910612--3/2/2009--CBL_&_ASSOCIATES_PROPERTIES

related topics

{loan, real, estate}

{tax, income, asset}

{debt, indebtedness, cash}

{investment, property, distribution}

{capital, credit, financial}

{condition, economic, financial}

{cost, contract, operation}

{operation, natural, condition}

{provision, law, control}

{stock, price, share}

{interest, director, officer}

{operation, international, foreign}

RISKS RELATED TO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS Real property investments are subject to various risks, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause declines in the operating revenues and/or the underlying value of one or more of our Properties. Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly affect our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our Properties and harm our financial condition. We may elect not to proceed with certain development or expansion projects once they have been undertaken, resulting in charges that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the period in which the charge is taken. Certain of our Properties are subject to ownership interests held by third parties, whose interests may conflict with ours and thereby constrain us from taking actions concerning these properties which otherwise would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. We may incur significant costs related to compliance with environmental laws, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and the funds available to us to pay dividends. Possible terrorist activity or other acts of violence could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND THE MARKET FOR OUR STOCK The current decline in economic conditions, including increased volatility in the capital and credit markets, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Competition from other retail formats could adversely affect the revenues generated by our Properties, resulting in a reduction in funds available for distribution to our stockholders. Increased operating expenses and decreased occupancy rates may not allow us to recover the majority of our common area maintenance (CAM) and other operating expenses from our tenants, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and funds available for future distributions. The loss of one or more significant tenants, due to bankruptcies or as a result of ongoing consolidations in the retail industry, could adversely affect both the operating revenues and value of our Properties. Our Properties may be subject to impairment charges which can adversely affect our financial results. Inflation or deflation may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Certain agreements with prior owners of Properties that we have acquired may inhibit our ability to enter into future sale or refinancing transactions affecting such Properties, which otherwise would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. Uninsured losses could adversely affect our financial condition, and in the future our insurance may not include coverage for acts of terrorism. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of corporate dividends may make our stock less attractive to investors, thereby lowering our stock price. RISKS RELATED TO DEBT AND FINANCIAL MARKETS The deterioration of the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our ability to access funds and the capital needed to refinance debt or obtain new debt. We have a substantial amount of debt that could adversely impact our future operations. Rising interest rates could both increase our borrowing costs, thereby adversely affecting our cash flow and the amounts available for distributions to our stockholders, and decrease our stock price, if investors seek higher yields through other investments. Certain of our credit facilities, the loss of which could have a material, adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations, are conditioned upon the Operating Partnership continuing to be managed by certain members of its current senior management and by such members of senior management continuing to own a significant direct or indirect equity interest in the Operating Partnership. RISKS RELATED TO GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATIONS Since our Properties are located principally in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, our financial position, results of operations and funds available for distribution to shareholders are subject generally to economic conditions in these regions. Our financial position, results of operations and funds available for distribution to shareholders could be adversely affected by any economic downturn affecting the operating results at our Properties in the St. Louis, MO, Nashville, TN, Greensboro, NC, Kansas City (Overland Park), KS, and Chattanooga, TN metropolitan areas, which are our five largest markets. RISKS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS We have ownership interests in certain property investments and joint ventures outside the United States that present numerous risks that differ from those of our domestic investments. Our ability to pay dividends on our stock may be limited. RISKS RELATED TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS We conduct a portion of our business through taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to certain tax risks. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our funds available for distribution to stockholders will be reduced. Any issuance or transfer of our capital stock to any person in excess of the applicable limits on ownership necessary to maintain our status as a REIT would be deemed void ab initio, and those shares would automatically be transferred to a non-affiliated charitable trust. In order to maintain our status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of certain additional taxes under the Internal Revenue Code, we must satisfy minimum requirements for distributions to shareholders, which may limit the amount of cash we might otherwise have been able to retain for use in growing our business. RISKS RELATED TO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The ownership limit described above, as well as certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our stockholder rights plan, and certain provisions of Delaware law may hinder any attempt to acquire us.

Full 10-K form ▸

910612--3/2/2009--CBL_&_ASSOCIATES_PROPERTIES_INC