national retail properties (nyse: nnn), a real estate investment trust, invests in single-tenant retail properties generally subject to long-term, net leases. the company was formed in 1984 and began trading on the new york stock exchange in 1994. as one of only 96 out of the more than 10,000 publicly-traded companies that have increased annual dividends for 27 or more consecutive years, we are a powerful partner for our retail customers and a proven investment for our shareholders. the average annual total return to shareholders has been 15.7% over the past 25 years. we own a diversified portfolio of 2,293 freestanding retail properties in 47 states with a total gross leasable area of approximately 25.4 million square feet. these properties are leased to more than 400 tenants in 38 industry classifications.