Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.
Annual Report 2020

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 OR ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _________ to _________ Commission file number 001-35713 WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Maryland (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 2529 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 200 Virginia Beach. Virginia (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 45-2681082 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 23452 (Zip Code) (757) 627-9088 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock Trading Symbol(s) WHLR WHLRP WHLRD Name of each exchange on which registered Nasdaq Capital Market Nasdaq Capital Market Nasdaq Capital Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ 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 þ No ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.: Large accelerated file Non-accelerated filer ¨ þ ¨ þ ¨ Accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☐ No þ If an emerging growth company indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ As of June 30, 2020, the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $12,625,417, based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock on such date as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market. For the purposes of this computation, shares held by directors and executive officer of the registrant have been excluded. Such exclusion is not intended, nor shall it be deemed, to be an admission that such persons are affiliates of the registrant. As of March 16, 2021, there were 9,706,738 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding. Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2021 Meeting to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the year covered by this Annual Report are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report. Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Item 7A. Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. Item 15. Item 16. SIGNATURES Table of Contents PART I Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures PART II Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Selected Financial Data Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information PART III Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Principal Accountant Fees and Services PART IV Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Form 10-K Summary 2 4 5 6 9 9 9 10 10 24 24 24 25 26 26 26 26 26 26 27 69 70 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the "Company" or "our Company") contains forward-looking statements, including discussion and analysis of our financial condition, anticipated capital expenditures required to complete projects, amounts of anticipated cash distributions to our stockholders in the future and other matters. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are the intent, belief or current expectations of our management based on its knowledge and understanding of our business and industry. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” or the negative of such terms and variations of these words and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements that were true at the time made may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements, which reflect our management’s view only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K include: our business and investment strategy; our projected operating results; actions and initiatives of the U.S. government and changes to U.S. government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; the state of the U.S. economy generally and in specific geographic areas; negative impacts from continued spread of COVID-19, including on the U.S. or global economy or on our business, financial position or results of operations; tenant bankruptcies; economic trends and economic recoveries; our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements; financing and advance rates for our target assets; our expected leverage; availability of investment opportunities in real estate-related investments; changes in the values of our assets; our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future; our expected investments and investment decisions; our ability to renew leases at amounts and terms comparable to existing lease arrangements; our ability to proceed with potential development opportunities for us and third-parties; our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”); our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"); impact of and changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates, accounting guidance and similar matters, including changes to laws governing REITs; availability of qualified personnel and management team; the ability of our operating partnership, Wheeler REIT, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership") and each of our other partnerships and limited liability companies to be classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes; our ability to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock and to change the terms of our preferred stock, without par value ("Preferred Stock"); our competition; • • market trends in our industry, interest rates, real estate values or the general economy; • • uncertainties related to the national economy, the real estate industry in general and in our specific markets; adverse economic or real estate developments in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; increases in interest rates and operating costs; litigation risks; lease-up risks; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • inability to generate sufficient cash flows due to market conditions, competition, uninsured losses, changes in tax or other applicable laws; and the need to fund tenant improvements or other capital expenditures out of operating cash flow. Forward-looking statements should be read in light of these factors. Part I Item 1. Business. Overview Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Trust” or “REIT” or “Company”) is a Maryland corporation formed on June 23, 2011. The Trust serves as the general partner of Wheeler REIT, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) which was formed as a Virginia limited partnership on April 5, 2012. Substantially, all of our assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through, our Operating Partnership. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed commercial real estate investment company that owns, leases and operates income-producing retail properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored centers. Our corporate office is located at 2529 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. Our telephone number is (757) 627-9088. Our registrar and stock transfer agent is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and may be contacted at 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021 or their website, www.computershare.com. Impact of COVID-19 The United States of America has been subject to significant economic disruption caused by the onset of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"). Nearly every industry has been impacted directly or indirectly, and the U.S. retail market has come under severe pressure due to numerous factors, including preventative measures taken by local, state and federal authorities to alleviate the public health crisis such as mandatory business closures, quarantines, restrictions on travel and “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders at the state and local levels. While many of these restrictions were lifted or relaxed throughout the year there is uncertainty surrounding future restrictions. The Company remained operational for the entire year. Additional information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business can be found under the section titled "Impact of COVID- 19" included within Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Portfolio Our portfolio contains retail properties in secondary and tertiary markets, with a particular emphasis on grocery-anchored retail centers. Our properties are in communities that have stable demographics and have historically exhibited favorable trends, such as strong population and income growth. We generally lease our properties to national and regional retailers that offer consumer goods and generate regular consumer traffic. We believe our tenants carry goods that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, generating more predictable property level cash flows. The Company’s portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions. As of December 31, 2020, we own a portfolio consisting of sixty- six properties, including sixty retail shopping centers, totaling 5,561,766 total leasable square feet which is 88.9% leased (our "operating portfolio"), and six undeveloped land parcels totaling approximately 63 acres. The properties are geographically located in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, which markets represented approximately 61%, 35% and 4%, respectively, of the total annualized base rent of the properties in its portfolio as of December 31, 2020. No tenant represents greater than 6% of the Company’s annualized base rent or 7% of gross leasable square footage. The top 10 tenants account for 26.41% or $12.38 million of annualized base rent and 29.72% or 1.65 million of gross leasable square footage at December 31, 2020. 2 Management Team and People We have 35 full-time employees. Our management team has experience and capabilities across the real estate sector with experience in all aspects of the commercial real estate industry, specifically in our target/existing markets. Daniel Khoshaba, age 61, has served as Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") since April 2020 and has served as a director since February 2020. Mr. Khoshaba has over thirty years of experience as a real estate investor, developer and founder of companies in multiple industries including manufacturing, finance and real estate. Prior to joining us, Mr. Khoshaba co-founded City Sunstone Properties ("CSP") in 2012. Between 2012 and 2016, CSP acquired retail strip malls, shopping centers, office complexes, and raw land for development. The company’s portfolio primarily consisted of properties in sub-markets with strong demographics and high traffic counts. Much of the portfolio was sold at multiples of CSP’s initial investment between 2016 and 2018. In 2004, Mr. Khoshaba co-founded KSA Capital Partners, a long/short equity hedge fund which became one of the top performing funds in the industry as noted by Barron’s magazine. In 2013, Hedge Funds Review voted KSA the Best Long/Short equity hedge fund in the Americas. Mr. Khoshaba earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul University and a MBA from the University of Chicago. Andrew Franklin, age 40, is our Chief Operating Officer and has over twenty-two years of commercial real estate experience and joined the Company in 2014. Mr. Franklin is responsible for overseeing the property management, lease administration and leasing divisions of our portfolio of commercial assets. Prior to joining us, Mr. Franklin was a partner with Broad Reach Retail Partners, LLC where he ran the day-to-day operations, managed the leasing team as well as oversaw the asset, property and construction management of the portfolio with assets totaling $50 million. Mr. Franklin is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Crystal Plum, age 39, has served as Chief Financial Officer since February 2020 and first joined the Company in 2016. Prior to her appointment as CFO, Ms. Plum most recently served as the Vice President of Financial Reporting and Corporate Accounting for the Company. Prior to that time, she served as Manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from September 2014 to August 2016 and as Supervisor at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP from 2008 to September 2014. Ms. Plum has experience reviewing and performing audits, reviews, compilations and tax engagements for a diverse group of clients, as well as banking experience. Ms. Plum is a certified public accountant and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Old Dominion University. Business Objectives and Investment Strategy Our primary business objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders. We intend to achieve this objective utilizing the following investment strategies: • • • Focus on necessity-based retail. Own and operate retail properties that serve the essential day-to-day shopping needs of the surrounding communities. These necessity- based centers attract high levels of daily traffic resulting in cross-selling of goods and services from our tenants. The majority of our tenants provide non-cyclical consumer goods and services that are less impacted by fluctuations in the economy. We believe these centers that provide essential goods and services such as groceries results in a stable, lower-risk portfolio of retail investment properties. Focus on secondary and tertiary markets with strong demographics and demand. Our properties are in markets that have strong demographics such as population density, population growth, tenant sales trends and growth in household income. We seek to identify new tenants and renew leases with existing tenants in these locations that support the need for necessity-based retail and limited new supply. Increase operating income through leasing strategies and expense management. We employ intensive lease management strategies to optimize occupancy. Management has strong expertise in acquiring and managing under-performing properties and increasing operating income through more effective leasing strategies and expense management. Our leases generally require the tenant to reimburse us for a substantial portion of the expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, and managing the shopping center and the common areas, along with the associated insurance costs and real estate taxes. In many cases the tenant is either fully or partially responsible for all maintenance of the property, thereby limiting our financial exposure towards maintaining the center and increasing our net income. We refer to this arrangement as a “triple net lease.” • Selectively utilize our capital to improve retail properties. We intend to make capital investments where the return on 3 such capital is accretive to our stockholders. We allocate capital to value-added improvements of retail properties to increase rents, extend long-term leases with anchor tenants and increase occupancy. We selectively allocate capital to revenue enhancing projects that we believe will improve the market position of a given property. • Recycling and sensible management of capital structure. We intend to sell non-income producing land parcels utilizing sales proceeds to deleverage the balance sheet. In addition, we intend to monetize assets to redeploy the capital to further deleverage and strengthen the balance sheet. In 2020, we sold 2 properties for a total of $4.51 million net proceeds which were used to reduce outstanding indebtedness. Additional properties have been slated for disposition based upon management’s periodic review of our portfolio, and the determination by our Board of Directors. Governmental Regulations Affecting Our Properties We and our properties are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and similar laws. The application of these laws to a specific property that we own depends on a variety of property-specific circumstances, including the current and former uses of the property, the building materials used at the property and the physical layout of the property. Neither existing environmental, health, safety and similar laws nor the costs of our compliance with these laws has had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, and management does not believe they will in the future. In addition, we have not incurred, and do not expect to incur, any material costs or liabilities due to environmental contamination at properties we currently own or have owned in the past. However, we cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on properties we currently own or may acquire in the future. We have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures with respect to compliance with environmental, health, safety and similar laws and we carry environmental insurance which covers a number of environmental risks for most of our properties. Competition Numerous commercial developers and real estate companies compete with us with respect to the leasing of properties. Some of these competitors may possess greater capital resources than we do, although we do not believe that any single competitor or group of competitors in any of the primary markets where our properties are located are dominant in that market. This competition may interfere with our ability to attract and retain tenants, leading to increased vacancy rates and/or reduced rents and adversely affect our ability to minimize operating expenses. Retailers at our properties also face increasing competition from online retailers, outlet stores, discount shopping clubs, superstores, and other forms of sales and marketing of goods and services, such as direct mail. This competition could contribute to lease defaults and insolvency of tenants. Company Website Access and SEC Filings We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to those requirements, we are required to file annual and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information, including audited consolidated financial statements, with the SEC which can be found at http://www.sec.gov. Additionally, we make available free of charge through our website http://www.whlr.us our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, we have posted the Charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers, Agents and Representatives, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors, Corporate Governance Principles, including guidelines on director independence, and Insider Trading Policy, all under separate headings. The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website is intended to be inactive textual references only. Item 1A. Risk Factors. 4 We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None. 5 Item 2. Properties. Our Portfolio At December 31, 2020, we owned sixty-six properties, including sixty income producing properties located in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, containing a total of 5,561,766 gross leasable square feet of retail space, which we refer to as our operating portfolio. Additionally, we owned six undeveloped land parcels located in Virginia, North Carolina and Oklahoma. The following table presents an overview of our properties, based on information as of December 31, 2020. Property Location Number of Tenants (1) Total Leasable Square Feet Percentage Leased (1) Percentage Occupied Total SF Occupied Annualized Base Rent (in 000's) (2) Annualized Base Rent per Occupied Sq. Foot Portfolio (3) (3) (3) Alex City Marketplace Amscot Building Beaver Ruin Village Beaver Ruin Village II Berkley Berkley Shopping Center Brook Run Shopping Center Brook Run Properties Bryan Station Butler Square Cardinal Plaza Chesapeake Square Clover Plaza Columbia Fire Station Courtland Commons Conyers Crossing Crockett Square Cypress Shopping Center Darien Shopping Center Devine Street Edenton Commons Folly Road Forrest Gallery Fort Howard Shopping Center Freeway Junction Franklin Village Franklinton Square Georgetown Grove Park Harbor Point Harrodsburg Marketplace JANAF Laburnum Square Ladson Crossing LaGrange Marketplace Lake Greenwood Crossing Lake Murray Litchfield Market Village Lumber River Village Moncks Corner (3) (3) (4) Alexander City, AL Tampa, FL Lilburn, GA Lilburn, GA Norfolk, VA Norfolk, VA Richmond, VA Richmond, VA Lexington, KY Mauldin, SC Henderson, NC Onley, VA Clover, SC Columbia, SC Courtland, VA Conyers, GA Morristown, TN Boiling Springs, SC Darien, GA Columbia, SC Edenton, NC Charleston, SC Tullahoma, TN Rincon, GA Stockbridge, GA Kittanning, PA Franklinton, NC Georgetown, SC Orangeburg, SC Grove, OK Harrodsburg, KY Norfolk, VA Richmond, VA Ladson, SC LaGrange, GA Greenwood, SC Lexington, SC Pawleys Island, SC Lumberton, NC Moncks Corner, SC 96.1 % 100.0 % 90.4 % 100.0 % — % 42.0 % 85.5 % — % 100.0 % 98.2 % 97.0 % 96.5 % 100.0 % 14.4 % — % 95.7 % 100.0 % 39.5 % 100.0 % 100.0 % — % 100.0 % 80.3 % 95.1 % 100.0 % 98.7 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 97.7 % — % 79.0 % 84.8 % 97.5 % 97.2 % 96.9 % 87.5 % 96.9 % 87.3 % 86.4 % 100.0 % 77.6 % 100.0 % 90.4 % 100.0 % — % 42.0 % 85.5 % — % 100.0 % 94.9 % 97.0 % 96.5 % 100.0 % 14.4 % — % 95.7 % 100.0 % 39.5 % 100.0 % 100.0 % — % 100.0 % 79.4 % 95.1 % 100.0 % 94.9 % 93.0 % 100.0 % 97.7 % — % 79.0 % 84.6 % 97.5 % 97.2 % 96.9 % 87.5 % 96.9 % 87.3 % 86.4 % 100.0 % 117,843 $ 2,500 66,948 34,925 — 20,140 126,243 — 54,277 78,196 48,500 105,182 45,575 3,063 — 163,150 107,122 31,775 26,001 38,464 — 47,794 170,224 108,120 156,834 144,021 60,800 29,572 91,121 — 47,448 676,703 106,705 51,107 74,194 41,618 38,018 75,702 57,681 26,800 981 $ 83 1,160 456 — 183 1,099 — 594 811 478 795 373 81 — 855 940 429 156 319 — 730 1,223 1,048 1,324 1,195 558 267 699 — 404 8,084 982 487 429 332 236 901 435 323 8.32 33.00 17.32 13.07 — 9.10 8.70 — 10.95 10.38 9.85 7.56 8.18 26.60 — 5.24 8.78 13.49 6.00 8.28 — 15.26 7.18 9.69 8.44 8.30 9.17 9.04 7.67 — 8.52 11.95 9.21 9.53 5.78 7.98 6.20 11.91 7.55 12.07 15 1 28 4 — 10 18 — 10 15 8 12 10 1 — 12 4 16 1 2 — 5 25 19 19 25 13 2 13 — 6 109 20 14 13 6 4 19 11 1 151,843 2,500 74,038 34,925 — 47,945 147,738 — 54,277 82,400 50,000 108,982 45,575 21,273 — 170,475 107,122 80,435 26,001 38,464 — 47,794 214,451 113,652 156,834 151,821 65,366 29,572 93,265 — 60,048 800,026 109,405 52,607 76,594 47,546 39,218 86,740 66,781 26,800 6 Property Location Number of Tenants (1) Total Leasable Square Feet Percentage Leased (1) Percentage Occupied Total SF Occupied Annualized Base Rent (in 000's) (2) Annualized Base Rent per Occupied Sq. Foot Nashville Commons New Market Crossing Parkway Plaza Pierpont Centre Port Crossing Ridgeland Riverbridge Shopping Center Rivergate Shopping Center Sangaree Plaza Shoppes at Myrtle Park South Lake South Park South Square St. George Plaza Sunshine Plaza Surrey Plaza Tampa Festival Tri-County Plaza Tuckernuck Tulls Creek (3) Twin City Commons Village of Martinsville Walnut Hill Plaza Waterway Plaza Westland Square Winslow Plaza Total Portfolio Nashville, NC Mt. Airy, NC Brunswick, GA Morgantown, WV Harrisonburg, VA Ridgeland, SC Carrollton, GA Macon, GA Summerville, SC Bluffton, SC Lexington, SC Mullins, SC Lancaster, SC St. George, SC Lehigh Acres, FL Hawkinsville, GA Tampa, FL Royston, GA Richmond, VA Moyock, NC Batesburg Leesville, SC Martinsville, VA Petersburg, VA Little River, SC West Columbia, SC Sicklerville, NJ 12 10 4 15 8 1 12 30 8 13 6 3 5 6 23 3 19 7 13 — 5 17 6 10 11 18 756 56,100 117,076 52,365 111,162 65,365 20,029 91,188 201,680 66,948 56,601 44,318 60,734 44,350 59,279 111,189 42,680 137,987 67,577 93,624 — 47,680 290,902 87,239 49,750 62,735 40,695 5,561,766 100.0 % 89.0 % 81.7 % 88.4 % 97.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 73.8 % 87.4 % 99.3 % 91.2 % 83.2 % 81.0 % 92.3 % 100.0 % 96.5 % 71.9 % 94.1 % 90.6 % — % 100.0 % 94.5 % 38.1 % 100.0 % 95.7 % 100.0 % 88.9 % 100.0 % 89.0 % 81.7 % 88.4 % 97.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 73.8 % 87.4 % 99.3 % 16.3 % 83.2 % 74.2 % 78.8 % 100.0 % 96.5 % 64.6 % 94.1 % 90.6 % — % 100.0 % 94.0 % 38.1 % 100.0 % 95.7 % 100.0 % 87.1 % 56,100 $ 104,138 42,785 98,256 64,000 20,029 91,188 148,905 58,498 56,181 7,200 50,509 32,900 46,718 111,189 41,180 89,166 63,577 84,787 — 47,680 273,346 33,225 49,750 60,065 40,695 4,846,433 $ 623 $ 920 352 912 852 140 720 2,480 598 607 93 351 276 338 1,076 247 891 416 956 — 438 2,192 268 490 528 637 46,851 $ 11.11 8.84 8.22 9.28 13.31 7.00 7.89 16.66 10.23 10.81 12.98 6.95 8.39 7.23 9.67 6.00 9.99 6.55 11.27 — 9.18 8.02 8.06 9.85 8.78 15.65 9.67 (1) Reflects leases executed through January 6, 2021 that commence subsequent to the end of the current period. (2) Annualized based rent per occupied square foot, assumes base rent as of the end of the current reporting period, excludes the impact of tenant concessions and rent abatements. (3) This information is not available because the property is undeveloped. (4) Square footage is net of the Company's on-premise management office and net of building square footage whereby the Company only leases the land. 7 Major Tenants The following table sets forth information regarding the ten largest tenants in our operating portfolio based on annualized base rent as of December 31, 2020. (2) (1) Food Lion BI-LO Kroger Piggly Wiggly (1) Tenants 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Winn Dixie 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Planet Fitness Hobby Lobby BJ's Wholesale Club Harris Teeter Lowes Foods (2) Annualized Base Rent ($ in 000s) % of Total Annualized Base Rent Total Occupied Square Feet Percent Total Leasable Square Foot Base Rent Per Occupied Square Foot $ $ 2,733 2,729 1,355 1,322 887 837 717 651 578 572 12,381 5.83 % 5.82 % 2.89 % 2.82 % 1.89 % 1.79 % 1.53 % 1.39 % 1.23 % 1.22 % 26.41 % 325,576 380,675 186,064 169,750 133,575 100,427 114,298 147,400 39,946 54,838 1,652,549 5.85 % $ 6.84 % 3.35 % 3.05 % 2.40 % 1.81 % 2.06 % 2.65 % 0.72 % 0.99 % 29.72 % $ 8.39 7.17 7.28 7.79 6.64 8.33 6.27 4.42 14.47 10.43 7.49 (1) These tenants are both owned by Southeastern Grocers. (2) These tenants are both owned by The Kroger Company. Lease Expirations The following table sets forth information with respect to the lease expirations of our properties as of December 31, 2020. Total Expiring Square Footage % of Total Expiring Square Footage % of Total Occupied Square Footage Expiring Lease Expiration Period Available Month-to-Month 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 and thereafter Total Number of Expiring Leases — 11 106 126 133 107 104 68 26 21 16 38 756 715,333 24,063 363,594 509,280 870,708 665,560 787,608 650,641 164,815 331,609 114,020 364,535 5,561,766 12.86 % 0.43 % 6.54 % 9.16 % 15.66 % 11.97 % 14.16 % 11.70 % 2.96 % 5.96 % 2.05 % 6.55 % 100.00 % 8 Expiring Annualized Base Rent (in 000s) — 296 3,820 5,460 7,675 6,373 7,874 5,807 1,988 2,336 1,143 4,079 46,851 — % $ 0.50 % 7.50 % 10.51 % 17.97 % 13.73 % 16.25 % 13.43 % 3.40 % 6.84 % 2.35 % 7.52 % 100.00 % $ % of Total Annualized Base Rent Expiring Base Rent Per Occupied Square Foot — % $ 0.63 % 8.15 % 11.65 % 16.38 % 13.60 % 16.81 % 12.39 % 4.24 % 4.99 % 2.44 % 8.72 % 100.00 % $ — 12.30 10.51 10.72 8.81 9.58 10.00 8.93 12.06 7.04 10.02 11.19 9.67 Property Management and Leasing Strategy We self-administer our property management and substantially all of our leasing activities and operating and administrative functions (including leasing, legal, acquisitions, development, data processing, finance and accounting). On-site functions such as maintenance, landscaping, sweeping, plumbing and electrical are subcontracted out at each location and, to the extent permitted by their respective leases, the cost of these functions is passed on to the tenants. We believe that focused property management, leasing and customer retention are essential to maximizing the sales per square foot, operating cash flow and value of our properties. Our primary goal in property management is to maintain an attractive shopping environment on a cost effective basis for our tenants. The majority of our property management and leasing functions are supervised and administered by us. We maintain regular contact with our tenants and frequently visit each asset to ensure the proper implementation and execution of our market strategies. As part of our ongoing property management, we conduct regular physical property reviews to improve our properties, react to changing market conditions and ensure proper maintenance. Our leasing representatives are experienced in the markets in which we operate by becoming familiar with current tenants as well as potential local, regional and national tenants that would complement our current tenant base. We study demographics, customer sales and merchandising mix to optimize the sales performance of our centers and thereby increase rents. We believe this hands-on approach maximizes the value of our shopping centers. Item 3. Legal Proceedings. See Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies, to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Part II Market Information. Our Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “WHLR”. Approximate Number of Holders of Our Common Stock As of March 16, 2021 there were 144 holders of record of our Common Stock. This number excludes stockholders whose stock is held in nominee or street name by brokers. Dividend Policy In March 2018, the Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends on our Common Stock. The Board of Directors also suspended the quarterly dividends on shares of our Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred, beginning with the three months ended December 31, 2018. Dividends were suspended to retain cash flow to pay operating expenses and reduce debt. Additionally, as the Company has failed to pay cash dividends on the outstanding Series D Preferred, the annual dividend rate on the Series D Preferred has increased to 10.75%; commencing on the first day after the first missed quarterly payment, January 1, 2019 and will continue until such time as the Company has paid all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series D Preferred in full. See Note 8, Equity and Mezzanine Equity, to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. As a result of the dividend suspension on the Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred, no dividends may be declared or paid on the Common Stock until all accumulated accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stocks have been declared and paid in full. At this time, we can provide no certainty as to when or if dividends will be reinstated. However, we intend to make all required dividend distributions, if any, that will enable us to 9 maintain our REIT status and to eliminate or minimize our obligation to pay income and excise taxes. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Future Liquidity Needs.” Operating Partnership Purchase of Stock On September 22, 2020, the Operating Partnership purchased 71,343 shares of Series D Preferred at $15.50 per share from an unaffiliated investor in an unsolicited offer. Tender Offer On December 23, 2020, the Company announced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer to purchase up to $19.00 million in shares of its Series D Preferred at a price not greater than $18.00 nor less than $15.50 per Series D Preferred Share, to the sellers in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the Company announced, that the value of Series D Preferred Shares that the Company was offering to purchase increased from $19.00 million to $20.00 million and the tender offer was extended to February 16, 2021. On February 17, 2021, the Company announced the tender offer was further extended to March 12, 2021 and the value of Series D Preferred Shares that the Company was offering to purchase decreased from $20.00 million to $6.00 million. The tender offer expired, in accordance with its terms, on March 12, 2021. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer and based on the final count, the Company accepted for purchase 387,097 Series D Preferred Shares at a purchase price of $15.50 per share, for an aggregate cost of $6.00 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. Item 6. Selected Financial Data. Not applicable. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. For more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information, you should read the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. Company Overview We are a Maryland corporation focused on owning, leasing and operating income producing strip centers, neighborhood centers, grocery-anchored centers, community centers and free-standing retail properties. We have targeted competitively protected properties located within developed areas, commonly referred to as in-fill, that possess minimal competition risk and are surrounded by communities that have strong demographics and dynamic, diversified economies that will continue to generate jobs and future demand for commercial real estate. Our primary target markets include the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Our portfolio is comprised of sixty retail shopping centers and six undeveloped land parcels. Twelve of these properties are located in Virginia, three are located in Florida, seven are located in North Carolina, twenty-three are located in South Carolina, twelve are located in Georgia, two are located in Kentucky, two are located in Tennessee, one is located in New Jersey, one is located in Alabama, one is located in West Virginia, one is located in Oklahoma and one is located in Pennsylvania. The Company’s portfolio had total net rentable space of approximately 5,561,766 square feet and a leased level of approximately 88.9% at December 31, 2020. Recent Trends and Activities There have been several significant events in 2020 that have impacted our Company. These events are summarized below. 10 Impact of COVID-19 The following discussion is intended to provide stockholders with certain information regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business and management’s efforts to respond. Unless otherwise specified, the statistical and other information regarding the Company’s portfolio and tenants are estimates based on information available to the Company. As a result of the rapid development, fluidity and uncertainty surrounding this situation, the Company expects that such statistical and other information will change, potentially significantly, going forward and may not be indicative of the actual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, operations, cash flows and financial condition for future periods. The United States of America has been subject to significant economic disruption caused by the onset of COVID-19. Nearly every industry has been impacted directly or indirectly, and the U.S. retail market has come under severe pressure due to numerous factors, including preventative measures taken by local, state and federal authorities to alleviate the public health crisis such as mandatory business closures, quarantines, restrictions on travel and “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders at the state and local levels. These containment measures, which generally do not apply to businesses designated as “essential”, are affecting the operations of different categories of the Company’s base to varying degrees with, for example, grocery stores and pharmacies generally permitted to remain open and operational, restaurants generally limited to take-out and delivery services only and capacity restrictions while open, and non-essential businesses generally forced to close. There is uncertainty as to the time, date and extent to which these restrictions will be relaxed or lifted, businesses of tenants that have closed, either voluntarily or by mandate, will reopen or partially reopen. The properties are geographically located in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, which markets represented approximately 61%, 35% and 4%, respectively, of the total annualized base rent of the properties in our portfolio. Our operating portfolio contains retail shopping centers with a particular emphasis on grocery-anchored retail centers; grocers represent approximately 26% of total annualized base rent as of December 31, 2020. We generally lease our properties to national and regional retailers. The Company’s portfolio and tenants have been impacted as follows: • • • • • • The Company’s sixty retail shopping centers are open and operating. As of December 31, 2020, all of the Company’s shopping centers feature necessity-based tenants, with forty-three of the sixty properties anchored by grocery and/or drug stores. The Company agreed to lease modifications with nine tenants who declared bankruptcy, resulting in a weighted average rate decrease of 7.54% or $0.86 rate per square foot. Nine tenants vacated due to bankruptcy and three of these vacated tenants have been backfilled. Beginning in April 2020, the Company received certain rent relief requests, most often in the form of rent deferral requests, as a result of COVID-19. The Company evaluates each tenant rent relief request on an individual basis, considering a number of factors. Not all tenant requests ultimately result in concessions or modification of agreements, nor is the Company forgoing its contractual rights under its lease agreements. As a result, the Company granted 148 concessions as of March 5, 2021 and modified 72 leases as of December 31, 2020, with a weighted average rate increase of 3.53% and 3 year weighted average extension term. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company modified 4 leases at no rate change and five months weighted average extension term. The Company has received payment of 97% of contractual base rent and tenant reimbursements billed for the three months ended December 31, 2020, total 2020 collections were 99%. As of December 31, 2020, $257 thousand of accounts receivable relate to short term deferral of rents, a decrease of $132 thousand compared to September 30, 2020. The Company has taken a number of proactive measures to maintain the strength of its business and manage the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and liquidity, including the following: 11 • • • • Along with the Company’s tenants and the communities they serve, the health and safety of the Company’s employees and their families is a top priority. The Company has adapted its operations to protect employees, including implementing a work from home policy and the Company’s IT systems have enabled its team to work seamlessly. The Company is in constant communication with its tenants and sharing resources on how to identify local, state and federal resources that may be available to support their businesses and employees during the pandemic, including stimulus funds that may be available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The Company currently has approximately $7.66 million in cash and cash equivalents and an additional $35.11 million in restricted cash. Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s near and potential long-term impact on the Company’s business, and in order to preserve its liquidity position, the Company has continued its suspension of any dividend distributions. The Company derives revenues primarily from rents received from tenants under leases at the Company’s properties. The Company’s operating results therefore depend materially on the ability of its tenants to make required rental payments. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the businesses of the Company’s tenants, and the Company’s operations and financial condition, will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and such containment measures, among others. While the extent of the outbreak and its impact on the Company, its tenants and the U.S. retail market is uncertain, a prolonged crisis could result in continued disruptions in the credit and financial markets, continued high unemployment rates, low consumer confidence and consumer spending levels and overall poor global and U.S. economic conditions. The factors described above, as well as additional factors that the Company may not currently be aware of, could materially negatively impact the Company’s ability to collect rent and could lead to termination of leases by tenants, tenant bankruptcies, decreases in demand for retail space at the Company’s properties, difficulties in accessing capital, impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets and other impacts that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to stockholders. The comparability of the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 to future periods may be significantly impacted by the effects of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paycheck Protection Program The Company received proceeds of $552 thousand (the "PPP funds") pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The PPP funds were received in the form of a promissory note, dated April 24, 2020 (the “Promissory Note”), between the Company and KeyBank as the lender that matures on April 24, 2022 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 1% per annum, payable monthly commencing seven months from the date of the note. Under the terms of the PPP, the principal may be forgiven if the proceeds are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act, such as payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. On January 8, 2021, KeyBank notified the Company that the PPP Promissory Note application for forgiveness has been approved. Assets Held for Sale and Dispositions At December 31, 2020, assets held for sale included Columbia Fire Station, Berkley Shopping Center, a .75 acre land parcel at Berkley and two outparcels at Rivergate Shopping Center, as the Company has committed to a plan to sell each property. The Company recorded $600 thousand impairment expense for Columbia Fire Station for the year ended December 31, 2020 reducing the carrying value for the amounts that exceeded the property's fair value less estimated selling costs. 12 Disposal Date Property Contract Price Gain (Loss) (in thousands) Net Sales Proceeds December 31, 2020 January 21, 2020 Riversedge North - Virginia Beach, VA St. Matthews - St. Matthews, SC $ 3,000 $ 1,775 49 $ (26) 2,843 1,665 On December 31, 2020, the Company sold its corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach to an unrelated party and simultaneously leased the building for ten years at an annual base rent of $265 thousand, plus taxes and other operating and maintenance expenses. The transaction qualified for sale leaseback accounting in accordance with ASC 842. As a result of this transaction, a gain of $49 thousand was recognized, which is included in "gain on disposal of properties" on the consolidated statements of operations with the remaining gain of $725 thousand deferred over the life of the lease and the net cash proceeds were approximately $1.10 million after transaction costs and repayment of the outstanding mortgage. Powerscourt Financing Agreement On December 22, 2020, the Company entered into a financing agreement (the "Powerscourt Financing Agreement") with Powerscourt Investments XXII, LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The Powerscourt Financing Agreement provides for a term loan in the aggregate principal of $25.00 million. The proceeds of the Powerscourt Financing Agreement are intended for the following: (i) to paydown the Company’s indebtedness on the KeyBank Credit Agreement, (ii) to redeem certain shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Powerscourt Financing Agreement. The Powerscourt Financing Agreement is at a rate of 13.50% and matures on March 31, 2023 with quarterly interest only payments beginning on January 15, 2021. In conjunction with the Powerscourt Financing Agreement, the Company issued to Powerscourt XXII, LP a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 496,415 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (see the “Powerscourt Warrant Agreement” below). Powerscourt Warrant Agreement Pursuant to Powerscourt Financing Agreement, the Company issued Powerscourt Investments XXII, LP, a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 496,415 shares of Common Stock for $3.12 per share (the “Powerscourt Warrant Agreement”). The Warrant is exercisable at the option of its holder in whole or in part into shares of Common Stock from time to time on or after December 22, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) and before the date that is the 36-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The Powerscourt Warrant Agreement contains terms and features that give rise to derivative liability classification. The Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at the date of commitment. Significant observable and unobservable inputs include stock price, conversion price, annual risk free rate, term, likelihood of an event of contractual conversion and expected volatility. The Monte Carlo simulation is a Level 3 valuation technique because it requires the development of significant internal assumptions in addition to observable market indicators. The warrants were valued at approximately $594 thousand and the Company recorded a liability included on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 6 included in this Form 10-K for additional details. KeyBank Credit Agreement On January 24, 2020, the Company and KeyBank entered into a Second Amendment to the KeyBank Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment"), effective December 21, 2019. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Company began making monthly principal payments of $350 thousand on November 1, 2019. The Second Amendment, among other provisions, requires a pledge of additional collateral of $15.00 million in residual equity interests and staggered maturity dates with an ultimate maturity of June 30, 2020. On July 21, 2020, the Company and KeyBank entered into a Third Amendment to the KeyBank Credit Agreement (the "Third Amendment"). The Third Amendment, among other provisions, reduces the pledge of additional collateral by two properties and extends the maturity to December 31, 2020. The KeyBank Credit Agreement was paid in full as of December 22, 2020. The following collateralized portions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement had principal paydowns associated with each refinancing as noted below: • $1.78 million paydown from St. Matthews sale proceeds on January 21, 2020; 13 • • • • $5.75 million paydown from Shoppes at Myrtle Park refinancing proceeds on January 23, 2020; $2.50 million paydown from cash released to the Company from restricted cash accounts on May 20, 2020; $1.00 million paydown on November 12, 2020; $3.00 million final paydown from Powerscourt Financing Agreement proceeds on December 22, 2020. Columbia Fire Station Extension Effective September 3, 2020, the Company extended the Columbia Fire Station promissory note ("Columbia Fire Station Loan") to December 3, 2020, with the monthly principal payment increasing $20 thousand for a total monthly principal and interest payment of $46 thousand beginning on October 3, 2020. On December 7, 2020, the Company received a letter demanding payment in full from Pinnacle Bank for all amounts due under Columbia Fire Station Loan and the interest rate increased to 14%, the default rate. On December 29, 2020, Pinnacle Bank filed a suit against the Company, guarantor. On January 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement (the "Forbearance Agreement") with Pinnacle Bank at an interest rate of 14% and made a $500 thousand principal payment. The Forbearance Agreement, among other provisions, extends the maturity date of the Columbia Fire Station Loan to July 21, 2021 and waives all defaults and late fees existing prior to the Forbearance Agreement. Operating Partnership Purchase of Stock On September 22, 2020, the Operating Partnership purchased 71,343 shares of Series D Preferred from an unaffiliated investor at $15.50 per share. These shares are deemed to be retired on the consolidated financial statements. Preferred Dividends At December 31, 2020, the Company had accumulated undeclared dividends of $30.51 million to holders of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock of which $13.85 million is attributable to the year ended December 31, 2020. 14 New Leases, Leasing Renewals and Expirations The following table presents selected lease activity statistics for our properties. (1) : Renewals Leases renewed with rate increase (sq feet) Leases renewed with rate decrease (sq feet) Leases renewed with no rate change (sq feet) Total leases renewed (sq feet) Leases renewed with rate increase (count) Leases renewed with rate decrease (count) Leases renewed with no rate change (count) Total leases renewed (count) Option exercised (count) Weighted average on rate increases (per sq foot) Weighted average on rate decreases (per sq foot) Weighted average rate (per sq foot) Weighted average change over prior rates Weighted average change over prior rates, excluding bankruptcy negotiations (1) (2) : New Leases New leases (sq feet) New leases (count) Weighted average rate (per sq foot) Years Ended December 31, (3) 2020 2019 616,548 123,935 404,428 1,144,911 685,124 52,282 298,611 1,036,017 127 24 53 204 22 1.12 (1.43) 0.45 4.63 % 5.58 % 333,279 72 9.03 $ $ $ $ 116 12 21 149 38 0.68 (2.25) 0.34 4.17 % 117,605 43 12.82 $ $ $ $ Gross Leasable Area ("GLA") expiring during the next 12 months, including month-to-month leases 6.97 % 13.10 % (1) Lease data presented is based on average rate per square foot over the renewed or new lease term. (2) The Company does not include ground leases entered into for the purposes of new lease sq feet and weighted average rate (per sq foot) on new leases. (3) Includes transactions related to bankruptcy negotiations, unless otherwise noted. Critical Accounting Policies The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. 15 The critical accounting policies summarized in this section are discussed in further detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We believe that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition. Revenue Recognition Principal components of our total revenues include base and percentage rents and tenant reimbursements. The Company combines lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent and tenant reimbursement revenue. We accrue minimum (base) rent on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases which results in an unbilled rent asset or deferred rent liability being recorded on the balance sheet. Certain lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on tenants’ sales volumes (contingent or percentage rent) which we recognize when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements. We periodically review the valuation of the asset/liability resulting from the straight-line accounting treatment of our leases in light of any changes in lease terms, financial condition or other factors concerning our tenants. Rents and Other Tenant Receivables We record a tenant receivable for amounts due from tenants such as base rents, tenant reimbursements and other charges allowed under the lease terms. We periodically review tenant receivables for collectability and determine the need for an allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and other accounts receivable based upon customer creditworthiness (including expected recovery of a claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels and current economic trends. We consider a receivable past due once it becomes delinquent per the terms of the lease; our standard lease form considers a rent charge past due after five days. A past due receivable triggers certain events such as notices, fees and other allowable and required actions per the lease. Upon adoption of ASC Topic 842 "Leases," reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded and reclassified to "rental revenues". Prior to adoption, reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded as an operating expense, provision for credit losses. The standard also provides guidance on calculating reserves; however, those did not impact the Company. Beginning in April 2020, the Company received certain rent relief requests, most often in the form of rent deferral requests, as a result of COVID-19. The Company evaluates each tenant rent relief request on an individual basis, considering a number of factors. Not all tenant requests ultimately result in concessions or modification of agreements, nor is the Company forgoing its contractual rights under its lease agreements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued a question-and- answer document (the “Lease Modification Q&A”) focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of COVID-19. The Lease Modification Q&A clarifies that entities may elect to treat qualifying lease concessions as if they were based on enforceable rights and obligations, and may choose to apply or not to apply modification accounting to those qualifying concessions. Qualifying concessions must be in response to COVID-19 and not have a substantial increase in the lessee’s obligation or the lessor’s rights under the contract. The Company has elected not to apply ASC 842 modification guidance for concessions that did not increase the lease term, generally these concessions do not impact the overall economics of the lease. Concessions that extend the lease term are accounted for under ASC 842, lease modification guidance. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We periodically review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable, with an evaluation performed at least annually. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in the property’s cash flows, occupancy and fair market value. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted future operating income before depreciation and amortization, plus its residual value, is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We estimate fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates or multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. 16 The Company may decide to sell properties. Properties classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell an impairment expense is recognized. The Company estimates fair value, less estimated closing costs based on similar real estate sales transactions. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 and 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company recognized $600 thousand and $1.60 million of impairment expense to its assets held for sale for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources At December 31, 2020, our consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $42.77 million compared to consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $21.59 million at December 31, 2019. Cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands): Operating activities Investing activities Financing activities Operating Activities Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Year Over Year Change $ % $ $ $ 15,780 $ 2,237 $ 3,160 $ 15,253 $ 868 $ (12,529) $ 527 1,369 15,689 3.46 % 157.72 % 125.22 % During the year ended December 31, 2020, our cash flows from operating activities were $15.78 million, compared to cash flows from operating activities of $15.25 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of 3.46% or $527 thousand. This increase is primarily a result of the decrease in interest expense and corporate general and administrative expense, partially offset by the increase in accounts receivables due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the portfolio, a decrease in property net operating income ("NOI") of $2.07 million and the timing of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and deferred costs and other assets. Investing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2020, our cash flows from investing activities were $2.24 million, compared to cash flows from investing activities of $868 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of 157.72% or $1.37 million primarily due to the 2020 sales of St. Matthews and Riversedge North compared to the three properties sold in 2019, sale of Harbor Pointe land parcel and a decrease in capital expenditures of $440 thousand primarily related to fewer tenant improvement projects in 2020. Financing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2020, our cash flows from financing activities were $3.16 million, compared to $12.53 million of cash flows used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019, representing an increase of 125.22% or $15.69 million due to the following: • • • • • $11.92 million decrease in loan principal payments primarily as a result of the 2020 Shoppes at Myrtle Park and Folly Road refinances, the St. Matthews sale and pay- down of the KeyBank Credit Agreement, offset by the three properties sold in 2019 and the 2019 payoff of the Revere Term Loan and Senior Convertible Notes in addition to the Village of Martinsville, Laburnum Square and Litchfield Market Village refinances; $6.69 million increase in loan proceeds due to the Shoppes at Myrtle Park and Folly Road refinances and Powerscourt Financing Agreement occurring in 2020 offset by the 2019 Village of Martinsville, Laburnum Square and Litchfield Market Village refinances; $552 thousand increase in proceeds from PPP funds as detailed in Note 2; partially offset by $2.36 million increase in deferred financing costs primarily related to the Powerscourt Financing Agreement; and $1.11 million increase in preferred stock redemption. 17 We intend to continue managing our debt prudently so as to maintain a conservative capital structure and minimize leverage within our company. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our debt balances, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, consisted of the following (in thousands): Fixed-rate notes Adjustable-rate mortgages Fixed-rate notes, assets held for sale Floating-rate line of credit (1) (1) Total debt (1) Includes portion attributable to liabilities held for sale, see Note 3 included in this Form 10-K. December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 323,868 $ 23,576 6,472 — 353,916 $ 305,017 24,163 — 17,879 347,059 The weighted average interest rate and term of our fixed-rate debt including liabilities held for sale are 5.46% and 3.79 years, respectively, at December 31, 2020. We have $43.93 million of debt maturing, including scheduled principal repayments, during the year ending December 31, 2021. While we anticipate being able to refinance all the loans at reasonable market terms upon maturity, our inability to do so may materially impact our financial position and results of operations. See Note 6 included in this Form 10-K for additional mortgage indebtedness details. Future Liquidity Needs The primary liquidity needs of the Company, in addition to the funding of our ongoing operations, at December 31, 2020 are $43.93 million in debt maturities and principal payments due in the year ended December 31, 2021 as described in Note 6 on this Form 10-K. Included in the $43.93 million are 6 loans collateralized by 7 properties within our portfolio. The Company plans to pay these obligations through a combination of refinances, dispositions and operating cash. Management intends to refinance or extend the remaining maturing debt as it comes due. In addition to liquidity required to fund debt payments we may incur some level of capital expenditures during the year for our existing properties that cannot be passed on to our tenants. As discussed above, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has adversely impacted states and cities where the Company’s tenants operate their businesses and where the Company’s properties are located. The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as the reduced economic activity severely impacts certain of the Company’s tenants’ businesses, financial condition and liquidity and may cause certain tenants to be unable to meet their obligations to the Company in full. Closures of stores operated by the Company’s tenants could reduce the Company’s cash flows. To meet these future liquidity needs: • • • $7.66 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020; $35.11 million held in lender reserves for the purpose of tenant improvements, lease commissions, real estate taxes, insurance and funds held for the 2020 tender offer at December 31, 2020; and intends to use cash generated from operations during the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition, the Board suspended Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred dividend payments beginning with the fourth quarter 2018 dividend. The Board plans to revisit the dividend payment policy with respect to the Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred on an ongoing basis. The Board believes that the dividend suspension will provide the Company approximately $3.44 million of additional funds per quarter to help meet its ongoing liquidity needs. Additionally, the Company plans to undertake measures to grow its operations and increase liquidity through backfilling vacant anchor spaces, replacing tenants who are in default of their lease terms, increasing future lease revenue through tenant improvements partially funded by restricted cash, disposition of assets and refinancing properties. Our success in refinancing the debt, and executing on our strategy will dictate our liquidity needs going forward. If we are unable to execute in these areas, our ability to grow and reinstate dividends may be limited without additional capital. 18 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements On September 1, 2011, the Grove Economic Development Authority issued the Grove Economic Development Authority Tax Increment Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2011 in the amount of $2.42 million, bearing a variable interest rate of 2.29%, not to exceed 14% and payable in 50 semi-annual installments. The proceeds of the bonds were to provide funding for the construction of public infrastructure and other site improvements and to be repaid by incremental additional property taxes generated by development. Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC, then owned by an affiliate of former CEO, Jon Wheeler, entered into an Economic Development Agreement with the Grove Economic Development Authority for this infrastructure development and in the event the ad valorem taxes were insufficient to cover annual debt service, Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC would reimburse the Grove Economic Development Authority (the “Harbor Pointe Agreement”). In 2014, Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC was acquired by the Company. The total debt service shortfall over the life of the bond is uncertain as it is based on ad valorem taxes, assessed property values, property tax rates, LIBOR and future potential development ranging until 2036. The Company’s future total principal obligation under the Harbor Pointe Agreement will be no more than $2.21 million, the principal amount of the bonds, as of December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company may have an interest obligation on the note based on the principal balance and LIBOR rates in effect at future payment dates. In 2020 and 2019, we funded approximately $0 thousand and $79 thousand, respectively in debt service shortfalls. No amounts have been accrued for this as of December 31, 2020 as a reasonable estimate of future debt service shortfalls cannot be determined based on variables noted above. As of December 31, 2020, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than that noted above, that are likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources or capital expenditures. Inflation, Deflation and Economic Condition Considerations Inflation has been historically low and has had a minimal impact on the operating performance of our shopping centers; however, inflation may become a greater concern in the near future. Most of our leases contain provisions designed to partially mitigate the impact of inflation, which require tenants to pay their pro-rata share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and utilities, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation, although some tenants have capped the amount of these operating expenses they are responsible for under the lease. A small number of our leases also include percentage rent clauses enabling us to receive additional rent based on tenant sales above a predetermined level, which sales generally increase as prices rise and are typically related to increases in the Consumer Price Index or similar inflation indices. In addition, many of our leases are for terms of less than ten years, which permits us to seek increased rents upon re-rental at market rates. However, during deflationary periods or periods of economic weakness, minimum rents and percentage rents will decline as the supply of available retail space exceeds demand and consumer spending declines. Occupancy declines will result in lower recovery rates of our operating expenses. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page 35 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 19 Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019 Results of Operations The following table presents a comparison of the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively (in thousands, except Property Data). PROPERTY DATA: Number of properties owned and leased at period end Aggregate gross leasable area at period end Ending leased rate at period end (1) (1) (1) FINANCIAL DATA: Rental revenues Other revenues Total Revenue EXPENSES: Property operations Non-REIT management and leasing services Depreciation and amortization Impairment of notes receivable Impairment of assets held for sale Corporate general & administrative Total Operating Expenses Gain on disposal of properties Operating Income Interest expense Other expense Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Wheeler REIT (1) Excludes the undeveloped land parcels. Includes assets held for sale. Total Revenue For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Year over Year Changes $/# % 60 5,561,766 88.9 % 61 5,618,877 89.8 % (1) (57,111) (0.9)% $ $ 60,039 964 61,003 18,886 — 17,291 — 600 5,831 42,608 23 18,418 (17,092) (1,039) 287 — 287 42 245 $ $ 62,442 720 63,162 19,127 25 21,319 5,000 1,598 6,633 53,702 1,394 10,854 (18,983) — (8,129) (15) (8,144) (105) (8,039) $ $ (2,403) 244 (2,159) (241) (25) (4,028) (5,000) (998) (802) (11,094) (1,371) 7,564 1,891 (1,039) 8,416 15 8,431 147 8,284 (1.64)% (1.02)% (1.00)% (3.85)% 33.89 % (3.42)% (1.26)% (100.00)% (18.89)% (100.00)% (62.45)% (12.09)% (20.66)% (98.35)% 69.69 % 9.96 % (100.00)% 103.53 % 100.00 % 103.52 % 140.00 % 103.05 % Total revenue was $61.00 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $63.16 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing a decrease of 3.42% primarily due to sold properties, three new anchor vacancies of which two were backfilled with rent commencing in 2021 and an increase in the credit loss on operating receivables driven by higher accounts receivable due to impacts of COVID-19 on the portfolio. These negative impacts were partially offset by increases in straight-line rental revenues resulting from long-term lease extensions. See Same Store and Non-same Store Operating Income for further details about the changes within operating revenue. Total Operating Expenses Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $42.61 million compared to $53.70 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing a decrease of 20.66%. The decrease are primarily a result of decreases in impairments, depreciation and amortization and corporate general and administrative expense. Impairments decreased as a 20 result of the $5.00 million impairment of the Sea Turtle notes receivable and $1.00 million decrease in impairment of assets held for sale, Perimeter Square and St. Matthews impaired in 2019 compared to Columbia Fire Station impairment in 2020. Depreciation and amortization decreased $4.03 million primarily as a result of lease intangibles becoming fully amortized and ceasing of depreciation and amortization as properties were classified as available held for sale. Corporate general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased 12.09% or $802 thousand, as a result of the following: • • • $402 thousand decrease in compensation and benefits primarily driven by a reduction in personnel and decrease in director's compensation; $159 thousand decrease in advertising costs for leasing activities related to cancellation of conferences due to COVID-19; and $154 thousand decrease in other expenses primarily associated with a reduction in taxes and licenses and travel expenses, partially offset by an increase in debt financing costs associated with short term loan extensions. Gain on Disposal of Properties The gain on disposal of properties decrease of $1.37 million for the year months ended December 31, 2020 is a result of the 2020 sales of St. Matthews and Riversedge North, net of the 2019 demolition of an approximate 10,000 square foot outparcel at the JANAF property to make way for a new approximate 20,000 square foot building constructed by a grocer tenant, Aldi, and sales of Jenks Plaza, Graystone Crossing and Perimeter Square. Interest Expense Interest expense decreased $1.89 million or 9.96% for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $18.98 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is primarily attributable to a $12.86 reduction in loans payable from December 31, 2019 absent the Powerscourt Financing Agreement combined with lower loan cost amortization due to loan modifications and sold properties. Other Expenses Other expenses were $1.04 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Other expenses include $600 thousand in legal settlement costs and $439 thousand for reimbursement of the Stilwell Group's proxy solicitation expenses incurred in connection with the Company's 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. These expenses are non- operating in nature. Same Store and Non-same Store Operating Income NOI is a widely-used non-GAAP financial measure for REITs. The Company believes that NOI is a useful measure of the Company's property operating performance. The Company defines NOI as property revenues (rental and other revenues) less property and related expenses (property operation and maintenance and real estate taxes). Because NOI excludes general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes, gain or loss on sale or capital expenditures and leasing costs, impairment of assets held for sale and held for use and impairment of notes receivable, it provides a performance measure, that when compared year over year, reflects the revenues and expenses directly associated with owning and operating commercial real estate properties and the impact to operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. The Company uses NOI to evaluate its operating performance since NOI allows the Company to evaluate the impact of factors, such as occupancy levels, lease structure, lease rates and tenant base, have on the Company's results, margins and returns. NOI should not be viewed as a measure of the Company's overall financial performance since it does not reflect general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, involuntary conversion, interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes, gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets, and the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of the Company's properties. Other REITs may use different methodologies for calculating NOI, and accordingly, the Company's NOI may not be comparable to that of other REITs. The following table is a reconciliation of same and non-same store NOI from the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of net income (loss). Same stores consist of those properties owned during all periods presented in their 21 entirety, while non-same stores consist of those properties acquired or disposed of during the periods presented. The non-same store category consists of the following sold properties: • • Discontinued operations ◦ Harbor Pointe land parcel (sold February 7, 2019); Continuing operations ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Jenks Plaza (sold January 11, 2019); Graystone Crossing (sold March 18, 2019); Perimeter Square (sold July 12, 2019); and St. Matthews (sold January 21, 2020). Net Income (Loss) Adjustments: Income tax expense Other expense Interest expense Gain on disposal of properties Corporate general & administrative Impairment of assets held for sale Impairment of notes receivable Depreciation and amortization Non-REIT management and leasing services Other non-property revenue Property Net Operating Income Property revenues Property expenses Property Net Operating Income Property Revenues Same Store Years Ended December 31, Non-same Store Total 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 $ 285 $ (8,100) $ (in thousands) 2 $ (44) $ 287 $ (8,144) — 1,039 17,092 — 5,829 600 — 17,290 — (272) 41,863 60,721 18,858 41,863 $ $ $ 15 — 18,693 — 6,613 — 5,000 21,241 25 (125) 43,362 62,193 18,831 43,362 $ $ $ $ $ $ — — — (23) 2 — — 1 — — (18) $ $ 10 28 (18) $ — — 290 (1,394) 20 1,598 — 78 — — 548 $ 844 $ 296 548 $ — 1,039 17,092 (23) 5,831 600 — 17,291 — (272) 41,845 60,731 18,886 41,845 $ $ $ 15 — 18,983 (1,394) 6,633 1,598 5,000 21,319 25 (125) 43,910 63,037 19,127 43,910 Total same store property revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased to $60.72 million compared to $62.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing a decrease of 2.37% primarily due to: • • • • $1.33 million decrease in rental revenues due to three new anchor vacancies of which two were backfilled with rent commencing in 2021; $602 thousand increase in the credit loss on operating receivables driven by higher accounts receivable due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the portfolio; $267 thousand decrease in above (below) market lease amortization related to leases becoming fully amortized; partially offset by $783 thousand increase in straight-line rental revenues resulting from long-term lease extensions. Property Expenses Total same store property expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 remained relatively consistent at $18.86 million, compared to $18.83 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Property expenses had an increase of $400 22 thousand in insurance that was, partially offset by a decrease of $326 thousand in common area maintenance expenses and real estate taxes. There were no significant unusual or non-recurring items included in non-same store property expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Property Net Operating Income Total property net operating income was $41.85 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $43.91 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 representing a decrease of 4.70%. Same stores accounted for decreases of $1.50 million, while non-same stores had a decrease of $566 thousand, resulting from the loss of NOI associated with sold properties. Funds from Operations (FFO) We use FFO, a non-GAAP measure, as an alternative measure of our operating performance, specifically as it relates to results of operations and liquidity. We compute FFO in accordance with standards established by the Board of Governors of NAREIT in its March 1995 White Paper (as amended in November 1999, April 2002 and December 2018). As defined by NAREIT, FFO represents net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of loan origination costs), impairment of real estate related long-lived assets and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Most industry analysts and equity REITs, including us, consider FFO to be an appropriate supplemental measure of operating performance because, by excluding gains or losses on dispositions and excluding depreciation, FFO is a helpful tool that can assist in the comparison of the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods, or as compared to different companies. Management uses FFO as a supplemental measure to conduct and evaluate our business because there are certain limitations associated with using GAAP net income alone as the primary measure of our operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, while historically real estate values have risen or fallen with market conditions. Accordingly, we believe FFO provides a valuable alternative measurement tool to GAAP when presenting our operating results. Below is a comparison of same and non-same store FFO, which is a non-GAAP measurement, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: Same Store Non-same Store Total 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Year Over Year Changes $ % Years Ended December 31, Net Income (loss) Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets Impairment of assets held for sale Gain on disposal of properties FFO $ $ 285 $ (8,100) $ 2 $ (44) $ 287 $ (8,144) $ 17,290 600 — 18,175 $ 21,241 — — 13,141 $ 1 — (23) (20) $ 78 1,598 (1,394) 238 $ 17,291 600 (23) 18,155 $ 21,319 1,598 (1,394) 13,379 $ 8,431 (4,028) (998) 1,371 4,776 103.52 % (18.89)% (62.45)% 98.35 % 35.70 % During the year ended December 31, 2020, same store FFO increased $5.03 million primarily due to the following: • • • • • $5.00 million decrease in impairment of notes receivable; $1.60 million decrease in interest expense $784 thousand decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses; partially offset by $1.04 million increase in other expense for legal settlements and reimbursement of 2019 proxy costs; and $1.50 million decrease in property net operating income. We believe the computation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT's definition includes certain items that are not indicative of the results provided by our operating portfolio and affect the comparability of our period-over-period performance. These items include, but are not limited to, legal settlements, non-cash share-based compensation expense, non-cash amortization on loans and acquisition costs. Therefore, in addition to FFO, management uses Adjusted FFO ("AFFO"), which 23 we define to exclude such items. Management believes that these adjustments are appropriate in determining AFFO as they are not indicative of the operating performance of our assets. In addition, we believe that AFFO is a useful supplemental measure for the investing community to use in comparing us to other REITs as many REITs provide some form of adjusted or modified FFO. However, there can be no assurance that AFFO presented by us is comparable to the adjusted or modified FFO of other REITs. Total AFFO for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the table below (in thousands): FFO Preferred stock dividends - undeclared Preferred stock redemption Preferred stock accretion adjustments FFO available to common stockholders and common unitholders Impairment of notes receivable Acquisition and development costs Capital related costs Other non-recurring and non-cash expenses Share-based compensation Straight-line rental revenue, net straight-line expense Loan cost amortization (Below) above market lease amortization Recurring capital expenditures and tenant improvement reserves AFFO Years Ended December 31, 2019 2020 $ $ 18,155 $ (14,528) 96 677 4,400 — — 291 1,085 — (971) 1,097 (461) (1,112) 4,329 $ 13,379 (14,629) — 680 (570) 5,000 26 144 42 2 6 1,707 (1,261) (1,126) 3,970 Impairment on notes receivable during the year ended December 31, 2019 is due to the impairment of the notes receivable related to Sea Turtle and is not indicative of our core portfolio of properties and future operations. Other non-recurring and non-cash expenses are costs we believe will not be incurred on a go forward basis. Other non-recurring expenses during year ended December 31, 2020 include $600 thousand in legal settlement costs, $439 thousand for reimbursement of the Stilwell Group's proxy solicitation expenses incurred in connection with the Company's 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and $51 thousand for severance. During the year ended December 31, 2019, other non-recurring expenses were for severance, vacation accrual and one-time fees we believe will not be incurred on a go forward basis. The preferred stock redemption represents the retirement of the undeclared dividends during the year ended December 31, 2020 associated with the Operating Partnership purchasing 71,343 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock from an unaffiliated investor. These shares are considered retired on the consolidated financial statements. The preferred stock accretion adjustments represent the amortization of offering costs associated with raising the Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Not applicable. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The information required by this Item 8 is incorporated by reference to our Financial Statements beginning on page 30 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. None. 24 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our company’s management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020 (the end of the period covered by this Annual Report). Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: • • • pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our Board of Directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting is evaluated on a regular basis by personnel in our organization. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our internal control over financial reporting and to make modifications as necessary, as disclosure and internal controls are intended to be dynamic systems that change (including improvements and corrections) as conditions warrant. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, utilizing the framework established in “INTERNAL CONTROL-INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based on this assessment, management has determined that our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 were effective. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management's report in this Annual Report. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2020 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting. 25 Item 9B. Other Information. Not applicable. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. PART III Except as set forth below, the information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting (our “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company has adopted an ethics code of conduct applicable to the directors, officers and employees. A copy of that code is available on the Company’s corporate website at www.whlr.us, which does not form a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any amendments to such code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be posted on our website. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information required by this Item will be contained in our Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. Except as set forth below, the information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2020 regarding our compensation plans and the Common Stock we may issue under the plan. Plan Category Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders Total (1) Equity Compensation Plan Information Table Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans — — — — — — 173,811 — 173,811 (1) Includes our 2015 and 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plans, which authorized a maximum of 125,000 and 625,000 shares, respectively, of our Common Stock for issue. Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. The information required by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. The information by this item will be contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV 26 Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. 1. Financial Statements. The financial statements filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are as follows: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Operations Consolidated Statements of Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 2. Financial Statement Schedules. a. b. Schedule II- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule III- Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Page 28 30 31 32 33 34 All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information of such schedules is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require a schedule or is included in the consolidated financial statements. 3. Exhibits. See the Exhibit Index at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference. 27 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Board of Directors and Stockholders Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Virginia Beach, Virginia Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinion These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Evaluation of Investment Properties for Impairment Description of Matter At December 31, 2020, the Company’s investment properties totaled $392.7 million. As more fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates its investment properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable, but at least annually. Management evaluates various qualitative factors in determining whether or not events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment property may not be recoverable. 28 Auditing the Company’s impairment assessment involved subjectivity due to the estimation required to assess significant assumptions utilized in estimating the recoverability of the investment properties based on undiscounted operating income and residual values, such as assumptions related to renewal and renegotiations of current leases, estimates of new leases on vacant spaces, and estimates of operating costs. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit To test the Company’s evaluation of investment properties for impairment, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies applied, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by management in its analysis. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to relevant market information and other applicable sources. In addition, we compared the forecasted future cash flows and operating income before depreciation and amortization to historical actual results and evaluated significant variances. As part of our evaluation, we assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the undiscounted cash flows of the related investment property that would result from changes in the assumptions. /s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012. Virginia Beach, Virginia March 18, 2021 29 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except par value and share data) ASSETS: Investment properties, net Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Rents and other tenant receivables, net Assets held for sale Above market lease intangibles, net Operating lease right-of-use assets Deferred costs and other assets, net Total Assets LIABILITIES: Loans payable, net Liabilities associated with assets held for sale Below market lease intangibles, net Warrant liability Operating lease liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Total Liabilities Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (no par value, 4,000,000 shares authorized, 3,529,293 and 3,600,636 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; $109.13 million and $101.66 million aggregate liquidation preference, respectively) EQUITY: Series A Preferred Stock (no par value, 4,500 shares authorized, 562 shares issued and outstanding) Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (no par value, 5,000,000 authorized, 1,875,748 shares issued and outstanding; $46.90 million aggregate liquidation preference) Common Stock ($0.01 par value, 18,750,000 shares authorized, 9,703,874 and 9,694,284 shares issued and outstanding, respectively) Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Total Stockholders’ Equity Noncontrolling interests Total Equity Total Liabilities and Equity See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 30 December 31, 2020 2019 392,664 $ 7,660 35,108 9,153 13,072 3,547 12,745 15,430 489,379 $ 334,266 $ 13,124 4,554 594 13,200 11,229 376,967 95,563 453 41,174 97 234,061 (260,867) 14,918 1,931 16,849 489,379 $ 416,215 5,451 16,140 6,905 1,737 5,241 11,651 21,025 484,365 340,913 2,026 6,716 — 11,921 9,557 371,133 87,225 453 41,087 97 233,870 (251,580) 23,927 2,080 26,007 484,365 $ $ $ $ Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data) REVENUE: Rental revenues Other revenues Total Revenue OPERATING EXPENSES: Property operations Non-REIT management and leasing services Depreciation and amortization Impairment of notes receivable Impairment of assets held for sale Corporate general & administrative Total Operating Expenses Gain on disposal of properties Operating Income Interest expense Other expense Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Wheeler REIT Preferred Stock dividends - undeclared Deemed contribution related to preferred stock redemption Net Loss Attributable to Wheeler REIT Common Stockholders Loss per share: Basic and Diluted Weighted-average number of shares: Basic and Diluted See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 31 Years Ended December 31, 2019 2020 60,039 $ 964 61,003 18,886 — 17,291 — 600 5,831 42,608 23 18,418 (17,092) (1,039) 287 — 287 42 245 (14,528) 726 (13,557) $ 62,442 720 63,162 19,127 25 21,319 5,000 1,598 6,633 53,702 1,394 10,854 (18,983) — (8,129) (15) (8,144) (105) (8,039) (14,629) — (22,668) (1.40) $ (2.34) 9,698,274 9,671,847 $ $ $ Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Equity (in thousands, except share data) Series A Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock Common Stock Shares Value Shares Value Shares Value Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Total Stockholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Units Value Equity 562 $ 453 1,875,748 $ 41,000 9,511,464 $ 95 $ 233,697 $ (233,184) $ 42,061 235,032 $ 2,194 $ 44,255 — — — 87 — — — 87 — — 87 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1,013 — 2 — 181,807 2 164 — — — — — — 7 — — — — — 97 — — — — (10,357) (8,039) (10,357) (8,039) 2 (1,013) (2) — — 166 (7) — — (105) (10,357) (8,144) — — — — 87 — — 87 21 (9,590) (21) — 166 7 170 562 453 1,875,748 41,087 9,694,284 233,870 (251,580) 23,927 234,019 2,080 26,007 — — — 87 — — — — — — 9,590 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 21 170 — — — — (10,258) (10,258) — — 726 245 726 245 — — — — (170) — — (10,258) — 42 726 287 562 $ 453 1,875,748 $ 41,174 9,703,874 $ 97 $ 234,061 $ (260,867) $ 14,918 224,429 $ 1,931 $ 16,849 Balance, December 31, 2018 Accretion of Series B Preferred Stock discount Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock Issuance of Common Stock under Share Incentive Plan Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in operating partnership Dividends and distributions Net Loss Balance, December 31, 2019 Accretion of Series B Preferred Stock discount Conversion of operating partnership units to Common Stock Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in operating partnership Dividends and distributions Preferred Stock redemption discount Net Income Balance, December 31, 2020 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 32 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income (Loss) Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation Amortization Loan cost amortization Above (below) market lease amortization, net Straight-line expense Share-based compensation Gain on disposal of properties Credit losses on operating lease receivables Impairment of notes receivable Impairment of assets held for sale Net changes in assets and liabilities: Rent and other tenant receivables, net Unbilled rent Deferred costs and other assets, net Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Net operating cash flows used in discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Investment property acquisitions Capital expenditures Cash received from disposal of properties Cash received from disposal of properties-discontinued operations Net cash provided by investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments for deferred financing costs Loan proceeds Loan principal payments Preferred stock redemption Paycheck Protection Program proceeds Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH , beginning of year CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of year Supplemental Disclosures: Non-cash Transactions: Conversion of common units to Common Stock Accretion of Preferred Stock discounts Deemed contribution related to preferred stock discount Other Cash Transactions: Cash paid for taxes Cash paid for interest The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 33 For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ 287 $ 11,317 5,974 1,097 (461) 184 — (23) 1,131 — 600 (2,402) (1,076) (661) (187) — 15,780 — (2,271) 4,508 — 2,237 (3,143) 38,350 (31,493) (1,106) 552 3,160 21,177 21,591 42,768 $ 21 677 726 15 15,889 7,660 35,108 42,768 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ (8,144) 12,020 9,299 1,707 (1,261) 188 2 (1,394) 449 5,000 1,598 (1,592) (100) (312) (2,205) (2) 15,253 (24) (2,711) 3,584 19 868 (779) 31,665 (43,415) — — (12,529) 3,592 17,999 21,591 2 680 — 6 17,379 5,451 16,140 21,591 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation and Consolidation Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Trust,” the “REIT,” or "Company") is a Maryland corporation formed on June 23, 2011. The Trust serves as the general partner of Wheeler REIT, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), which was formed as a Virginia limited partnership on April 5, 2012. As of December 31, 2020, the Trust, through the Operating Partnership, owned and operated sixty centers and six undeveloped properties. Twelve of these properties are located in Virginia, three are located in Florida, seven are located in North Carolina, twenty-three are located in South Carolina, twelve are located in Georgia, two are located in Kentucky, two are located in Tennessee, one is located in New Jersey, one is located in Alabama, one is located in West Virginia, one is located in Oklahoma and one is located in Pennsylvania. The Company’s portfolio had total net rentable space of approximately 5,561,766 square feet and a leased level of approximately 88.9% at December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the use of the word “Company” refers to the Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires. The Company includes the Trust, the Operating Partnership, the entities included in the REIT formation and the entities acquired since November 2012. The Company prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. All material balances and transactions between the consolidated entities of the Company have been eliminated. The Company owns, leases and operates income producing strip centers, neighborhood, grocery-anchored, community centers and free-standing retail properties with a strategy to acquire high quality retail properties that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Company targeted competitively protected properties in communities that have stable demographics and have historically exhibited favorable trends, such as strong population and income growth. The Company considers competitively protected properties to be located in the most prominent shopping districts in their respective markets, ideally situated at major “Main and Main” intersections. The Company generally leases its properties to national and regional supermarket chains and selects retailers that offer necessity and value oriented items and generate regular consumer traffic. The Company’s tenants carry goods that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, which it believes generates more predictable property-level cash flows. On October 24, 2014, the Trust, through the Operating Partnership, acquired (i) Wheeler Interests, LLC (“WI”), an acquisition and asset management firm, (ii) Wheeler Real Estate, LLC (“WRE”), a real estate leasing, management and administration firm and (iii) WHLR Management, LLC (“WM” and collectively with WI and WRE the “Operating Companies”), a real estate business operations firm resulting in the Company becoming an internally-managed REIT. Accordingly, the responsibility for identifying targeted real estate investments, the handling of the disposition of real estate investments, administering our day-to-day business operations, including but not limited to, leasing, property management, payroll and accounting functions, acquisitions, asset management and administration are now handled internally. The Operating Companies perform property management and leasing functions for certain related and non-related third parties (the “Non-REIT Properties”), primarily through WRE. The Company converted WRE to a Taxable REIT Subsidiary (“TRS”) to accommodate serving the Non-REIT Properties since applicable REIT regulations consider the income derived from these services to be “bad” income subject to taxation. The regulations allow for costs incurred by the Company commensurate with the services performed for the Non-REIT Properties to be allocated to a TRS. During January 2014, the Company acquired Wheeler Development, LLC (“WD”) and converted it to a TRS. The Company began performing development activities for both REIT Properties and Non-REIT Properties during 2015. 34 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investment Properties The Company records investment properties and related intangibles at fair value upon acquisition. Investment properties include both acquired and constructed assets. Improvements and major repairs and maintenance are capitalized when the repair and maintenance substantially extends the useful life, increases capacity or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest on projects during periods of construction until the projects reach the completion point that corresponds with their intended purpose. The Company allocates the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the asset based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, the Company may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and any intangible assets related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place leases the Company determines to exist. The Company determines fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends and specific market and economic conditions that may affect the property. Factors considered by management in the analysis of determining the as-if-vacant property value include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, tenant demand and other economic conditions. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related expenses. Intangibles related to out-of-market leases, tenant relationships and in-place lease value are recorded at fair value as acquired lease intangibles and are amortized as an adjustment to rental revenue or amortization expense, as appropriate, over the remaining terms of the underlying leases. The Company records depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally 5 to 40 years. The Company reviews depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and makes adjustments to reflect a shorter economic life, when necessary. Tenant allowances, tenant inducements and tenant improvements are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter. Amounts allocated to buildings are depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. The Company amortizes amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. The Company also estimates the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, and amortizes them over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles. The Company reviews investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable, but at least annually. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in the property’s cash flows, occupancy and fair market value. The Company measures any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted future operating income before depreciation and amortization, plus its residual value, is less than the carrying value of the property. Estimated undiscounted operating income before depreciation and amortization includes various Level 3 fair value assumptions including renewal and renegotiations of current leases, estimates of new leases on vacant spaces, estimates of operating costs and fluctuating market conditions. The renewal and renegotiations of leases in some cases must be approved by additional third parties outside the control of the Company and the tenant. If such renewed or renegotiated leases are approved at amounts below current estimates, then impairment adjustments may be necessary in the future. To the extent impairment has occurred, the Company charges to income the excess of the carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. The Company estimates fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates, or multiples, leasing prospects for vacant spaces and local market information. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations The Company may decide to sell properties that are held for use. The Company records these properties as held for sale when management has committed to a plan to sell the assets, actively seeks a buyer for the assets, and the consummation of 35 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) the sale is considered probable and is expected within one year. Properties classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell an impairment expense is recognized. The Company estimates fair value, less estimated closing costs based on similar real estate sales transactions. These valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 and 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. See Note 3 for additional details on impairment of assets held for sale for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Assets held for sale are presented as discontinued operations in all periods presented if the disposition represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. This includes the net gain (or loss) upon disposal of property held for sale, the property's operating results, depreciation and interest expense. Conditional Asset Retirement Obligation A conditional asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement depends on a future event that may or may not be within the Company’s control. Currently, the Company does not have any conditional asset retirement obligations. However, any such obligations identified in the future would result in the Company recording a liability if the fair value of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. Environmental studies conducted at the time the Company acquired its properties did not reveal any material environmental liabilities, and the Company is unaware of any subsequent environmental matters that would have created a material liability. The Company believes that its properties are currently in material compliance with applicable environmental, as well as non-environmental, statutory and regulatory requirements. The Company did not record any conditional asset retirement obligation liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist primarily of bank operating accounts and money markets. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include its cash and cash equivalents and its trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with institutions of high credit quality. Restricted cash represents amounts held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance, reserves for capital improvements, leasing costs, tenant security deposits and funds held for the 2020 tender offer, see Note 8 for further details related to the tender offer. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash on deposit with financial institutions in the United States, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") up to $250 thousand. The Company's loss in the event of failure of these financial institutions is represented by the difference between the FDIC limit and the total amounts on deposit. Management monitors the financial institutions credit worthiness in conjunction with balances on deposit to minimize risk. Tenant Receivables and Unbilled Rent Tenant receivables include base rents, tenant reimbursements and receivables attributable to recording rents on a straight-line basis. The Company determines an allowance for the uncollectible portion of accrued rents and accounts receivable based upon customer credit-worthiness (including expected recovery of a claim with respect to any tenants in bankruptcy), historical bad debt levels, and current economic trends. The Company considers a receivable past due once it becomes delinquent per the terms of the lease. The Company’s standard lease form considers a rent charge past due after five days. A past due receivable triggers certain events such as notices, fees and other allowable and required actions per the lease. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s allowance for uncollectible tenant receivables totaled $994 thousand and $1.14 million, respectively. 36 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Notes Receivable Notes receivable represent financing to Sea Turtle Development ("Sea Turtle") as discussed in Note 4. The notes were secured by a second deed of trust on the underlying real estate known as Sea Turtle Development. The Company evaluates the collectability of both the interest and principal of the notes receivable based primarily upon the projected fair market value of the project at stabilization. The notes receivable are determined to be impaired when, based upon current information, it is no longer probable that the Company will be able to collect all contractual amounts due from the borrower. The amount of impairment loss recognized is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the note and its estimated realizable value. The impairment on the Sea Turtle Development note is further discussed at Note 4. Above and Below Market Lease Intangibles, net The Company determines the above and below market lease intangibles upon acquiring a property. Above and below market lease intangibles are amortized over the life of the respective leases. Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles is recorded as a component of rental revenues. Deferred Costs and Other Assets, net The Company’s deferred costs and other assets consist primarily of leasing commissions, leases in place, capitalized legal and marketing costs, tenant relationships and ground lease sandwich interest intangibles associated with acquisitions. The Company’s lease origination costs consist primarily of the portion of property acquisitions allocated to lease originations and commissions paid to third parties in connection with lease originations. The Company generally records amortization of lease origination costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Amortization of deferred costs and other assets represents a component of depreciation and amortization expense. Paycheck Protection Program The Company received proceeds of $552 thousand (the "PPP funds") pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The PPP funds were received in the form of a promissory note, dated April 24, 2020 (the “Promissory Note”), between the Company and KeyBank as the lender that matures on April 24, 2022 bearing interest at a fixed rate of 1% per annum, payable monthly commencing seven months from the date of the note. Under the terms of the PPP, the principal may be forgiven if the proceeds are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act, such as payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. See Note 12 for additional details regarding forgiveness. The PPP proceeds are included in "accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statement of operations. The assumptions used in these fair value estimates are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Debt Issuance Costs The Company may record debt issuance costs in connection with raising funds through the issuance of debt. These costs may be paid in the form of cash, or equity (such as warrants). These costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt. If a conversion of the underlying debt occurs, a proportionate share of the unamortized amounts is immediately expensed. 37 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Operating Partnership Purchase of Stock The Operating Partnership purchased 71,343 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock on September 22, 2020 from an unaffiliated investor at $15.50 per share. The Company considers the purchase of the REIT's equity securities to be retired in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 8 for additional details. Revenue Recognition Lease Contract Revenue The Company has two classes of underlying assets relating to rental revenue activity, retail and office space. The Company retains substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of these underlying assets and accounts for these leases as operating leases. The Company combines lease and nonlease components in lease contracts, which includes combining base rent and tenant reimbursement revenue. The Company accrues minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases which results in an unbilled rent asset or deferred rent liability being recorded on the balance sheet. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were $4.48 million and $3.41 million, respectively, in unbilled rent which is included in "rents and other tenant receivables, net." Additionally, certain of the lease agreements contain provisions that grant additional rents based on tenants’ sales volumes (contingent or percentage rent). Percentage rents are recognized when the tenants achieve the specified targets as defined in their lease agreements as variable lease income. The Company’s leases generally require the tenant to reimburse the Company for a substantial portion of its expenses incurred in operating, maintaining, repairing, insuring and managing the shopping center and common areas (collectively defined as Common Area Maintenance or “CAM” expenses). This significantly reduces the Company’s exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation or other outside factors. These reimbursements are considered nonlease components which the Company combines with the lease component. The Company calculates the tenant’s share of operating costs by multiplying the total amount of the operating costs by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of square feet being leased by the tenant, and the denominator of which is the average total square footage of all leasable buildings at the property. The Company also receives monthly payments for these reimbursements from substantially all its tenants throughout the year. The Company recognizes tenant reimbursements as variable lease income. The Company recognizes differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Additionally, the Company has tenants who pay real estate taxes directly to the taxing authority. The Company excludes these Company costs paid directly by the tenant to third parties on the Company’s behalf from both variable revenue payments recognized and the associated property operating expenses. The Company does not evaluate whether certain sales taxes and other similar taxes are the Company’s costs or tenants' costs. Instead, the Company accounts for these costs as tenant costs. The Company recognizes lease termination fees, which are included in "other revenues" on the consolidated statements of operations, in the year that the lease is terminated and collection of the fee is reasonably assured. Upon early lease termination, the Company provides for losses related to unrecovered intangibles and other assets. Beginning in April 2020, the Company received certain rent relief requests, most often in the form of rent deferral requests, as a result of COVID-19. The Company evaluates each tenant rent relief request on an individual basis, considering a number of factors. Not all tenant requests ultimately result in concessions or modification of agreements, nor is the Company forgoing its contractual rights under its lease agreements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued a question-and- answer document (the “Lease Modification Q&A”) focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of COVID-19. The Lease Modification Q&A clarifies that entities may elect to treat qualifying lease concessions as if they were based on enforceable rights and obligations, and may choose to apply or not to apply modification accounting to those qualifying concessions. Qualifying concessions must be in response to COVID-19 and not have a substantial increase in the lessee’s obligation or the lessor’s rights under the contract. The Company has elected not to apply ASC 842 modification guidance for concessions that did not increase the lease term, generally these concessions do not impact the overall economics of the lease. Concessions that extend the lease term are accounted for under ASC 842, lease modification guidance. 38 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) The below table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by type of service for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): Minimum rent Tenant reimbursements - variable lease revenue Percentage rent - variable lease revenue Straight-line rents Lease termination fees Other Subtotal Credit losses on operating lease receivables Total Income Taxes Years Ended December 31, 2019 2020 $ $ 46,349 $ 13,273 393 1,155 178 786 62,134 (1,131) 61,003 $ 49,006 13,369 334 182 117 603 63,611 (449) 63,162 The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the Company to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to stockholders and meet certain other asset and income tests, as well as other requirements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which it fails to qualify. If the Company loses its REIT status it could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for five years unless the Company’s failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied. Management has evaluated the effect of the guidance provided by GAAP on Accounting for Uncertainty of Income Taxes and has determined that the Company had no uncertain income tax positions. Taxable REIT Subsidiary Cost Allocation The Company’s overall philosophy regarding cost allocation centers around the premise that the Trust exists to acquire, lease and manage properties for the benefit of its investors. Accordingly, a majority of the Company’s operations occur at the property level. Each property must carry its own weight by absorbing the costs associated with generating its revenues. Additionally, leases generally allow the Company to pass through to the tenant most of the costs involved in operating the property, including, but not limited to, the direct costs associated with owning and maintaining the property (landscaping, repairs and maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc.), property management and certain administrative costs. Service vendors bill the majority of the direct costs of operating the properties directly to the particular property and each property pays them accordingly. The Non- REIT Properties pay WRE property management and/or asset management fees of 3% and 2% of collected revenues, respectively. The Non-REIT Properties also pay WRE leasing commissions based on the total contractual revenues to be generated under the new/renewed lease agreement (6% for new leases and 3% for renewals). Costs incurred to manage, lease and administer the Non-REIT Properties are allocated to the TRS. These costs include compensation and benefits, property management, leasing and other corporate, general and administrative expenses associated with generating the TRS' revenues. Financial Instruments The carrying amount of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities approximates fair market value due to their immediate or short-term maturity. 39 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Use of Estimates The Company has made estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company’s actual results could differ from these estimates. Corporate General and Administrative Expense A detail for the "corporate general & administrative" line item from the consolidated statements of operations is presented below (in thousands): Professional fees Compensation and benefits Corporate administration Advertising costs for leasing activities Other Total Other Expense December 31, 2020 2019 2,466 $ 1,589 1,240 117 419 5,831 $ 2,534 1,991 1,259 276 573 6,633 $ $ Other expense represents expenses which are non-operating in nature. Other expenses during the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1.04 million in legal settlement costs and reimbursement of 2019 proxy costs, see Note 10 and Note 11 for additional details. Leases Commitments The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases, in which the Company is the lessee, are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elects the practical expedient to combine lease and associated nonlease components. The lease components are the majority of its leasing arrangements and the Company accounts for the combined component as an operating lease. In the event the Company modifies existing ground leases or enters into new ground leases, such leases may be classified as finance leases. Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interests is the portion of equity in the Operating Partnership not attributable to the Trust. The ownership interests not held by the parent are considered noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, noncontrolling interests have been reported in equity on the consolidated balance sheets but separate from the Company’s equity. On the consolidated statements of operations, the subsidiaries are reported at the consolidated amount, including both the amount attributable to the 40 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Company and noncontrolling interests. Consolidated statements of equity include beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for stockholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity. The noncontrolling interest of the Operating Partnership common unit holders is calculated by multiplying the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage at the balance sheet date by the Operating Partnership’s net assets (total assets less total liabilities). The noncontrolling interest percentage is calculated at any point in time by dividing the number of units not owned by the Company by the total number of units outstanding. The noncontrolling interest ownership percentage will change as additional units are issued or as units are exchanged for the Company’s $0.01 par value per share common stock ("Common Stock"). In accordance with GAAP, any changes in the value from period to period are charged to additional paid-in capital. Adoption of ASC Topic 842, “Leases” In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach within ASU 2018-11, which allows for the application date to be the beginning of the reporting period in which the entity first applies the new standard. The Company did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the adoption date. The Company elected the package of transition practical expedients where the company is either the lessee or lessor, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classifications and use hindsight in determining the lease terms. The standard had a material impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, but did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities of approximately $11.90 million and $11.99 million, respectively, for operating leases as of January 1, 2019, calculated based on an incremental borrowing rate of 4.84%. The difference between the ROU assets and lease liabilities at adoption represents the accrued straight-line rent liability previously recognized under ASC 840. The standard had no impact on the Company's cash flows. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This update enhances the methodology of measuring expected credit losses to include the use of forward-looking information to better calculate credit loss estimates. The guidance will apply to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, such as accounts receivable and loans. The guidance will require that the Company estimate the lifetime expected credit loss with respect to these receivables and record allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. The Company will also be required to disclose information about how it developed the allowances, including changes in the factors that influenced the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes. The guidance would be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, per FASB's issuance of ASU 2019-10, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates." The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)". This update modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 with several removals, modifications and additions for disclosures, which includes both prospective and retrospective disclosures. The guidance adds prospective disclosures related to the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements including measurement uncertainty disclosures to communicate the uncertainty in the measurement as of the reporting date. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption of the guidance and there were no retrospective disclosures necessary. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 41 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Reclassifications The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or equity. The revenue from asset management fees and commissions were reclassified to other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations for consistency with current period presentation. 3. Real Estate Investment properties consist of the following (in thousands): Land and land improvements Buildings and improvements Investment properties at cost Less accumulated depreciation Investment properties, net December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 97,117 $ 354,738 451,855 (59,191) 392,664 $ 100,599 366,082 466,681 (50,466) 416,215 The Company’s depreciation expense on investment properties was $11.32 million and $12.02 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. A significant portion of the Company’s land, buildings and improvements serve as collateral for its mortgage loans. Accordingly, restrictions exist as to the encumbered property's transferability, use and other common rights typically associated with property ownership. Assets Held for Sale and Dispositions At December 31, 2020, assets held for sale included Columbia Fire Station, Berkley Shopping Center, a .75 acre land parcel at Berkley and two outparcels at Rivergate Shopping Center, as the Company has committed to a plan to sell each property. At December 31, 2019, assets held for sale included St. Matthews. Impairment expenses on assets held for sale are a result of reducing the carrying value for the amount that exceeded the property's fair value less estimated selling costs. The valuation assumptions are based on the three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurement and represent Level 2 inputs. The impairment expenses during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands): Columbia Fire Station St. Matthews Perimeter Square Total Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 600 $ — — 600 $ — 451 1,147 1,598 42 Table of Contents 3. Real Estate (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, assets held for sale and associated liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): Investment properties, net Rents and other tenant receivables, net Above market leases, net Deferred costs and other assets, net Total assets held for sale Loans payable Below market leases, net Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Total liabilities associated with assets held for sale December 31, 2020 2019 12,593 $ 132 153 194 13,072 $ December 31, 2020 2019 12,838 $ 25 261 13,124 $ 1,651 77 — 9 1,737 1,974 — 52 2,026 $ $ $ $ The following properties were sold during the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019: Disposal Property Contract Price December 31, 2020 January 21, 2020 July 12, 2019 March 18, 2019 February 7, 2019 January 11, 2019 Riversedge North St. Matthews Perimeter Square Graystone Crossing Harbor Pointe Land Parcel (1.28 acres) Jenks Plaza $ 3,000 $ 1,775 7,200 6,000 550 2,200 Gain (Loss) (in thousands) Net Proceeds 49 $ (26) (95) 1,433 — 387 2,843 1,665 — 1,744 19 1,840 In May 2019, an approximate 10,000 square foot outparcel at the JANAF property was demolished resulting in a $331 thousand write-off to make way for a new approximate 20,000 square foot building constructed by a new grocer tenant, Aldi. JANAF Executive Building In April 2019, the Company absorbed an approximate 25,000 square foot outparcel at JANAF as a result of an unlawful detainer with a delinquent tenant, Mariner Investments, LTD. 4. Notes Receivable On May 7, 2019, Sea Turtle filed a Chapter 11 Voluntary Petition for Bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina in Charleston. As such, the Company recognized $5.00 million in impairment expense on the notes receivable for the year ended December 31, 2019, bringing the carrying value to zero, as the estimated fair value of Sea Turtle was not expected to provide for the cash required to repay the notes receivable. Additionally, the notes receivable were on nonaccrual status during 2019 and the Company did not recognize $1.44 million of interest income during the year ended December 31, 2019. No interest income was recognized in 2020. See Note 10 for further details on the outcome of bankruptcy proceedings. 43 Table of Contents 5. Deferred Costs Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) Deferred costs and other assets, net of amortization are as follows (in thousands): Leases in place, net Ground lease sandwich interest, net Lease origination costs, net Tenant relationships, net Legal and marketing costs, net Other Total deferred costs and other assets, net December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 10,233 $ 1,941 1,334 1,308 22 592 15,430 $ 14,968 2,215 1,038 2,173 43 588 21,025 As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s intangible accumulated amortization totaled $60.33 million and $57.15 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s intangible amortization expense totaled $5.97 million and $9.30 million, respectively. Future amortization of leases in place, ground lease sandwich interest, lease origination costs, tenant relationships, and legal and marketing costs is as follows (in thousands): For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Leases In Place, net Ground Lease Sandwich Interest, net Lease Origination Costs, net Tenant Relationships, net Legal & Marketing Costs, net Total $ $ 2,669 $ 2,109 1,632 1,119 794 1,910 10,233 $ 274 $ 274 274 274 274 571 1,941 $ 216 $ 174 156 141 117 530 1,334 $ 444 $ 354 227 128 62 93 1,308 $ 8 $ 6 5 3 — — 22 $ 3,611 2,917 2,294 1,665 1,247 3,104 14,838 44 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 6. Loans Payable The Company’s loans payable consist of the following (in thousands except monthly payment): Property/Description Monthly Payment Interest Rate Maturity December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (6) (6) (5) (2) (3) (7) KeyBank Credit Agreement Columbia Fire Station Tuckernuck First National Bank Lumber River Rivergate JANAF Bravo Litchfield Market Village Twin City Commons Walnut Hill Plaza Powerscourt Financing Agreement New Market Benefit Street Note Deutsche Bank Note JANAF Tampa Festival Forrest Gallery Riversedge North South Carolina Food Lions Note Cypress Shopping Center Port Crossing Freeway Junction Harrodsburg Marketplace Bryan Station Crockett Square Pierpont Centre Shoppes at Myrtle Park Folly Road Alex City Marketplace Butler Square Brook Run Shopping Center Beaver Ruin Village I and II Sunshine Shopping Plaza Barnett Portfolio Fort Howard Shopping Center Conyers Crossing Grove Park Shopping Center Parkway Plaza Winslow Plaza JANAF BJ's Chesapeake Square Berkley/Sangaree/Tri-County Riverbridge Franklin Village Village of Martinsville Laburnum Square (4) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 350,000 45,580 33,880 24,656 10,723 104,178 36,935 46,057 17,827 26,850 Interest only 48,747 53,185 33,340 333,159 50,797 50,973 11,436 68,320 34,360 34,788 41,798 19,112 23,489 Interest only 39,435 33,180 41,482 Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only Interest only 24,295 29,964 23,857 Interest only Interest only 45,336 89,664 Interest only LIBOR + 350 basis points December 2020 14.00 % December 2020 3.88 % February 2021 LIBOR + 350 basis points March 2021 LIBOR + 350 basis points April 2021 LIBOR + 295 basis points April 2021 4.65 % April 2021 5.50 % November 2022 4.86 % January 2023 5.50 % March 2023 13.50 % March 2023 5.65 % June 2023 5.71 % June 2023 5.71 % July 2023 4.49 % July 2023 5.56 % September 2023 5.40 % September 2023 5.77 % December 2023 5.25 % January 2024 4.70 % July 2024 4.84 % August 2024 4.60 % September 2024 4.55 % September 2024 4.52 % November 2024 4.47 % December 2024 4.15 % February 2025 4.45 % February 2025 4.65 % March 2025 3.95 % April 2025 3.90 % May 2025 4.08 % June 2025 4.73 % July 2025 4.57 % August 2025 4.30 % September 2025 4.57 % October 2025 4.67 % October 2025 4.52 % October 2025 4.57 % October 2025 4.82 % December 2025 4.95 % January 2026 4.70 % August 2026 4.78 % December 2026 4.48 % December 2026 4.93 % January 2027 4.28 % July 2029 4.28 % September 2029 $ — 3,893 5,193 1,045 1,367 21,164 6,263 7,418 2,915 3,287 25,000 6,508 7,145 5,567 48,875 7,920 8,226 — 11,473 6,163 5,909 7,582 3,343 4,312 6,338 8,001 5,892 7,223 5,750 5,640 10,950 9,400 5,900 8,770 7,100 5,960 3,800 3,500 4,553 4,844 4,279 9,400 4,000 8,404 15,979 7,665 353,916 (6,812) 347,104 12,838 17,879 4,051 5,344 1,214 1,404 21,545 6,372 7,452 2,983 3,759 — 6,713 7,361 5,642 50,599 8,077 8,381 1,767 11,675 6,268 6,032 7,725 3,416 4,394 6,338 8,113 — 5,922 5,750 5,640 10,950 9,400 5,900 8,770 7,100 5,960 3,800 3,500 4,620 4,957 4,354 9,400 4,000 8,516 16,351 7,665 347,059 (4,172) 342,887 1,974 340,913 $ 334,266 $ Total Principal Balance (1) Unamortized debt issuance cost (1) Total Loans Payable, including assets held for sale Less loans payable on assets held for sale, net loan amortization costs Total Loans Payable, net (1) Includes loans payable on assets held for sale, see Note 3. (2) Collateralized by LaGrange Marketplace, Ridgeland and Georgetown. (3) Collateralized by Ladson Crossing, Lake Greenwood Crossing and South Park. (4) Collateralized by Cardinal Plaza, Franklinton Square, and Nashville Commons. (5) Collateralized by Clover Plaza, South Square, St. George, Waterway Plaza and Westland Square. (6) Collateralized by Darien Shopping Center, Devine Street, Lake Murray, Moncks Corner and South Lake. (7) Collateralized by Surrey Plaza and Amscot Building. 45 Table of Contents 6. Loans Payable (continued) KeyBank Credit Agreement Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) The KeyBank Credit Agreement was paid in full as of December 22, 2020. The KeyBank Credit Agreement had the following activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: • • • • • Entered into a First Amendment to the KeyBank Credit Agreement (the "First Amendment") on April 25, 2019. The First Amendment, among other provisions, increases the interest rate to LIBOR plus 350 basis points on August 31, 2019 if the outstanding balance is not below $11.00 million; Began making monthly principal payments of $250 thousand on May 1, 2019 in accordance with the First Amendment; Entered into the Second Amendment to the KeyBank Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") on January 24, 2020, effective December 21, 2019, and the Company began making monthly principal payments of $350 thousand on November 1, 2019. The Second Amendment, among other provisions, requires a pledge of additional collateral of $15.00 million in residual equity interests and staggered maturity dates with an ultimate maturity of June 30, 2020; Entered into a Third Amendment to the KeyBank Credit Agreement (the "Third Amendment") on July 21, 2020. The Third Amendment, among other provisions, reduces the pledge of additional collateral by two properties and extends the maturity to December 31, 2020; The KeyBank Credit Agreement had principal paydowns as noted below: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ $850 thousand paydown on March 19, 2019; $1.00 million paydown on May 1, 2019; $15.46 million paydown from Village of Martinsville refinancing proceeds on June 28, 2019; $7.55 million paydown from Laburnum Square refinancing proceeds on August 1, 2019; $7.16 million paydown from Litchfield Market Village refinancing proceeds on November 1, 2019; $1.78 million paydown from St. Matthews sale proceeds on January 21, 2020; $5.75 million paydown from Shoppes at Myrtle Park refinancing proceeds on January 23, 2020; and $2.50 million paydown from cash released to the Company from restricted cash accounts on May 20, 2020; $1.00 million paydown on November 12, 2020; $3.00 million final paydown from Powerscourt Financing Agreement proceeds on December 22, 2020. Powerscourt Financing Agreement On December 22, 2020, the Company entered into a financing agreement (the "Powerscourt Financing Agreement") with Powerscourt Investments XXII, LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The Powerscourt Financing Agreement provides for a term loan in the aggregate principal of $25.00 million. The proceeds of the Powerscourt Financing Agreement are intended for the following: (i) to paydown the Company’s indebtedness on the KeyBank Credit Agreement, (ii) to redeem certain shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred, and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Powerscourt Financing Agreement. The Powerscourt Financing Agreement is at a rate of 13.50% and matures on March 31, 2023 with quarterly interest only payments beginning on January 15, 2021. In conjunction with the Powerscourt Financing Agreement, the Company issued to Powerscourt XXII, LP a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 496,415 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (see the “Powerscourt Warrant Agreement” below). Powerscourt Warrant Agreement Pursuant to Powerscourt Financing Agreement, the Company issued Powerscourt Investments XXII, LP, a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 496,415 shares of Common Stock for $3.12 per share (the “Powerscourt Warrant Agreement”). The Warrant is exercisable at the option of its holder in whole or in part into shares of Common Stock from time to time on or after December 22, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) and before the date that is the 36-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The Powerscourt Warrant Agreement contains terms and features that give rise to derivative liability classification. The Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at the date of commitment. Significant observable and unobservable inputs include stock price, conversion price, annual risk free rate, term, likelihood of an event of contractual conversion and expected volatility. The Monte Carlo simulation is a Level 3 valuation technique because it requires the development of significant internal assumptions in addition to observable market indicators. 46 Table of Contents 6. Loans Payable (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) The warrants were valued at approximately $594 thousand and the Company recorded a liability included on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value at the commitment date for the Company’s warranty liability was based upon the following assumptions as of December 31, 2020: Exercise price Stock price Expected term Expected volatility % Risk free interest rate Revere Term Loan Agreement $ $ 3.12 2.75 3.0 years 72.00 % 0.17 % As of December 31, 2019, the Revere Term Loan was paid in full. The following amendments and payments were made to the Revere Term Loan during the year ended December 31, 2019: • • • • Sixth Amendment executed on January 29, 2019, extended the maturity date to April 1, 2019 from February 1, 2019 and created an additional “Exit Fee” of $20 thousand; Paid down $323 thousand with proceeds from the sale of Jenks Plaza on January 11, 2019; Paid down $30 thousand in conjunction with the sale of a Harbor Pointe parcel on February 7, 2019; and Paid down the remaining principal balance and the $20 thousand Exit Fee on March 29, 2019 from operating cash flows. Revere Warrant Agreement In connection with the Revere Term Loan, the Company and Revere entered into the Revere Warrant Agreement dated as of April 8, 2016, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue the Warrant to Revere. The terms of the Revere Warrant Agreement provide that solely in the event of an Event of Default (as defined in the Revere Term Loan) under the Revere Term Loan, Revere shall have the right to purchase an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for an exercise price equal to $0.0001 per share. The Warrant was exercisable at any time and from time to time during the period starting on April 8, 2016 and expiring on February 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m., Virginia Beach, Virginia time, solely in the event of an Event of Default under the Revere Term Loan. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Warrant; rather the Warrant served as collateral for the Revere Term Loan, the proceeds of which were used as partial consideration for the A-C Portfolio. The issuance of the Warrant was exempt from registration pursuant to the exemption provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended based upon the above facts, because Revere was an accredited investor and because the issuance of the Warrant was a private transaction by the Company and did not involve any public offering. The Warrant was treated as embedded equity and separate disclosure is not necessary. The Warrants fully expired in 2019. First National Bank Loan Paydown and Amendment On January 11, 2019, the Company paid $1.51 million on the First National Bank Loan, the portion collateralized by Jenks Plaza, as detailed in Note 3. On October 14, 2020, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to extend the $1.13 million First National Bank Loan to March 15, 2021 with monthly principal and interest payments of $25 thousand. The First National Bank Loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a minimum interest rate set at 4.25%. Perimeter Square Refinance 47 Table of Contents 6. Loans Payable (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) On January 15, 2019, the Company renewed the promissory notes for $6.25 million and $247 thousand at Perimeter Square. The loans were extended to March 2019 with interest only payments beginning February 15, 2019. The loans bear interest at 6.50%. In April 2019, the Company extended the $6.50 million of Perimeter Square loans to June 5, 2019. On July 12, 2019, the principal balance on the Perimeter Square loans were paid in full with the sale of the property, as detailed in Note 3. Harbor Pointe Payoff On February 7, 2019, the principal balance on the Harbor Pointe loan was paid in full with the sale of a 1.28 acre parcel located at the property, as detailed in Note 3. Graystone Crossing Payoff On March 18, 2019, the principal balance on the Graystone Crossing loan was paid in full with the sale of the property, as detailed in Note 3. Senior Convertible Notes On June 10, 2019, through scheduled principal and interest payments the senior convertible notes were paid in full. Village of Martinsville Refinance On June 28, 2019, the Company executed a promissory note for $16.50 million for the refinancing of Village of Martinsville at a rate of 4.28%. The loan matures on July 6, 2029 with monthly principal and interest payments of $90 thousand. Laburnum Square Refinance On August 1, 2019, the Company executed a promissory note for $7.67 million for the refinancing of Laburnum Square at a rate of 4.28%. The loan is interest only through August 2024 with principal and interest payments of $38 thousand beginning in September 2024. The loan matures on September 5, 2029. Litchfield Market Village Refinance On November 1, 2019, the Company executed a promissory note for $7.50 million for the refinancing of Litchfield Market Village at a fixed interest rate of 5.50%. The loan matures on November 1, 2022 with monthly principal and interest payments of $46 thousand. Shoppes at Myrtle Park Refinance On January 23, 2020, the Company refinanced the Shoppes at Myrtle Park collateralized portion of the KeyBank Credit Agreement for $6.00 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.45%. The loan matures in February 2025 with monthly principal and interest payments of $33 thousand. Folly Road Refinance On March 23, 2020, the Company executed a promissory note for $7.35 million for the refinancing of Folly Road at a rate of 4.65%. The loan matures in March 2025 with monthly principal and interest payments of $41 thousand. 48 Table of Contents 6. Loans Payable (continued) Loan Modification Agreements Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) On September 4, 2020, the Company executed Loan Modification Agreements on three properties whereby the Company was able to use restricted cash to fund debt service for 90 days, representing a total of $488 thousand to be replenished over the subsequent twelve-month period. Lumber River Extension On October 14, 2020, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to extend the $1.39 million Lumber River Loan to April 10, 2021 with monthly principal and interest payments of $11 thousand. The Lumber River Loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a minimum interest rate set at 4.25%. Walnut Hill Plaza Amendment On July 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to reduce the Walnut Hill Plaza loan by $443 thousand to $3.30 million using proceeds from restricted cash reserves and received three months of forbearance on principal payments. On October 16, 2020, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment to receive forbearance on principal payments through December 29, 2020 and extend the maturity date to March 2023. Tuckernuck Extension On November 1, 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amended Forbearance Agreement to extend the Tuckernuck Loan to February 1, 2021 with monthly principal and interest payments of $34 thousand. Rivergate Extension On November 19, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to extend the maturity date from October 20, 2020 to April 20, 2021 with monthly principal payments of $48 thousand plus accrued and unpaid interest. Riversedge North Payoff On December 31, 2020, the principal balance on the Riversedge North loan was paid in full with the sale of the property, as detailed in Note 3. Columbia Fire Station Extension Effective September 3, 2020, the Company extended the Columbia Fire Station promissory note ("Columbia Fire Station Loan") to December 3, 2020, with the monthly principal payment increasing $20 thousand for a total monthly principal and interest payment of $46 thousand beginning on October 3, 2020. On December 7, 2020, the Company received a letter demanding payment in full from Pinnacle Bank for all amounts due under Columbia Fire Station Loan and the interest rate increased to 14%, the default rate. On December 29, 2020, Pinnacle Bank filed a suit against the Company, guarantor. On January 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement (the "Forbearance Agreement") with Pinnacle Bank at an interest rate of 14% and made a $500 thousand principal payment. The Forbearance Agreement, among other provisions, extends the maturity date of the Columbia Fire Station Loan to July 21, 2021 and waives all defaults and late fees existing prior to the Forbearance Agreement. 49 Table of Contents 6. Loans Payable (continued) Debt Maturity Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) The Company’s scheduled principal repayments on indebtedness as of December 31, 2020, including assets held for sale, are as follows (in thousands): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total principal repayments and debt maturities For the Years Ended December 31, 43,933 12,586 111,875 44,240 91,426 49,856 353,916 $ $ The Company has considered its short-term (one year or less) liquidity needs and the adequacy of its estimated cash flows from operating activities and other expected financing sources to meet these needs. In particular, the Company has considered its scheduled debt maturities for the year ending December 31, 2021 of $43.93 million. All loans due to mature are collateralized by properties within the portfolio. Additionally, the Company expects to meet the short-term liquidity requirements, through a combination of the following: • • • • • • suspension of Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred dividends; available cash and cash equivalents; cash flows from operating activities; refinancing of maturing debt; possible sale of six undeveloped land parcels; and sale of additional properties, if necessary. 7. Rentals under Operating Leases Future minimum rents to be received under noncancelable tenant operating leases, excluding rents on assets held for sale properties, for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding tenant reimbursements and percentage rent based on tenant sales volume, as of December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total minimum rents 8. Equity and Mezzanine Equity For the Years Ended December 31, 44,061 40,091 34,385 27,053 21,239 46,311 213,140 $ $ The Company has authority to issue 33,750,000 shares of stock, consisting of 18,750,000 shares of $0.01 par value Common Stock (“Common Stock”) and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock of which 5,000,000 shares have been classified as no par value Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”), 4,000,000 shares as Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred") and 4,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred"). 50 Table of Contents 8. Equity and Mezzanine Equity (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) Substantially all of our business is conducted through the Company’s Operating Partnership. The Trust is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and owned a 98.53% interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2020. Limited partners in the Operating Partnership have the right to redeem their common units for cash or, at our option, common shares at a ratio of one common unit for one common share. Distributions to common unit holders are paid at the same rate per unit as dividends per share to the Trust’s common stockholders. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were 15,227,758 and 14,105,712, respectively, of common units outstanding with the Trust owning 15,003,329 and 13,871,693, respectively, of these common units. Series A Preferred Stock At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had 562 shares without par value Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred") issued and outstanding, 4,500 authorized and a $1,000 liquidation preference per share, or $562 thousand in aggregate. The Series A Preferred accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of 9% per annum, which is paid or accumulated quarterly. The Company has the right to redeem the 562 shares of Series A Preferred, on a pro rata basis, at any time at a price equal to 103% of the purchase price for the Series A Preferred plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. Series B Preferred Stock At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had 1,875,748 shares and 5,000,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value ("Series B Preferred") issued and authorized with a $25.00 liquidation preference per share, or $46.90 million in aggregate. The Series B Preferred bears interest at a rate of 9% per annum. The Series B Preferred has no redemption rights. However, the Series B Preferred is subject to a mandatory conversion once the 20-trading day volume-weighted average closing price of our Common Stock, exceeds $58 per share; once this weighted average closing price is met, each share of our Series B Preferred will automatically convert into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $40.00 per share of Common Stock. In addition, holders of our Series B Preferred also have the option, at any time, to convert shares of our Series B Preferred into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $40.00 per share of Common Stock. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of shares of our Series B Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of our assets a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the date of payment. The Series B Preferred has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless subject to a mandatory or voluntary conversion as described above. Series D Preferred Stock- Redeemable Preferred Stock At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had 3,529,293 and 3,600,636 issued, respectively, and 4,000,000 authorized shares of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value ("Series D Preferred") with a $25.00 liquidation preference per share, or $109.13 million and $101.66 million in aggregate, respectively. Until September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.75% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to the fixed annual amount of $2.1875 per share) (the “Initial Rate”). Commencing September 21, 2023, the holder’s will be entitled to cumulative cash dividends at an annual dividend rate of the Initial Rate increased by 2% of the liquidation preference per annum on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 14%. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or before January 15 , April 15 , July 15 and October 15 of each year. On or after September 21, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series D Preferred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date. The holder of the Series D Preferred may convert shares at any time into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of $16.96 per share of Common Stock. On September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred may, at their option, elect to cause the Company to redeem any or all of their shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date, payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the holder’s option. th th th th The Series D Preferred requires the Company maintain asset coverage of at least 200%. If we fail to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% calculated by determining the percentage value of (i) our total assets plus accumulated depreciation and accumulated amortization minus our total liabilities and indebtedness as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) (exclusive of the book value of any Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock (defined below)) over (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, of outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred and any outstanding shares of term preferred stock or preferred stock providing for a fixed mandatory redemption date or maturity date (collectively referred to as 51 Table of Contents 8. Equity and Mezzanine Equity (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) “Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock”) on the last business day of any calendar quarter (“Asset Coverage Ratio”), and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as applicable, for that quarter, or the “Asset Coverage Cure Date,” then we will be required to redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock, which may include Series D Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in us having a coverage ratio of at least 200% and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that can be redeemed solely out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, we may, in our sole option, redeem any shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock we select, including on a non-pro rata basis. We may elect not to redeem any Series D Preferred Stock to cure such failure as long as we cure our failure to meet the Asset Coverage Ratio by or on the Asset Coverage Cure Date. If shares of Series D Preferred are to be redeemed for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, such shares will be redeemed solely in cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not declared) to and including the redemption date. Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate from the end of the most recent dividend period for which dividends have been paid. Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate whether or not (i) we have earnings, (ii) there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and (iii) such dividends are authorized by our Board of Directors or declared by us. Dividends on the Series D Preferred do not bear interest. If the Company, fails to pay any dividend within three (3) business days after the payment date for such dividend, the then-current dividend rate increases following the payment date by an additional 2.0% of the $25.00 stated liquidation preference per share, or $0.50 per annum, until we pay the dividend, subject to our ability to cure the failure. On December 20, 2018, the Company suspended the Series D Preferred dividend. As such, the Series D Preferred shares began accumulating dividends at 10.75% beginning January 1, 2019 and will continue to accumulate dividends at this rate until all accumulated dividends have been paid. Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary, if dividends on the Series D Preferred are in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods (a "Preferred Dividend Default"), the number of directors on our Board of Directors will automatically be increased by two, and holders of shares of the Series D Preferred and the holders of Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred (the Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred together, being the "Parity Preferred Stock"), shall be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors ("Series D Preferred Directors"). A Preferred Dividend Default occurred on April 15, 2020. The election of such directors will take place upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is not permitted to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors as a result of the failure of the holders of 20% of the Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock to deliver such written request for the election of the Series D Preferred Directors. The Series D Preferred Directors may serve on our Board of Directors, until all unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock, if any, have been paid or declared a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment. On September 22, 2020, the Operating Partnership purchased 71,343 shares of Series D Preferred at $15.50 per share. These shares are deemed to be retired on the consolidated financial statements. The book value of the shares purchased included both accreted and unaccreted issuance costs and dividends in arrears totaling $1.83 million. The changes in the carrying value of the Series D Preferred for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in thousands): Balance December 31, 2018 Accretion of Preferred Stock discount Undeclared dividends Balance December 31, 2019 Accretion of Preferred Stock discount Undeclared dividends Redemption of Preferred Stock Balance December 31, 2020 52 Series D Preferred 76,955 593 9,677 87,225 590 9,581 (1,833) 95,563 $ $ Table of Contents 8. Equity and Mezzanine Equity (continued) Earnings per share Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) Basic earnings per share for the Company’s common stockholder is calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations, excluding amounts attributable to preferred stockholders and the net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, by the Company’s weighted-average shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, excluding amounts attributable to preferred stockholders and the net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, by the weighted-average number of common shares including any dilutive shares. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the below shares are able to be converted to Common Stock. The common units, convertible preferred stock, cumulative convertible preferred stock, and warrants have been excluded from the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would be antidilutive. Common units Series B Preferred Stock Series D Preferred Stock Warrants to purchase Common Stock Dividends December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Outstanding shares Potential Dilutive Shares Outstanding shares Potential Dilutive Shares 224,429 1,875,748 3,529,293 — 224,429 1,172,343 5,202,378 496,415 234,019 1,875,748 3,600,636 — 234,019 1,172,343 5,307,541 — The following table summarizes the preferred stock dividends (in thousands except for per share amounts): Record Date/Arrears Date Arrears Per Share Arrears Per Share Arrears Per Share Series A Preferred Series B Preferred Series D Preferred For the year ended December 31, 2020 For the year ended December 31, 2019 $ $ 51 $ 90.00 $ 4,221 $ 2.25 $ 9,488 $ 2.69 51 $ 90.00 $ 4,221 $ 2.25 $ 9,677 $ 2.69 There were no dividends declared to holders of Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The total cumulative dividends in arrears for Series A Preferred (per share $202.50), Series B Preferred (per share $5.06) and Series D Preferred (per share $5.92) as of December 31, 2020 is $30.51 million. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan On June 4, 2015, the Company's stockholders approved the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2015 Incentive Plan"). The 2015 Incentive Plan allows for issuance of up to 125,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to employees, directors, officers and consultants for services rendered to the Company. The 2015 Incentive Plan replaced the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2020, there are 41,104 shares available for issuance under the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan and there were no shares issued in 2020 or 2019. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan On June 15, 2016, the Company's stockholders approved the 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2016 Incentive Plan"). The 2016 Incentive Plan allows for issuance of up to 625,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to employees, directors, officers and consultants for services rendered to the Company. 53 Table of Contents 8. Equity and Mezzanine Equity (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) For the Years Ended December 31, Shares Issued 2020 2019 Market Value (in thousands) — 181,807 $ — 166 As of December 31, 2020, there are 132,707 shares available for issuance under the Company’s 2016 Incentive Plan. Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement On August 4, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors granted a Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (the “SARs”) which will not be effective until approved by the stockholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The SARs allows for issuance of 5,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a strike price of $1.85 per share to Daniel Khoshaba, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, upon meeting certain market price thresholds. The SARs expires in the year 2030. Tender Offer On December 23, 2020, the Company announced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer to purchase up to $19.00 million in shares of its Series D Preferred at a price not greater than $18.00 nor less than $15.50 per Series D Preferred Share, to the sellers in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. Unless the offer is extended or terminated, the tender offer is scheduled to expire at the end of the day on January 25, 2021. See Note 12 for further details. 9. Lease Commitments The Company has ground leases and leases its corporate headquarters; both are accounted for as operating leases. The Charleston, SC lease ended August 31, 2019 and was accounted for as an operating lease. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from 5 to 50 years. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term is 32 and 35 years, respectively. The following properties are subject to leases which require the Company to make the following fixed annual rental payments and variable lease payments, which are immaterial and include escalation clauses and renewal options as follows (in thousands): Amscot Beaver Ruin Village Beaver Ruin Village II Leased office space Charleston, SC Moncks Corner (1) Devine Street JANAF (2) Total For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 25 $ 54 22 — 121 396 282 900 $ 25 54 22 67 121 396 290 975 Expiration Year 2045 2054 2056 2019 2040 2051 2069 (1) Lease options are exercised through 2035 with options which are reasonably certain to be exercised through 2051. (2) Includes $131 thousand and $ 139 thousand in variable percentage rent, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Supplemental information related to leases is as follows (in thousands): Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 583 $ 1,285 $ 644 11,904 54 Table of Contents 9. Lease Commitments (continued) Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) Undiscounted cash flows of our scheduled obligations for future minimum lease payments due under the operating leases, including applicable automatic extension options and options reasonably certain of being exercised, as of December 31, 2020 and a reconciliation of those cash flows to the operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total minimum lease payments Discount (1) Operating lease liabilities For the Years Ended December 31, 902 $ 905 907 909 913 23,785 28,321 (15,121) 13,200 $ (1) Operating lease payments include $ 7.54 million related to options to extend lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised. On December 31, 2020, the Company sold its corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach to an unrelated party for approximately $2.84 million, net of costs to sell, and simultaneously leased the building for 10 years at an annual base rent of $265 thousand, plus taxes and other operating and maintenance expenses. The transaction qualified for sale leaseback accounting in accordance with ASC 842 and the Company used the incremental borrowing rate associated with the previous loan on the office building of 5.77% for purposes of calculating the lease liability. The lease agreement includes an option for five years and the Company recognized only the initial term of the lease as part of its ROU asset and lease liability. As a result of this transaction, a gain of $49 thousand was recognized, which is included in "gain on disposal of properties" on the consolidated statements of operations with the remaining gain of $725 thousand deferred over the life of the lease. 10. Commitments and Contingencies Insurance The Company carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in its portfolio under a blanket insurance policy, in addition to other coverages, such as trademark and pollution coverage that may be appropriate for certain of its properties. Additionally, the Company carries a directors’, officers’, entity and employment practices liability insurance policy that covers such claims made against the Company and its directors and officers. The Company believes the policy specifications and insured limits are appropriate and adequate for its properties given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage and industry practice; however, its insurance coverage may not be sufficient to fully cover its losses. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company is subject to risks incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These risks include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants and customers, changes in tax laws, interest rates, the availability of financing and potential liability under environmental and other laws. The Company’s portfolio of properties is dependent upon regional and local economic conditions and is geographically located in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, which markets represented approximately 61%, 35% and 4%, respectively, of the total annualized base rent of the properties in its portfolio as of December 31, 2020. The Company’s geographic concentration may cause it to be more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets than if it owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. Additionally, the Company’s retail shopping center properties depend on anchor stores or major tenants to attract shoppers and could be adversely affected by the loss of, or a store closure by, one or more of these tenants. 55 Table of Contents 10. Commitments and Contingencies (continued) Regulatory and Environmental Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) As the owner of the buildings on our properties, the Company could face liability for the presence of hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos or lead) or other adverse conditions (e.g., poor indoor air quality) in its buildings. Environmental laws govern the presence, maintenance, and removal of hazardous materials in buildings, and if the Company does not comply with such laws, it could face fines for such noncompliance. Also, the Company could be liable to third parties (e.g., occupants of the buildings) for damages related to exposure to hazardous materials or adverse conditions in its buildings, and the Company could incur material expenses with respect to abatement or remediation of hazardous materials or other adverse conditions in its buildings. In addition, some of the Company’s tenants routinely handle and use hazardous or regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations at our properties, which are subject to regulation. Such environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject the Company or its tenants to liability resulting from these activities. Environmental liabilities could affect a tenant’s ability to make rental payments to the Company, and changes in laws could increase the potential liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company’s operations. The Company is not aware of any material contingent liabilities, regulatory matters or environmental matters that may exist. Litigation The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes. The Company believes that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on its financial position or its results of operations. The Company records a liability when it considers the loss probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In addition, the below legal proceedings are in process. Jon Wheeler v. Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Former CEO, Jon Wheeler, alleged that his employment was improperly terminated and that he was owed severance and bonus payments pursuant to his Employment Agreement. The Company filed a counterclaim against Mr. Wheeler for reimbursement of personal expenses the Company paid, but that Mr. Wheeler should have borne. The Court found in favor of Jon Wheeler on his claim that his employment was terminated without cause. The Court denied Mr. Wheeler’s claims for a bonus and that his termination of employment was wrongful as a violation of public policy. The Court awarded the Company $5 thousand on its counterclaim. At a hearing on September 4, 2020 on Jon Wheeler’s motion for the award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and pre-judgment interest, the Court awarded Mr. Wheeler the requested costs, but awarded no attorneys’ fees and no pre- judgment interest. In total, Mr. Wheeler was awarded $520 thousand. In October 2020, the Company settled with Mr. Wheeler for $500 thousand which is included on the Company's consolidated statements of operations under the line "other expenses." Mr. Wheeler preserved his right to appeal the Court’s denial of an award of attorneys’ fees and pre-judgment interest. The Virginia Supreme Court has not yet rendered a decision as to whether it will grant the Petition for Appeal and allow the appeal to proceed. BOKF, NA v. WD-I Associates, LLC, Wheeler Real Estate, LLC and Jon S. Wheeler, Court of Common Pleas, Beaufort County, South Carolina. BOKF (“Bank of Arkansas”), filed an action on April 9, 2019 in Beaufort County, South Carolina, for foreclosure of the mortgage it held on the real property and improvements comprising Sea Turtle Marketplace Shopping Center (“Sea Turtle”) which was owned by WD-I Associates, LLC (“WD-I”), and Jon S. Wheeler had guaranteed the debt. Bank of Arkansas sought the appointment of a receiver to take possession and control of Sea Turtle pending the completion of the foreclosure action. In response, WD-I filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on May 7, 2019. The bankruptcy filing stayed the foreclosure action in State Court. On May 1, 2020, the Bankruptcy Court granted the dismissal of the WD-I bankruptcy case upon the provisions for payment of the $200 thousand to creditors. The Company received an aggregate payment of $196 thousand in May 2020 and recorded the receipt on the Company's consolidated statements of operations under the line "other revenues". David Kelly v. Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Former CEO David Kelly filed suit on May 28, 2020, alleging that his employment was improperly terminated and that he is owed severance pay and related benefits pursuant to his employment agreement. He claims breach of his employment contract against the company. Initially, his suit included tort claims against Joseph Stilwell and Daniel Khoshaba; the Court dismissed those tort claims and the individual defendants at a hearing on December 15, 2020. On his remaining claim of breach of contract, Mr. Kelly seeks damages of $400 thousand, plus unpaid bonuses and benefits, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs. The Company is defending the action on the grounds that Mr. Kelly’s employment was properly terminated for cause. Trial is set for March 2-4, 2022. At this juncture, the outcome of the matter cannot be predicted. 56 Table of Contents 10. Commitments and Contingencies (continued) Harbor Pointe Tax Increment Financing Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) On September 1, 2011, the Grove Economic Development Authority issued the Grove Economic Development Authority Tax Increment Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2011 in the amount of $2.42 million, bearing a variable interest rate of 2.29%, not to exceed 14% and payable in 50 semi-annual installments. The proceeds of the bonds were to provide funding for the construction of public infrastructure and other site improvements and to be repaid by incremental additional property taxes generated by development. Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC, then owned by an affiliate of former CEO, Jon Wheeler, entered into an Economic Development Agreement with the Grove Economic Development Authority for this infrastructure development and in the event the ad valorem taxes were insufficient to cover annual debt service, Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC would reimburse the Grove Economic Development Authority (the “Harbor Pointe Agreement”). In 2014, Harbor Pointe Associates, LLC was acquired by the Company. The total debt service shortfall over the life of the bond is uncertain as it is based on ad valorem taxes, assessed property values, property tax rates, LIBOR and future potential development ranging until 2036. The Company’s future total principal obligation under the Harbor Pointe Agreement will be no more than $2.21 million, the principal amount of the bonds, as of December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company may have an interest obligation on the note based on the principal balance and LIBOR rates in effect at future payment dates. In 2020 and 2019, we funded approximately $0 and $79 thousand, respectively in debt service shortfalls. No amounts have been accrued for this as of December 31, 2020 as a reasonable estimate of future debt service shortfalls cannot be determined based on variables noted above. 11. Related Party Transactions The following summarizes related party activity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The amounts disclosed below reflect the activity between the Company and its affiliates (in thousands): Amounts paid to affiliates Amounts received from affiliates Reimbursement of Proxy Solicitation Expenses December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ 106 $ — $ — 19 On October 29, 2019, Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P., Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., Stilwell Value LLC and Joseph Stilwell (collectively, the “Stilwell Group”), filed a proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the Company’s 2019 annual meeting (the “Stilwell Solicitation”). Current director Joseph Stilwell is the owner and managing member of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners VII, L.P., Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P. and Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P.. At the 2019 annual meeting, our stockholders elected three nominees designated by the Stilwell Group to the Board of Directors. The Stilwell Group disclosed in the Stilwell Solicitation that it intended to seek reimbursement of the expenses it incurred in connection with such solicitation. The Company has agreed to reimburse the Stilwell Group for the approximate $439 thousand of expenses it incurred in connection with the Stilwell Solicitation. This reimbursement was recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as “other expense.” Tax Protection Agreement In 2016, in connection with the acquisition of Berkley and Sangaree/Tri-County, the Operating Partnership entered into a tax protection agreement that obligates the Operating Partnership to reimburse Jon Wheeler, the Company's former CEO, for his tax liabilities resulting from the recognition of certain taxable income or gain in the event the Operating Partnership takes certain action prior to November 10, 2023 with respect to Sangaree Plaza, Tri-County Plaza and Berkley. 57 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 12. Subsequent Events Paycheck Protection Program On January 8, 2021, KeyBank notified the Company that the PPP Promissory Note application for forgiveness has been approved. Tender offer On January 26, 2021 the Company announced, the value of Series D Preferred Shares that the Company was offering to purchase increased from $19.00 million to $20.00 million and the tender offer was extended to February 16, 2021. On February 17, 2021 the Company announced the tender offer was further extended to March 12, 2021 and the value of Series D Preferred Shares that the Company was offering to purchase decreased from $20.00 million to $6.00 million. The tender offer expired, in accordance with its terms, on March 12, 2021. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer and based on the final count, the Company accepted for purchase 387,097 Series D Preferred Shares at a purchase price of $15.50 per share, for an aggregate cost of $6.00 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. Tuckernuck Refinance On February 2, 2021, the Company refinanced the Tuckernuck Loan for $5.15 million at a rate of 5.00%. The loan matures on March 1, 2026 with monthly principal and interest payments of $32 thousand. Powerscourt Financing Agreement Payoff On March 12, 2021, the Company paid in full the $25.00 million Powerscourt Financing Agreement. The Powerscourt Warrant Agreement remains. Wilmington Financing Agreement On March 12, 2021, the Company entered into a financing agreement (the "Wilmington Financing Agreement") as borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto, as guarantors (together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”), the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The Wilmington Financing Agreement provides for a term loan in the aggregate principal of $35.00 million. The proceeds of the Wilmington Financing Agreement are intended for the following: (i) to paydown the Company’s indebtedness on the Powerscourt Financing Agreement, (ii) to fund the redemption of certain shares of the Company’s 8.75% Series D Preferred and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Wilmington Financing Agreement. The Wilmington Financing Agreement is at a rate of 8.00% and matures in March 2026 with quarterly interest only payments beginning on April 15, 2021. Any payment or repayment of principal will be made with a premium equal to 5% of the amount repaid or prepaid. In conjunction with the Wilmington Financing Agreement, the Company issued to the holders from time to time party thereto a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase, in the aggregate, 1,061,719 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (see the “Wilmington Warrant Agreement” below). The obligations of the Company under the Wilmington Financing Agreement are secured by liens on certain assets of the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, including mortgages on the properties within the Company’s portfolio. The Wilmington Financing Agreement also contains covenants that restrict, among other things the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to create liens, incur indebtedness, make certain investments, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, pay certain dividends and make certain other restricted payments or certain equity issuances, change the nature of their businesses, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and change their governing documents. Wilmington Warrant Agreement Pursuant to Wilmington Financing Agreement, the Company issued to the holders from time to time party thereto a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase in the aggregate, 1,061,719 shares of Common Stock in three tranches: warrants to purchase an aggregate of 510,204 shares at an exercise price of $3.43 per share ("Tranche A"); warrants to purchase an aggregate of 424,242 shares at an exercise price of $4.125 per share ("Tranche B"); and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 127,273 shares at an exercise price of $6.875 per share ("Tranche C") (the “Wilmington Warrant Agreement”). The Warrant is 58 Table of Contents Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) exercisable at the option of its holder in whole or in part into shares of Common Stock from time to time on or after March 12, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and before the maturity date of the Wilmington Financing Agreement. 59 December 31, 2020 Description Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year Ended December 31, 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Costs and Expense Deductions from Reserves (in thousands) Balance at End of Year $ $ 3,293 $ 3,269 $ 1,131 $ 426 $ (3,430) $ (402) $ 994 3,293 60 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation December 31, 2020 Initial Cost Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Carrying Costs (in thousands) $ Property Name Land Building and Improvements Improvements (net) (1) Amscot Building Lumber River Village Surrey Plaza Tuckernuck Twin City Commons Walnut Hill Plaza Tampa Festival Forrest Gallery Winslow Plaza Clover Plaza St. George Plaza South Square Westland Square Waterway Plaza Cypress Shopping Center Harrodsburg Marketplace Port Crossing Shopping Center LaGrange Marketplace DF I-Courtland Edenton Commons DF I-Moyock Freeway Junction Bryan Station Crockett Square Harbor Pointe (1) DF I-Berkley Pierpont Centre Brook Run Properties Alex City Marketplace Butler Square Brook Run Shopping Center Beaver Ruin Village Beaver Ruin Village II Columbia Fire Station Chesapeake Square Sunshine Plaza Barnett Portfolio Grove Park Parkway Plaza Fort Howard Square (1) (1) (1) $ $ — 800 381 2,115 800 734 4,653 3,015 1,325 356 706 353 887 1,280 2,064 1,431 792 390 196 746 179 1,521 1,658 1,546 1,538 250 484 300 454 1,024 2,209 2,604 1,153 1,106 895 1,183 3,107 722 772 1,890 $ 462 4,487 1,857 6,719 3,041 2,414 6,691 7,455 3,684 1,197 1,264 1,911 1,710 1,248 4,579 2,485 6,921 2,648 — — — 6,755 2,756 6,834 — — 9,221 — 7,837 6,401 12,919 8,284 2,809 599 4,112 6,368 8,912 4,590 4,230 7,350 31 151 — 1,009 142 1,334 442 1,081 210 29 69 31 36 214 476 72 167 277 — — — 152 85 183 (359) — 171 8 1,610 224 593 102 5 4,719 966 500 281 84 32 212 61 Gross Amount at which Carried at End of Period Building and Improvements Total Land $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — $ — 942 381 2,171 800 734 4,695 3,015 1,370 356 752 374 901 1,299 2,064 1,509 792 430 196 746 179 1,521 1,658 1,565 1,179 250 676 300 716 1,024 2,377 2,604 1,153 1,106 1,269 1,222 3,234 741 778 1,952 $ 493 4,496 1,857 7,672 3,183 3,748 7,091 8,536 3,849 1,226 1,287 1,921 1,732 1,443 5,055 2,479 7,088 2,885 — — — 6,907 2,841 6,998 — — 9,200 8 9,185 6,625 13,344 8,386 2,814 5,318 4,704 6,829 9,066 4,655 4,256 7,500 493 5,438 2,238 9,843 3,983 4,482 11,786 11,551 5,219 1,582 2,039 2,295 2,633 2,742 7,119 3,988 7,880 3,315 196 746 179 8,428 4,499 8,563 1,179 250 9,876 308 9,901 7,649 15,721 10,990 3,967 6,424 5,973 8,051 12,300 5,396 5,034 9,452 Land $ Property Name Conyers Crossing Darien Shopping Center Devine Street Folly Road Georgetown Ladson Crossing Lake Greenwood Crossing Lake Murray Litchfield I Litchfield II Litchfield Market Village Moncks Corner Ridgeland Shoppes at Myrtle Park South Lake South Park Berkley Sangaree Tri-County Riverbridge Laburnum Square Franklin Village Village at Martinsville New Market Crossing Rivergate Shopping Center JANAF Totals $ Initial Cost Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Building and Improvements Improvements (net) Carrying Costs 2,034 188 365 5,992 742 2,981 550 447 568 568 2,970 — 203 3,182 804 943 1,005 2,302 411 774 3,736 2,608 5,208 993 1,570 8,267 97,030 $ $ 6,820 1,054 1,941 4,527 1,917 3,920 2,499 1,537 929 936 4,716 1,109 376 5,360 2,025 2,967 2,865 2,922 3,421 5,384 5,928 9,426 12,879 5,216 30,694 66,549 348,667 $ $ 94 — — — 93 64 17 — 61 24 127 9 — 824 (27) 98 (50) 636 376 — 215 26 241 363 146 441 19,117 $ $ Gross Amount at which Carried at End of Period Building and Improvements Total 2,034 188 365 5,992 742 3,052 550 447 572 572 3,046 — 203 3,182 804 1,019 1,005 2,503 635 774 3,811 2,608 5,228 1,042 1,672 8,467 99,544 $ $ 6,914 1,054 1,941 4,527 2,010 3,913 2,516 1,537 986 956 4,767 1,118 376 6,184 1,998 2,989 2,815 3,357 3,573 5,384 6,068 9,452 13,100 5,530 30,738 66,790 365,270 $ $ 8,948 1,242 2,306 10,519 2,752 6,965 3,066 1,984 1,558 1,528 7,813 1,118 579 9,366 2,802 4,008 3,820 5,860 4,208 6,158 9,879 12,060 18,328 6,572 32,410 75,257 464,814 Land $ $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — (1) Net of impairment expenses described in Note 3 of the consolidated audited financial statements. 62 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Property Name Encumbrances Accumulated Depreciation (in thousands) Date of Construction Date Acquired Depreciation Life Amscot Building Lumber River Village Surrey Plaza Tuckernuck Twin City Commons Walnut Hill Plaza Tampa Festival Forrest Gallery Winslow Plaza Clover Plaza St. George Plaza South Square Westland Square Waterway Plaza Cypress Shopping Center Harrodsburg Marketplace Port Crossing Shopping Center LaGrange Marketplace DF I-Courtland (undeveloped land) Edenton Commons (undeveloped land) DF I-Moyock (undeveloped land) Freeway Junction Bryan Station Crockett Square Harbor Pointe (undeveloped land) DF I-Berkley (undeveloped land) Pierpont Centre Brook Run Properties (undeveloped land) Alex City Marketplace Butler Square Brook Run Shopping Center Beaver Ruin Village Beaver Ruin Village II Columbia Fire Station Chesapeake Square Sunshine Plaza Barnett Portfolio Grove Park Parkway Plaza $ (3) 1,367 (3) 5,193 2,915 3,287 7,920 8,226 4,553 1,951 2,460 2,003 2,556 2,503 6,163 3,343 5,909 (6) 7,582 4,312 6,338 8,001 5,750 5,640 10,950 (4) (4) 3,893 4,279 5,900 8,770 3,800 3,500 $ 243 1,144 535 1,902 795 2,373 1,891 2,215 992 243 264 356 334 271 891 484 1,883 595 — — — 1,360 550 1,403 — — 1,673 — 1,658 1,051 3,708 1,296 435 235 1,009 1,066 1,570 849 680 63 5/15/2004 8/31/2018 11/16/2012 12/21/2012 11/16/2012 12/18/2012 12/14/2007 8/26/2013 8/29/2013 12/19/2013 12/23/2013 12/23/2013 12/23/2013 12/23/2013 12/23/2013 7/1/2014 7/1/2014 7/3/2014 7/25/2014 8/15/2014 8/15/2014 8/15/2014 9/4/2014 10/2/2014 11/5/2014 11/21/2014 12/1/2014 1/14/2015 3/27/2015 4/1/2015 4/15/2015 6/2/2015 7/1/2015 7/1/2015 7/1/2015 7/10/2015 7/21/2015 8/21/2015 9/9/2015 9/15/2015 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-15 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years N/A N/A N/A 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years N/A N/A 5-40 years N/A 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years Property Name Encumbrances Accumulated Depreciation (in thousands) Date of Construction Date Acquired Depreciation Life $ 7,100 5,960 (1) (1) 7,223 (6) (7) (7) (1) (5) (5) (5) (1) (6) 5,892 (1) (7) (2) (2) (2) 4,000 7,665 8,404 15,979 6,508 21,164 59,982 $ $ 1,126 1,301 144 252 608 272 553 343 236 160 132 687 162 65 921 261 393 335 655 552 727 798 1,078 1,772 690 3,596 5,912 59,685 Fort Howard Square Conyers Crossing Darien Shopping Center Devine Street Folly Road Georgetown Ladson Crossing Lake Greenwood Crossing Lake Murray Litchfield I Litchfield II Litchfield Market Village Moncks Corner Ridgeland Shoppes at Myrtle Park South Lake South Park Berkley Sangaree Tri-County Riverbridge Laburnum Square Franklin Village Village at Martinsville New Market Crossing Rivergate Shopping Center JANAF Totals (1) Properties secure a $25.0 million term note. (2) Properties secure a $9.4 million mortgage note. (3) Properties secure a $1.1 million mortgage note. (4) Properties secure a $9.4 million mortgage note. (5) Properties secure a $7.4 million mortgage note. (6) Properties secure a $5.6 million mortgage note. (7) Properties secure a $7.2 million mortgage note. 9/30/2015 9/30/2015 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 11/10/2016 11/10/2016 11/10/2016 11/15/2016 12/7/2016 12/12/2016 12/16/2016 12/20/2016 12/21/2016 1/18/2018 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 5-40 years 64 Balance at beginning of period Additions during the period: Acquisitions Improvements Impairments Disposals Balance at end of period Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued) 2020 2019 (in thousands) 468,499 $ — 3,066 (600) (6,151) 464,814 $ 482,103 35 2,711 (1,598) (14,752) 468,499 $ $ 65 Exhibit 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 10.1 Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on August 8, 2016). Articles of Supplementary of the Registrant dated September 16, 2016 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on September 20, 2016). Articles of Supplementary of the Registrant dated December 1, 2016 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 5, 2016). Articles of Amendment and Restatement, effective March 31, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on April 3, 2017). Articles of Amendment and Restatement, effective March 31, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on April 3, 2017). Articles of Amendment of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on May 29, 2020). Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant (Filed as exhibit to Form S-11/A (Registration No. 333-177262) previously filed on February 14, 2012 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933). Bylaws of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., as amended (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on May 29, 2020). Certificate of Correction of Articles Supplementary (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on May 4, 2018). Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. (Filed as exhibit to Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-198245) previously filed on August 20, 2014 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Units (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on April 15, 2015). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. Amended Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Units (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on July 15, 2016). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. Designation of Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on September 20, 2016). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. Amended Designation of Additional Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 5, 2016). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P. (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on September 5, 2019). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P., dated December 22, 2020 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 23, 2020). Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Wheeler REIT, L.P, dated March 12, 2021 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2021). Form of Certificate of Common Stock of Registrant (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on April 3, 2017). Form of Certificate of Series B Preferred Stock of Registrant (Filed as exhibit to Form S-11/A (Registration No. 333-194831) previously filed on April 23, 2014 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933). Form of Certificate of Series D Preferred Stock of the Registrant (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on September 20, 2016). Description of Securities (Filed herewith). Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on June 8, 2015). 66 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on June 16, 2016). Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement, dated August 4, 2020, between Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Daniel Khoshaba (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on August 5, 2020). Employment Agreement with David Kelly (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on February 20, 2018). Employment Agreement with Matthew Reddy (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on February 20, 2018). Employment Agreement with M. Andrew Franklin (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on February 20, 2018). Employment Agreement with Crystal Plum (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on February 20, 2020). Tax Protection Agreement dated October 24, 2014, by and among Jon S. Wheeler, Wheeler REIT, L.P., and Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on October 30, 2014). Shareholders Rights Agreement, dated March 19, 2015, by and between Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Westport Capital Partners LLC as agent on behalf of certain investor (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 19, 2015). Letter Agreement, dated March 19, 2015, by and between Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Jon S. Wheeler (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 19, 2015). Tax Protection Agreement dated February 8, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on February 10, 2017). Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 21, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 22, 2017). Keybank Letter Agreement Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 2, 2018 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K/A, filed on March 7, 2018). KeyBank Letter Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated August 7, 2018 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K/A, filed on August 8, 2018). KeyBank Letter Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 15, 2018 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K/A, filed on October 19, 2018). KeyBank Letter Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 28, 2019 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K/A, filed on March 14, 2019). First Amendment to the KeyBank Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 25, 2019 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K/A, filed on May 1, 2019). Second Amendment to the KeyBank Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2020 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 28, 2020). Equity Interests Pledge and Security Agreement to the KeyBank Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2020 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 28, 2020). Third Amendment to the KeyBank Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 20, 2020 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on July 24, 2020). Purchase and Sale Agreement dated November 3, 2016 between WHLR-JANAF, LLC, JANAF Shopping Center, LLC, JANAF Shops, LLC, JANAF HQ, LLC, and JANAF Crossing, LLC (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). First Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 2, 2016 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Second Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 6, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Third Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 9, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Fourth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 11, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). 67 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 10.32 10.33 10.34 10.35 10.36 10.37 10.38 10.39 10.40 10.41 10.42 10.43 14.1 21.1 23.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 Fifth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 13, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Sixth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 3, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Seventh Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 6, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Eighth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 7, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Ninth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated March 8, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Tenth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated June 9, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Eleventh Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 17, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Twelfth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated November 9, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Thirteenth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated November 30, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Fourteenth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 19, 2017 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2018). Fifteenth Amendment to JANAF Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 17, 2018 (Filed as exhibit to Form 10-K, filed on March 7, 2018). JANAF Loan Agreement dated June 5, 2013 (Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on January 23, 2018). Powerscourt Financing Agreement, dated December 22, 2020 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 23, 2020). Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated December 22, 2020 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 23, 2020). Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 22, 2020 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on December 23, 2020). Wilmington Financing Agreement, dated March 12, 2021 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2021). Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated March 12, 2021 (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2021). Registration Rights Agreement dated March 12, 2021, (Filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2021). Code of Ethics (Filed as exhibit to Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-177262) previously filed on October 12, 2011 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933). Subsidiaries of Registrant (Filed herewith). Consent of Cherry Bekaert LLP (Filed herewith). Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith). Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith). Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith). 68 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith). 101.INS XBRL Instance Document (Filed herewith). 101.SCH 101.CAL 101.DEF 101.LAB 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (Filed herewith). XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (Filed herewith). XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (Filed herewith). XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase (Filed herewith). XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (Filed herewith). Item 16. Form 10-K Summary. Not applicable. 69 Pursuant to the requirements Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES WHEELER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC. /s/ Daniel Khoshaba Daniel Khoshaba Chief Executive Officer /s/ Crystal Plum Crystal Plum Chief Financial Officer Date: March 18, 2021 POWER OF ATTORNEY Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Daniel Khoshaba and Crystal Plum as his or her attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Report and to file same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his or her substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Signature /S/ DANIEL KHOSHABA Daniel Khoshaba /S/ CRYSTAL PLUM Crystal Plum /S/ STEFANI D. CARTER Stefani D. Carter /S/ ANDREW JONES Andrew Jones /S/ CLAYTON ("CHIP") ANDREWS Clayton (“Chip”) Andrews /S/ JOSEPH D. STILWELL Joseph D. Stilwell /S/ PAULA J. POSKON Paula J. Poskon /S/ KERRY G. CAMPBELL Kerry G. Campbell /S/ E.J. BORRACK E.J. Borrack Title Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer; Principal Accounting Officer) Date March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 Chairman of Board of Directors March 18, 2021 Director Director Director Director Director Director 70 March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 March 18, 2021 Exhibit 4.4 Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 As of December 31, 2020, Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“WHLR”, the “Company” or “our”) had four classes of securities: our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), Series A Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series A Preferred”); Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series B Preferred”) and Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series D Preferred”). Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred are collectively referred to “Preferred Stock” hereinafter. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had authority to issue 33,750,000 shares of stock consisting of the following: • • • • 18,750,000 Common Stock authorized, 9,703,874 of which were issued and outstanding; 4,500 Series A Preferred authorized, 562 of which were issued and outstanding; 5,000,000 Series B Preferred authorized, 1,875,748 of which were issued and outstanding; and 4,000,000 Series D Preferred authorized, 3,600,636 of which were issued and outstanding. Our Common Stock, Series B Preferred, and Series D Preferred are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) on the Nasdaq Capital Market exchange. The following is a summary of each class of our securities registered under the Act and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Charter”), Supplementary Articles, as amended and restated and our by-laws, as amended and restated (the “By-Laws”), copies of which are incorporated by reference within the Exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 of which this Exhibit 4.4 is a part. Our Series A Preferred stock is not registered on an exchange for trading and is not included in the following description. Common Stock Pursuant to Article V of our Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock. With respect to dividend payments and distribution of the Company’s assets upon redemption and upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of our Common Stock are subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares of our Preferred Stock. When and if declared by the Board, the holders of shares of Common Stock are subject to prior rights of the holders of any shares of our Preferred Stock for any dividends declared, paid upon or set aside for the Common Stock in any such year, dividends in cash, stock or otherwise. Any dividends declared but not paid shall be cumulative. No deposit, payment, dividend or distribution of any kind shall be made with respect to the Common Stock unless all dividends payable on the Preferred Stock have been paid. Preferred Stock In the event of (i) any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or (ii) any sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to and in preference of any distribution or payment upon the Common Stock, an amount per share of Preferred Stock equal to the sum of the Preferred Stock purchase price plus any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. To the extent the assets and funds available for distribution after payment of all required obligations of the Company are insufficient to make such payment, then the entire assets and funds available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock. Any amounts remaining after payment in full of the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock. Series B Preferred Holders of Series B Preferred shares have the right to cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 9% per annum of the $25 liquidation preference per share. The Series B Preferred has no redemption rights. However, the Series B Preferred is subject to a mandatory conversion once the 20-trading day volume-weighted average closing price of our Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, exceeds $58 per share; once this weighted average closing price is met, each share of our Series B Preferred will automatically convert into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $40.00 per share. In addition, holders of our Series B Preferred also have the option, at any time, to convert shares of our Series B Preferred into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $40.00 per share of Common Stock. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of shares of our Series B Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of our assets a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the date of payment. The Series Preferred B has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless subject to a mandatory or voluntary conversion as described above. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as provided by law. Series D Preferred The Series D Preferred has a $25.00 liquidation preference per share. Until September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.75% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to the fixed annual amount of $2.1875 per share) (the “Initial Rate”). Commencing September 21, 2023, the holder’s will be entitled to cumulative cash dividends at an annual dividend rate of the Initial Rate increased by 2% of the liquidation preference per annum on each subsequent anniversary thereafter, subject to a maximum annual dividend rate of 14%. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or before January 15th, April 15th, July 15th and October 15th of each year. On or after September 21, 2021, the Company, may at its option, redeem the Series D Preferred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date. The holder of the Series D Preferred may convert shares at any time into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of $16.96 per share of Common Stock. On September 21, 2023, the holders of the Series D Preferred may, at their option, elect to cause the Company to redeem any or all of their shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to and including the redemption date, payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, at the holder’s option. The Series D Preferred requires the Company maintain asset coverage of at least 200%. If we fail to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% calculated by determining the percentage value of (i) our total assets plus accumulated depreciation and accumulated amortization minus our total liabilities and indebtedness as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) (exclusive of the book value of any Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock (defined below)) over (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends, of outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred Stock and any outstanding shares of term preferred stock or preferred stock providing for a fixed mandatory redemption date or maturity date (collectively referred to as “Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock”) on the last business day of any calendar quarter (“Asset Coverage Ratio”), and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is 30 calendar days following the filing date of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as applicable, for that quarter, or the “Asset Coverage Cure Date,” then we will be required to redeem, within 90 calendar days of the Asset Coverage Cure Date, shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock, which may include Series D Preferred Stock, at least equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that will result in us having a coverage ratio of at least 200% and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock that can be redeemed solely out of funds legally available for such redemption. In connection with any redemption for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, we may, in our sole option, redeem any shares of Redeemable and Term Preferred Stock we select, including on a non-pro rata basis. We may elect not to redeem any Series D Preferred Stock to cure such failure as long as we cure our failure to meet the Asset Coverage Ratio by or on the Asset Coverage Cure Date. If shares of Series D Preferred Stock are to be redeemed for failure to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio, such shares will be redeemed solely in cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not declared) to and including the redemption date. Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate from the end of the most recent dividend period for which dividends have been paid. Dividends on the Series D Preferred cumulate whether or not (i) we have earnings, (ii) there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and (iii) such dividends are authorized by the Board or declared by us. Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock do not bear interest. If the Company, fails to pay any dividend within three (3) business days after the payment date for such dividend, the then-current dividend rate increases following the payment date by an additional 2.0% of the $25.00 stated liquidation preference per share, or $0.50 per annum, until we pay the dividend, subject to our ability to cure the failure. On December 20, 2018, the Company suspended the Series D Preferred dividend. As such, the Series D Preferred shares began accumulating dividends at 10.75% beginning January 1, 2019 and will continue to accumulate dividends at this rate until all accumulated dividends have been paid. Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred have no voting rights. However, if dividends on the Series D Preferred are in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly periods, the number of directors on the Board will automatically be increased by two, and holders of shares of the Series D Preferred and the holders of shares of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (voting together as a single class) will be entitled to vote, at a special meeting called upon the written request of the holders of at least 20% of such stock or at our next annual meeting and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the Board, until all unpaid dividends on such Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock, if any, have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment. The Series D Preferred Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election. The Board of Directors is not permitted to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors as a result of the failure of the holders of 20% of the Series D Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock to deliver such written request for the election of the Series D Preferred Directors. In addition, holders of shares of the Series D Preferred shall have the right to vote to approve any amendment to the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock. Any such amendment of the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT Exhibit 21.1 Wheeler Development, LLC Wheeler Interests, LLC, Wheeler Real Estate, LLC WHLR Management, LLC Brook Run Associates, LLC Chesapeake Square Associates, LLC DF I - Courtland, LLC DF I - Moyock II, LLC Harbor Point Associates, LLC LaGrange Associates, LLC Lumber River Associates, LLC Northpointe Investors, LLC PCSC Associates, LLC Perimeter Associates, LLC Riversedge Office Associates, LLC Tuckernuck Associates, LLC Walnut Hill Plaza Associates, LLC WD III Associates, LLC WHLR - Alex City Marketplace, LLC WHLR - Beaver Ruin Village II, LLC WHLR - Beaver Ruin Village, LLC WHLR - Brook Run Property, LLC WHLR - Bryan Station LLC WHLR - Butler Square, LLC WHLR - Cardinal Plaza, LLC WHLR - Carolina Place, LLC WHLR - Clover LLC WHLR - Columbia Fire House, LLC WHLR - Conyers Crossing, LLC WHLR - Crockett Square, LLC WHLR - Cypress LLC WHLR - Darien, LLC WHLR - Devine Street, LLC WHLR - Folly Road Crossing, LLC WHLR - Ft. Howard Square, LLC WHLR - Franklinton Square, LLC WHLR - Freeway Junction LLC WHLR - Georgetown, LLC WHLR - Grove Park, LLC WHLR - Harrodsburg Marketplace LLC WHLR - Ladson Crossing, LLC WHLR - Lake Greenwood Crossing, LLC WHLR - Lake Murray, LLC WHLR - Litchfield Market Village, LLC WHLR - Moncks Corner, LLC WHLR - Mullins South Park, LLC WHLR - Nashville Commons, LLC WHLR - Parkway Plaza, LLC WHLR - Pierpont Center, LLC WHLR - Ridgeland, LLC WHLR - Shoppes at Myrtle Park, LLC WHLR - South Lake Pointe, LLC WHLR - South Square LLC WHLR - St. George LLC WHLR - St. Matthews, LLC WHLR - Sunshine Shopping Plaza, LLC WHLR - Waterway LLC WHLR - Westland LLC WHLR - Winslow LLC WHLR - Berkley, LLC WHLR - Forrest Gallery, LLC Jenks Plaza Associates, LLC Surrey Plaza Associates, LLC WHLR - Tampa Festival, LLC WHLR - Twin City Associates, LLC WHLR - Graystone Crossing LLC South Main Street Associates, LLC P&W SC/GA Properties I, LLC WHLR - Riverbridge Shopping Center, LLC WHLR - Rivergate, LLC WHLR - Franklin Village, LLC WHLR - Laburnum Square, LLC WHLR - Village of Martinsville, LLC WHLR - New Market Crossing, LLC WHLR - JANAF, LLC WHLR - JANAF BRAVO, LLC WHLR - JANAF BJ’s, LLC WHLR - JANAF OFFICE, LLC WHLR – Pierpont Center, LLC Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries Virginia Beach, Virginia We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), on Form S-11 (Nos. 333- 189887, 333-194831, 333-195492, 333-198245, and 333-198696), Form S-3 (Nos. 333-193563, 333-194252, 333-203563, 333-206014, 333-207241, 333-211506, 333-212426, 333-213294, 333-221877, and 333-222971), Form S-4 (No. 333-204957), and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-205845 and 333-213102) of our report dated March 18, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, which appears in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. /s/ Cherry Bekaert LLP Virginia Beach, Virginia March 18, 2021 Exhibit 31.1 I, Daniel Khoshaba, certify that: CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 1. 2. 3. 4. (a) (b) (c) (d) 5. (a) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.; Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 18, 2021 /s/ Daniel Khoshaba Daniel Khoshaba Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 31.2 I, Crystal Plum, certify that: CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 1. 2. 3. 4. (a) (b) (c) (d) 5. (a) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.; Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 18, 2021 /s/ Crystal Plum Crystal Plum Chief Financial Officer CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.1 The undersigned, Daniel Khoshaba, Chief Executive Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“the Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Daniel Khoshaba Daniel Khoshaba Chief Executive Officer Date: March 18, 2021 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Exhibit 32.2 The undersigned, Crystal Plum, Chief Financial Officer of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“the Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Crystal Plum Crystal Plum Chief Financial Officer Date: March 18, 2021 

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