume weighted average price as provided under the Warrant, multiplied by a factor of 1.25 for Tranche A, 1.50 for Tranche B and 2.50 for Tranche C.
Warrants to purchase shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant Name | Warrants | Expiration Date | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilmington Warrant Tranche A | 3/12/2026 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilmington Warrant Tranche B | 3/12/2026 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilmington Warrant Tranche C | 3/12/2026 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
In measuring the warrant liability, the Company used the following inputs:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Common Stock price | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted average contractual term to maturity (years) | |||||||||||
| Range of expected market volatility % | |||||||||||
| Range of risk-free interest rate | |||||||||||
(1) Common stock price as of December 31, 2024 and was not restated for any subsequent stock splits.
(2) Common stock price as of December 31, 2023 and was not restated for any subsequent stock splits.
Fair Value of Conversion Features Related to Convertible Notes
The Company identified certain embedded derivatives related to the conversion features of the Convertible Notes. In accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, the embedded conversion options contained within the Convertible Notes were accounted for as derivative liabilities at the date of issuance and shall be adjusted to fair value through each reporting date. The Company utilized a binomial lattice model to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivatives. Significant observable and unobservable inputs include conversion price, stock price, dividend rate, expected volatility, risk-free rate, optional conversion price and term. The binomial lattice model is a Level 3 valuation technique because it requires the development of significant internal assumptions in addition to observable market indicators.
In measuring the embedded derivative liability, the Company used the following inputs:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
Conversion Price (1) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Common Stock price | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Contractual term to maturity (years) | |||||||||||
| Expected market volatility % | |||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | |||||||||||
| Traded WHLRL price % of par | |||||||||||
(1) Represents the volume weighted average of the Company's closing Common Stock price for the preceding the valuation, less a discount of | |||||||||||
(2) Value as of December 31, 2024 and was not restated for any subsequent stock splits. | |||||||||||
(3) Value as of December 31, 2023 and was not restated for any subsequent stock splits. | |||||||||||
The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's derivative liabilities, which include both the warrant and embedded derivative liabilities (in thousands):
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Balance at the beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Changes in fair value - Warrants | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in fair value - Convertible Notes | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance at ending of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Commitments
The Company is the lessee under several ground leases and for its corporate headquarters; all are accounted for as operating leases. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from 5 to 50 years. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term of our leases was 36 years and 36 years, respectively. Rent expense under the operating lease agreements was $0.9 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table represents a reconciliation of the Company’s undiscounted future minimum lease payments for its ground lease and corporate headquarters lease agreements applicable to lease liabilities as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
Years ended December 31, | |||||
| 2025 | $ | ||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| 2029 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments | |||||
| Future minimum lease payments, discount | ( | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities | $ | ||||
Insurance
The Company carries comprehensive liability, property, fire, flood, wind, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio under an insurance policy, in addition to other coverages, such as trademark and pollution coverage, that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors’, officers’, entity and employment practices liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage, requirements from any and all lenders and general industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover losses. Increases in the occurrence of natural disasters and severe weather patterns have led to a consistent increase in overall rates, deductibles and valuations from insurance carriers, which have resulted in increased costs of necessary insurance required to protect our assets.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company is subject to risks incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These risks include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants and customers, changes in tax laws, interest rates, the availability of financing and potential liability under environmental and other laws.
The Company’s portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions and is geographically located in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northeast, which markets represented approximately 44 %, 43 % and
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Regulatory and Environmental
As the owner of the buildings on our properties, the Company could face liability for the presence of hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos or lead) or other adverse conditions (e.g., poor indoor air quality) in its buildings. Environmental laws govern the presence, maintenance, and removal of hazardous materials in buildings, and if the Company does not comply with such laws, it could face fines for such noncompliance. Also, the Company could be liable to third parties (e.g., occupants of the buildings) for damages related to exposure to hazardous materials or adverse conditions in its buildings, and the Company could incur material expenses with respect to abatement or remediation of hazardous materials or other adverse conditions in its buildings. In addition, some of the Company’s tenants routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations at our properties, which are subject to regulation. Such environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject the Company or its tenants to liability resulting from these activities. Environmental liabilities could affect a tenant’s ability to make rental payments to the Company, and changes in laws could increase the potential liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company’s operations. The Company is not aware of any material contingent liabilities, regulatory matters or environmental matters that may exist.
Litigation
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes. The Company believes that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position or its results of operations. The Company records a liability when it considers the loss probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In addition, the below legal proceedings are in process:
On April 10, 2024, Daniel Khoshaba, a holder of the Company's Common Stock and former CEO of the Company, filed a derivative action on behalf of the Company and putative class action on behalf of common stockholders who had not purchased the Convertible Notes in a rights offering in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In his complaint, Mr. Khoshaba alleges that nine current and former directors and the CEO of the Company breached their duty to the Company and its common stockholders, and that certain of those directors and an officer of the Company were unjustly enriched. The complaint primarily asserts the Defendants failed to take sufficient action to mitigate the potential dilution that could be caused by the redemption rights of holders of Series D Preferred Stock and that the Defendants should not have authorized interest on the Convertible Notes sold in the rights offering to be paid in Series D Preferred Stock. The Company is named as a nominal defendant in the case and no claims are asserted against it. The Company is providing indemnification (including legal fees and costs) to the directors and officer Defendants. On June 10, 2024, the individual Defendants and the other parties filed motions to dismiss the complaint. On September 13, 2024, the District Court issued an opinion (i) granting the directors’ motion to dismiss the derivative claims, finding no demand was made and that demand would not have been futile; (ii) granting the motion to dismiss the unjust enrichment claim against the directors based on a failure to plead facts supporting the elements of such a claim, and (ii) denying the motions to dismiss on all other grounds. At this juncture, discovery is ongoing and the outcome of the litigation remains uncertain.
On September 4, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the United States District Court for the District of Maryland's order dismissing the consolidated complaints in the Sydney, et al. v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., (Case No. C-15-CV-22-001527) and Kim v. Cedar Realty Trust, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 22-cv-01103 lawsuits, and the matters are now concluded.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
9. Rental Revenue and Tenant Receivables
Tenant Receivables
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s allowance for uncollectible tenant receivables totaled $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were $8.9 million and $7.9 million, respectively, in unbilled straight-line rent, which is included in "receivables, net."
Lease Contract Revenue
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by type of service (in thousands):
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base rent | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenant reimbursements - variable lease revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Above (below) market lease amortization, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Straight-line rents | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage rent - variable lease revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease termination fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit losses on operating lease receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Future minimum rents to be received under noncancelable tenant operating leases, excluding rents on assets held for sale, for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding tenant reimbursements and percentage rent based on tenant sales volume, as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
Years ended December 31, | |||||
| 2025 | $ | ||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| 2029 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Total minimum rents | $ | ||||
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
10. Equity and Mezzanine Equity
The Company has authority to issue 215,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 200,000,000 0.01 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of which 5,000,000 6,000,000 shares as Series D Preferred Stock and 4,500
Substantially all of our business is conducted through the Company’s Operating Partnership. The Trust is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and owned a 99.82 % and 99.13 % interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Limited partners in the Operating Partnership have the right to redeem their common units for cash or Common Stock, at our option. Distributions to common unit holders are paid at the same rate per unit as dividends per share to the Trust’s common stockholders.
Reverse Stock Splits
The August 2023 Reverse Stock Split was effective on August 17, 2023 at the ratio of one-for-10. The par value of each share of Common Stock remained unchanged. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the August 2023 Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who would have otherwise been issued a fractional share of the Company’s Common Stock as a result of the August 2023 Reverse Stock Split instead received a cash payment in lieu of such fractional share in an amount equal to the applicable fraction multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on Nasdaq on each effective date thereof, without any interest.
On March 5, 2024, in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, our Board of Directors declared advisable the May 2024 Reverse Stock Split and a series of reverse stock splits to potentially occur once every two months at ratios of 1:2 to 1:100, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, from June 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 ("the Reverse Stock Split Proposals"), and directed that they be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for consideration. The Company’s stockholders approved the Reverse Stock Split Proposals at the annual meeting held on May 6, 2024.
The May 2024, June 2024, September 2024, November 2024, and January 2025 Reverse Stock Splits were effective on May 16, 2024, June 27, 2024, September 19, 2024, November 18, 2024 and January 27, 2025, respectively, at the ratios of one-for-24, one-for-five, one-for-three, one-for-two and one-for-four, respectively. The par value of each share of Common Stock remained unchanged after each such Reverse Stock Split. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the 2024 Reverse Stock Splits or the January 2025 Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who would have otherwise been issued a fractional share of the Company’s Common Stock as a result of each of the 2024 Reverse Stock Splits or January 2025 Reverse Stock Split instead received a cash payment in lieu of such fractional share in an amount equal to the applicable fraction multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on Nasdaq on each effective date thereof, without any interest.
All share and share-related information presented in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements, has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the aforementioned Reverse Stock Splits, unless otherwise noted.
Series A Preferred Stock
The Company has the right to redeem the 562 shares of Series A Preferred, on a pro rata basis, at any time at a price equal to 103 % of the purchase price for the Series A Preferred.
Series B Preferred Stock
Holders of Series B Preferred shares have the right to receive, only when and as authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the Company, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cash dividends, at a rate of 9 % per annum of the $25 liquidation preference per share. The Series B Preferred has no redemption rights. However, the Series B Preferred is subject to a mandatory conversion once the 20 -trading day volume-weighted average closing price of our Common Stock, exceeds $1,670,400 per share; once this weighted average closing price is met, each share of our Series B Preferred will automatically convert into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $1,152,000 per share of Common Stock. In addition, holders of our Series B Preferred also have the option, at any time, to convert shares of our Series B Preferred into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $1,152,000 per share of Common Stock. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of shares of our Series B Preferred shall be
64
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
entitled to be paid out of our assets a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Series B Preferred has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless subject to a mandatory or voluntary conversion as described above.
Exchange of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock for Common Stock
On October 8, 2024, the Company agreed to issue 11,000 shares of its Common Stock to an unaffiliated holder of the Company’s securities in exchange for 22,000 shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and 22,000 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock from the investor. The settlement of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange occurred on the same day. The Company did not receive any cash proceeds as a result of the 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange, and the shares of the Preferred Stock exchanged have been retired and cancelled.
Series D Preferred Stock - Redeemable Preferred Stock
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had 6,000,000 25.00 88.7 million and $97.1 million in aggregate liquidation value, respectively.
Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary, if dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods (a "Preferred Dividend Default"), holders of shares of the Series D Preferred Stock and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (such the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock together, being the "Parity Preferred Stock"), shall be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on the Board of Directors (the "Series D Preferred Directors"). A Preferred Dividend Default occurred on April 15, 2020. The election of the Series D Preferred Directors will take place upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 20 % of the Series D Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is not permitted to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors as a result of the failure of the holders of 20 % of the Series D Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred Stock to deliver such written request for the election of the Series D Preferred Directors. The Series D Preferred Directors may serve on our Board of Directors, until all unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred Stock, if any, have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment.
On or after September 21, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date. The holder of the Series D Preferred Stock may convert shares at any time into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of $488,448.00 per share of Common Stock. After September 21, 2023, each holder of the Series D Preferred Stock may, at their option, request that the Company redeem any or all of their shares on a monthly basis at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the Holder Redemption Date, payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the Company's option. Redemptions commenced on September 22, 2023.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company processed redemptions for an aggregate of 519,822 shares and 864,070 shares, respectively, of Series D Preferred Stock from the holders thereof. Accordingly, the Company issued 294,083 and 18,330 shares of Common Stock, respectively, in settlement of an aggregate redemption price of approximately $20.4 million and $32.7 million, respectively. The value of the Common Stock issued to holders redeeming their Series D Preferred Stock is the volume weighted average price per share of our Common Stock for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the Holder Redemption Date as reported on Nasdaq.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had received requests to redeem 102,487 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the January 2025 Holder Redemption Date. As such, the redemption of these Series D Preferred Stock is considered certain at December 31, 2024 and the liquidation value associated with these shares of $4.1 million is presented as a liability.
The changes in the carrying value of the Series D Preferred Stock for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
| Series D Preferred Stock | |||||||||||
Shares | Value | ||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||
| Accretion of Preferred Stock discount | — | ||||||||||
| Conversion of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock | ( | ( | |||||||||
Paid-in-kind interest, issuance of Preferred Stock (1) | |||||||||||
Accretion to liquidation preference (2) | — | ||||||||||
Series D Preferred Stock redemptions (3) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Undeclared dividends | — | ||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
Paid-in-kind interest, issuance of Preferred Stock (1) | |||||||||||
Accretion to liquidation preference (4) | — | ||||||||||
Series D Preferred Stock redemptions (5) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Settlement of 2024 Preferred Stock Exchange | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Undeclared dividends | — | ||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
(1) See Note 6 for additional details.
(2) The Series D Preferred Stock was adjusted to $25.00 liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, representing a $13.5 million adjustment to its carrying value at September 21, 2023, the commencement of the holder redemptions and $1.7 million adjustment to its carrying value for the Series D Preferred Stock issued for paid-in-kind interest on the Convertible Notes on December 31, 2023.
(3) The value is net of the January 2024 Holder Redemption Date redemption liquidation value of $0.4 million, which is represented as a liability; however, the corresponding 9,843 shares have not been adjusted for as they remained outstanding at December 31, 2023.
(4) The Series D Preferred Stock issued for paid-in-kind interest on the Convertible Notes was adjusted to carrying value.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company realized a gain of $4.8 million and $9.9 million in the aggregate, respectively, as a result of the fair market value of the Common Stock issued in redemptions and exchanges of Preferred Stock being less than the book value of the Preferred Stock retired in those transactions.
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Subsidiary
During the year ended December 31, 2024, Cedar repurchased and retired 791,306 shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock in a series of repurchase transactions, including the September 2024 Cedar Tender Offer. The shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock were repurchased for an aggregate of $11.5 million at a weighted average price of $13.93 per share, representing a premium to the book value of $9.75 per share. The repurchase of the noncontrolling interests caused the recognition of $3.8 million deemed distributions during the year ended December 31, 2024. There were no repurchases of noncontrolling interests in the year ended December 31, 2023.
On December 27, 2024, the Company announced and commenced another "modified Dutch auction" tender offer to purchase up to an aggregate amount paid of $12.5 million of shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock at a price of not less than $13.75 nor greater than $15.75 per share of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock, to the sellers in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. Following the expiration of the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer on January 28, 2025, the Company accepted for purchase 645,276 shares of its Cedar Series C Preferred Stock at $15.75 per share for approximately $10.2 million. See Note 12 for additional details.
The total cumulative dividends for the Cedar Series B Preferred Stock and Cedar Series C Preferred Stock were $10.3 million and $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are included as an increase to net loss attributable to Wheeler REIT Common Stockholders on the consolidated statements of operations.
Earnings per share
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the Company’s common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period including participating securities.
Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common Stock were exercised or converted into shares of Common Stock.
The following table summarizes the potential dilution of conversion of Operating Partnership common units ("Common Units"), Series B Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Warrants and Convertible Notes into the Company's Common Stock. These have been excluded from the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would be antidilutive.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding Shares | Potential Dilutive Shares | Outstanding Shares | Potential Dilutive Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common units | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series B Preferred Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series D Preferred Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants to purchase Common Stock | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible Notes | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
The following table summarizes the Series D Preferred Stock dividends (in thousands, except for per share amounts):
| Series D Preferred Stock | |||||||||||
| Arrears Date | Undeclared Dividends | Per Share | |||||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
The total cumulative dividends in arrears for Series D Preferred Stock is $32.8 million as of December 31, 2024 ($14.67 per share). The Series D Preferred Stock holders were entitled to cumulative cash dividends of 14.75 % and 12.75 %, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no
11. Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions with Cedar
The Company performs property management and leasing services for Cedar, a subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to the management agreement entered into by and between the companies (the "Wheeler Real Estate Company Management Agreement"). During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, Cedar paid the Company $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for these services. The Operating Partnership and Cedar’s operating partnership, Cedar Realty Trust Partnership, L.P., are party to a cost sharing and reimbursement agreement, pursuant to which the parties agreed to share costs and expenses associated with certain employees, certain facilities and property, and certain arrangements with third parties (the “Cost Sharing Agreement”). Related party amounts due to the Company from Cedar are comprised of (in thousands):
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
December 31, 2024 (2) | December 31, 2023 (2) | ||||||||||
Financings and real estate taxes | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Management fees | |||||||||||
| Leasing commissions | |||||||||||
Cost Sharing Agreement allocations (1) | |||||||||||
| Transaction fees | |||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
(1) Includes allocations for executive compensation and directors and officers liability insurance.
(2) These related party amounts have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.
Investment securities - related party
The Company has investments held with SAI, a related party. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $323 thousand and $204 thousand in fees, respectively. See Note 4 for additional details.
12. Subsequent Events
Cumulative Series D Preferred Stock Redemption Information
The Company has processed 154,578 shares of Series D Preferred Stock subsequent to December 31, 2024. Accordingly, the Company has issued 568,527 shares of Common Stock in settlement of an aggregate redemption price of approximately $6.2 million.
Exchanges of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock for Common Stock
The Company exchanged its Common Stock for its Preferred Stock in the following transactions:
•On January 7, 2025, the Company agreed to issue 2,000 shares of its Common Stock to one unaffiliated holder of its securities in exchange for 1,000 shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and 1,000 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock.
•On January 16, 2025, the Company agreed to issue 267,800 shares of its Common Stock in the aggregate to six unaffiliated holders of the Company’s securities in exchange for a total of 82,400 shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and a total of 82,400 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock.
The settlement of each of these transactions occurred on the date thereof or the next business day. In each of these transactions, the Company did not receive any cash proceeds and the shares of the Preferred Stock exchanged have been retired and cancelled.
December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer
On January 28, 2025, the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer expired in accordance with its terms. An aggregate of 645,276 shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the final purchase price of $15.75 per share. The Company accepted for purchase all shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock that were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the final purchase price.
The purchase price for the Cedar Series C Preferred Stock purchased in the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer is approximately $10.2 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the December 2024 Cedar Tender Offer. The shares purchased represent approximately 15.3 % of the issued and outstanding Cedar Series C Preferred Stock as of January 30, 2025.
Adjustment to Conversion Price of Convertible Notes
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
For the February 2025 Series D Preferred Stock redemptions, the lowest price at which any Series D Preferred Stock was converted by a holder into Common Stock was approximately $7.05 .
Accordingly, under Section 14.02 (Optional Conversion) of the Indenture, on February 5, 2025, the Conversion Price for the Convertible Notes was further adjusted to approximately $3.88 per share of Common Stock (approximately 6.44 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted), representing a 45 % discount to $7.05 .
Properties Held For Sale Subsequent to December 31, 2024
Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the Company moved seven properties to held for sale and as of March 4, 2025, six properties were classified as held for sale and one property, Webster Commons, was disposed.
On February 11, 2025, the Company sold Webster Commons, a 98,984 square foot retail center located in Webster, Massachusetts, for $14.5 million, resulting in $13.9 million in net proceeds, which includes a $9.1 million pay down of the Cedar term loan, 10 properties to release the property from collateral.
February 2025 Cedar Tender Offers
On February 21, 2025, the Company announced and commenced concurrent but separate offers to purchase up to an aggregate amount paid of $9.5 million of (i) up to 584,615 shares of Cedar Series C Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $16.25 per share, in cash, and (ii) up to 535,211 shares of Cedar Series B Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $17.75 per share, in cash, each less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest (the "February 2025 Cedar Tender Offers"). The February 2025 Cedar Tender Offers are intended to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 21, 2025, unless either offer is earlier extended or terminated.
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
December 31, 2024
| Description | Balance at Beginning of Year | Charged to Costs and Expense | Deductions from Reserves | Balance at End of Year | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
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Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2024
| Initial Cost | Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (1) | Gross Amount at which Carried at end of Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property Name | Land | Building and Improvements | Improvements (net) | Carrying Costs | Land | Building and Improvements | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHLR | (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amscot Building | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumber River Village | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrey Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuckernuck | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twin City Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tampa Festival | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forrest Gallery | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winslow Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clover Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St. George Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Westland Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Waterway Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cypress Shopping Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harrodsburg Marketplace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Port Crossing Shopping Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LaGrange Marketplace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DF I-Courtland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freeway Junction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bryan Station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crockett Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pierpont Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brook Run Properties | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alex City Marketplace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brook Run Shopping Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beaver Ruin Village | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beaver Ruin Village II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chesapeake Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunshine Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cardinal Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frankilton Square LLC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nashville Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grove Park | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parkway Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fort Howard Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conyers Crossing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darien Shopping Center | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Devine Street | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Folly Road | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgetown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Initial Cost | Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (1) | Gross Amount at which Carried at end of Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property Name | Land | Building and Improvements | Improvements (net) | Carrying Costs | Land | Building and Improvements | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ladson Crossing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lake Greenwood Crossing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lake Murray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Litchfield I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Litchfield II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Litchfield Market Village | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moncks Corner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ridgeland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoppes at Myrtle Park | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Lake | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Park | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sangaree | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tri-County | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Riverbridge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laburnum Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franklin Village | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Village at Martinsville | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Market Crossing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rivergate Shopping Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JANAF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WHLR Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CDR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brickyard Plaza | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carll's Corner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coliseum Marketplace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fairview Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fieldstone Marketplace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gold Star Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Golden Triangle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamburg Square | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon Avenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patuxent Crossing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pine Grove Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Philadelphia parcels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southington Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timpany Plaza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trexler Mall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington Center Shoppes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Webster Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CDR Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Negative amounts represent write-offs of fully depreciated assets.
As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes was approximately $863 million.
72
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
| Property Name | Encumbrances | Accumulated Depreciation | Date of Construction | Date Acquired | Depreciation Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHLR | (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amscot Building | $ | 5/15/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lumber River Village (2) | 11/16/2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Surrey Plaza (2) | 12/21/2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuckernuck | $ | 11/16/2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Twin City Commons (2) | 12/18/2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tampa Festival (2) | 8/26/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forrest Gallery (2) | 8/29/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winslow Plaza | 12/19/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clover Plaza (2) | 12/23/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
St. George Plaza (2) | 12/23/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Square (2) | 12/23/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Westland Square (2) | 12/23/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Waterway Plaza (2) | 12/23/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cypress Shopping Center (1) | 7/1/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Harrodsburg Marketplace (5) | 7/1/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Port Crossing Shopping Center (5) | 7/3/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LaGrange Marketplace (2) | 7/25/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DF I-Courtland (undeveloped land) | 8/15/2014 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Freeway Junction (6) | 9/4/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bryan Station (6) | 10/2/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crockett Square (6) | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pierpont Centre (5) | 1/14/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brook Run Properties (undeveloped land) | 3/27/2015 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alex City Marketplace (5) | 4/1/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brook Run Shopping Center (6) | 6/2/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beaver Ruin Village (6) | 7/1/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beaver Ruin Village II (6) | 7/1/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chesapeake Square (1) | 7/10/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunshine Plaza (5) | 7/21/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cardinal Plaza (5) | 8/21/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frankilton Square LLC (5) | 8/21/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nashville Commons (5) | 8/21/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grove Park (5) | 9/9/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parkway Plaza (5) | 9/15/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fort Howard Square (6) | 9/30/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conyers Crossing (1) | 9/30/2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Darien Shopping Center (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Devine Street | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Folly Road (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgetown (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73
| Property Name | Encumbrances | Accumulated Depreciation | Date of Construction | Date Acquired | Depreciation Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ladson Crossing (2) | $ | 4/12/2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lake Greenwood Crossing (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lake Murray (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Litchfield I (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Litchfield II (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Litchfield Market Village (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moncks Corner | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ridgeland (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoppes at Myrtle Park (6) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Lake (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Park (2) | 4/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sangaree (1) | 11/10/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tri-County (1) | 11/10/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Riverbridge (5) | 11/15/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Laburnum Square | 12/7/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franklin Village (5) | 12/12/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Village at Martinsville | 12/16/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Market Crossing (2) | 12/20/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rivergate Shopping Center | 12/21/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JANAF Shopping Center | 1/18/2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WHLR Totals | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CDR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brickyard Plaza (3) | $ | 8/22/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carll's Corner | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coliseum Marketplace (4) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fairview Commons (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fieldstone Marketplace | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Star Plaza (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Golden Triangle (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hamburg Square (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon Avenue | 8/22/2022 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Patuxent Crossing (4) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pine Grove Plaza (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Philadelphia parcels | 8/22/2022 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southington Center (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timpany Plaza | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trexler Mall (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington Center Shoppes (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Webster Commons (3) | 8/22/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDR Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Properties secure the Term loan, 5 properties.
(2) Properties secure the Term loan, 22 properties.
(3) Properties secure the Cedar term loan, 10 properties.
(4) Properties secure the Patuxent Crossing/Coliseum Marketplace term loan.
(5) Properties secure the Term loan, 12 properties.
74
(6) Properties secure the Term loan, 8 properties.
The changes in total real estate assets are as follows:
Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Acquisitions | |||||||||||
| Improvements | |||||||||||
| Impairments | ( | ||||||||||
| Disposals | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
75
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||
| Item | Title of Description | Form | Filing Date | |||||||||||
| 3.1 | Current Report on Form 8-K | August 8, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 3.2 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 20, 2016 | ||||||||||||
3.3† | ||||||||||||||
3.4† | ||||||||||||||
| 3.5 | Current Report on Form 8-K | December 5, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 3.6 | Current Report on Form 8-K | April 3, 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 3.7 | Current Report on Form 8-K | April 3, 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 3.8 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 29, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| 3.9 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 4, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| 3.10 | Current Report on Form 8-K | July 8, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 3.11 | Current Report on Form 8-K | November 5, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 3.12 | Current Report on Form 8-K | November 29, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 3.13 | Current Report on Form 8-K | August 17, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 3.14 | Current Report on Form 8-K | August 17, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 3.15 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 14, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.16 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 14, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.17 | Current Report on Form 8-K | June 24, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.18 | Current Report on Form 8-K | June 24, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.19 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 17, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.20 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 17, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.21 | Current Report on Form 8-K | November 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.22 | Current Report on Form 8-K | November 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 3.23 | Current Report on Form 8-K | January 22, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| 3.24 | Current Report on Form 8-K | January 22, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| 3.25 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 29, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| 3.26 | Registration Statement on Form S-11 | August 20, 2014 | ||||||||||||
| 3.27 | Current Report on Form 8-K | April 15, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| 3.28 | Current Report on Form 8-K | July 15, 2016 | ||||||||||||
76
| 3.29 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 20, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 3.30 | Current Report on Form 8-K | December 5, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 3.31 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 5, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| 3.32 | Current Report on Form 8-K | December 23, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| 3.33 | Current Report on Form 8-K | March 12, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 4.1 | Current Report on Form 8-K | April 3, 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 4.2 | Registration Statement on Form S-11/A | April 23, 2014 | ||||||||||||
| 4.3 | Current Report on Form 8-K | September 20, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 4.4† | ||||||||||||||
| 4.5 | Current Report on Form 8-K | March 12, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 4.6 | Current Report on Form 8-K | August 16, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 10.1 | Current Report on Form 8-K | June 8, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| 10.2 | Current Report on Form 8-K | June 16, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 10.3 | Current Report on Form 8-K | February 20, 2018. | ||||||||||||
| 10.4 | Current Report on Form 8-K | March 12, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 10.5 | Current Report on Form 8-K | June 21, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| 10.6 | Current Report on Form 8-K | July 8, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| 10.7 | Current Report on Form 8-K | October 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| 10.8 | Current Report on Form 8-K | October 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| 10.9 | Current Report on Form 10-Q | May 9, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 10.10 | Current Report on Form 8-K | May 19, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 10.11 | Registration Statement on Form S-11 | September 1, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 10.12 | Current Report on Form 8-K | December 6, 2023 | ||||||||||||
10.13† | ||||||||||||||
| 10.14 | Current Report on Form 8-K | December 6, 2023 | ||||||||||||
77
| 10.15 | Current Report on Form 8-K | February 6, 2024 | ||||||||||||
19.1† | ||||||||||||||
| 21.1† | ||||||||||||||
| 23.1† | ||||||||||||||
| 31.1† | ||||||||||||||
| 31.2† | ||||||||||||||
| 32.1† | ||||||||||||||
| 32.2† | ||||||||||||||
97.1 | Annual Report on Form 10-K | March 5, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| 101.INS XBRL | Instance Document (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (Filed herewith). | |||||||||||||
† Filed or furnished herewith.
78
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
79
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ M. Andrew Franklin | |||||||
M. Andrew Franklin | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Crystal Plum | |||||||
| Crystal Plum | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
Date: March 4, 2025
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of M. Andrew Franklin and Crystal Plum as his or her attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Report and to file same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his or her substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
| Signature | Title | Date | |||||||||
/S/ M. ANDREW FRANKLIN | CEO and President | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| M. Andrew Franklin | (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||
/S/ CRYSTAL PLUM | Chief Financial Officer | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Crystal Plum | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||||
| /S/ STEFANI D. CARTER | Chair of Board | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Stefani D. Carter | |||||||||||
| /S/ E.J. BORRACK | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| E.J. Borrack | |||||||||||
| /S/ ROBERT BRADY | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Robert Brady | |||||||||||
/S/ KERRY G. CAMPBELL | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Kerry G. Campbell | |||||||||||
/S/ REBECCA MUSSER | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Rebecca Musser | |||||||||||
80
/S/ MEGAN PARISI | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Megan Parisi | |||||||||||
/S/ DENNIS POLLACK | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
Dennis Pollack | |||||||||||
/S/ JOSEPH D. STILWELL | Director | March 4, 2025 | |||||||||
| Joseph D. Stilwell | |||||||||||
81
Exhibit 3.3
WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “Department”) that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Article V of the charter of the Corporation (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Charter”) and Section 2-105 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), by duly adopted resolutions, classified and designated an additional 1,500,000 shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, without par value per share, of the Corporation as additional shares (the “Additional Shares”) of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”).
SECOND: A description of the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other terms and conditions of the Series D Preferred Stock is set forth in the Articles Supplementary filed with, and accepted for record by, the Department on September 16, 2016.
THIRD: The Additional Shares have been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter. After giving effect to the classification of the Additional Shares set forth herein, the total number of Series D Preferred Stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 4,000,000. There has been no increase in the authorized shares of stock of the Company effected by these Articles Supplementary.
FOURTH: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.
FIFTH: Each of the undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, each of the undersigned acknowledges that to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 15th day of November, 2016.
| ATTEST: | WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.: | |||||||
By: /s/ Robin A. Hanisch Name: Robin A. Hanish Title: Secretary | By: /s/ Jon. S. Wheeler Name: Jon. S. Wheeler Title: Chairman & CEO | |||||||
Exhibit 3.4
WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “Department”) that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Article V of the charter of the Corporation (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Charter”) and Section 2-105 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), by duly adopted resolutions, reclassified and designated 1,500,000 shares of authorized but unissued Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value per share (the “Series D Preferred Stock”), of the Corporation as undesignated shares of preferred stock, without par value per share (“Preferred Stock”), of the Corporation.
SECOND: A description of the preferences, dividends, liquidation and other rights, and other terms and conditions of the Preferred Stock is set forth in the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Corporation, filed with, and accepted for record by, the Department on August 5, 2016.
THIRD: The shares of Preferred Stock have been reclassified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter. After giving effect to the reclassification of the shares of Preferred Stock set forth herein. the total number of Series D Preferred Stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 2,500,000. There has been no increase in the authorized shares of stock of the Company effected by these Articles Supplementary.
FOURTH: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.
FIFTH: Each of the undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, each or the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 21st day of November, 2016.
| ATTEST: | WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.: | |||||||
By: /s/ Robin A. Hanisch Name: Robin A. Hanish Title: Secretary | By: /s/ Jon. S. Wheeler Name: Jon. S. Wheeler Title: Chairman & CEO | |||||||
Exhibit 4.4
Description of Securities
Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
As of December 31, 2024, Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“WHLR”, the “Company” or “our”) had five classes of securities: our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), Series A Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series A Preferred”); Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series B Preferred”); Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series D Preferred” or "Series D Preferred Stock") and 7.00% Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred are collectively referred to “Preferred Stock” hereinafter. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had authority to issue 215,000,000 shares of stock consisting of the following:
•200,000,000 Common Stock authorized, 328,112 of which were issued and outstanding;
•4,500 Series A Preferred authorized, 562 of which were issued and outstanding;
•5,000,000 Series B Preferred authorized, 3,357,142 of which were issued and outstanding; and
•6,000,000 Series D Preferred authorized, 2,236,046 of which were issued and outstanding.
Our Common Stock, Series B Preferred, Series D Preferred, and the Notes are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) on the Nasdaq Capital Market exchange. The following is a summary of each class of our securities registered under the Act and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Charter”), Supplementary Articles, as amended and restated and our by-laws, as amended and restated (the “By-Laws”), copies of which are incorporated by reference within the Exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 of which this Exhibit 4.4 is a part. Our Series A Preferred stock is not registered on an exchange for trading and is not included in the following description.
Common Stock
Pursuant to Article V of our Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock.
With respect to dividend payments and distribution of the Company’s assets upon redemption and upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of our Common Stock are subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares of our Preferred Stock.
When and if declared by the Board, the holders of shares of Common Stock are subject to prior rights of the holders of any shares of our Preferred Stock for any dividends declared, paid upon or set aside for the Common Stock in any such year, dividends in cash, stock or otherwise. Any dividends on our Series D Preferred declared, but not paid shall be cumulative. No deposit, payment, dividend or distribution of any kind shall be made with respect to the Common Stock unless all dividends payable on the Preferred Stock have been paid.
Preferred Stock
In the event of (i) any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or (ii) any sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to and in preference of any distribution or payment upon the Common Stock, an amount per share of Preferred Stock equal to the sum of the Preferred Stock purchase price plus any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. To the extent the assets and funds available for distribution after payment of all required obligations of the Company are insufficient to make such payment, then the entire assets and funds available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock. Any amounts remaining after payment in full of the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock.
Series B Preferred
Holders of Series B Preferred shares have the right to receive, only when and as authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cash dividends, at a rate of 9% per annum of the $25 liquidation preference per share. The Series B Preferred has no redemption rights. However, the Series B Preferred is subject to a mandatory conversion once the 20-trading day volume-weighted average closing price of our Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, exceeds $580 per share; once this weighted average closing price is met, each share of our Series B Preferred will automatically convert into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $400.00 per share. In addition, holders of our Series B Preferred also have the option, at any time, to convert shares of our Series B Preferred into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $400.00 per share of Common Stock. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of shares of our Series B Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of our assets a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Series Preferred B has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless subject to a mandatory or voluntary conversion as described above. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as provided by law.
Series D Preferred
The Series D Preferred has a $25.00 liquidation preference per share. Until September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred were entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.75% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (the “Initial Rate”). Commencing September 21, 2023, the holders were entitled to cumulative cash dividends at an annual dividend rate of the Initial Rate increased by 2% of the liquidation preference per annum on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 14%. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or before January 15th, April 15th, July 15th and October 15th of each year. On or after September 21, 2021, the Company, may at its option, redeem the Series D Preferred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date. The holder of the Series D Preferred may convert shares at any time into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of $169.60 per share of Common Stock. On September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred may, at their option, elect to cause the Company to redeem any or all of their shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date, payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the holder’s option.
The Series D Preferred requires the Company maintain asset coverage of at least 200%. If we fail to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% calculated by determining the percentage value of (i) our total assets plus accumulated depreciation and accumulated amortization minus our total liabilities and indebtedness as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) (exclusive of the book value of any Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock (defined below)) over (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, of outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred Stock and any outstanding shares of term preferred stock or preferred stock providing for a fixed mandatory redemption date or maturity date (collectively referred to as “Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock”) on the last business day of any calendar quarter (“Asset Coverage Ratio”), and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as applicable, for that quarter, or the “Asset Coverage Cure Date,” then we will be required to redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock, which may include Series D Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in us having a coverage ratio of at least 200% and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that can be redeemed solely out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, we may, in our sole option, redeem any shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock we select, including on a non-pro rata basis. We may elect not to redeem any Series D Preferred Stock to cure such failure as long as we cure our failure to meet the Asset Coverage Ratio by or on the Asset Coverage Cure Date. If shares of Series D Preferred Stock are to be redeemed for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, such shares
will be redeemed solely in cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not declared) to and including the redemption date.
Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate from the end of the most recent dividend period for which dividends have been paid. Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate whether or not (i) we have earnings, (ii) there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and (iii) such dividends are authorized by the Board or declared by us. Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock do not bear interest. If the Company, fails to pay any dividend within three (3) business days after the payment date for such dividend, the then-current dividend rate increases following the payment date by an additional 2.0% of the $25.00 stated liquidation preference per share until we pay the dividend, subject to our ability to cure the failure. On December 20, 2018, the Company suspended the Series D Preferred dividend. As such, the Series D Preferred shares began accumulating dividends at 10.75% beginning January 1, 2019 and will continue to accumulate dividends at this rate until all accumulated dividends have been paid. Commencing September 21, 2023, the Series D Preferred Stock holders were entitled to cumulative cash dividends at an annual dividend rate of 12.75%, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 16%, including the 2% default rate.
Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred have no voting rights. However, if dividends on the Series D Preferred are in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods, the number of directors on the Board will automatically be increased by two, and holders of shares of the Series D Preferred and the holders of shares of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (voting together as a single class) will be entitled to vote, at a special meeting called upon the written request of the holders of at least 20% of such stock or at our next annual meeting and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the Board, until all unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock, if any, have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment. The Series D Preferred Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election. The Board of Directors is not permitted to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors as a result of the failure of the holders of 20% of the Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock to deliver such written request for the election of the Series D Preferred Directors. In addition, holders of shares of the Series D Preferred shall have the right to vote to approve any amendment to the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock. Any such amendment of the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
7.00% Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2031
This section includes a description of the material terms of the Notes and the indenture, dated as of August 13, 2021, among the Company, as Issuer, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee (the “Indenture”). Because this section is a summary, however, it does not describe every aspect of the Notes and the Indenture. The Indenture, and not this Exhibit, defines a holder’s rights as a holder of the Notes. The Indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 of which this Exhibit 4.4 is a part. All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
General
On August 13, 2021, we issued $30,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Notes under the Indenture and on October 12, 2021 and an additional $3,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes were issued pursuant to an exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We have listed the Notes on Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “WHLRL”. The Notes were issued under the Indenture.
The stated maturity of the Notes is December 31, 2031. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 of each year starting on December 31, 2021 to holders of record at the close of business on the preceding June 1 and December 1, respectively. Interest will accrue on the Notes at a rate of 7.0% per annum. Interest will accrue on the Notes from and including the issuance date or from, and including, the last date in respect of which interest has been paid or provided for, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the maturity date, as the case may be. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of
twelve 30-day months, until the principal thereof is paid or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal, interest (to the extent lawful) or premium, if any, shall be payable on demand in the form as provided in Article Fourteen the Indenture. We issued the Notes in denominations of $25. The holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.
Covenants
The Indenture contains standard covenants relating to, among other things, payment of principal and interest, maintaining an office where payments may be made or securities can be surrendered for payment and related matters, holding money for note payments in trust, maintenance of existence, maintenance of properties, payment of taxes, compliance with laws, notices to the trustee regarding certain matters and delivery of certain reports to the holders.
Trustee
The Trustee for the Notes is Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, and we have initially appointed the Trustee as the paying agent, conversion agent and registrar with regard to the Notes. Except during the continuance of an event of default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture.
The Trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or demand of the holders of the Notes, unless the holders of the Notes have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity that is satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that the Trustee may incur to comply with the request or demand. Subject to applicable law and the Trustee’s rights to indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.
Optional Redemption
After January 1, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Company’s option at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest as of the redemption date (the “Redemption Price”). The Redemption Price may be paid: (a) in cash; (b) in shares of Common Stock; or (c) in any combination of (a) and (b). For purposes of determining the value of Common Stock paid as all or part of the Redemption Price, each share of Common Stock shall be deemed to have a value equal to the product of (x) the average of the per share volume-weighted average prices for the Common Stock for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day immediately preceding the relevant redemption date and (y) 0.55.
Conversion and Exchange
Upon a change of control, each Note will mandatorily convert into shares of the Common Stock equal to: (i) the principal amount of each Note divided by (ii) the product of (x) the average of the per share volume-weighted average prices for Common Stock for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day immediately preceding the date of such change of control, and (y) 0.55. On the maturity date, in lieu of paying the principal of the Note in cash, the Company may elect to pay such principal: (a) in cash; (b) in shares of Common Stock; or (c) in any combination of (a) or (b). To the extent principal is paid in shares of Common Stock each share of Common Stock shall be deemed to have a value equal to the product of (x) the average of the per share volume-weighted average prices for Common Stock for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on the third business day preceding the maturity date and (y) 0.55.
The Notes are convertible, in whole or in part, at any time, at the option of the holders of the Notes, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $6.25 per share of Common Stock (the “Conversion Price”); provided, however, that if at any time after September 21, 2023, holders of the Series D Preferred Stock have required the Company to redeem (payable in cash or stock) in the aggregate at least 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, then the Conversion Price will be adjusted to the lower of (i) 55% of the Conversion Price or (ii) a 45% discount to the lowest price at which any Series D Preferred Stock was converted into Common Stock.
Adjustment to Conversion Price of Convertible Notes
Because at least 100,000 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock have been redeemed, pursuant to Section 14.02 (Optional Conversion) of the indenture governing the Company’s Convertible Notes (the "Convertible Notes Indenture"), effective October 5, 2023, the conversion price for the Convertible Notes was adjusted to $1.59 per share of the Company’s Common Stock, (15.72 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted).
For the February 2024 redemptions, the lowest price at which any Series D Preferred Stock was converted by a holder into Common Stock was approximately $0.22.
Accordingly, pursuant to Section 14.02 (Optional Conversion) of the indenture governing the Notes, the Conversion Price for the Notes was further adjusted to approximately $0.12 per share of Common Stock (approximately 209.84 shares of Common Stock for each $25.00 of principal amount of the Notes being converted),
representing a 45% discount to $0.22.
Ranking
The Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Company’s obligations to the holders of senior indebtedness, and that in the case of any insolvency, receivership, conservatorship, reorganization, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings or any liquidation or winding-up of or relating to the Company as a whole, whether voluntary or involuntary, all obligations to holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to be paid in full before any payment shall be made on account of the principal or interest on the Notes.
Events of Default
The Indenture provides that an Event of Default means that one or more of the following events has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes:
a.failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on any Note;
b.failure to pay an installment of interest on any Note when due, if the failure continues for 30 days after the date when due;
c.failure to timely provide notice with respect to any conversion or redemption of the Notes or failure to timely provide shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes
d.failure to comply with any other term, covenant or agreement contained in the Notes or the Indenture, if the failure is not cured within 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Trustee and the Company by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the applicable Notes then outstanding, in accordance with the Indenture;
e.voluntary insolvency of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries;
f.involuntary insolvency of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries if unstayed for at least 60 days.
If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Notes, except for the events of default relating to bankruptcy proceedings, either the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, (and premium, if any) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the then outstanding Notes to be immediately due and payable in cash.
Modification and Waiver
With the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes delivered to the Company and the Trustee , the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for the purpose of adding any provisions hereto or thereto, changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions thereunder or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders thereunder and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, other than Notes beneficially owned by the Company or its affiliates; provided, however, that no such amendment, supplement or waiver shall, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (with respect to any Notes held by a nonconsenting holder):
a.change the stated maturity of the principal of, or the payment date of any installment of interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any Note;
b.reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Note;
c.change the manner, consideration or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Note;
d.impair the right to institute a suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, or of the conversion of, any Note;
e.modify, in a manner adverse to the holders, the provisions of the Indenture relating to the Redemption Price or the Company’s obligation to pay the Redemption Price when due;
f.modify the ranking provisions of the Indenture, relative to other indebtedness of the Company in a manner adverse to the holders;
g.reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes whose holders must consent to a modification or amendment of the Indenture or the Notes;
h.reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes whose holders must consent to a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or a waiver of any Default or Event of Default; or
i.modify the provisions of the Indenture with respect to modification and waiver (including waiver of a Default or Event of Default), except to increase the percentage required for modification or waiver or to provide for the consent of each affected holder.
Exhibit 10.13
December 5, 2024
Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P.
Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P.
Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P.
Stilwell Associates, L.P.
c/o Stilwell Value LLC
200 Calle del Santo Cristo
Segundo Piso
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to that certain letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) entered into on December 5, 2023, by and among Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Stilwell Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, by their execution of this amendment to the Letter Agreement (the “Amendment”), hereby agree as follows:
1.Amendment. The antepenultimate full paragraph of the Letter Agreement regarding its termination date is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following text:
“This Letter Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect as of December 5, 2025.”
2. Miscellaneous.
a. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Letter Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
b. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.
c. This Amendment may be signed by the parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so signed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment electronically (including portable document format (.pdf) or DocuSign) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.
[Remainder of page intentionally blank. Signature page follows.]
Exhibit 10.13
[Signature Page to Letter Agreement Amendment]
Very truly yours,
| WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ M. Andrew Franklin | |||||||
Name: M. Andrew Franklin | ||||||||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||||||
Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:
| STILWELL ACTIVIST INVESTMENTS, L.P. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Stilwell | ||||||||||
Name: Joseph Stilwell | |||||||||||
| Title: Managing Member of the General Partner, Stilwell Value LLC | |||||||||||
| STILWELL ACTIVIST FUND, L.P. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Stilwell | ||||||||||
Name: Joseph Stilwell | |||||||||||
| Title: Managing Member of the General Partner, Stilwell Value LLC | |||||||||||
| STILWELL VALUE PARTNERS VII, L.P. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Stilwell | ||||||||||
Name: Joseph Stilwell | |||||||||||
| Title: Managing Member of the General Partner, Stilwell Value LLC | |||||||||||
| STILWELL ASSOCIATES, L.P. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Stilwell | ||||||||||
Name: Joseph Stilwell | |||||||||||
| Title: Managing Member of the General Partner, Stilwell Value LLC | |||||||||||
Exhibit 19.1
WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted the following Insider Trading Policy (the “Policy”), which prohibits trading based on Material Nonpublic Information (as such term is defined herein). The Policy covers:
•each member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board Member”);
•each officer of the Company designated by the Board as a “Section 16 Officer”;
•all other employees of the Company (the “Employees”);
•consultants, or contractors to, the Company (the “Consultants”); and
•family members of Board Members, Section 16 Officers, Employees and Consultants, in each case where such persons have or may have access to Material Nonpublic Information (the “Family Members”).
As used herein, Board Members, Section 16 Officers, Employees, Consultants and Family Members are collectively referred to as the “Restricted Parties.” The Company shall maintain and update a list of Section 16 Officers from time to time, as applicable.
General Policy
It is the policy of the Company to oppose the unauthorized disclosure of any nonpublic information acquired in the workplace and the misuse of Material Nonpublic Information in securities trading. This Policy applies to all transactions in the Company’s securities, including common stock, options for common stock and any other securities the Company may issue from time to time, such as preferred stock, warrants and convertible debentures, as well as to derivative securities relating to the Company’s stock, whether or not issued by the Company, such as exchange-traded options. It applies to all Restricted Parties.
Specific Policy Applications
Trading on Material Nonpublic Information. No Restricted Party shall engage in any transaction involving a purchase or sale of the Company’s securities, including any offer to purchase or offer to sell, during any period commencing with the date that he or she possesses Material Nonpublic Information concerning the Company. This restriction on trading does not apply to transactions made under an approved Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan (as described herein).
Tipping. No Restricted Party shall disclose Material Nonpublic Information to any other person where such information may be used by such person to his or her profit by trading in the securities of companies to which such information relates, nor shall such Restricted Party make recommendations or express opinions on the basis of Material Nonpublic Information as to trading in the Company’s securities.
Confidentiality of Nonpublic Information. Nonpublic information relating to the Company is the property of the Company and the unauthorized disclosure of such information is forbidden. In the event any Restricted Party receives any inquiry from outside the Company, such as a stock analyst, for information (particularly financial results and/or projections) that may be Material Nonpublic Information, the inquiry should be referred to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, who is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the release of such information to the investing public, analysts and others in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Potential Criminal and Civil Liability and/or Disciplinary Action. Pursuant to Federal and state securities laws, Restricted Parties may be subject to criminal and civil fines and penalties as well as imprisonment for engaging in transactions in the Company’s securities at a time when they have knowledge of Material Nonpublic Information
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regarding the Company. Restricted Parties may also be liable for improper transactions by any person to whom they have disclosed Material Nonpublic Information regarding the Company or to whom they have made recommendations or expressed opinions on the basis of such information as to trading in the Company’s securities. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has imposed large penalties even when the disclosing person did not profit from the trading. Restricted Parties who violate this Policy shall also be subject to disciplinary action by the Company, which may include ineligibility for future participation in the Company’s equity incentive plans or termination of employment, if applicable.
Individual Responsibility. Each Restricted Party has the individual responsibility to comply with this Policy against insider trading. A Restricted Party may, from time to time, have to forego a proposed transaction in the Company’s securities even if he or she planned to make the transaction before learning of the Material Nonpublic Information and even though the Restricted Party believes that he or she may suffer an economic loss or forego anticipated profit by waiting.
Trading Windows. Each Restricted Party may only engage in transactions in the Company’s securities during an open trading window (a “Trading Window”) or pursuant to a trading plan adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1(c) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and approved in writing by the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Officer (as such term is defined herein) or such other proper officer(s) of the Company as may be designated by the Board of Directors (an “Approved Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan”).
Unless the Board of Directors or the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Officer determines otherwise, Trading Windows will open immediately prior to the beginning of the second market trading day following the public release of quarterly or annual financial results and close at 5:00 PM New York time on the last business day of the quarter.
Trading in the Company’s securities during a Trading Window should not be considered a "safe harbor," and all Restricted Parties should use good judgment at all times to make sure that their trades are not effected while they are in possession of Material Nonpublic Information concerning the Company.
Event-Specific Trading Prohibition. Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding section, from time to time the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Officer may also require that certain Restricted Parties refrain from engaging in transactions in the Company’s securities for a specified period of time due to material information known to such Restricted Parties and not yet disclosed to the public.
Applicability of Policy to Inside Information Regarding Other Companies
This Policy and the guidelines described herein also apply to Material Nonpublic Information relating to other companies, including the Company’s vendors and suppliers, when that information is obtained in the course of employment with, or the performance of services on behalf of, the Company. Civil and criminal penalties, and termination of employment, may result from trading on inside information regarding the Company’s vendors and suppliers. All Restricted Parties must treat Material Nonpublic Information about the Company’s vendors and suppliers with the same care required with respect to information related directly to the Company.
Definition of “Material Nonpublic Information”
It is not possible to define all categories of material information. However, information should be regarded as material if there is a reasonable likelihood that it would be considered important to an investor in making an investment decision regarding the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities.
While it may be difficult under this standard to determine whether particular information is material, there are various categories of information that are particularly sensitive and, as a general rule, should always be considered material. Examples of such information include:
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•financial results;
•known but unannounced future earnings or losses;
•changes in subscription rates;
•news of a pending or proposed mergers;
•news of the disposition or acquisition of significant assets;
•significant developments related to intellectual property;
•significant developments involving corporate relationships;
•changes in dividend policy;
•new service announcements of a significant nature;
•stock splits;
•new equity or debt offerings; or
•significant litigation exposure due to actual or threatened litigation.
Either positive or negative information may be material. Nonpublic information is information that has not been previously disclosed to the general public and is otherwise not available to the general public.
Certain Exceptions
For purposes of this Policy, the Company considers that the exercise of stock options for cash under the Company’s stock incentive plans (but not the sale of any shares issued upon such exercise or purchase and not a cashless exercise (accomplished by a sale of a portion of the shares issued upon exercise of an option)) are exempt from this Policy, since the other party to these transactions is the Company itself and the price does not vary with the market, but is fixed by the terms of the option agreement or plan, as applicable. In addition, for purposes of this Policy, the Company considers that bona fide gifts of the securities of the Company are exempt from this Policy.
Section 16 Reporting
Board Members and Section 16 Officers are subject to the reporting and liability provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, together the “Section 16 Individuals”. The Company will notify these persons as to their obligations under the Exchange Act.
Section 16 Individuals must also comply with the reporting obligations and limitations on short-swing transactions set forth in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The practical effect of these provisions is that Section 16 Individuals who purchase and then sell (or sell and then purchase) the Company’s securities within a six-month period must disgorge all profits to the Company whether or not they had knowledge of any Material Nonpublic Information. Under these provisions, and so long as certain other criteria are met, neither the receipt of an option under the Company’s stock incentive plans, nor the exercise of that option is deemed a purchase under Section 16; however, the sale of any such shares is a sale under Section 16. Section 16 prohibits Section 16 Individuals from ever making a short sale of the Company’s stock. A short sale is a sale of securities not owned by the seller or, if owned, not delivered. Transactions in put and call options for the Company’s securities may in some instances constitute a short sale or may otherwise result in liability for short-swing profits. All Section 16 Individuals must confer with the Insider Trading Compliance Officer before effecting any such transaction. The Company strongly discourages all such short-swing and short-sale transactions by Restricted Parties.
Appointment of Insider Trading Compliance Officer
The Company has appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer as the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Officer.
3
Duties of Insider Trading Compliance Officer
The duties of the Insider Trading Compliance Officer shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
•assisting in the preparation and filing of Section 16 reports (Forms 3, 4 and 5) for all Section 16 Individuals;
•serving as the designated recipient at the Company of copies of reports filed with the SEC by Section 16 Individuals under Section 16 of the Exchange Act;
•periodically reminding all Section 16 Individuals regarding their obligations to report and quarterly reminders of the dates that the trading window begins and ends;
•performing periodic cross-checks of available materials, which may include Forms 3, 4 and 5, Forms 144, officer’s and director’s questionnaires, and reports received from the Company’s transfer agent, to determine trading activity by officers, directors and others who have, or may have, access to Inside Information;
•assisting the Company in implementation of the Policy; and
•coordinating with management regarding compliance activities with respect to Rule 144 requirements and regarding changing requirements and recommendations for compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act and insider trading laws to ensure that the Policy is amended as necessary to comply with such requirements.
4
Exhibit 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
| Wheeler REIT, L.P. | ||
| Wheeler Interests, LLC | ||
| Wheeler Real Estate, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Brook Run Associates, LLC | ||
| Chesapeake Square Associates, LLC | ||
| DF I - Courtland, LLC | ||
| Harbor Point Associates, LLC | ||
| LaGrange Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Lumber River, LLC | ||
| Northpointe Investors, LLC | ||
| WHLR - PCSC Associates, LLC | ||
| Riversedge Office Associates, LLC | ||
| Tuckernuck Associates, LLC | ||
| WD III Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Alex City Marketplace, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Beaver Ruin Village II, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Beaver Ruin Village, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Brook Run Property, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Bryan Station LLC | ||
| WHLR – Bra I Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR – Bra II Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Cardinal Plaza, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Clover LLC | ||
| WHLR - Conyers Crossing, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Crockett Square, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Cypress LLC | ||
| WHLR - Darien, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Devine Street, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Folly Road Crossing, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Ft. Howard Square, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Franklinton Square, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Freeway Junction LLC | ||
| WHLR - Georgetown, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Grove Park, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Harrodsburg Marketplace LLC | ||
| WHLR - Ladson Crossing, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Lake Greenwood Crossing, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Lake Murray, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Litchfield Market Village, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Moncks Corner, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Mullins South Park, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Nashville Commons, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Parkway Plaza, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Pierpont Center, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Ridgeland, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Shoppes at Myrtle Park, LLC | ||
| WHLR - South Lake Pointe, LLC | ||
| WHLR - South Square LLC | ||
| WHLR - St. George LLC | ||
| WHLR – St. George II, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Sunshine Shopping Plaza, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Waterway LLC | ||
| WHLR - Westland LLC | ||
| WHLR - Winslow LLC | ||
| WHLR - Forrest Gallery, LLC | ||
| WHLR – Surrey Plaza, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Tampa Festival, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Twin City Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Sangaree Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - TriCounty Associates, LLC | ||
| WHLR - LaGrange, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Riverbridge Shopping Center, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Rivergate, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Franklin Village, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Laburnum Square, LLC | ||
| WHLR - Village of Martinsville, LLC | ||
| WHLR - New Market Crossing, LLC | ||
| WHLR – JEB, LLC | ||
| WHLR – JANAF 1, LLC | ||
| WHLR – JANAF 2, LLC | ||
| WHLR - JANAF, LLC | ||
| WHLR - JANAF BRAVO, LLC | ||
| WHLR - JANAF BJ’s, LLC | ||
| WHLR - JANAF OFFICE, LLC | ||
| Cedar 2129 Oregon Avenue, LLC | ||
| Cedar Brickyard, LLC | ||
| Cedar Brickyard II, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Bristol, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Carll’s Corner, LLC | ||
| Cedar Center Holdings L.L.C. 3 | ||
| Cedar-Fairview Commons, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Fieldstone SPE, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Fieldstone Marketplace, LP | ||
| Cedar Golden Triangle, LLC | ||
| Cedar Hamburg, LLC | ||
| Cedar – Jordan Lane, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Kings, LLC | ||
| Cedar – Norwood, LLC | ||
| Cedar-PC Annex, LLC | ||
| Cedar-PC Plaza, LLC | ||
| Cedar PCP-San Souci, LLC | ||
| Cedar-San Souci SPE, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Second Member LLC | ||
| Cedar Realty Trust Partnership, L.P. | ||
| Cedar Southington Plaza, LLC | ||
| Cedar-South Philadelphia II, LLC | ||
| Cedar-South Philadelphia I, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Timpany, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Trexler, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Trexler SPE, LLC | ||
| CIF Loyal Plaza Associates Corp. | ||
| CIF-Pine Grove Plaza Associates LLC | ||
| Cedar-Coliseum FF, LLC | ||
| EE SERVICES, LLC | ||
| Cedar-Gold Star Plaza, LLC | ||
| Gold Star Realty, Inc. | ||
| Greentree Road L.L.C. 1 | ||
| Greentree Road L.L.C. 2 | ||
| Pine Grove Plaza Associates, LLC | ||
| Stanton CO. – FL, LLC | ||
| Stanton CO. – OK, LLC | ||
| Washington Center L.L.C. 1 | ||
| Washington Center L.L.C. 2 | ||
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Virginia Beach, Virginia
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), on Form S-11 (Nos. 333-284585, 333-280643, 333-256015, 333-256699), Form S-3 (Nos. 333-194252, 333-189887, 333-203563, 333 207241, 333-212426, 333-206014, 333-213294, 333-211506, 333-193563, 333-221877, and 333-222971), and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-205845 and 333-213102) of our report dated March 4, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2024, which appears in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
/s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP
Virginia Beach, Virginia
March 4, 2025
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, M. Andrew Franklin, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.; | ||||
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | ||||
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | ||||
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||||
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||||
| (b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||||
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||||
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and | ||||
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||||
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||||
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. | ||||
Date: March 4, 2025
/s/ M. Andrew Franklin | ||
M. Andrew Franklin | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Crystal Plum, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.; | ||||
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | ||||
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | ||||
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||||
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||||
| (b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||||
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||||
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and | ||||
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||||
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||||
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. | ||||
Date: March 4, 2025
/s/ Crystal Plum | ||
Crystal Plum | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned, M. Andrew Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 (“the Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ M. Andrew Franklin | ||
M. Andrew Franklin | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: March 4, 2025
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned, Crystal Plum, Chief Financial Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 (“the Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Crystal Plum | ||
| Crystal Plum | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Date: March 4, 2025