EX-99.1 2 tm2034615d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

Company Highlights:

 

·Diversified operating platform with a multifamily focus that continues to produce strong core earnings and dividends in all cycles

 

·GAAP net income of $0.72 and core earnings of $0.50 per diluted common share1
·Raised cash dividend on common stock to $0.32 per share, our second consecutive increase, representing a 6.7% increase year-to-date
·Continued strong performance from our residential mortgage banking joint venture generating pretax income of $32.3 million

 

Agency Business

 

·Grew our servicing portfolio to $22.56 billion, a 4.5% increase from 2Q20, and 12.5% year-to-date
·GSE loan originations of $1.47 billion, a 10.1% increase from 3Q19
·Segment income of $40.7 million

 

Structured Business

 

·Loan portfolio surpasses $5.00 billion on $291.8 million of loan originations
·Segment income of $55.2 million

 

Uniondale, NY, October 30, 2020 -- Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. Arbor reported net income for the quarter of $82.0 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $34.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Core earnings for the quarter was $67.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted common share, compared to $43.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.1

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020  Page 2

 

 

“These outstanding third quarter results reflect the successful execution of our business strategy and the versatile operating platform we have developed. Arbor continues to be very well positioned to succeed in the current economic climate. Our business model gives us diversified opportunities for growth and has allowed us to outperform in the commercial mortgage REIT space,” said Ivan Kaufman, founder, chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust.

 

“Our continued momentum and excellent results have once again allowed us to increase our dividend to 32 cents a share – our second consecutive quarterly dividend increase. It is a true testament to the value of our franchise and the many diverse income streams we have created that we are able to succeed in any market cycle.”

 

Agency Business

 

Loan Origination Platform

 

 

 

Agency Loan Volume  (in thousands)
   Quarter Ended 
   September 30,
 2020		   June 30,
 2020		 
Originations:        
Fannie Mae  $1,117,679   $1,140,181 
Freddie Mac   252,014    135,720 
FHA   100,345    75,533 
Private Label   5,840    49,122 
Total Originations  $1,475,878   $1,400,556 
           
Total Loan Sales  $1,219,462   $1,992,889 
           
Total Loan Commitments  $1,528,551   $1,206,723 


 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Agency Business generated revenues (excluding gains and losses on derivative instruments) of $81.8 million, compared to $81.1 million for the second quarter of 2020. Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net was $19.9 million for the quarter, reflecting a margin of 1.63% on loan sales, compared to $26.4 million and 1.32% for the second quarter of 2020. Income from mortgage servicing rights was $42.4 million for the quarter, reflecting a rate of 2.77% as a percentage of loan commitments, compared to $32.4 million and 2.69% for the second quarter of 2020.

 

At September 30, 2020, loans held-for-sale was $631.1 million which was primarily comprised of unpaid principal balances totaling $617.9 million, with financing associated with these loans totaling $567.6 million.

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020  Page 3

 

Fee-Based Servicing Portfolio

 

Our fee-based servicing portfolio totaled $22.56 billion at September 30, 2020, an increase of 4.5% from June 30, 2020, primarily the result of $1.48 billion of new agency loan originations, net of $490.4 million in portfolio runoff during the quarter. Servicing revenue, net was $13.3 million for the quarter and consisted of servicing revenue of $25.7 million, net of amortization of mortgage servicing rights totaling $12.4 million.

 

   Fee-Based Servicing Portfolio ($ in thousands) 
   As of September 30, 2020   As of June 30, 2020 
   UPB   Wtd. Avg.
Fee		   Wtd. Avg. Life
(in years)		   UPB   Wtd. Avg.
Fee		   Wtd. Avg. Life
(in years)		 
Fannie Mae  $16,462,041    0.516%   8.4   $15,672,931    0.505%   8.2 
Freddie Mac   4,687,197    0.288%   10.4    4,560,382    0.295%   10.6 
FHA   685,263    0.171%   20.4    621,487    0.154%   19.6 
Private Label   727,063    0.200%   9.4    727,132    0.200%   9.5 
Total  $22,561,564    0.448%   9.2   $21,581,932    0.441%   9.1 

 

Loans sold under the Fannie Mae program contain an obligation to partially guarantee the performance of the loan (“loss-sharing obligations”), and includes $33.2 million for the fair value of the guarantee obligation undertaken at September 30, 2020. The Company recorded a $2.5 million reversal of provision for loss sharing associated with current expected credit losses, or “CECL,” for the third quarter of 2020. At September 30, 2020, the Company’s total CECL allowance for loss-sharing obligations was $38.0 million, representing 0.23% of the Fannie Mae servicing portfolio.

 

Structured Business

 

Portfolio and Investment Activity

 

-Significant income generated by our residential mortgage banking joint venture

 

-Originated 13 loans totaling $291.8 million, and consisted primarily of multifamily bridge loans totaling $235.1 million

 

-Payoffs and pay downs on 15 loans totaling $206.0 million

 

-Portfolio growth of $124.7 million, or 2.5%

 

The Company recorded pretax income of $32.3 million from its significant joint venture investment in a residential mortgage banking business as a result of the continued historically low interest rate environment. Pretax income from this investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $56.1 million.

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020  Page 4

 

At September 30, 2020, the loan and investment portfolio’s unpaid principal balance, excluding loan loss reserves, was $5.10 billion, with a weighted average current interest pay rate of 5.39%, compared to $4.97 billion and 5.57% at June 30, 2020. Including certain fees earned and costs associated with the loan and investment portfolio, the weighted average current interest pay rate was 5.93% at September 30, 2020, compared to 6.10% at June 30, 2020.

 

The average balance of the Company’s loan and investment portfolio during the third quarter of 2020, excluding loan loss reserves, was $4.98 billion with a weighted average yield of 5.98%, compared to $4.81 billion and 6.16% for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in average yield was primarily due to several factors including an increase in non-performing and modified loans, lower accelerated fees on loan payoffs and lower rates on originations when compared to runoff in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter.

 

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a reversal of its provision for loan losses of $6.1 million as a result of its loan review process associated with CECL. At September 30, 2020, the Company’s total allowance for loan losses was $146.7 million. The Company had eight non-performing loans with a carrying value of $62.9 million, before related loan loss reserves of $9.1 million, compared to six loans with a carrying value of $60.5 million, before related loan loss reserves of $16.6 million as of June 30, 2020.

 

Financing Activity

 

The balance of debt that finances the Company’s loan and investment portfolio at September 30, 2020 was $4.52 billion with a weighted average interest rate including fees of 3.09% as compared to $4.54 billion and a rate of 3.14% at June 30, 2020. The average balance of debt that finances the Company’s loan and investment portfolio for the third quarter of 2020 was $4.59 billion, as compared to $4.53 billion for the second quarter of 2020. The average cost of borrowings for the third quarter of 2020 was 3.06%, compared to 3.26% for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in average costs was primarily due to a decrease in LIBOR.

 

The Company is subject to various financial covenants and restrictions under the terms of its collateralized securitization vehicles, financing facilities and unsecured debt. The Company believes it was in compliance with all financial covenants and restrictions as of September 30, 2020 and as of the most recent collateralized securitization vehicle determination dates in October 2020.

 

Dividends

 

The Company announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share of common stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, representing an increase of 6.7% year-to-date. The dividend is payable on November 30, 2020 to common stockholders of record on November 16, 2020. The ex-dividend date is November 13, 2020.

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020  Page 5

 

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared cash dividends on the Company's Series A, Series B and Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock reflecting accrued dividends from September 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. The dividends are payable on November 30, 2020 to preferred stockholders of record on November 15, 2020. The Company will pay total dividends of $0.515625, $0.484375 and $0.53125 per share on the Series A, Series B and Series C preferred stock, respectively.

 

Earnings Conference Call

 

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available at http://www.arbor.com in the investor relations section of the Company’s website. Those without web access should access the call telephonically at least ten minutes prior to the conference call. The dial-in numbers are (877) 876-9176 for domestic callers and (785) 424-1670 for international callers. Please use participant passcode ABRQ320 when prompted by the operator.

 

A telephonic replay of the call will be available until November 6, 2020. The replay dial-in numbers are (800) 839-5679 for domestic callers and (402) 220-2566 for international callers.

 

About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

 

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a Fannie Mae DUS® lender and Freddie Mac Optigo Seller/Servicer. Arbor’s product platform also includes CMBS, bridge, mezzanine and preferred equity lending. Rated by Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions generally, and the real estate markets specifically, in particular, due to the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, and other risks detailed in Arbor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its other reports filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

1. Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

During the quarterly earnings conference call, the Company may discuss non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. In addition, the Company has used non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. A supplemental schedule of non-GAAP financial measures and the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found on page 11 of this release.

 

 

Contacts:
 Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
Paul Elenio, Chief Financial Officer
516-506-4422
pelenio@arbor.com		 Investors:
The Ruth Group
Daniel Kontoh-Boateng/James Salierno
646-536-7019/7028
dboateng@theruthgroup.com
jsalierno@theruthgroup.com		 Media:
Bonnie Habyan
Chief Marketing Officer
516-506-4615
bhabyan@arbor.com

 

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020 Page 6

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 Consolidated Statements of Income - (Unaudited)

($ in thousands—except share and per share data)

 

   Quarter Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Interest income  $81,701   $80,509   $253,307   $233,957 
Interest expense   37,888    48,064    129,172    138,213 
Net interest income   43,813    32,445    124,135    95,744 
                     
Other revenue:                    
Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net   19,895    21,298    60,566    51,897 
Mortgage servicing rights   42,357    29,911    96,708    62,852 
Servicing revenue, net   13,348    13,790    40,156    39,954 
Property operating income   1,033    2,237    3,976    8,187 
Loss on derivative instruments, net   (753)   (5,003)   (58,852)   (6,726)
Other income, net   1,050    325    3,404    1,314 
Total other revenue   76,930    62,558    145,958    157,478 
                     
Other expenses:                    
Employee compensation and benefits   32,962    32,861    101,652    93,647 
Selling and administrative   9,356    10,882    29,013    31,122 
Property operating expenses   1,300    2,563    4,778    7,649 
Depreciation and amortization   1,922    1,841    5,830    5,663 
Impairment loss on real estate owned   -    -    -    1,000 
Provision for loss sharing (net of recoveries)   (2,227)   735    21,706    1,557 
Provision for credit losses (net of recoveries)   (7,586)   -    59,510    - 
Total other expenses   35,727    48,882    222,489    140,638 
                     
Income before extinguishment of debt, sale of real estate, equity affiliates, and income taxes   85,016    46,121    47,604    112,584 
                     
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    -    (3,546)   (128)
Loss on sale of real estate   (1,868)   -    (1,868)   - 
Income from equity affiliates   32,358    3,718    56,758    9,133 
Provision for income taxes   (17,785)   (6,623)   (15,493)   (10,963)
                     
Net income   97,721    43,216    83,455    110,626 
                     
Preferred stock dividends   1,888    1,888    5,665    5,665 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   13,836    7,363    11,012    19,429 
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $81,997   $33,965   $66,778   $85,532 
                     
Basic earnings per common share  $0.72   $0.36   $0.60   $0.95 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.72   $0.35   $0.59   $0.93 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic   113,766,446    94,486,839    111,775,436    89,899,074 
Diluted   133,997,087    117,468,044    132,401,315    113,033,968 
                     
Dividends declared per common share  $0.31   $0.29   $0.91   $0.84 

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020 Page 7

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in thousands—except share and per share data)

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
    (Unaudited)      
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $192,204   $299,687 
Restricted cash   110,263    210,875 
Loans and investments, net (allowance for credit losses: $146,745 and $71,069, respectively)   4,910,872    4,189,960 
Loans held-for-sale, net   631,138    861,360 
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights, net   335,235    286,420 
Securities held-to-maturity, net (allowance for credit losses: $1,628 and $0, respectively)   118,260    88,699 
Investments in equity affiliates   82,322    41,800 
Real estate owned, net   2,894    13,220 
Due from related party   23,814    10,651 
Goodwill and other intangible assets   106,716    110,700 
Other assets   175,500    125,788 
Total assets  $6,689,218   $6,239,160 
           
Liabilities and Equity:          
Credit facilities and repurchase agreements  $1,449,940   $1,678,288 
Collateralized loan obligations   2,516,032    2,130,121 
Debt fund   -    68,629 
Senior unsecured notes   662,289    319,799 
Convertible senior unsecured notes, net   266,706    284,152 
Junior subordinated notes to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities   141,470    140,949 
Due to related party   802    13,100 
Due to borrowers   76,304    79,148 
Allowance for loss-sharing obligations   71,160    34,648 
Other liabilities   181,279    134,299 
Total liabilities   5,365,982    4,883,133 
           
Equity:          
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity:          
Preferred stock, cumulative, redeemable, $0.01 par value: 100,000,000 shares authorized; special voting preferred shares; 17,632,371 and 20,369,265 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; 8.25% Series A, $38,788 aggregate liquidation preference; 1,551,500 shares issued and outstanding; 7.75% Series B, $31,500 aggregate liquidation preference; 1,260,000 shares issued and outstanding; 8.50% Series C, $22,500 aggregate liquidation preference; 900,000 shares issued and outstanding   89,472    89,501 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 115,930,351 and 109,706,214 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   1,159    1,097 
Additional paid-in capital   1,222,945    1,154,932 
Accumulated deficit   (120,539)   (60,920)
Total Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders’ equity   1,193,037    1,184,610 
           
Noncontrolling interest   130,199    171,417 
Total equity   1,323,236    1,356,027 
           
Total liabilities and equity  $6,689,218   $6,239,160 

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020 Page 8

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 Statement of Income Segment Information - (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   Quarter Ended September 30, 2020 
   Structured
Business		   Agency
Business		   Other /
Eliminations (1)		   Consolidated 
Interest income  $75,471   $6,230   $-   $81,701 
Interest expense   35,252    2,636    -    37,888 
Net interest income   40,219    3,594    -    43,813 
                     
Other revenue:                    
Gain on sales, including fee-based services, net   -    19,895    -    19,895 
Mortgage servicing rights   -    42,357    -    42,357 
Servicing revenue   -    25,764    -    25,764 
Amortization of MSRs   -    (12,416)   -    (12,416)
Servicing revenue, net   -    13,348    -    13,348 
Property operating income   1,033    -    -    1,033 
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net   118    (871)   -    (753)
Other income, net   1,052    -    -    1,052 
Total other revenue   2,203    74,729    -    76,932 
                     
Other expenses:                    
Employee compensation and benefits   8,874    24,089    -    32,963 
Selling and administrative   4,665    4,691    -    9,356 
Property operating expenses   1,300    -    -    1,300 
Depreciation and amortization   598    1,324    -    1,922 
Provision for loss sharing (net of recoveries)   -    (2,227)   -    (2,227)
Provision for credit losses (net of recoveries)   (6,065)   (1,521)   -    (7,586)
Total other expenses   9,372    26,356    -    35,728 
                     
Income before sale of real estate, equity affiliates, and income taxes   33,050    51,967    -    85,017 
                     
Loss on sale of real estate   (1,868)   -    -    (1,868)
Income from equity affiliates   32,358    -    -    32,358 
Provision for income taxes   (6,494)   (11,292)   -    (17,786)
                     
Net income   57,046    40,675    -    97,721 
                     
Preferred stock dividends   1,888    -    -    1,888 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   -    -    13,836    13,836 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $55,158   $40,675   $(13,836)  $81,997 

 

(1) Includes certain income or expenses not allocated to the two reportable segments. Amount reflects income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holders.

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020 Page 9

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 Balance Sheet Segment Information - (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   September 30, 2020 
   Structured
Business		   Agency
Business		   Consolidated 
Assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents  $103,655   $88,549   $192,204 
Restricted cash   103,412    6,851    110,263 
Loans and investments, net   4,910,872    -    4,910,872 
Loans held-for-sale, net   -    631,138    631,138 
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights, net   -    335,235    335,235 
Securities held-to-maturity, net   20,000    98,260    118,260 
Investments in equity affiliates   82,322    -    82,322 
Goodwill and other intangible assets   12,500    94,216    106,716 
Other assets   154,509    47,699    202,208 
Total assets  $5,387,270   $1,301,948   $6,689,218 
                
Liabilities:               
Debt obligations  $4,468,886   $567,551   $5,036,437 
Allowance for loss-sharing obligations   -    71,160    71,160 
Other liabilities   194,289    64,096    258,385 
Total liabilities  $4,663,175   $702,807   $5,365,982 

 

 

 

 

Arbor Realty Trust Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.32 per Share

 

October 30, 2020 Page 10

 

ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Schedule of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - (Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Core Earnings to GAAP Net Income (Loss)

($ in thousands—except share and per share data) 

 

   Quarter Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $81,997   $33,965   $66,778   $85,532 
                     
Adjustments:                    
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   13,836    7,363    11,012    19,429 
Income from mortgage servicing rights   (42,357)   (29,911)   (96,708)   (62,852)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)   3,853    2,223    (5,172)   (1,026)
Amortization and write-offs of MSRs   15,456    18,904    48,739    52,558 
Depreciation and amortization   2,867    2,789    8,731    8,504 
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    -    3,546    128 
Provision for credit losses, net   (11,137)   431    79,144    1,021 
Loss on derivative instruments, net   753    5,003    44,113    6,726 
Stock-based compensation   1,854    2,316    7,286    7,574 
                     
Core earnings (1)  $67,122   $43,083   $167,469   $117,594 
                     
Diluted core earnings per share (1)  $0.50   $0.37   $1.26   $1.04 
                     
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1)   133,997,087    117,468,044    132,401,315    113,033,968 

 

(1) Amounts are attributable to common stockholders and OP Unit holders. The OP Units are redeemable for cash, or at the Company's option for shares of the Company's common stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2020, the Company is presenting core earnings as its non-GAAP financial measure in replacement of adjusted funds from operations ("AFFO"). Core earnings is comparable to our previous AFFO metric, revised to exclude provisions for credit losses (including CECL) related to our structured loan portfolio, securities held-to-maturity and loss-sharing obligations related to the Fannie Mae program. The Company is presenting core earnings because management believes it is important supplemental measure of the Company’s operating performance and is frequently used by peers, analysts, investors and other parties in the evaluation of REITs. Prior period amounts presented above have been conformed to reflect this change.

 

The Company defines core earnings as net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP) adjusted for accounting items such as depreciation and amortization (adjusted for unconsolidated joint ventures), non-cash stock-based compensation expense, income from mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), amortization and write-offs of MSRs, gains and losses on derivative instruments primarily associated with private label loans that have not yet been sold and securitized, the tax impact on cumulative gains or losses on derivative instruments associated with private label loans that were sold during the periods presented, changes in fair value of GSE-related derivatives that temporarily flow through earnings, deferred tax (benefit) provision, CECL provisions for credit losses (excluding specifically reserved provisions for loss-sharing) and the amortization of the convertible senior notes conversion option. The Company also adds back one-time charges such as acquisition costs and one-time gains or losses on the early extinguishment of debt.

 

Core earnings is not intended to be an indication of the Company's cash flow from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) or a measure of its liquidity, nor is it entirely indicative of funding the Company's cash needs, including its ability to make cash distributions.  The Company’s calculation of core earnings may be different from the calculations used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.