TEXTAINER FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
650 California Street, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
August 11, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are
submitting herewith for filing on behalf of Textainer Equipment Income Fund III,
L.P. (the "Partnership") the Partnership's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
Second Quarter ended June 30, 2000.
This filing is being effected by direct transmission to the Commission's EDGAR
System.
Sincerely,
Nadine Forsman
Controller
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000
Commission file number 0-20140
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
A California Limited Partnership
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California 94-3121277
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
650 California Street, 16th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (ZIP Code)
(415) 434-0551
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
Quarter Ended June 30, 2000
Table of Contents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
<S> <C>
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets - June 30, 2000 (unaudited)
and December 31, 1999........................................................... 3
Statements of Operations for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 (unaudited)........................................ 4
Statements of Partners' Capital for the six months
ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 (unaudited)........................................ 5
Statements of Cash Flows for the six months
ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 (unaudited)........................................ 6
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)....................................... 8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations....................................................... 12
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Balance Sheets
June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999
(Amounts in thousands)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999
--------------- ---------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Container rental equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $41,495 (1999: $40,469) (note 4) $ 53,746 $ 56,757
Cash 4,173 3,355
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $792 (1999: $756) 3,574 3,857
Due from affiliates, net (note 2) 356 816
Prepaid expenses 6 18
--------------- ---------------
$ 61,855 $ 64,803
=============== ===============
Liabilities and Partners' Capital
Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 389 $ 432
Accrued liabilities 336 286
Accrued recovery costs 181 165
Accrued damage protection plan costs 468 436
Warranty claims 129 149
Deferred quarterly distributions 81 81
Container purchases payable 318 243
--------------- ---------------
Total liabilities 1,902 1,792
--------------- ---------------
Partners' capital:
General partners - -
Limited partners 59,953 63,011
--------------- ---------------
Total partners' capital 59,953 63,011
--------------- ---------------
$ 61,855 $ 64,803
=============== ===============
See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Statements of Operations
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months Three months Six months Six months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
June 30, 2000 June 30, 1999 June 30, 2000 June 30, 1999
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Rental income $ 3,824 $ 3,607 $ 7,606 $ 7,473
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Costs and expenses:
Direct container expenses 961 1,546 1,950 2,589
Bad debt (benefit) expense (66) 57 43 230
Depreciation 1,437 1,578 2,880 3,154
Write-down of containers (note 4) 151 221 313 396
Professional fees 25 10 43 19
Management fees to affiliates (note 2) 359 359 714 736
General and administrative costs to
affiliates (note 2) 186 213 369 467
Other general and administrative costs 43 42 78 83
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
3,096 4,026 6,390 7,674
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Income (loss) from operations 728 (419) 1,216 (201)
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Other income (expense):
Interest income 72 42 129 89
Gain (loss) on sale of containers (note 4) 73 (480) (58) (737)
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
145 (438) 71 (648)
---------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net earnings (loss) $ 873 $ (857) $ 1,287 $ (849)
================ ================= ================= =================
Allocation of net earnings (loss) (note 2):
General partners $ 22 $ 53 $ 45 $ 53
Limited partners 851 (910) 1,242 (902)
------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
$ 873 $ (857) $ 1,287 $ (849)
================ ================= ================= =================
Limited partners' per unit share
of net earnings (loss) $ 0.14 $ (0.15) $ 0.20 $ (0.15)
================ ================= ================= =================
Limited partners' per unit share
of distributions $ 0.35 $ 0.41 $ 0.70 $ 0.83
================ ================= ================= =================
Weighted average number of limited
partnership units outstanding 6,136,434 6,136,934 6,136,517 6,136,934
================ ================= ================= =================
See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Statements of Partners' Capital
For the six months ended June, 2000 and 1999
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partners' Capital
------------------------------------------------------------
General Limited Total
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at January 1, 1999 $ - $ 73,166 $ 73,166
Distributions (53) (5,066) (5,119)
Redemptions (note 5) - (157) (157)
Net loss 53 (902) (849)
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Balances at June 30, 1999 $ - $ 67,041 $ 67,041
=============== ================ ===============
Balances at January 1, 2000 $ - $ 63,011 $ 63,011
Distributions (45) (4,296) (4,341)
Redemptions (note 5) - (4) (4)
Net earnings 45 1,242 1,287
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Balances at June 30, 2000 $ - $ 59,953 $ 59,953
=============== ================ ===============
See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Statements of Cash Flows
For the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) $ 1,287 $ (849)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 2,880 3,154
Write-down of containers (note 4) 313 396
Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts 36 215
Loss on sale of containers 58 737
Decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable 318 306
Due from affiliates, net 256 206
Prepaid expenses 12 17
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7 141
Accrued recovery costs 16 28
Damage protection plan costs 32 108
Warranty claims (20) (20)
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,195 4,439
------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of containers 1,608 2,330
Container purchases (1,640) (3,079)
------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (32) (749)
------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Redemptions of limited partnership units (4) (157)
Distributions to partners (4,341) (5,119)
------------- -------------
Net cash used in financing activities (4,345) (5,276)
------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash 818 (1,586)
Cash at beginning of period 3,355 3,455
------------- -------------
Cash at end of period $ 4,173 $ 1,869
============= =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Statements Of Cash Flows--Continued
For the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Disclosures:
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
The following table summarizes the amounts of container purchases, distributions
to partners, and proceeds from sale of containers which had not been paid or
received as of June 30, 2000 and 1999, and December 31, 1999 and 1998, resulting
in differences in amounts recorded and amounts of cash disbursed or received by
the Partnership, as shown in the Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month
periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
June 30 Dec. 31 June 30 Dec. 31
2000 1999 1999 1998
----------- ----------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Container purchases included in:
Due to affiliates.............................. $ - $ - $ 21 $ 16
Container purchases payable.................... 318 243 56 56
Distributions to partners included in:
Due to affiliates.............................. 8 8 9 9
Deferred quarterly distributions............... 81 81 97 97
Proceeds from sale of containers included in:
Due from affiliates............................ 397 601 619 812
The following table summarizes the amounts of container purchases, distributions
to partners and proceeds from sale of containers recorded by the Partnership and
the amounts paid or received as shown in the Statements of Cash Flows for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
2000 1999
----- -----
Container purchases recorded...................................................... $1,715 $3,084
Container purchases paid.......................................................... 1,640 3,079
Distributions to partners declared................................................ 4,341 5,119
Distributions to partners paid.................................................... 4,341 5,119
Proceeds from sale of containers recorded......................................... 1,404 2,137
Proceeds from sale of containers received......................................... 1,608 2,330
The Partnership has entered into direct finance leases, resulting in the
transfer of containers from container rental equipment to accounts receivable.
The carrying values of containers transferred during the six months ended June
30, 2000 and 1999 were $71 and $54, respectively.
See accompanying notes to financial statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
(a California Limited Partnership)
Notes To Financial Statements
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. General
Textainer Equipment Income Fund III, L.P. (the Partnership), a California
limited partnership with a maximum life of 20 years, was formed in 1990.
The Partnership owns a fleet of intermodal marine cargo containers, which
are leased to international shipping lines.
The accompanying interim comparative financial statements have not been
audited by an independent public accountant. However, all adjustments
(which were only normal and recurring adjustments) which are, in the
opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position
of the Partnership as of June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 and the
results of its operations, changes in partners' capital and cash flows for
the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, have been made.
The financial information presented herein should be read in conjunction
with the audited financial statements and other accompanying notes
included in the Partnership's annual audited financial statements as of
December 31, 1999, in the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.
Certain estimates and assumptions were made by the Partnership's
management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Certain reclassifications, not affecting net earnings, have been made to
prior year amounts in order to conform to the 2000 financial statement
presentation.
Note 2. Transactions with Affiliates
Textainer Financial Services Corporation (TFS) is the managing general
partner of the Partnership and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textainer
Capital Corporation (TCC). Textainer Equipment Management Limited (TEM)
and Textainer Limited (TL) are associate general partners of the
Partnership. The managing general partner and the associate general
partners are collectively referred to as the General Partners and are
commonly owned by Textainer Group Holdings Limited (TGH). The General
Partners also act in this capacity for other limited partnerships. The
General Partners manage and control the affairs of the Partnership.
In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, sections 3.08 through 3.12,
net earnings or losses and distributions are generally allocated 1% to the
General Partners and 99% to the Limited Partners. If the allocation of
distributions exceeds the allocation of net earnings and creates a deficit
in the General Partners' aggregate capital account, the Partnership
Agreement provides for a special allocation of gross income equal to the
amount of the deficit to be made to the General Partners.
As part of the operation of the Partnership, the Partnership is to pay to
the General Partners, an acquisition fee, an equipment management fee, an
incentive management fee and an equipment liquidation fee. These fees are
for various services provided in connection with the administration and
management of the Partnership. The Partnership capitalized $82 and $147 of
container acquisition fees as a component of container costs during the
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The
Partnership incurred $90 and $181 of incentive management fees during the
three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and $107 and $213 during
the equivalent periods in 1999, respectively. No equipment liquidation
fees were incurred during these periods.
The Partnership's container fleet is managed by TEM. In its role as
manager, TEM has authority to acquire, hold, manage, lease, sell and
dispose of the Partnership's containers. TEM holds, for the payment of
direct operating expenses, a reserve of cash that has been collected from
leasing operations; such cash is included in due from affiliates, net at
June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999.
Subject to certain reductions, TEM receives a monthly equipment management
fee equal to 7% of gross revenues attributable to operating leases and 2%
of gross revenues attributable to full payout net leases. These fees
totaled $269 and $533 during the three and six-month periods ended June
30, 2000, respectively, and $252 and $523, respectively, during the
comparable periods in 1999. The Partnership's container fleet is leased by
TEM to third party lessees on operating master leases, spot leases, term
leases and direct finance leases. The majority of the container fleet is
leased under operating master leases with limited terms and no purchase
option.
Certain indirect general and administrative costs such as salaries,
employee benefits, taxes and insurance are incurred in performing
administrative services necessary to the operation of the Partnership.
These costs are incurred and paid by TFS and TEM. General and
administrative costs allocated to the Partnership during the three and
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
Three months Six months
ended June 30, ended June 30,
-------------- ---------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
Salaries $ 95 $115 $194 $249
Other 91 98 175 218
--- --- --- ---
Total general and
administrative costs $186 $213 $369 $467
=== === === ===
TEM allocates these general and administrative costs based on the ratio of
the Partnership's interest in the managed containers to the total
container fleet managed by TEM during the period. TFS allocates these
costs based on the ratio of the Partnership's containers to the total
container fleet of all limited partnerships managed by TFS. The General
Partners allocated the following general and administrative costs to the
Partnership during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999:
Three months Six months
ended June 30, ended June 30,
-------------- --------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
TEM $159 $191 $317 $418
TFS 27 22 52 49
--- --- --- ---
Total general and
administrative costs $186 $213 $369 $467
=== === === ===
The General Partners may acquire containers in their own name and hold
title on a temporary basis for the purpose of facilitating the acquisition
of such containers for the Partnership. The containers may then be resold
to the Partnership on an all-cash basis at a price equal to the actual
cost, as defined in the Partnership Agreement. In addition, the General
Partners are entitled to an acquisition fee for any containers resold to
the Partnership.
At June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999, due from affiliates, net is
comprised of:
2000 1999
---- ----
Due from affiliates:
Due from TEM............................ $446 $864
--- ---
Due to affiliates:
Due to TFS.............................. 38 34
Due to TCC.............................. 51 13
Due to TL............................... 1 1
--- ---
90 48
--- ---
Due from affiliates, net $356 $816
=== ===
These amounts receivable from and payable to affiliates were incurred in
the ordinary course of business between the Partnership and its affiliates
and represent timing differences in the accrual and remittance of expenses
and fees described above and in the accrual and remittance of net rental
revenues and sales proceeds from TEM.
Note 3. Rentals Under Long-Term Operating Leases
The following are the future rent receivables under cancelable long-term
operating leases at June 30, 2000. Although the leases are generally
cancelable with a penalty at the end of each twelve-month period, the
following schedule assumes that the leases will not be terminated.
<PAGE>
Year ending June 30:
2001............................................... $598
2002............................................... 216
2003............................................... 95
2004............................................... 50
---
Total future rentals receivable.................... $959
===
Note 4. Container Rental Equipment Write-Down
New container prices steadily declined from 1995 through 1999. Although
container prices began increasing in 2000, the cost of new containers at
year-end 1998, during 1999 and the first half of 2000 was significantly
less than the average cost of containers purchased in prior years. The
Partnership evaluated the recoverability of the recorded amount of
container rental equipment at June 30, 2000 and 1999 for containers to be
held for continued use and determined that a reduction to the carrying
value of these containers was not required. The Partnership also evaluated
the recoverability of the recorded amount of containers identified for
sale in the ordinary course of business and determined that a reduction to
the carrying value of these containers was required. The Partnership wrote
down the value of these containers to their estimated fair value, which
was based on recent sales prices less cost to sell.
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, the Partnership recorded
a write-down of $313 on 474 containers identified for sale and sold 458
previously written down containers for a loss of $16. During the six-month
period ended June 30, 1999, the Partnership recorded a write-down of $396
on 738 containers identified for sale and sold 574 previously written down
containers for a loss of $123. The Partnership incurred losses on the sale
of some containers previously written down as the actual sales prices
received on these containers were lower than the estimates used for the
write-downs, primarily due to unexpected declines in container sales
prices. Additionally, the Partnership recorded losses of $42 and $614 on
the sale of containers that had not been written-down during the
six-months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
If more containers are subsequently identified for sale or if container
sales prices decline, the Partnership may incur additional write-downs on
containers and/or may incur losses on the sale of containers. The
Partnership cautions that a write-down of container rental equipment
and/or an increase in its depreciation rate may be required in future
periods for some or all of its container rental equipment.
Note 5. Redemptions
The following redemptions were consummated by the Partnership during the
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Units Average
Redeemed Redemption Price Amount Paid
-------- ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Partnership redemption as of
December 31, 1998..................... 96,140 $ 14.05 $ 1,350
Quarter ended:
March 31, 1999........................ 16,926 $ 9.28 157
------- ------
Partnership through June 30, 1999... 113,066 $ 13.33 $ 1,507
======= ======
Total Partnership redemption as of
December 31, 1999..................... 113,066 $ 13.33 $ 1,507
Quarter ended:
March 31, 2000........................ 500 $ 7.50 4
------- ------
Partnership through June 30, 2000...... 113,566 $ 13.31 $ 1,511
======= ======
The redemption price is fixed by formula.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Financial Statements contain information, which will assist in evaluating
the financial condition of the Partnership as of and for the three and six-month
periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999. Please refer to the Financial Statements
and Notes thereto in connection with the following discussion.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
From January 16, 1991 until May 4, 1992, the Partnership offered limited
partnership interests to the public. The Partnership received its minimum
subscription amount of $1,000 on February 11, 1991 and on May 4, 1992 the
Partnership's offering of limited partnership interest was closed at $125,000.
From time to time, the Partnership redeems units from limited partners for a
specified redemption value, which is set by formula. Up to 2% of the
Partnership's outstanding units may be redeemed each year, although the 2% limit
may be exceeded at the Managing General Partner's discretion. All redemptions
are subject to the Managing General Partner's good faith determination that
payment for the redeemed units will not (i) cause the Partnership to be taxed as
a corporation, (ii) impair the capital or operations of the Partnership, or
(iii) impair the ability of the Partnership to pay distributions in accordance
with its distribution policy. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2000,
the Partnership redeemed 500 units for a total dollar amount of $4. The
Partnership used cash flow from operations to pay for the redeemed units.
The Partnership invests working capital, cash flow from operations prior to its
distribution to the partners and proceeds from container sales that have not
been used to purchase containers in short-term, liquid investments. The
Partnership's cash is affected by cash provided by or used in operating,
investing and financing activities. These activities are discussed in detail
below.
Limited partners are currently receiving monthly distributions in an annualized
amount equal to 7% of their original investment. During the six-month period
ended June 30, 2000, the Partnership declared cash distributions to limited
partners pertaining to the period from December 1999 through May 2000, in the
amount of $4,296. On a cash basis, all of these distributions were from current
year operating activities. On a GAAP basis, $3,054 of these distributions was a
return of capital and the balance was from net earnings.
At June 30, 2000, the Partnership had no commitments to purchase containers.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the six-month periods ended June
30, 2000 and 1999 was $5,195 and $4,439, respectively. The increase of $756, or
17%, was primarily attributable to the increase in net earnings, adjusted for
non-cash transactions, offset by the fluctuations in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities. Net earnings, adjusted for non-cash transactions, increased
primarily due to the decline in direct container expenses and the increase in
rental income. These items are discussed more fully in "Results of Operations".
The fluctuations in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted from
timing differences in the payment of expenses and fees, as well as in
fluctuations in these amounts.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, net cash used in investing
activities (the purchase and sale of containers) was $32 compared to $749 for
the comparable period in 1999. Net cash used in investing activities decreased
$717 due to the Partnership purchasing and selling fewer containers during the
six months ended June 30, 2000 than in the same period in 1999. The General
Partners believe that the fluctuation in container purchases reflect normal
fluctuations in recent container purchases. The Partnership continued to sell
containers in low demand locations (described below under "Results of
Operations"); however there were fewer low demand locations and fewer containers
in these locations, primarily as a result of previous sales efforts, which
resulted in the decline in the number of containers sold. The sales prices
received on container sales declined slightly as a result of current market
conditions, which continue to have an adverse effect on the value of used
containers. Until conditions improve in these low demand locations, the
Partnership plans to continue to sell some of its containers in these locations.
The Partnership sells containers when (i) a container reaches the end of its
useful life or (ii) an analysis indicates that the sale is warranted based on
existing market conditions and the container's age, location and condition.
Proceeds from container sales will fluctuate based on the number of containers
sold and the actual price received on the sale. Sales proceeds will affect the
rate of reinvestment in containers.
The rate of reinvestment is also affected by cash from operations available for
reinvestment. Subject to the General Partners' discretion, cash from operations
available for reinvestment is generally equal to cash provided by operating
activities less distributions and redemptions paid. Distributions and
redemptions are determined by the General Partners in accordance with the
Partnership Agreement. Consistent with its investment objectives and subject to
its distribution policy, the Partnership intends to continue to reinvest cash
from operations available for reinvestment and all or a significant amount of
the proceeds from container sales in additional containers. Although there has
been some improvement in recent market conditions, overall existing market
conditions have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the amount of
cash provided by operations that is available for the purchase of additional
containers. Additionally, these market conditions have had an adverse effect on
the average sales price recently realized from container sales. Furthermore, to
the extent new containers are purchased with sales proceeds, they are not likely
to equal the number of containers sold, as new container prices are likely to be
greater than the average sales price of containers sold. These factors have
contributed to a lower than anticipated rate of reinvestment. Market conditions
are discussed more fully under "Results of Operations". A slower rate of
reinvestment will, over time, affect the size of the Partnership's container
fleet.
Results of Operations
The Partnership's income from operations, which consists primarily of rental
income, container depreciation, direct container expenses, management fees, and
reimbursement of administrative expenses was directly related to the size of the
container fleet during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, as
well as certain other factors as discussed below. The following is a summary of
the container fleet (in units) available for lease during those periods:
2000 1999
---- ----
Beginning container fleet............... 27,225 29,237
Ending container fleet.................. 26,914 28,960
Average container fleet................. 27,070 29,099
The decline in the average container fleet of 7% from the six-month period ended
June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000 was due to the Partnership having
sold more containers than it purchased since June 30, 1999. Although some of the
sales proceeds were used to purchase additional containers, fewer containers
were bought than sold, resulting in a net decrease in the size of the container
fleet. As noted above, when containers are sold in the future, sales proceeds
are not likely to be sufficient to replace all of the containers sold. This
trend, which is expected to continue, has contributed to a slower rate of
reinvestment than had been expected by the General Partners. Other factors
related to this trend are discussed above in "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
Rental income and direct container expenses are also affected by the average
utilization of the container fleet, which was 78% and 70% during the six-month
periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. In addition, rental income
is affected by daily rental rates, which have decreased between the periods, as
described below.
The following is a comparative analysis of the results of operations for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
The Partnership's income (loss) from operations for the six-month periods ended
June 30, 2000 and 1999 was $1,216 and $(201), respectively, on rental income of
$7,606 and $7,473, respectively. The increase in rental income of $133, or 2%,
from the six-month period ended June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000
was attributable to the increase in container rental income and the increase in
other rental income. Income from container rentals, the major component of total
revenue, increased $56, or 1%, primarily due to the increase in average on-hire
utilization of 11%, offset by the decreases in the average container fleet of 7%
and average rental rates of 6%.
The improvement in utilization was due to improvements in demand for leased
containers and in the trade balance, primarily as a result of the improvement in
certain Asian economies and a related increase in exports out of Europe. This
improvement in demand, coupled with container lessors' efforts to sell older
containers in low demand locations, has also reduced the container surplus.
However, the trade imbalance between Asia and North America still exists, and as
a consequence, the build-up of containers, primarily on the East Coast of the
United States, persists. The Partnership has been unable to reposition a large
number of newer containers to higher demand locations in Asia, due to lack of
available vessel capacity from the United States East Coast ports.
As a result, the Partnership continues to sell some containers located in low
demand locations. The decision to sell containers is based on the current
expectation that the economic benefit of selling these containers is greater
than the estimated economic benefit of continuing to own these containers. The
majority of the containers sold during 1999 and 2000 were older containers. The
expected economic benefit of continuing to own these older containers was
significantly less than that of newer containers primarily due to their shorter
remaining marine life, the cost to reposition containers and the shipping lines'
preference for leasing newer containers when they are available.
Once the decision had been made to sell containers, if the book value of these
containers was greater than the estimated fair value, the Partnership wrote down
the value of these specifically identified containers to their estimated fair
value, which was based on recent sales prices. Due to unanticipated declines in
container sales prices during 1999, the actual sales prices received on some
containers were lower than the estimates used for the write-down, resulting in
the Partnership incurring losses upon the sale of some of these containers.
Until the trade balance between Asia and North America improves, the Partnership
may incur further write-downs and/or losses on the sale of such containers.
Should the decline in economic value of continuing to own such containers turn
out to be permanent, the Partnership may be required to increase its
depreciation rate or write-down the value on some or all of its container rental
equipment.
The decline in the purchase price of new containers and the container surplus
mentioned above have resulted in the decline in rental rates in recent years.
However, as a result of the improvement in demand and increases in the purchase
price of new containers, rental rates have stabilized during the first half of
2000.
The General Partners are cautiously optimistic that rental rates will remain
stable and the current level of utilization will be maintained during 2000 and
may improve if demand for leased containers and the trade balance continue to
improve. However, the General Partners caution that utilization, lease rates and
container sale prices could also decline, adversely affecting the Partnership's
operating results.
The balance of other rental income consists of other lease-related items,
primarily income from charges to lessees for dropping off containers in surplus
locations less credits granted to lessees for leasing containers from surplus
locations (location income), income from charges to lessees for handling and
returning containers (handling income) and income from charges to lessees for a
Damage Protection Plan (DPP). For the six-month period ended June 30, 2000,
other rental income was $835, an increase of $77 from the equivalent period in
1999. The increase was primarily due to increases in location and DPP income of
$40 and $33, respectively. Location income increased primarily due to the
decrease in credits granted to lessees for picking up containers from certain
locations, offset by the decrease in charges to lessees for dropping off
containers in certain locations. DPP income increased primarily due to an
increase in the number of containers covered by DPP.
Direct container expenses decreased $639, or 25% from the six-month period
ending June 30, 1999 to the equivalent period in 2000, primarily due to
decreases in storage, DPP and repositioning expenses of $356, $93 and $66,
respectively. Storage expense decreased primarily due to the increase in average
utilization noted above and a lower average storage cost per container.
Repositioning expense decreased due to a decrease in the number of containers
repositioned, offset by an increase in the average cost of repositioning
containers due to the high demand for limited vessel capacity noted above. DPP
expense decreased primarily due to a decrease in the average DPP cost per
container.
Bad debt expense decreased $187 from the six-month period ended June 30, 1999 to
the comparable period in 2000 primarily due to a smaller required increase to
bad debt reserve during the six-month period ended June 30, 2000 than in the
same period in 1999.
Depreciation expense decreased $274, or 9%, from the six-month period ended June
30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000 primarily due to the decrease in fleet
size.
New container prices steadily declined from 1995 through 1999. Although
container prices began increasing in 2000, the cost of new containers at
year-end 1998, during 1999 and the first half of 2000 was significantly less
than the average cost of containers purchased in prior years. The Partnership
evaluated the recoverability of the recorded amount of container rental
equipment at June 30, 2000 and 1999 for containers to be held for continued use
and determined that a reduction to the carrying value of these containers was
not required. The Partnership also evaluated the recoverability of the recorded
amount of containers identified for sale in the ordinary course of business and
determined that a reduction to the carrying value of these containers was
required. The Partnership wrote down the value of these containers to their
estimated fair value, which was based on recent sales prices less cost to sell.
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, the Partnership recorded a
write-down of $313 on 474 containers identified for sale and sold 458 previously
written down containers for a loss of $16. During the six-month period ended
June 30, 1999, the Partnership recorded a write-down of $396 on 738 containers
identified for sale and sold 574 previously written down containers for a loss
of $123. The Partnership incurred losses on the sale of some containers
previously written down as the actual sales prices received on these containers
were lower than the estimates used for the write-downs, primarily due to
unexpected declines in container sales prices. Additionally, the Partnership
recorded losses of $42 and $614 on the sale of containers that had not been
written-down during the six-months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
If more containers are subsequently identified for sale or if container sales
prices decline, the Partnership may incur additional write-downs on containers
and/or may incur losses on the sale of containers.
Management fees to affiliates decreased $22, or 3%, from the six-month period
ended June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000, due to a decrease in
incentive management fees offset by an increase in equipment management fees.
Incentive management fees, which are based on the Partnership's limited and
general partner distribution percentage and initial partners' capital, decreased
primarily due to the decrease in the limited partner distribution percentage
from 8.25% to 7% of partners' capital in October 1999. Equipment management
fees, which are based primarily on gross revenue, increased due to the increase
in rental income and were approximately 7% of rental income for both periods.
General and administrative costs to affiliates decreased $98, or 21%, from the
six-month period ended June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000 primarily
due to a decrease in the allocation of overhead costs from TEM, as the
Partnership represented a smaller portion of the total fleet managed by TEM.
Other income increased from an expense of $648 for the six-month period ended
June 30, 1999 to income of $71 for the comparable period in 2000. The increase
was primarily due to the change in loss on sale of containers of $679.
Net earnings per limited partnership unit increased from a loss of $0.15 for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 to earnings of $0.20 for the same period in 2000,
reflecting the increase in net earnings allocated to limited partners from a
loss of $902 to earnings of $1,242, respectively. The allocation of net earnings
(loss) included a special allocation of gross income to the General Partners in
accordance with the Partnership Agreement.
The following is a comparative analysis of the results of operations for the
three-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
The Partnership's income (loss) from operations for the three-month periods
ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 was $728 and ($419), respectively, on rental income
of $3,824 and $3,607, respectively. The increase in rental income of $217, or
6%, from the three-month period ended June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in
2000 was attributable to increases in container rental income and other rental
income. Income from container rentals increased $150, or 5%, primarily due to
the increase in average on-hire utilization of 13%, offset by the decreases in
the average container fleet of 7% and average rental rates of 5%.
For the three-month period ended June 30, 2000, other rental income was $389, an
increase of $67 from the equivalent period in 1999. The increase was primarily
due to an increase in location income of $65. Location income increased
primarily due to the decrease in credits granted to lessees for picking up
containers from certain locations, offset by the decrease in charges to lessees
for dropping off containers in certain locations.
Direct container expenses decreased $585, or 38% from the three-month period
ending June 30, 1999 to the equivalent period in 2000, primarily due to
decreases in storage, repositioning and DPP expenses of $198, $162 and $131,
respectively. Storage expense decreased primarily due to the increase in average
utilization noted above and a lower average storage cost per container.
Repositioning expense decreased due to a decrease in the number of containers
repositioned, offset by an increase in the average cost of repositioning
containers due to the high demand for limited vessel capacity noted above. DPP
expense decreased primarily due to a decrease in the average DPP cost per
container.
Bad debt expense decreased from an expense of $57 for the three-month period
ended June 30, 1999 to a benefit of $66 for the comparable period in 2000. The
benefit recorded for the three-month period ended June 30, 2000 was primarily
due to an overall lower required reserve at June 30, 2000 than at March 31,
2000.
Depreciation expense decreased $141, or 9%, from the three-month period ended
June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000 primarily due to the decrease in
fleet size.
During the three-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, the Partnership
recorded write-downs of $151 and $221, respectively on containers identified for
sale. The decrease in the write-down of $70 was primarily due to fewer
containers identified as for sale and requiring a reserve.
Management fees to affiliates were $359 for both the three-month periods ended
June 30, 2000 and 1999 as the decrease in incentive management fees offset the
increase in equipment management fees. Incentive management fees decreased
primarily due to the decrease in the limited partner distribution percentage
from 8.25% to 7% of partners' capital in October 1999. Equipment management fees
increased due to the increase in rental income and were approximately 7% of
rental income for both periods.
General and administrative costs to affiliates decreased $27, or 13%, from the
three-month period ended June 30, 1999 to the comparable period in 2000
primarily due to a decrease in the allocation of overhead costs from TEM, as the
Partnership represented a smaller portion of the total fleet managed by TEM.
Other income increased $583 from the three-month period ended June 30, 1999 to
the comparable period in 2000. The increase was primarily due to the change in
loss on sale of containers from a loss of $480 to a gain of $73.
Net earnings per limited partnership unit increased from a loss of $0.15 for the
three-month period ended June 30, 1999 to earnings of $0.14 for the same period
in 2000, reflecting the increase in net earnings allocated to limited partners
from a loss of $910 to earnings of $851, respectively. The allocation of net
earnings (loss) included a special allocation of gross income to the General
Partners in accordance with the Partnership Agreement.
Although substantially all of the Partnership's income from operations is
derived from assets employed in foreign operations, virtually all of this income
is denominated in United States dollars. The Partnership's customers are
international shipping lines, which transport goods on international trade
routes. The domicile of the lessee is not indicative of where the lessee is
transporting the containers. The Partnership's business risk in its foreign
operations lies with the creditworthiness of the lessees, and the Partnership's
ability to keep its containers under lease, rather than the geographic location
of the containers or the domicile of the lessees. The containers are generally
operated on the international high seas rather than on domestic waterways. The
containers are subject to the risk of war or other political, economic or social
occurrence where the containers are used, which may result in the loss of
containers, which, in turn, may have a material impact on the Partnership's
results of operations and financial condition. The General Partners are not
aware of any conditions as of June 30, 2000, which would result in such a risk
materializing.
Other risks of the Partnership's leasing operations include competition, the
cost of repositioning containers after they come off-lease, the risk of an
uninsured loss, increases in maintenance expenses or other costs of operating
the containers, and the effect of world trade, industry trends and/or general
business and economic cycles on the Partnership's operations. See "Risk Factors"
in the Partnership's Prospectus, as supplemented, for additional information on
risks of the Partnership's business.
Forward Looking Statements
The foregoing includes forward-looking statements and predictions about possible
or future events, results of operations and financial condition. These
statements and predictions may prove to be inaccurate, because of the
assumptions made by the Partnership or the General Partners or the actual
development of future events. No assurance can be given that any of these
forward-looking statements or predictions will ultimately prove to be correct or
even substantially correct. The risks and uncertainties in these forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, changes in demand for leased
containers, changes in global business conditions and their effect on world
trade, future modifications in the way in which the Partnership's lessees
conduct their business or of the profitability of their business, increases or
decreases in new container prices or the availability of financing therefor,
alterations in the costs of maintaining and repairing used containers, increases
in competition, changes in the Partnership's ability to maintain insurance for
its containers and its operations, the effects of political conditions on
worldwide shipping and demand for global trade or of other general business and
economic cycles on the Partnership, as well as other risks detailed herein and
from time to time in the Partnership's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Partnership does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
A California Limited Partnership
By Textainer Financial Services Corporation
The Managing General Partner
By _______________________________
Ernest J. Furtado
Senior Vice President
Date: August 11, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Textainer Financial
Services Corporation, the Managing General Partner of the Registrant, in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<S> <C> <C>
Signature Title Date
________________________ Senior Vice President, August 11, 2000
Ernest J. Furtado (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) and
Secretary
________________________ President (Principal Executive August 11, 2000
John A. Maccarone Officer)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TEXTAINER EQUIPMENT INCOME FUND III, L.P.
A California Limited Partnership
By Textainer Financial Services Corporation
The Managing General Partner
By /s/Ernest J. Furtado
______________________________
Ernest J. Furtado
Senior Vice President
Date: August 11, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Textainer Financial
Services Corporation, the Managing General Partner of the Registrant, in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Ernest J. Furtado August 11, 2000
____________________________ Senior Vice President,
Ernest J. Furtado (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) and
Secretary
/s/John A. Maccarone August 11, 2000
____________________________ President (Principal Executive
John A. Maccarone Officer)
</TABLE>
