Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

DDR Corp. and its related consolidated real estate subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “DDR”) and unconsolidated joint ventures are primarily engaged in the business of acquiring, owning, developing, redeveloping, expanding, leasing, financing and managing shopping centers. Unless otherwise provided, references herein to the Company or DDR include DDR Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures. The Company’s tenant base primarily includes national and regional retail chains and local retailers. Consequently, the Company’s credit risk is concentrated in the retail industry.

On December 14, 2017, the Company announced its intention to spin off 50 shopping centers in 2018, representing $2.9 billion of gross book asset value, composed of 38 continental U.S. assets and all 12 shopping centers in Puerto Rico, into a separate, publicly-traded Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”), Retail Value Inc.

Amounts relating to the number of properties, square footage, tenant and occupancy data, joint venture interests and estimated project costs are unaudited.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the Company’s 2016 and 2015 financial statements to conform to the 2017 presentation.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and all entities in which the Company has a controlling interest or has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in real estate joint ventures in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings (or loss) of these joint ventures is included in consolidated net income (loss).

The Company has two unconsolidated joint ventures included in the Company’s joint venture investments that are considered VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s maximum exposure to losses associated with these VIEs is limited to its aggregate investment, which was $284.1 million and $405.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Statements of Cash Flows and Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Information

Non-cash investing and financing activities are summarized as follows (in millions):

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Accounts payable related to construction in progress	$	13.4	$	13.3	$	31.6
Dividends declared		78.5		75.2		68.6
Assumption of buildings due to lease termination		8.6		—		—
Casualty insurance receivable and reduction of real estate assets, net related to hurricane casualty		65.9		—		—
Redemption of OP Units		—		—		18.3
Mortgages assumed from acquisitions		—		—		33.7
Elimination of a previously held equity interest		—		—		1.4

Real Estate

Real estate assets, which include construction in progress and undeveloped land, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings	Useful lives, 20 to 31.5 years
Building improvements and fixtures	Useful lives, ranging from 5 to 20 years
Tenant improvements	Shorter of economic life or lease terms

The Company periodically assesses the useful lives of its depreciable real estate assets and accounts for any revisions, which are not material for the periods presented, prospectively. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Significant expenditures that improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized.

Construction in Progress and Land includes undeveloped land as well as construction in progress related to shopping center developments and expansions. The Company capitalized certain direct costs (salaries and related personnel) and incremental internal construction costs of $7.4 million, $8.1 million and $9.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Purchase Price Accounting

In January 2017, the Company adopted the amendment to the accounting guidance for business combinations to clarify the definition of a business. The objective of this guidance is to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Pursuant to the new guidance, the Company’s acquisitions in 2017 were accounted for as asset acquisitions.

Upon acquisition of properties, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements and intangibles, generally including (i) above- and below-market leases, (ii) in-place leases and (iii) tenant relationships. The Company allocates the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a gross basis based on their relative fair values at the date of acquisition. Beginning in 2017, the Company began capitalizing the acquisition costs incurred with asset acquisitions. In estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangibles acquired, the Company considers information obtained about each property as a result of its due diligence and marketing and leasing activities and uses various valuation methods, such as estimated cash flow projections using appropriate discount and capitalization rates, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, estimates of replacement costs net of depreciation and other available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. Above- and below-market lease values are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management's estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the estimated term of any below-market, fixed-rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above- and below-market lease values are amortized to base rental revenue over the related lease term. The purchase price is further allocated to in-place lease values and tenant relationship values based on management's evaluation of the specific characteristics of the acquired lease portfolio and the Company's overall relationship with the anchor tenants. Such amounts are amortized to expense over the remaining initial lease term (and expected renewal periods for tenant relationships).

Real Estate Impairment Assessment

The Company reviews its individual real estate assets, including undeveloped land and construction in progress, for potential impairment indicators whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in projected net operating income and occupancy percentages, estimated hold periods, projected losses on potential future sales, market factors, significant changes in projected development costs or completion dates and sustainability of development projects. An asset is considered impaired when the undiscounted future cash flows are not sufficient to recover the asset’s carrying value. The determination of anticipated undiscounted cash flows is inherently subjective, requiring significant estimates made by management, and considers the most likely expected course of action at the balance sheet date based on current plans, intended holding periods and available market information. If the Company is evaluating the potential sale of an asset or undeveloped land, the undiscounted future cash flows analysis is probability-weighted based upon management’s best estimate of the likelihood of the alternative courses of action as of the balance sheet date. If an impairment is indicated, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. The Company recorded aggregate impairment charges of $340.5 million, $110.9 million and $279.0 million, related to consolidated real estate investments during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively (Note 12).

Disposition of Real Estate and Real Estate Investments

Sales of real estate include the sale of land, operating properties and investments in real estate joint ventures. Gains from dispositions are recognized using the full accrual or partial sale methods, provided that various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement by the Company with the asset sold are met. If the criteria for sale recognition or gain recognition are not met because of a form of continuing involvement, the accounting for such transactions is dependent on the nature of the continuing involvement. In certain cases, a sale might not be recognized, and in others all or a portion of the gain might be deferred.

A discontinued operation includes only the disposal of a component of an entity and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s financial results. The disposition of the Company’s individual properties did not qualify for discontinued operations presentation, and thus, the results of the properties that have been sold remain in Income from Continuing Operations, and any associated gains or losses from the disposition are included in Gain on Disposition of Real Estate.

Real Estate Held for Sale

The Company generally considers assets to be held for sale when management believes that a sale is probable within a year. This generally occurs when a sales contract is executed with no substantive contingencies and the prospective buyer has significant funds at risk. Assets that are classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. The Company evaluated its property portfolio and did not identify any properties that would meet the above-mentioned criteria for held for sale as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Interest and Real Estate Taxes

Interest and real estate taxes incurred relating to the construction, expansion or redevelopment of shopping centers are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the building. This includes interest incurred on funds invested in or advanced to unconsolidated joint ventures with qualifying development activities. The Company will cease the capitalization of these costs when construction activities are substantially completed and the property is available for occupancy by tenants. If the Company suspends substantially all activities related to development of a qualifying asset, the Company will cease capitalization of interest and taxes until activities are resumed.

Interest paid during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, aggregated $194.7 million, $220.0 million and $234.6 million, respectively, of which $1.9 million, $3.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively, was capitalized.

Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures

To the extent that the Company’s cost basis in an unconsolidated joint venture is different from the basis reflected at the joint venture level, the basis difference is amortized over the life of the related assets and included in the Company’s share of equity in net income (loss) of the joint venture. Periodically, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if the Company’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment and such difference is deemed to be other than temporary. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.9 million (Note 12) related to its investment in an unconsolidated joint venture during the year ended December 31, 2015. Investment impairment charges create a basis difference between the Company’s share of accumulated equity as compared to the investment balance of the respective unconsolidated joint venture. The Company allocates the aggregate impairment charge to each of the respective properties owned by the joint venture on a relative fair value basis and amortizes this basis differential as an adjustment to the equity in net income (loss) recorded by the Company over the estimated remaining useful lives of the underlying assets.

Preferred Equity Interests

At December 31, 2017, the Company had net preferred equity interests of $277.8 million recorded in Investments in and Advances to Joint Ventures. The Company evaluates the collectability of both the principal and interest on these investments based upon an assessment of the underlying collateral value to determine whether the investment is impaired. As the underlying collateral for the investments is real estate investments, the same valuation techniques are used to value the collateral as those used to determine the fair value of real estate investments for impairment purposes as disclosed above. In addition, the Company performs an additional present value of cash flows for the underlying collateral value that is probability-weighted based upon management’s estimate of the repayment timing. The preferred equity interests are considered impaired if the Company’s estimate of the fair value of the underlying collateral is less than the carrying value of the preferred equity interests. In 2017, based upon the results of the impairment assessment, the Company recorded an aggregate valuation allowance of $61.0 million related to both of its preferred equity investments to reflect the risk that the securities are not repaid in full in advance of the Company’s redemption rights in 2021 and 2022 (Note 12). Interest income on the impaired investments is recognized on a cash basis. The Company will continue to monitor the investments and related valuation allowance, which could be increased or decreased in future periods, as appropriate.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash deposits with major financial institutions, which from time to time may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and believes that the risk of loss is minimal.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts on deposit with financial institutions primarily for debt service payments, real estate taxes, capital improvements and operating reserves as required pursuant to the respective loan agreement. For purposes of the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, changes in restricted cash are aggregated with cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

The Company makes estimates of the amounts it believes will not be collected related to base rents, straight-line rents receivable, expense reimbursements and other amounts owed. The Company analyzes accounts receivable, tenant credit worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, amounts due from tenants in bankruptcy are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with the expected recovery of pre-petition and post-petition claims.

Accounts receivable, other than straight-line rents receivable, are expected to be collected within one year and are net of estimated unrecoverable amounts of $13.6 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, straight-line rents receivable, net of a provision for uncollectible amounts of $4.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, aggregated $59.4 million and $65.1 million, respectively.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable include certain loans that are held for investment and are generally collateralized by real estate-related investments and may be subordinate to other senior loans. Loans receivable are recorded at stated principal amounts or at initial investment plus accretable yield for loans purchased at a discount. The related discounts on mortgages and other loans purchased are accreted over the life of the related loan receivable. The Company defers loan origination and commitment fees, net of origination costs, and amortizes them over the term of the related loan. The Company evaluates the collectability of both principal and interest on each loan based on an assessment of the underlying collateral value to determine whether it is impaired, and not by the use of internal risk ratings. A loan loss reserve is recorded when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss is calculated by comparing the recorded investment to the value of the underlying collateral. As the underlying collateral for a majority of the notes receivable is real estate-related investments, the same valuation techniques are used to value the collateral as those used to determine the fair value of real estate investments for impairment purposes. Given the small number of loans outstanding, all of the Company’s loans are evaluated individually for this purpose. Interest income on performing loans is accrued as earned. Interest income on non-performing loans is recognized on a cash basis. Recognition of interest income on an accrual basis on non-performing loans is resumed when it is probable that the Company will be able to collect amounts due according to the contractual terms.

Deferred Charges

External costs and fees incurred in obtaining indebtedness are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, rather than as an asset. Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s revolving credit facilities remain classified as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets as these costs are, at the outset, not associated with an outstanding borrowing. The aggregate costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt agreements. Such amortization is reflected in Interest Expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Treasury Shares

The Company’s share repurchases are reflected as treasury shares utilizing the cost method of accounting and are presented as a reduction to consolidated shareholders’ equity. Reissuances of the Company’s treasury shares at an amount below cost are recorded as a charge to paid-in capital due to the Company’s cumulative distributions in excess of net income.

Revenue Recognition

Minimum rents from tenants are recognized using the straight-line method over the lease term of the respective leases. Percentage and overage rents are recognized after a tenant’s reported sales have exceeded the applicable sales breakpoint set forth in the applicable lease. Revenues associated with expense reimbursements from tenants are recognized in the period that the related expenses are incurred based upon the tenant lease provision. Management fees are recorded in the period earned based on a percentage of collected revenue at the properties under management. Included in management and other fee income are fees (i.e., leasing and development fees) derived from the Company’s unconsolidated joint venture investments that are recognized to the extent attributable to the unaffiliated ownership interest. Ancillary and other property-related income, primarily composed of leasing vacant space to temporary tenants and kiosk income, is recognized in the period earned. Lease termination fees are recognized upon the effective termination of a tenant’s lease when the Company has no further obligations under the lease.

Fee and Other Income was composed of the following (in thousands):

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
Management and other fee income	$	33,641	$	36,298	$	32,971
Ancillary and other property income		16,819		18,678		19,038
Lease termination fees		10,505		3,512		2,774
Other		170		80		565
Total fee and other income	$	61,135	$	58,568	$	55,348

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include certain internal leasing and legal salaries and related expenses associated with the re-leasing of existing space, which are charged to operations as incurred.

Stock Option and Other Equity-Based Plans

Compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions classified as equity is recognized in the financial statements based upon the grant date fair value. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant in order to estimate the amount of share-based awards that will ultimately vest. The forfeiture rate is based on historical rates for non-executive employees and actual expectations for executives.

Stock-based compensation cost recognized by the Company was $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and $7.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. These amounts include $5.5 million, $0.9 million and $0.5 million expense related to the accelerated vesting of awards due to employee separations in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This net cost is included in General and Administrative Expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company has made an election to qualify, and believes it is operating so as to qualify, as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax, provided that it makes distributions to its shareholders equal to at least the amount of its REIT taxable income as defined under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and continues to satisfy certain other requirements.

In connection with the REIT Modernization Act, the Company is permitted to participate in certain activities and still maintain its qualification as a REIT, so long as these activities are conducted in entities that elect to be treated as taxable subsidiaries under the Code. As such, the Company is subject to federal and state income taxes on the income from these activities. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act) was enacted in December 2015 and included numerous law changes applicable to REITs, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. It included numerous law changes for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, some of which are applicable to REITs. The Company does not expect that changes will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In the normal course of business, the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries is subject to examination by federal, state and local tax jurisdictions as well as certain jurisdictions outside the United States, in which it operates, where applicable. The Company expects to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as income tax expense. For the three years ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized no material adjustments regarding its tax accounting treatment for uncertain tax provisions. As of December 31, 2017, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under applicable statutes of limitations are generally the year 2014 and forward.

Deferred Tax Assets

The Company accounts for income taxes related to its taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the income statement in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax assets when the Company determines that an uncertainty exists regarding their realization, which would increase the provision for income taxes. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including forecasts of future taxable income, the reversal of other existing temporary differences, available net operating loss carryforwards, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. Several of these considerations require assumptions and significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and must be consistent with the plans and estimates that the Company is utilizing to manage its business. As a result, to the extent facts and circumstances change, an assessment of the need for a valuation allowance should be made.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the corporate federal income tax rate to a flat 21% for years beginning after December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the Company reflected this rate decrease in its deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 (Note 15).

Segment

Segments

At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had two reportable operating segments: shopping centers and loan investments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker may review operational and financial data on a property basis and does not differentiate properties on a geographical basis for purposes of allocating resources or capital. The Company evaluates individual property performance primarily based on net operating income before depreciation, amortization and certain nonrecurring items. Each consolidated shopping center is considered a separate operating segment; however, each shopping center on a stand-alone basis, represents less than 10% of revenues, profit or loss, and assets of the combined reported operating segment and meets the majority of the aggregations criteria under the applicable standard.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s international consolidated and unconsolidated joint venture investments are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities, an average exchange rate for each period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses, and at the transaction date for impairments or asset sales, with the Company’s proportionate share of the resulting translation adjustments recorded as Accumulated OCI. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions, translated to local currency, are included in income as incurred.

Derivative and Hedging Activities

The Company recorded all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even if hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The standard Fair Value Measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs). The following summarizes the fair value hierarchy:

• Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

• Level 2	Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are inactive, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and

• Level 3	Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

New Accounting Standards to be Adopted

New Accounting Standards to Be Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU No. 2014-09 is to establish a single, comprehensive, five-step model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers that will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of this standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The new guidance is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2017. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU No. 2014-09. The Company will adopt the standard using the modified retrospective approach for financial statements issued after January 1, 2018; management does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Most significantly for the real estate industry, leasing transactions are not within the scope of the new standard. A majority of the Company’s tenant-related revenue is recognized pursuant to lease agreements and will be governed by the leasing guidance discussed below. The Company completed its assessment of ASU No. 2014-09 and has concluded that the guidance will not have a material impact on the method of revenue recognition. Upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, the recognition of lease commission income earned pursuant to its management agreements with unconsolidated joint ventures will be accelerated into an earlier quarter than recognized in current GAAP. Historically, the majority of the Company’s lease commission income has been recognized 50% upon lease execution and 50% upon tenant rent commencement. Effective January 1, 2018, lease commission income will generally be recognized in its entirety upon lease execution. This revenue is not considered material to the Company’s financial statements.

Accounting for Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this update govern a number of areas including, but not limited to, accounting for leases, replacing the existing guidance in ASC No. 840, Leases. Under this standard, among other changes in practice, a lessee’s rights and obligations under most leases, including existing and new arrangements, would be recognized as assets and liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheet. Other significant provisions of this standard include (i) defining the “lease term” to include the non-cancelable period together with periods for which there is a significant economic incentive for the lessee to extend or not terminate the lease; (ii) defining the initial lease liability to be recorded on the balance sheet to contemplate only those variable lease payments that depend on an index or that are in substance “fixed,” (iii) a dual approach for determining whether lease expense is recognized on a straight-line or accelerated basis, depending on whether the lessee is expected to consume more than an insignificant portion of the leased asset’s economic benefits and (iv) a requirement to bifurcate certain lease and non-lease components. The lease standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those fiscal years), with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt the standard using the modified retrospective approach for financial statements issued after January 1, 2019.

The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company has currently identified several areas within its accounting policies it believes could be impacted by the new standard. The Company may have a change in presentation on its consolidated statements of operations with regards to Recoveries from Tenants, which includes reimbursements from tenants for certain operating expenses, real estate taxes and insurance. Tenant expense reimbursements with a service obligation are not covered within the scope of ASU No. 2016-02. The Company also has certain lease arrangements with its tenants for space at its shopping centers in which the contractual amounts due under the lease by the lessee are not allocated between the rental and expense reimbursement components (“Gross Leases”). The aggregate revenue earned under Gross Leases is presented as Minimum Rents in the consolidated statements of operations. As a result, the Company anticipates under the currently issued standard, it will be required to bifurcate the presentation of certain expense reimbursements as well as allocate the fair value of the embedded revenue associated with these reimbursements for Gross Leases, which represent an immaterial portion of the Company’s lease portfolio, and separately present such amounts in its consolidated statements of operations based upon materiality. On January 5, 2018, the FASB issued a proposal for comment that would make targeted improvements to the Leases standard that provides lessors with a practical expedient by class of underlying assets to not separate non-lease components from the lease component. Such practical expedient would be limited to circumstances in which (i) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition are the same for the non-lease component and the related lease component and (ii) the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease. If the exposed practical expedient is issued final in its existing form, the Company expects to elect the practical expedient which would allow the Company the ability to combine the lease and non-lease components if the underlying asset meets the two criteria defined above.

In addition, the Company has ground lease agreements in which the Company is the lessee for land underneath all or a portion of the buildings at five shopping centers (Note 9). Currently, the Company accounts for these arrangements as operating leases. Under the new standard, the Company will record its rights and obligations under these leases as a right of use asset and lease liability on its consolidated balance sheets. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the inputs required to calculate the amount that will be recorded on its balance sheet for each ground lease. Lastly, this standard impacts the lessor’s ability to capitalize initial direct costs related to the leasing of vacant space. However, the Company does not believe this change regarding capitalization will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate Sales

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05. The ASU eliminates guidance specific to real estate sales in ASC 360-20. As such, sales and partial sales of real estate assets will now be subject to the same derecognition model as all other nonfinancial assets. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The effective date of this guidance coincides with revenue recognition guidance. The Company has determined that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.