Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. current report, 17 June 2022

Business Context and Reporting Period

Company: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR)
Filing Type: Form 8-K (Current Report)
Date of Report: June 17, 2022
Event: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement (Term Loan) and creation of a direct financial obligation.

Key Financial Metrics and Transaction Details

This filing reports a specific financing transaction rather than periodic financial performance metrics (e.g., revenue, net income, or cash flow from operations). The filing text does not provide a clear value for the company's overall revenue, profit, or existing debt levels outside of this new obligation.

  • New Debt Principal: $75,000,000
  • Lender: Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC
  • Interest Rate: Fixed at 4.25%
  • Maturity Date: July 10, 2032
  • Amortization: Principal payments commence August 10, 2027, based on a 30-year schedule.
  • Collateral: Secured by customary mortgage-level collateral on specific real properties.
  • Guarantor: Wheeler REIT, L.P. (Operating Partnership)

Material Changes and Covenants

The primary material change is the addition of $75 million in long-term debt. The Loan Agreement imposes specific financial covenants on the Operating Partnership:

  • Consolidated Net Worth: Must maintain not less than $75,000,000 throughout the loan term.
  • Minimum Liquidity: Must maintain not less than $4,000,000 throughout the loan term.

Use of Proceeds and Management Commentary

Management intends to use the loan proceeds for the following purposes:

  • Refinance real properties owned by the Borrower.
  • Pay various operating expenses and charges.
  • Make deposits into reserve funds established by the agreement.
  • Pay closing costs and expenses associated with the loan.
  • Fund working capital requirements for the properties.
  • Distribute any remaining balance to the Borrower.

The filing states there is no material relationship between the Company and the Lender.

Investor Verification Checklist

  • Verify the impact of the new $75 million debt on the company's total leverage ratio and debt service coverage.
  • Confirm the company's current consolidated net worth and liquidity levels to ensure compliance with the new covenants ($75M net worth, $4M liquidity).
  • Review the specific properties pledged as collateral to assess asset quality and concentration risk.
  • Monitor the timing of principal payments beginning in August 2027 to evaluate future cash flow requirements.