National Health Investors Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2023

References throughout this document to “NHI” or the “Company” include National Health Investors, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) “Plain English” guidelines, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been written in the first person. In this document, the words “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” refer only to National Health Investors, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and not any other person. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references herein to the “Company” include all of our consolidated subsidiaries.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials we have filed or may file with the SEC, as well as information included in oral statements made, or to be made, by our senior management contain certain “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, continued performance improvements, ability to service and refinance our debt obligations, ability to finance growth opportunities, and similar statements including, without limitation, those containing words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “projects,” “likely” and other similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including, but not limited to, the following:

* Actual or perceived risks associated with public health epidemics or outbreaks, such as the coronavirus (“COVID-19”), have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations;

* We depend on the operating success of our tenants, managers and borrowers and if their financial condition or business prospects deteriorate, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected;

* We are exposed to the risk that our managers, tenants and borrowers may become subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;

* Certain tenants in our portfolio account for a significant percentage of the rent we expect to generate from our portfolio, and the failure of any of these tenants to meet their obligations to us could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders;

* Two members of our Board of Directors are also members of the board of directors of National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”), and their interests may differ from those of our stockholders;

* We are exposed to risks related to governmental regulations and payors, principally Medicare and Medicaid, and the effect of changes to laws, regulations and reimbursement rates on our tenants’ and borrowers’ business;

* We are exposed to the risk that the cash flows of our tenants, managers and borrowers may be adversely affected by increased liability claims and liability insurance costs;

* We are exposed to the risk that we may not be fully indemnified by our tenants, managers and borrowers against future litigation;

* We depend on the success of property development and construction activities, which may fail to achieve the operating results we expect;

* We are exposed to the risk that the illiquidity of real estate investments could impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties;

* We are exposed to risks associated with our investments in unconsolidated entities, including our lack of sole decision making authority and our reliance on the financial condition of other interests;

* We are subject to risks associated with our joint venture investment with Life Care Services for Timber Ridge, a continuing care retirement community (“CCRC”), associated with Type A benefits offered to the residents of the joint venture’s entrance fee community and related accounting requirements;

* We are subject to additional risks related to healthcare operations associated with our investments in unconsolidated entities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations;

* Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or our prospects;

* We are exposed to operational risks with respect to our Senior Housing Operating Portfolio (“SHOP”) structured communities;

* Breaches of, disruptions to, or other unauthorized interference with the privacy and security of Company information could cause us to incur substantial costs and reputational damage, and could subject us to litigation and enforcement actions;

* We are exposed to risks related to environmental laws and the costs associated with liabilities related to hazardous substances;

* We are subject to risks of damage from catastrophic weather and other natural or man-made disasters and the physical effects of climate change;

* We depend on the success of our future acquisitions and investments;

* We depend on our ability to reinvest cash in real estate investments in a timely manner and on acceptable terms;

* Competition for acquisitions may result in increased prices for properties;

* We depend on our ability to retain our management team and other personnel and attract suitable replacements should any such personnel leave;

* We are exposed to the risk that our assets may be subject to impairment charges;

* Our ability to raise capital through equity sales is dependent, in part, on the market price of our common stock, and our failure to meet market expectations with respect to our business, or other factors we do not control, could negatively impact such market price and availability of equity capital;

* We may need to refinance existing debt or incur additional debt in the future, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us;

* We have covenants related to our indebtedness that impose certain operational limitations and a breach of those covenants could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;

* Downgrades in our credit ratings could have a material adverse effect on our cost and availability of capital;

* We depend on revenues derived mainly from fixed rate investments in real estate assets, while a portion of our debt used to finance those investments bears interest at variable rates;

* We rely on external sources of capital to fund future capital needs, and if we encounter difficulty in obtaining such capital, we may not be able to make future investments necessary to grow our business or meet maturing commitments;

* Inflation and increased interest rates may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;

* We depend on the ability to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

* There are no assurances of our ability to pay dividends in the future;

* Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments, which could materially hinder our performance;

* Our ownership of and relationship with any taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) that we have formed or will form will be limited and a failure to comply with the limits would jeopardize our REIT status and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax;

* Legislative, regulatory, or administrative changes could adversely affect us or our security holders;

* We have ownership limits in our charter with respect to our common stock and other classes of capital stock which may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders; and

* We are subject to certain provisions of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws that could hinder, delay or prevent a change in control transaction, even if the transaction involves a premium price for our common stock or our stockholders believe such transaction to be otherwise in their best interests.

See the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, “Business” and “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1 and Item 1A, respectively, therein and “Risk Factors” under Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a further discussion of these and of various governmental regulations and other operating factors relating to the healthcare industry and the risk factors inherent therein. You should carefully consider these risks before making any investment decisions in the Company. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing the Company. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of and or that we currently deem immaterial. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our shares of stock could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment. Given these risks and uncertainties, we can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will, in fact, occur. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates made. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any of the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances except to the extent required by applicable law.

Executive Overview

National Health Investors, Inc., established in 1991 as a Maryland corporation, is a self-managed REIT specializing in sale leaseback, joint-venture, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical facility investments. We operate through two reportable business segments: Real Estate Investments and SHOP. Our Real Estate Investments segment consists of real estate investments and leases, mortgages and other notes receivable in independent living facilities (“ILFs”), assisted living facilities (“ALF”), entrance-fee communities (“EFC”), senior living campuses (“SLC”), skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”) and a hospital (“HOSP”). We fund our real estate investments primarily through: (1) operating cash flow, (2) debt, including note offerings, bank lines of credit and term debt, both unsecured and secured, and (3) the sale of equity securities. Our SHOP segment is comprised of the operations of 15 ILFs that provide residential living and other services for residents located throughout the United States that are operated on behalf of the Company by independent managers pursuant to the terms of separate management agreements. The third-party managers, or related parties of the managers, own equity interests in the respective ventures.

Real Estate Investments Portfolio

As of September 30, 2023, we had investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable involving 177 facilities located in 31 states. These investments involve 104 senior housing properties, 72 SNFs and one HOSP, excluding four properties classified as assets held for sale. These investments consisted of properties with an original aggregate cost of approximately $2.4 billion, rented under primarily triple-net leases to 25 tenants, and $258.8 million aggregate carrying value of mortgages and other notes receivable, excluding an allowance for expected credit losses of $15.8 million, due from 15 borrowers.

We classify all of the properties in our Real Estate Investments portfolio as either senior housing or medical properties. Because our leases represent different underlying revenue sources and result in differing risk profiles, we further classify our senior housing communities as either need-driven (assisted living and memory care communities and senior living campuses) or discretionary (independent living and entrance-fee communities).

Senior Housing – Need-Driven includes ALFs and SLCs which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who require assistance with activities of daily living. Need-driven properties are subject to regulatory oversight.

Senior Housing – Discretionary includes ILFs and EFCs which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who are making the lifestyle choice of living in an age-restricted multi-family community that offers social programs, meals, housekeeping, and in some cases access to healthcare services. Discretionary properties are subject to limited regulatory oversight. There is a correlation between demand for this type of community and the strength of the housing market.

Medical Facilities within our portfolio receive payment primarily from Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance. These properties include SNFs and a HOSP that attract patients who have a need for acute or complex medical attention, preventative medicine, or rehabilitation services. Medical properties are subject to state and federal regulatory oversight and, in the case of hospitals, Joint Commission accreditation.

Senior Housing Operating Portfolio Structure

Effective April 1, 2022, 15 senior housing ILFs previously part of the legacy Holiday Retirement (“Holiday”) properties were transferred from a triple-net lease to two separate ventures comprising our SHOP segment. These ventures, in which NHI owns a majority interest, own the underlying independent living operations and are structured to comply with REIT requirements that utilize the TRS for activities that would otherwise be non-qualifying for REIT purposes. These properties are operated by third-party property managers that manage our communities in exchange for the receipt of a management fee, and as such, we are not directly exposed to the credit risk of the property managers in the same manner or to the same extent as we are to our triple-net tenants. However, we rely on the property managers’ personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our communities efficiently and effectively. We also rely on the property managers to set appropriate resident fees and otherwise operate our communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. As of September 30, 2023, our SHOP segment consisted of 15 ILFs located in eight states, with a combined 1,734 units.

The following tables summarize our portfolio, excluding $2.6 million for our corporate office, $10.9 million in assets held for sale and a credit loss reserve of $15.8 million, as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 ($ in thousands):

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The following table summarizes the geographic concentration of net operating income (“NOI”) of our portfolio, excluding Non-segment/Corporate NOI, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, operators of facilities in our Real Estate Investments portfolio who provided 3% or more individually, and collectively 61% of our total revenues were (parent company, in alphabetical order): Bickford Senior Living (“Bickford”); Discovery Senior Living (“Discovery”); Encore Senior Living; Health Services Management; Life Care Services; NHC; Senior Living Communities (“Senior Living”); and The Ensign Group.

As of September 30, 2023, our average effective annualized NOI for the Real Estate Investments reportable segment was $9,536 per bed for SNFs, $17,761 per unit for SLCs, $15,977 per unit for ALFs, $9,230 per unit for ILFs, $20,623 per unit for EFCs and $63,899 per bed for the HOSP. As of September 30, 2023, our average effective annualized NOI per unit for the SHOP reportable segment was $5,357.

Substantially all of our revenues and sources of cash flows from operations are rents paid under operating leases for real estate, revenues under resident agreements and interest earned on mortgages and other notes receivable. These revenues represent a primary source of liquidity to fund our distributions to stockholders and depend upon the performance of the operators. Operating difficulties experienced by our operators and managers could have a material adverse effect on their ability to meet their financial and other contractual obligations to us, as well as on our results of operations. We monitor operator performance through periodic reviews of operating results for each facility, covenant compliance and property inspections, among other activities.

COVID-19 Pandemic Update

Rental income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes $2.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, related to repayments and other reductions of pandemic-related rent deferrals. Rental income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes the $2.5 million in reduced pandemic-related rent deferrals in connection with the acquisition in the first quarter of 2023 of the ALF located in Chesapeake, Virginia discussed in Note 3. There were no pandemic-related rent concessions granted for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, aggregate pandemic-related rent concessions granted to tenants that were initially accounted for as variable lease payments totaled approximately $26.9 million, net of cumulative repayments and other reductions of $9.2 million and excluding any interest accrued.

There were no pandemic-related rent concessions granted for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Pandemic-related rent concessions granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled approximately $10.7 million, of which Bickford accounted for approximately $5.5 million.

See Part I. Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for further information regarding the risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Investment Highlights

Since January 1, 2023, we have completed the following real estate investments ($ in thousands):

Reference Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for more detail on real estate investments completed since January 1, 2023.

Asset Dispositions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we completed the following dispositions of real estate property within our Real Estate Investments portfolio as described below ($ in thousands):

1 Assets were previously classified as “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2022.

2 Impairments are included in “Loan and realty losses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

3 Total impairment charges recognized on these properties in prior periods were $16.4 million in the aggregate.

4The Company provided aggregate financing of approximately $0.7 million, net of discounts, on these transactions in the form of notes receivable.

Capital Funding Group, Inc. Loan Extension

On September 21, 2023, we amended a mezzanine loan with Capital Funding Group, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the loan increased from its balance at June 30, 2023 of $8.1 million to $25.0 million. The interest rate on the loan was increased to 10% and the maturity was extended to December 31, 2028.

Assets Held for Sale and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Four properties in our Real Estate Investments portfolio, with an aggregate net real estate balance of $10.9 million, were classified as assets held for sale on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2023. Rental income associated with the four properties was $0.6 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $0.6 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. During the first quarter of 2023, one property in our Real Estate Investments portfolio was classified as held for sale with a net real estate balance of $5.0 million and two properties, previously classified as held for sale with an aggregate net real estate balance of $12.3 million, were reclassified as held for use on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded impairment charges of approximately $1.2 million for one property in our Real Estate Investments segment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded impairment charges of approximately $1.6 million for four properties in our Real Estate Investments segment, of which $0.5 million related to three properties either sold or classified as assets held for sale. The impairment charges are included in “Loan and realty losses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Dispositions

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we sold three ALFs located in Florida for combined consideration of approximately $5.4 million in cash, net of transaction costs plus $1.6 million of seller financing in connection with one of the transactions. The properties were classified in assets held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2023, with an aggregate book value of $5.9 million. Prior impairment charges recognized on the properties totaled $1.3 million.

Other

Our leases for real estate properties are typically structured as “triple-net leases” on single-tenant properties having an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years with one or more five-year renewal options. As such, there may be reporting periods in which we experience few, if any, lease renewals or expirations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not have any significant renewing or expiring leases. Most of our existing leases contain annual escalators in rent payments. For financial statement purposes, rental income is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Certain of our leases contain purchase options allowing tenants to acquire the leased properties. At September 30, 2023, tenants had purchase options on three properties with an aggregate net investment of $58.8 million that will become exercisable between 2027 and 2028. Rental income from these properties with tenant purchase options was $1.8 million and $5.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $1.8 million and $5.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

We cannot reasonably estimate at this time the probability that any purchase options will be exercised in the future. Consideration to be received from the exercise of any tenant purchase option is expected to exceed our net investment in the leased property or properties.

Tenant Concentration

The following table contains information regarding concentration in our Real Estate Investments portfolio of tenants or affiliates of tenants, that exceed 10% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, excluding $2.6 million for our corporate office, a credit loss reserve of $15.8 million and $344.4 million in real estate assets for the SHOP segment ($ in thousands):

1 Includes interest income on notes receivable and rental income from properties classified as held for sale.

2 Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are included in “All others, net” since they are less than 10% for that period.

3 There is no tenant concentration in “Resident fees and services” because these agreements are with individual residents.

Straight-line rent of $(0.9) million and $0.3 million and interest income of $2.8 million and $2.7 million were recognized from the Senior Living investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Straight-line rent of $(0.9) million and $(0.1) million was recognized for NHC for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest income of $2.2 million and $3.9 million was recognized from the Bickford notes receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Reference Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Cash Basis Operators

We placed Bickford on cash basis of revenue recognition during the second quarter of 2022, based upon information we obtained from Bickford regarding its financial condition that raised substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern. Cash rent received from Bickford for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $8.6 million and $24.5 million, respectively, which excludes $2.5 million of rental income related to the reduction of pandemic-related rent deferrals recognized in connection with the acquisition of the ALF located in Chesapeake, Virginia from Bickford.

We placed two additional operators on the cash basis of accounting for their leases during 2022. Rental income associated with these tenants totaled $3.4 million and $10.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Occupancy

The following table summarizes the average portfolio occupancy for Senior Living, Bickford and the SHOP segment for the periods indicated, excluding development properties in operation less than 24 months, notes receivable, and properties transitioned to new tenants or disposed of.

1All prior periods restated for the sale of an ALF in Iowa.

2Includes Chesapeake, Virginia building which opened in the second quarter of 2022. NHI exercised its purchase option in February 2023.

Tenant Monitoring

Our operators report to us the results of their operations on a periodic basis, which we in turn subject to further analysis as a means of monitoring potential concerns within our portfolio. We have identified EBITDARM (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and management fees) as a primary performance measure for our tenants, based on results they have reported to us. We believe EBITDARM is useful in our most fundamental analyses, as it is a property-level measure of our operators’ success, by eliminating the effects of an operator’s method of acquiring the use of its assets (interest and rent), its non-cash expenses (depreciation and amortization), and expenses that are dependent on its level of success (income taxes), and also excluding the effect of the operator’s payment of its management fees, as typically those fees are contractually subordinate to our lease payment. For operators of our EFCs, our calculation of EBITDARM includes other cash flow adjustments typical of the industry which may include, but are not limited to, net cash flows from entrance fees; amortization of deferred entrance fees; adjustments for tenant rent obligations, and management fee true-ups. The eliminations and adjustments reflect covenants in our leases and provide a comparable basis for assessing our various relationships.

We believe that EBITDARM is a useful way to analyze the cash potential of a group of assets. From EBITDARM we calculate a coverage ratio (EBITDARM/cash rent), measuring the ability of the operator to meet its monthly obligation. In addition to EBITDARM and the coverage ratio, we rely on a careful balance sheet analysis and other analytical procedures to help us identify potential areas of concern relative to our operators’ ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet their obligations, including their obligation to continue to pay the amount due to us. Typical among our operators is a varying lag in reporting to us the results of their operations. Across our portfolio, however, our operators report their results, typically within either 30 or 45 days and at the latest, within 90 days of month’s end. For computational purposes, we exclude mortgages and other notes receivable, and development and lease-up properties that have been in operation less than 24 months. For stabilized acquisitions in the portfolio less than 24 months and renewing leases with changes in scheduled rent, we include pro forma cash rent. Same-store portfolio coverage excludes properties that have transitioned operators in the past 24 months or assets subsequently sold except as noted.

The results of our coverage ratio analysis are presented below on a trailing twelve-month basis, as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 (the most recent periods available).

1 NHC Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and displayed occupancies are on corporate-level. The occupancies are for the SNF portfolio only as can be seen in NHC’s public filings.

2 There are no longer any significant PPP funds included in any of the coverages above. SLC operates nine discretionary CCRC properties and one need driven assisted living community. Bickford coverage through the second quarter of 2023 represents coverage under the restructured lease.

Coverage ratios may include amounts provided by state and federal government programs to support businesses, including health care providers, that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were largely distributed in 2020 and 2021 and as such do not substantially impact the reported coverage ratios.

Fluctuations in portfolio coverage are a result of market and economic trends, local market competition, and regulatory factors as well as the operational success of our tenants. We use the results of individual leases to inform our decision making with respect to specific tenants, but trends described above by property type and operator bear analysis. For many of the affected operators, as is typical of our portfolio in general, NHI has security deposits in place and/or corporate guarantees should actual cash rental shortfalls eventually materialize. In certain instances, our operators may increase their security deposits with us in an amount equal to the coverage shortfall, and, upon subsequent compliance with the required lease coverage ratio, the operator would then be entitled to a full refund. The sufficiency of credit enhancements (e.g. tenant deposits and guarantees) as a protection against economic downturn will be a focus as we monitor economic and financial conditions. The metrics presented in the tables above give no effect to the presence of these security deposits.

Real Estate and Mortgage Write-downs

In addition to inflation risk and increased interest rates, our borrowers and tenants experience periods of significant financial pressures and difficulties similar to those encountered by other health care providers. Our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflect impairment charges of our long-lived assets of approximately $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. We reduced the carrying value of any impaired property to estimated fair value, or with respect to the properties classified as held for sale, to estimated fair value less estimated transaction costs. We have no significant intangible assets currently recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2023, that would require assessment for impairment.

We have established a reserve for estimated credit losses of $15.8 million and a liability of $0.3 million for estimated credit losses on unfunded loan commitments as of September 30, 2023. We evaluate the reserves for estimated credit losses on a quarterly basis and make adjustments based on current circumstances as considered necessary.

We believe that the carrying amounts of our real estate properties are recoverable and that mortgage and other notes receivable, net of reserves, are realizable and supported by the value of the underlying collateral. However, it is possible that future events could require us to make additional significant adjustments to these carrying amounts. Refer to Notes 3 and 4 in the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information.

Results of Operations

The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below ($ in thousands):

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Financial highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period of 2022, were as follows:

• Rental income recognized from our tenants increased $2.9 million, or 4.8%, primarily as a result of an increase in pandemic-related rent repayments of approximately $2.0 million and new investments funded since September 2022, partially offset by properties disposed of since September 2022 and a reduction in straight-line rent of $1.4 million.
• Funds received for reimbursement of property operating expenses totaled $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and are reflected as a component of rental income. These property operating expenses are recognized in operating expenses in the line item “Taxes and insurance on leased properties.” The increase in the reimbursement income and corresponding property expenses is due to increased amounts received from tenants and expenses paid on their behalf.
• Resident fees and services less senior housing operating expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 16%, primarily due to increased operating expenses from our SHOP activities in the current year. See Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
• Interest income from mortgages and other notes increased $0.5 million, or 10.7%, primarily due to new and existing loan fundings, net of paydowns on loans.
• Interest expense increased $3.7 million, or 32.2%, primarily as the result of increased interest rates and borrowings on the unsecured revolving credit facility, offset by partial repayments of term loans.
• Non-cash share-based compensation expense decreased $0.2 million, or 18.7%, due primarily to the reduced number of stock options granted in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year’s grants.
• Loan and realty losses were $2.0 million associated with real estate impairment charges on one property of $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 as described under the heading “Assets Held for Sale and Long-Lived Assets” in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report and an increase in the credit loss reserve of $0.8 million. During the third quarter of 2022, seven real estate properties were impaired resulting in a total of $9.5 million in impairment charges and an increase in credit loss reserve of $1.8 million.
• Gains on sales of real estate, net were $0.7 million primarily associated with the disposition of one property in the third quarter of 2023 included in the assets disposition table under the heading “Assets Dispositions” in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. During the third quarter of 2022, we disposed of nine properties that resulted in a gain of approximately $14.8 million.

The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below (in thousands):

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Financial highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, were as follows:

• Rental income recognized from our tenants increased $24.6 million, or 15.0%, primarily as a result of a decrease in pandemic-related rent concessions granted of approximately $10.7 million and new investments funded since September 2022. Included in rental income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are write offs in the second quarter of 2022 of $18.1 million of straight-line rents receivable and $7.1 million of lease incentives related to placing Bickford on the cash basis of revenue recognition, partially offset by the recognition of the Holiday lease deposit and escrow of $15.7 million in prior year rental income.
• Resident fees and services less senior housing operating expenses increased $0.7 million, or 12%, primarily due to our SHOP activities that commenced on April 1, 2022. See Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
• Interest income from mortgage and other notes decreased $3.6 million, or 18.8%, primarily due to paydowns on loans, net of new and existing loan fundings.
• Interest expense increased $10.8 million, or 33.4%, primarily as the result of increased interest rates and borrowings on the unsecured revolving credit facility, offset by partial repayments on term loans.
• Non-cash share-based compensation expense decreased $3.8 million, or 50.6%, due primarily to the reduced number of stock options granted in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year’s grants.
• Legal expenses decreased $1.9 million primarily related to the Welltower, Inc. litigation and transition activities for the legacy Holiday portfolio in the prior year.
• Loan and realty losses decreased $38.2 million primarily as a result of impairment charges on 15 real estate properties of $38.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, offset by a decrease in credit loss expense of $1.6 million compared to the same period in 2022.
• Gains on sales of real estate, net decreased $14.8 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded $13.5 million in gains from dispositions of real estate assets as described under “Asset Dispositions” in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold 22 properties generating gains on sales of real estate totaling $28.3 million.
• Gain (loss) on operations transfer, net represents the net impact upon terminating the master lease with Well Churchill Leasehold Owner, LLC, a subsidiary of Welltower, Inc., on April 1, 2022.
• Gain on note receivable payoff of $1.1 million reflects the prepayment fee from the early repayment of a $111.3 million mortgage note receivable in the second quarter of 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2023, we had $495.0 million available to draw on our revolving credit facility, $16.6 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, and the potential to access $500.0 million through the issuance of common stock under the Company’s at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program. In addition, the Company maintains an effective automatic shelf registration statement through which capital could be raised via the issuance of debt and or equity securities.

Sources and Uses of Funds

Our primary sources of cash include rent payments, receipts from residents, principal and interest payments on mortgage and other notes receivable, proceeds from the sales of real property, net proceeds from offerings of equity securities and borrowings from our loans and revolving credit facility. Our primary uses of cash include debt service payments (both principal and interest), new investments in real estate and notes receivable, dividend distributions to our stockholders, operating expenses for the SHOP activities and general corporate overhead.

These sources and uses of cash are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as summarized below ($ in thousands):

Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which includes new investments completed, the SHOP ventures, lease payment collections arising from escalators on existing leases and interest payments on new real estate and note investments completed, was impacted by the disposition of nine senior housing properties for net proceeds of approximately $112.1 million since September 2022, offset by reduced pandemic-related rent concessions granted of approximately $10.7 million.

Investing Activities – Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was comprised primarily of proceeds from the sales of real estate of approximately $51.5 million and the collection of principal on mortgage and other notes receivable of approximately $11.2 million, offset by $79.2 million of investments in mortgage and other notes receivable and renovations and acquisitions of real estate and equipment.

Financing Activities – Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 differs from the same period in 2022 primarily as a result of an approximately $123.0 million increase in net borrowings, a decrease of $8.8 million in proceeds from noncontrolling interests, a decrease of the repurchase of common stock of approximately $152.0 million, a decrease in debt issuance cost of $1.9 million and a decrease in dividend payments approximately of $5.6 million over the same period in 2022.

Debt Obligations

As of September 30, 2023, we had outstanding debt of $1.1 billion. Reference Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional information about our outstanding indebtedness. Also, reference Part I, Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for more details on our indebtedness and the impact of interest rate risk.

Unsecured Bank Credit Facility - On March 31, 2022, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) providing us with a $700.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, replacing our previous $550.0 million unsecured revolver. The credit facility provided by the 2022 Credit Agreement matures in March 2026, but may be extended at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, for two additional six-month periods. Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement bear interest, at our election, at one of the following (i) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (plus a credit spread adjustment) plus a margin ranging from 0.725% to 1.40%, (ii) Daily SOFR (plus a credit spread adjustment) plus a margin ranging from 0.725% to 1.40% or (iii) the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.40%. In each election, the actual margin is determined according to our credit ratings. The base rate means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the agent’s prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate on such day plus 0.50% or (iii) the adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1.0%. We incurred $4.5 million of deferred costs in connection with the 2022 Credit Agreement.

The 2022 Credit Agreement requires that we calculate specified financial statement metrics and meet or exceed a variety of financial ratios, which are usual and customary in nature. These ratios are calculated quarterly and as of September 30, 2023, were within required limits. The calculation of our leverage ratio involves intermediate determinations of our “total indebtedness” and of our “total asset value,” as defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement.

In January 2023, we repaid the $125.0 million of the private placement notes due January 2023 primarily with proceeds from the revolving credit facility.

In November 2023, the $50.0 million of private placement notes due November 2023 were repaid primarily with proceeds from the revolving credit facility.

In the first quarter of 2023, we repaid $20.0 million of a term loan with a maturity of September 2023 (the “2023 Term Loan”). In June 2023, we entered into a two-year $200.0 million term loan agreement (the “2025 Term Loan”) bearing interest at a variable rate which is SOFR-based with a margin determined according to our credit ratings plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment. The Company incurred approximately $2.7 million of deferred financing cost associated with this loan. The 2025 Term Loan proceeds were used to repay a portion of the remaining $220.0 million 2023 Term Loan balance, which was repaid in full in June 2023. The 2023 Term Loan accrued interest on borrowings consistent with the new 2025 Term Loan. Upon repayment, we expensed approximately $0.1 million of unamortized loan costs associated with this loan which are included in “Loss on early retirement of debt”.

As of September 30, 2023, the revolver and term loan bore interest at a rate of one-month Term SOFR (plus a 10 basis points (“bps”) spread adjustment) plus 105 bps and 125 bps, based on our debt ratings, or 6.47% and 6.67%, respectively. The facility fee was 25 bps per annum. At October 31, 2023, $194.0 million was outstanding under the revolving facility.

Interest Rate Schedule

The current SOFR spreads and facility fee for our revolving credit facility and the 2025 Term Loan reflect our ratings compliance based on the applicable margin for SOFR loans at a debt rating of BBB-/Baa3 in the Interest Rate Schedule provided below in summary format:

If our credit rating from at least two credit rating agencies is downgraded below “BBB-/Baa3” the debt under our credit agreements will be subject to defined increases in interest rates and fees.

2031 Senior Notes - In January 2021, we issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior notes that mature on February 1, 2031 and pay interest semi-annually (the “2031 Senior Notes”). The 2031 Senior Notes are subject to affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants with which we were in compliance at September 30, 2023.

Debt Maturities - Reference Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on our debt maturities.

Credit Ratings - Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) announced on November 5, 2020 that it assigned an investment grade issuer credit rating and a senior unsecured debt rating of ‘Baa3’ with a “Negative” outlook to the Company. Moody’s released a credit opinion on October 13, 2022 which affirmed the rating and revised the outlook to “Stable” for the Company. Both Fitch and S&P Global announced in November 2019 a public issuer credit rating of BBB- with an outlook of “Stable.” Fitch reaffirmed its rating most recently on April 10, 2023 and S&P Global reaffirmed its rating on November 14, 2022. Our unsecured private placement term loan agreements include a rate increase provision that is effective if any rating agency lowers our credit rating below investment grade and our compliance leverage increases to 50% or more. Any reduction in outlook or downgrade in our credit ratings from the rating agencies could negatively impact our costs of borrowings.

Debt Metrics - We believe that our fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, including amounts in discontinued operations, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions) to fixed charges (interest expense at contractual rates net of capitalized interest and principal payments on debt), and the ratio of consolidated net debt to Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of our ability to service our debt. We use these two measures as a useful basis to compare the strength of our balance sheet with those in our peer group. We also believe our balance sheet gives us a competitive advantage when accessing debt markets.

We calculate our fixed charge coverage ratio as approximately 4.5x for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (see our discussion under the heading “Adjusted EBITDA” below including a reconciliation to our net income). Giving effect to significant acquisitions, financings, disposals and payoffs on an annualized basis, our consolidated net debt to Annualized Adjusted EBITDA ratio is approximately 4.4x for the three months ended September 30, 2023 ($ in thousands):

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

The Company’s $900.0 million bank credit facilities, unsecured private placement notes with an aggregate principal amount of $275.0 million, and 2031 Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries, except for certain excluded subsidiaries (“Guarantors”). The Guarantors are either owned or controlled by, or are affiliates of, the Company.

The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company and the Guarantors, on a combined basis after eliminating (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the guarantor entities and (ii) equity in earnings from, and any investments in, any subsidiary that is a non-guarantor ($ in thousands):

Equity

At September 30, 2023, we had 43,409,841 shares of common stock outstanding with a market value of $2.2 billion. Equity on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet totaled $1.3 billion at September 30, 2023.

Share Repurchase Plan - On February 17, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized a revised stock repurchase program (the “Revised Repurchase Plan”) pursuant to which we may purchase up to $160.0 million in shares of our issued and outstanding common stock. The Revised Repurchase Plan is effective for a period of one year and does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares. The Revised Repurchase Plan may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Shares may be repurchased from time-to-time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with the terms of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and repurchases shall be made in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations in effect. The timing and number of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on a variety of factors, including price, general market and economic conditions, alternative investment opportunities and other corporate considerations.

No common stock was repurchased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. During 2022, cumulative repurchases through open market transactions totaled 2,468,354 shares of common stock for approximately $151.6 million. All shares received were constructively retired upon receipt, and reflected as a reduction to “Retained earnings” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022.

Dividends - Our Board of Directors approves a regular quarterly dividend which is reflective of expected taxable income on a recurring basis. Taxable income is determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) and differs from net income for financial statements purposes determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our Board of Directors has historically directed the Company toward maintaining a strong balance sheet. Therefore, we consider the competing interests of short and long-term debt (interest rates, maturities and other terms) versus the higher cost of new equity, and we accept some level of risk associated with leveraging our investments. We intend to continue to make new investments that meet our underwriting criteria and where the spreads over our cost of equity and debt capital on a leverage neutral basis will generate sufficient returns to our stockholders. We do not expect to utilize borrowings to satisfy the payment of dividends and project that cash flows from operations for the full year 2023 will be adequate to fund dividends at the current rate.

We intend to comply with REIT dividend requirements that we distribute at least 90% of our annual taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2023 and thereafter. Historically, the Company has distributed at least 100% of annual taxable income. Dividends declared for the fourth quarter of each fiscal year are paid by the end of the following January and are, with some exceptions, treated for tax purposes as having been paid in the fiscal year just ended as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 857(b)(8).

The following table summarizes dividends declared by the Board of Directors or paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

On November 3, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a $0.90 per share dividend payable to common stockholders of record on December 29, 2023, payable on January 26, 2024.

Shelf Registration Statement - We have an automatic shelf registration statement on file with the SEC that allows the Company to offer and sell to the public an unspecified amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and or units at prices and on terms to be announced when and if such securities are offered. The details of any future offerings, along with the use of proceeds from any securities offered, will be described in a prospectus supplement or other offering materials, at the time of offering. Our shelf registration statement expires in March 2026.

Material Cash Requirements

We had approximately $21.4 million in corporate cash and cash equivalents on hand and $506.0 million in availability under our unsecured revolving credit facility as of October 31, 2023. Our expected material cash requirements for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and thereafter consist of long-term debt maturities; interest on long-term debt; and contractually obligated expenditures. We expect to meet our short-term liquidity needs largely through cash generated from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility (refer to the discussion under “Unsecured Bank Credit Facility” above) and sales from real estate investments, although we may choose to seek alternative sources of liquidity. Should we have additional liquidity needs, we believe that we could access long-term financing in the debt and equity capital markets.

We have mitigated our uninsured deposit risk for our cash and cash equivalents through the use of multiple demand deposit and money market accounts that are managed by our primary treasury management bank.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities

As of September 30, 2023, our contractual payment obligations were as follows ($ in thousands):

1 Interest is calculated based on the weighted average interest rate of outstanding debt balances as of September 30, 2023. The calculation also includes a facility fee of 0.25%.

Commitments and Contingencies

The following tables summarize information as of September 30, 2023 related to our outstanding commitments and contingencies which are more fully described in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements ($ in thousands):

See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for further details about our loan commitments. As provided above, loans funded do not include the effects of discounts or commitment fees.

The credit loss liability for unfunded loan commitments was $0.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and is estimated using the same methodology as used for our funded mortgage and other notes receivable based on the estimated amount that we expect to fund.

In addition to the commitments listed above, one of our consolidated real estate partnerships, NHI REIT of DSL PropCo, LLC, has committed to Discovery to fund up to $2.0 million toward the purchase of condominium units located at one of the facilities, of which $1.0 million has been funded as of September 30, 2023.

Litigation

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our managers, tenants and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us against all liabilities arising from the operation of the facilities, and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. In addition, such claims may include, among other things professional liability and general liability claims, as well as regulatory proceedings relate to our SHOP segment. While there may be lawsuits pending against us and certain of the owners and/or lessees of the facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no direct material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

FFO & FAD

The supplemental performance measures described below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other REITs. Consequently, our Funds From Operations (“FFO”), Normalized FFO and Normalized Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) may not provide a meaningful measure of our performance as compared to that of other REITs. Since other REITs may not use our definition of these measures, caution should be exercised when comparing our FFO, Normalized FFO and Normalized FAD to that of other REITs. These measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP (these measures do not include changes in operating assets and liabilities) and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net earnings as an indication of performance, or to net cash flow from operating activities as determined by GAAP as a measure of liquidity, and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

Funds From Operations - FFO

Our FFO per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $0.49 or 17.4% over the same period in 2022 due primarily to the write-offs in 2022 of Bickford’s straight-line rents receivable and unamortized lease incentives totaling approximately $25.4 million, a reduction of legal fees and pandemic-related rent concessions since September 2022, partially offset by the recognition of the Holiday lease deposit and escrow of $15.7 million in prior year rental income, increased interest expense in 2023 and the repurchase of common stock in the prior year. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and applied by us, is calculated using the two-class method with net income allocated to common stockholders and holders of unvested restricted stock by applying the respective weighted-average shares outstanding during each period. The calculation of FFO begins with net income attributable to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), and excludes gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property, impairments of real estate, and real estate depreciation and amortization after adjusting for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, if any. Diluted FFO attributable to common stockholders per share assumes the exercise of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities.

Our Normalized FFO per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $0.19, or 5.5%, over the same period in 2022. Normalized FFO excludes from FFO certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing FFO for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of non-real estate assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs.

FFO and Normalized FFO are important supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), such accounting presentation implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen and fallen with market conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT that uses historical cost accounting for depreciation could be less informative, and should be supplemented with a measure such as FFO. The term FFO was designed by the REIT industry to address this issue.

Funds Available for Distribution - FAD

Our Normalized FAD for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $15.6 million or 9.97% over the same period in 2022 due primarily to an increase in interest expense and property dispositions completed since September 2022. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of Normalized FFO, Normalized FAD excludes the impact of any straight-line lease revenue, amortization of the original issue discount on our senior unsecured notes and amortization of debt issuance costs. We also adjust Normalized FAD for the net change in our allowance for expected credit losses, non-cash share-based compensation as well as certain non-cash items related to our equity method investment such as straight-line lease expense and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments.

Normalized FAD is an important supplemental performance measure for a REIT and a useful measure of liquidity as an indicator of the ability to distribute dividends to stockholders. GAAP requires a lessor to recognize contractual lease payments as income on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease. This straight-line adjustment has the effect of reporting lease income that is significantly more or less than the contractual cash flows received pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement. GAAP also requires any discount or premium related to indebtedness and debt issuance costs to be amortized as non-cash adjustments to earnings.

The following table reconciles “Net income attributable to common stockholders”, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to FFO, Normalized FFO and Normalized FAD and is presented for both basic and diluted weighted average common shares ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

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Adjusted EBITDA

We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important supplemental measure because it provides information which we use to evaluate our performance and serves as an indication of our ability to service debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding real estate asset impairments, gains on dispositions and certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing Adjusted EBITDA for the current period to similar prior periods. These items include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs. Adjusted EBITDA also includes our proportionate share of unconsolidated equity method investment presented on a similar basis. Since others may not use our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, caution should be exercised when comparing our Adjusted EBITDA to that of other companies.

The following table reconciles “Net income”, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to Adjusted EBITDA ($ in thousands):

For all periods presented, EBITDA reflects GAAP interest expense, which excludes amounts capitalized during the period.

Net Operating Income

Net operating income (“NOI”) is a U.S. non-GAAP supplemental financial measure used to evaluate the operating performance of real estate. We define NOI as total revenues, less tenant reimbursements and property operating expenses. We believe NOI provides investors relevant and useful information as it measures the operating performance of our properties at the property level on an unleveraged basis. We use NOI to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess the property level performance of our properties.

The following table reconciles NOI to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP metric ($ in thousands):

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Interest Rate Risk

At September 30, 2023, we were exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on approximately $405.0 million of variable-rate indebtedness and on our mortgage and other notes receivable. The unused portion ($495.0 million at September 30, 2023) of our revolving credit facility, should it be drawn upon, is subject to variable rates.

Interest rate fluctuations will generally not affect our future earnings or cash flows on our fixed rate debt and loans receivable unless such instruments mature or are otherwise terminated. However, interest rate changes will affect the fair value of our fixed rate instruments. Conversely, changes in interest rates on variable rate debt and investments would change our future earnings and cash flows, but not significantly affect the fair value of those instruments. Assuming a 50 basis-point increase or decrease in the interest rate related to variable-rate debt, and assuming no change in the outstanding balance as of September 30, 2023, net interest expense would increase or decrease annually by approximately $2.0 million or $0.05 per common share on a diluted basis.

We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to mitigate interest rate risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. We currently have no derivative financial instruments but may engage in hedging strategies to manage our exposure to market risks in the future, depending on an analysis of the interest rate environment and the costs and risks of such strategies.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our debt ($ in thousands):

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To highlight the sensitivity of our fixed rate debt to changes in interest rates, the following summary shows the effects on fair value (“FV”) assuming a parallel shift of 50 bps in market interest rates for a contract with similar maturities as of September 30, 2023 ($ in thousands):

At September 30, 2023, the fair value of our mortgage and other notes receivable, discounted for estimated changes in the risk-free rate, was approximately $228.3 million. A 50 basis-point increase in market rates would decrease the estimated fair value of our mortgage and other loans by approximately $2.7 million, while a 50 bps decrease in such rates would increase their estimated fair value by approximately $2.8 million.

Inflation Risk

Our real estate leases generally provide for annual increases in contractual rent due based on a fixed amount or percentage or based on increases in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). Leases with increases based on CPI may contain a minimum increase or a cap on the maximum annual increase. Substantially all of our leases require the tenant to pay all operating expenses for the property, whether paid directly by the tenant or reimbursed to us. We believe that inflationary increases will be at least partially offset by the contractual rent increases and expense reimbursements described above.

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures. As of September 30, 2023, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of management’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) to ensure information required to be disclosed in our filings is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and our CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives, and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment when evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of potential controls and procedures. Based upon the evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023.

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation during the three months ended September 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, except as amended and supplemented by the additional risk factors below.

Inflation and increased interest rates may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Although inflation has not materially impacted our operations in the recent past, inflation is at a 40-year high and beginning in March of 2022, the Federal Reserve began raising the federal funds rate in an effort to curb inflation. The Federal Reserve’s action, coupled with other macroeconomic factors, may trigger a recession in the United States and/or globally. Increased inflation and interest rates could have an adverse impact on our variable rate debt, our ability to borrow money, and general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our rental and other revenue. Increases in the costs of owning and operating our properties due to inflation could reduce our net operating income and the value of an investment in us to the extent such increases are not reimbursed or paid by our tenants. If we are materially impacted by increasing inflation because, for example, inflationary increases in costs are not sufficiently offset by the contractual rent increases and operating expense reimbursement provisions or escalations in the leases with our tenants, our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, due to rising interest rates, we may experience restrictions in our liquidity based on certain financial covenant requirements, our inability to refinance maturing debt in part or in full as it comes due and higher debt service costs and reduced yields relative to cost of debt. If we are unable to find alternative credit arrangements or other funding in a high interest environment, our financial results may be negatively impacted.

Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or our prospects.

The funds in our accounts are held in banks or other financial institutions. Our cash held in non-interest bearing and interest-bearing accounts may periodically exceed any applicable Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. Should events, including limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments occur with respect to the banks or other financial institutions that hold our funds, or that affect financial institutions or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, our liquidity may be adversely affected. For example, on March 10, 2023, the FDIC announced that Silicon Valley Bank had been closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Although we did not have any funds in Silicon Valley Bank or other institutions that have been closed, we cannot guarantee that the banks or other financial institutions that hold our funds will not experience similar issues.

In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire financing on terms favorable to us in connection with a potential business combination, or at all, and could have material adverse impacts on our liquidity, our business, financial condition or results of operations, and our prospects.