Prolonged periods of high interest rates may also negatively impact the capitalization rates applied by investors when analyzing the valuation of our real estate asset portfolio. This could result in a decline in our stock price and market capitalization, which may adversely impact our ability to raise equity capital on acceptable terms through sales of our common shares, including through our At the Market ("ATM") program, which we have historically used from time to time to refinance debt, fund acquisition, development and redevelopment investments, and for general corporate purposes.
Unfavorable developments that may affect the banking and financial services industry could adversely affect our business, liquidity and financial condition, and overall results of operations.
Liquidity constraints or lack of available credit, the failure of individual institutions, or the inability of individual institutions or the banking and financial service industry generally to meet their contractual obligations, could significantly impair our access to capital, delay access to deposits or other financial assets, or cause actual loss of funds subject to cash management arrangements. Similarly, these events, concerns or speculation could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us and our tenants to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all. Additionally, our critical vendors and business partners also could be adversely affected by these risks as described above, which in turn could result in their committing a breach or default under their contractual agreements with us, their insolvency or bankruptcy, or other adverse effects.
Any decline in available funding, lack of credit in the commercial real estate market, or access to cash and liquidity resources, or non-compliance of banking and financial services counterparties with their contractual commitments to us, our tenants or our critical vendors and business partners could, among other risks, have material adverse impacts on our ability to meet our operating expenses and other financial needs, could result in breaches of our financial and/or contractual obligations, and could have material adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risk Factors Related to Pandemics or other Public Health Crises
Pandemics or other public health crises, may adversely affect our tenants' financial condition, the profitability of our properties, and our access to the capital markets and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Although the vast majority of our lease income is derived from contractual rent payments, the ability of certain of our tenants to meet their lease obligations could be negatively impacted by the disruptions and uncertainties of a pandemic or other public health crises. Our tenants' ability to respond to these disruptions and uncertainties, including adjusting to governmental orders and changes in their customers' shopping habits and behaviors, may impact their ability to survive, and as it relates to the Company, their ability to comply with their lease obligations. Therefore, our future results of operations and overall financial performance could be uncertain should a pandemic or other public health crises occur.
Risk Factors Related to Operating Retail-Based Shopping Centers
Shifts in retail trends, sales, and delivery methods between brick and mortar stores, e-commerce, home delivery, and curbside pick-up, as well as autonomous delivery systems, may adversely impact our revenues, results of operations, and cash flows.
Retailers with brick and mortar stores face the risk of the impact of e-commerce and changes in customer buying habits, including shopping from home, the delivery or curbside pick-up of items ordered online, and various experimental retail experiences. Retailers are constantly considering these customer buying habits and other trends when making decisions regarding their brick and mortar stores and how they will compete and innovate in a rapidly changing retail environment. Many retailers in our shopping centers provide services or sell goods which have historically been less likely to be purchased online; however, the continuing change in customer buying habits, including e-commerce sales in all retail categories may cause retailers to adjust the size or number of their retail locations in the future or close stores. For example, our grocer tenants are incorporating e-commerce concepts through third-party delivery platforms, home delivery and curbside pick-up, which could reduce foot traffic at our centers. Autonomous delivery systems, drone deliveries, and robotic fulfillment centers could also reduce the need for strategically located retail space.
In addition, while our grocery tenants span a range of different formats, traditional grocers have seen, and may continue to see, loss of business to non-traditional grocers (such as Walmart, and Target), "discount grocers" (such as Aldi and Dollar General) and "specialty grocers" (such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Fresh Market), which may also impact foot traffic at some of our centers. These alternative delivery methods, formats and shift in shopping preferences could be more likely to impact foot traffic at our centers in certain higher-income markets where consumers are willing to pay premiums for such services. Changes in customer buying habits and shopping trends may also impact the profitability and financial condition of retailers that do not adapt to changes in market conditions, and therefore may impact their ability to pay rent.
Any or all of these trends, technological changes and offering of different retail options and experiences may adversely impact our percent leased and rental rates, which would impact our results of operations and cash flows.