ps11k_1210.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 11-K


[X]           Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

[   ]           Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from  ____________  to  ____________.

Commission File Number:  001-33519


A.      Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
701 Western Avenue
Glendale, CA 91201-2349

B.      Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

PUBLIC STORAGE
701 Western Avenue
Glendale, CA 91201-2349






 
 

 


 




PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

 
Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
               1
   
Financial Statements:
 
   
Statements of Net Assets Available
for Benefits at December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
               2
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Available for Benefits for the year ended  December 31, 2010
 
               3
   
Notes to Financial Statements
             4 - 11
   
Supplemental Schedule:
 
   
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
                12




 
 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Administrative Committee
PS 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of PS 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the 2010 financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Los Angeles, California
June 24, 2011

1
 
 

 

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
FOR BENEFITS



   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Assets
           
Investments at fair value
  $ 86,377,463     $ 85,659,269  
                 
Receivables:
               
Participant contributions
    82,215       131,598  
Employer contributions
    211,855       214,536  
Notes receivable from participants
    9,695       15,698  
Due from broker
    76,568       74,203  
Total receivables
    380,333       436,035  
                 
Total assets
    86,757,796       86,095,304  
                 
Liabilities
               
Due to broker
    84,652       183,745  
Total liabilities
    84,652       183,745  
                 
Net assets reflecting investments at fair value
    86,673,144       85,911,559  
                 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit- responsive investment contracts
    (230,922 )     (19,818 )
                 
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 86,442,222     $ 85,891,741  
                 



See accompanying notes.
2
 
 

 

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
       
Additions to (Deductions from) Net Assets Attributed to:
     
       
Investment income:
     
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 10,313,963  
Interest and dividends
    1,442,356  
      11,756,319  
         
Contributions:
       
Participant
    4,473,744  
Participant rollovers
    383,623  
Employer
    2,343,288  
      7,200,655  
         
Benefits paid to participants
    (18,347,337 )
Administrative expenses
    (59,156 )
         
Increase in net assets available for benefits
    550,481  
Net assets available for benefits - beginning of year
    85,891,741  
         
Net assets available for benefits - end of year
  $ 86,442,222  



See accompanying notes.
3
 
 

 
PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010



1.
Description of the Plan

General
 
The PS 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) encompasses Public Storage, PS Business Parks, Inc. and certain of their majority owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).  The following description of the Plan provides only general information.  Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
The Plan is a defined contribution plan for the benefit of all permanent employees of the Company who have completed at least 30 days of service and are at least 21 years of age.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  Although it has not expressed the intention to do so, the Company has the right to terminate the Plan subject to ERISA provisions.  The Plan allows interim allocations of Company contributions and earnings or losses of trust fund assets among participants.
 
The Company appoints a committee to administer the Plan.  At December 31, 2010, the Plan Administrative Committee is comprised of six officers of the Company with Wells Fargo Bank acting as Trustee (the “Trustee”).
 
Other significant provisions of the Plan are as follows:
 
Contributions
 
Employee contributions to the Plan (voluntary contributions) are deferrals of the employee’s compensation made through a direct reduction of compensation in each payroll period.  During 2010, each eligible participant could elect a pretax contribution rate from 1% to 100% of their compensation, as defined in the Plan document, subject to the maximum annual elective deferral amount set by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).  Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified benefit or defined contribution plans.
 
The Company contributes one dollar ($1.00) for each dollar deferred by a participant up to three percent (3%) of compensation, as defined and subject to certain limitations as described in the Plan document.  The Company also contributes an additional fifty cents ($0.50) for each dollar that each participant defers in excess of three percent (3%) of compensation up to five percent (5%) of compensation.  The Company’s aggregate contributions are limited to four percent (4%) of compensation, as defined and subject to certain limitations as described in the Plan document.  Additional amounts may be contributed at the discretion of the Company.  No such additional contributions were made in 2010.
 
Vesting
 
Since January 1, 2005, employee deferrals and the Company’s safe harbor matching contribution are 100% vested and non-forfeitable.  With respect to Company contributions before January 1, 2005, each participant's account became 10% vested (non-forfeitable) after two years of service (as defined), 20% after three years of service and an additional 20% for each additional year of service thereafter.
 
Investment Options
 
Since January 1, 2008, upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct their contributions and holdings in any of the following investment options:
 

 
4

 
PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010



 
1.
Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund
2.
American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund/R5
3.
American Funds Growth Fund of America/R5
4.
Oakmark Equity & Income I Fund
5.
PIMCO Total Return Institutional Fund
6.
Selected American Shares D
7.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
8.
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund
9.
Vanguard Explorer Admiral Fund
10.
Vanguard Extended Market Index Admiral Fund
11.
Vanguard Short Term Federal Admiral Fund
12.
Vanguard Windsor II Admiral Fund
13.
Fidelity Contrafund
14.
Fidelity Diversified International Fund
15.
Fidelity Low Priced Stock Fund
16.
Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund
17.
Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4
18.
Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for High Balance Plans
19.
Individually Directed Account

Prior to December 19, 2005, participants had the option to direct contributions to the Company’s securities.  Effective December 19, 2005, participants no longer had that option.  Existing holdings of the Company’s securities on December 19, 2005, were either held or transferred to other Plan investment alternatives at the option of each participant (see Note 6 for disclosure of the remaining holdings in the Company’s securities).

The Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4 and the Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for High Balance Plans are common/collective trust funds.  The Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4 seeks to provide a moderate level of stable income without principal volatility while seeking to maintain adequate liquidity and returns superior to shorter maturity investments.  The Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4 invests in a variety of investment contracts and instruments issued by selected high-quality insurance companies and financial institutions.  Participant-directed redemptions have no restrictions; however, the Plan is required to provide a one-year redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the fund.  The Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for High Balance Plans is an index fund that invests in the equity securities of companies that comprise the index.  The Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for High Balance Plans seeks to approximate as closely as practicable the total return, before deduction of fees and expenses, of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.  See “Investment Valuation and Income Recognition” in Note 2 below for further information regarding common collective trusts.
 
Distributions from the Trust Fund
 
Distributions of each participant's vested account balance upon severance or death are made in a single lump sum payment; however, upon severance if the participant’s vested account balance exceeds $5,000, payment may be deferred at the election of the participant until April 1st of the calendar year in which the participant reaches 70 ½ years of age.

Additionally, the Plan provides for hardship distributions (as defined).

Generally, distributions are made no later than 60 days after the close of the Plan year in which the participant becomes eligible for such distributions.  Under certain circumstances, participants enrolled in the Plan on or before December 31, 1983 may elect alternative distribution methods.
 
 
 
5

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
Forfeited Accounts
 
Forfeitures of profit sharing contributions may be used (i) as a non-elective allocation to all eligible Plan participants, (ii) to reduce the Company’s safe harbor matching contribution or (iii) reduce Plan expenses.  During 2010, a total of $37,000 in non-vested amounts was forfeited and are expected to be used to reduce Plan administrative expenses for eligible Plan participants in future years.
 
During 2010, forfeitures of profit sharing contributions totaling $3,000 were used to restore amounts previously forfeited by former Company employees.  Also during 2010, forfeitures of profit sharing contributions totaling $39,000 were used to reduce Plan administrative expenses for eligible Plan participants.  These amounts represent forfeitures during 2009 and prior Plan years.
 
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Principles

Basis of Accounting
 
The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year amounts in the statements of net assets available for benefits have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Plan administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Tax Status
 
The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) dated March 14, 2003, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRS Code and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended and restated.  Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended and restated is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.  The Company has indicated it will take the necessary steps, if any, to maintain the Plan’s qualified status.  The Plan was restated during 2009.  In April 2010, the Company requested an updated determination letter from the IRS.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan.  The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS.  The Plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2010, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken.  The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The Plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2007.


 
6

 
PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010



Notes Receivable from Participants
 
Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2010 or 2009. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the Plan Administrative Committee deems the participant loan to be a distribution, the participant loan balance is reduced and a benefit payment is recorded.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, (ASU 2010-06).  ASU 2010-06 amended Accounting Standards Codification, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) to clarify certain existing fair value disclosures and require a number of additional disclosures.  The guidance in ASU 2010-06 clarified that disclosures should be presented separately for each “class” of assets and liabilities measured at fair value and provided guidance on how to determine the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities to be presented.  ASU 2010-06 also clarified the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.  In addition, ASU 2010-06 introduced new requirements to disclose the amounts (on a gross basis) and reasons for any significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and present information regarding the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 assets and liabilities on a gross basis.  With the exception of the requirement to present changes in Level 3 measurements on a gross basis, which is delayed until 2011, the guidance in ASU 2010-06 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009.  Since ASU 2010-06 only affects fair value measurement disclosures, adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not affect the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.
 
In September 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-25, Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans, (ASU 2010-25).  ASU 2010-25 requires participant loans to be measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued by unpaid interest and classified as notes receivable from participants.  Previously loans were measured at fair value and classified as investments. ASU 2010-25 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 and is required to be applied retrospectively.  Adoption of ASU 2010-25 did not change the value of participant loans from the amount previously reported as of December 31, 2009.  Participant loans have been reclassified to notes receivable from participants as of December 31, 2009.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, (ASU 2011-04).  ASU 2011-04 amended ASC 820 to converge the fair value measurement guidance in US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).  Some of the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle in ASC 820.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional fair value disclosures.  The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2011-04 will have on the Plan’s financial statements.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
 
The Plan’s investments in Company equity securities and mutual funds are recorded at fair value as determined by the quoted market price on the last business day of the plan year.  Common collective trusts are recorded at fair value based on the net asset value of the investment.
 
 
 
7

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.  Dividends are recorded on the payment date.
 
The common collective trusts that invest in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are recorded at fair value; however, since these contracts are fully benefit-responsive, an adjustment is reflected in the statements of net assets available for benefits to present these investments at contract value.  Contract value is the relevant measurement attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.  The contract value represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.
 

3.
Investments
 
Wells Fargo Bank has custody of the Plan’s investments under a non-discretionary trust agreement with the Plan.
 
The following presents the fair value of investments at December 31, 2010 and 2009 that represent five percent (5%) or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits:

   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund
  $ 10,727,369     $ 9,928,848  
Mutual Funds:
               
Oakmark Equity & Income I
    12,259,254       10,866,595  
Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index
    6,704,364       6,455,919  
The Growth Fund of America
    7,629,695       6,776,850  
PIMCO Total Return Institutional
    5,189,963       4,582,456  
Public Storage Common Shares
    16,644,848       19,449,201  
Public Storage Equity Shares, Series A
    *       4,608,977  

* On April 15, 2010, Public Storage redeemed all of its outstanding shares of Equity Shares, Series A and the Plan received $4,252,931, representing the redemption price of $24.50 per share for the Public Storage Equity Shares, Series A held by the Plan on the redemption date.
 
During 2010, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value as follows:
 
   
2010
 
Mutual funds
  $ 5,994,107  
Common and equity securities
    4,319,856  
         
    Total
  $ 10,313,963  

4.  
Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price).  ASC 820 includes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
 

 
 
8

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon other significant observable inputs.

Level 3 – Valuation is based upon significant unobservable inputs (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).  Level 3 inputs include the Company’s own assumption about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the securities (including assumptions about risk).

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is classified is determined based the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measure in its entirety.

The following tables sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets carried at fair value as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
   
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Company common and preferred stock
  $ 17,536,286     $ -     $ -     $ 17,536,286  
Common/collective trust funds:
                               
Stable value fund
    -       10,727,369       -       10,727,369  
S&P 500 index fund
    -       6,704,364       -       6,704,364  
Mutual funds:
                               
Domestic bond funds
    8,671,559       -       -       8,671,559  
Domestic equity funds
    20,899,330       -       -       20,899,330  
International equity funds
    6,141,746       -       -       6,141,746  
Real estate equity funds
    1,754,690       -       -       1,754,690  
Blended equity and debt funds
    12,259,254       -       -       12,259,254  
Money market funds
    473,992       -       -       473,992  
Self-directed brokerage accounts
    1,208,873       -       -       1,208,873  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 68,945,730     $ 17,431,733     $ -     $ 86,377,463  


 
   
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Company common, equity and preferred stock
  $ 24,983,966     $ -     $ -     $ 24,983,966  
Common/collective trust funds:
                               
Stable value fund
    -       9,928,848       -       9,928,848  
S&P 500 index fund
    -       6,455,919       -       6,455,919  
Mutual funds:
                               
Domestic bond funds
    8,085,128       -       -       8,085,128  
Domestic equity funds
    17,289,440       -       -       17,289,440  
International equity funds
    5,196,264       -       -       5,196,264  
Real estate equity funds
    1,277,948       -       -       1,277,948  
Blended equity and debt funds
    10,866,595       -       -       10,866,595  
Money market funds
    716,641       -       -       716,641  
Self-directed brokerage accounts
    858,520       -       -       858,520  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 69,274,502     $ 16,384,767     $ -     $ 85,659,269  


 
9

 
PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010



 
5.           Administration Fees
 
For the Plan year ended December 31, 2010, the Plan paid to the Trustee a quarterly participant fee of $2.50 per eligible participant and certain transaction related expenses incurred for the administration of the Plan, totaling $59,156.  The Company directly paid for all other Trustee fees and all other expenses related to the Plan.

6.           Related Party Transactions
 
Prior to December 19, 2005, participants had the option of directing contributions to the Company’s securities.  The Company is the Plan sponsor as defined by the Plan document.  While participants no longer have the option of directing contributions to the Company’s securities, participants can continue to hold such investments and the Plan held the following shares in the Company’s securities from contributions prior to December 19, 2005:
 
   
At December 31, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Public Storage Common Shares
    164,118     $ 16,644,848       238,787     $ 19,449,201  
Public Storage Equity Shares, Series A
    *       *       181,742       4,608,977  
Public Storage Preferred Shares
    8,842       214,613       14,306       332,514  
PS Business Parks Common Stock
    8,843       492,732       8,728       436,837  
PS Business Parks Preferred Stock
    7,686       184,093       7,445       156,437  
Totals
          $ 17,536,286             $ 24,983,966  
 
* On April 15, 2010, Public Storage redeemed all of its outstanding shares of Equity Shares, Series A. See Note 3 for further information regarding this redemption.
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, Plan participants held $10,727,369 and $9,928,848, respectively, in the Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4, a common collective trust fund that invests in fully-benefit-responsive investment contracts and is offered by the Plan’s Trustee.  At December 31, 2010 and 2009, Plan participants held $473,992 and $716,641, respectively, in the Wells Fargo Short Term Investment Fund G, a money market fund offered by the Plan’s Trustee.  Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for High Balance Plans is an index fund offered by the Plan’s Trustee that invests in equity securities of companies that comprise the S&P 500 Index.  At December 31, 2010 and 2009, Plan participants held $6,704,364 and $6,455,919, respectively, in this investment selection.
 
7.           Risks and Uncertainties
 
The Plan provides for investment in various investment securities.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near or long term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements.
 
8.           Concentrations
 
Investments in the Company’s securities comprised approximately of 20% and 29% of the Plan’s total investments as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
9.           Plan Amendments
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the Plan was amended to reflect recent law changes:
 
 
 
10

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
·  
Employees who die while performing qualified military service are treated as if they had resumed and then terminated employment on account of death.

·  
Differential wages paid to employees on qualified military service are considered compensation for Plan purposes.

·  
Plan participants on qualified military service for more than 30 days may be entitled to take a distribution from the Plan.

10.           Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
 
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 as of December 31:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
  $ 86,442,222     $ 85,891,741  
Adjustment from fair value to contract value
    for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    230,922       19,818  
                 
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
  $ 86,673,144     $ 85,911,559  

 
 
 

 

 

 
11

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE I

PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i –
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
December 31, 2010

Employer Identification Number: 95-3551121
Plan Number: 001

(a)
 
(b)
(c)
 
(e)
 
   
 
 
Identity of issue, borrower, lessor, or similar party
 
Description of investment including maturity date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity date
 
 
Current
Value
 
             
  *  
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund N4
  $ 10,727,369  
  *  
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Short Term Investment Fund G
    473,992  
  *  
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo S&P 500 Index Fund N for HBP
    6,704,364  
     
Dodge & Cox Funds
Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund
    3,380,767  
     
American Funds
EuroPacific Growth Fund
    1,548,776  
     
American Funds
The Growth Fund of America
    7,629,695  
     
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Contra Fund
    1,039,668  
     
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Diversified International Fund
    1,212,203  
     
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Low Price Stock Fund
    1,041,984  
     
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund Spartan
    1,413,354  
     
The Oakmark Funds
Equity & Income I Fund
    12,259,254  
     
PIMCO Funds
PIMCO Total Return Institutional Fund
    5,189,963  
     
Selected American Funds
Selected American D Fund
    2,614,595  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
    1,204,911  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund
    1,754,690  
     
The Vanguard Group Mutual Funds
Explorer Admiral Fund
    3,024,659  
     
The Vanguard Group Mutual Funds
Extended Market Index Admiral Fund
    702,295  
     
The Vanguard Group Mutual Funds
Short Term Federal Admiral Fund
    3,481,596  
     
The Vanguard Group Mutual Funds
Windsor II Admiral Fund
    2,228,169  
  *  
Public Storage
Company common shares
    16,644,848  
  *  
Public Storage
Company preferred shares
    214,613  
  *  
PS Business Parks, Inc.
Company common stock
    492,732  
  *  
PS Business Parks, Inc.
Company preferred stock
    184,093  
     
Individually directed accounts
Various investment securities
    1,208,873  
  *  
Participants
Participant loans
    9,695  
     
Total
    $ 86,387,158  
                 
 
                                              *
Indicates a party-in-interest of the Plan.
             Note: As all Plan investments are participant directed, column (d) providing certain participant directed transaction cost information is not applicable and has been omitted.



 
12

 




CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement in Post-effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-141488) for the registration of common shares of beneficial interest pertaining to the PS 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan of Public Storage of our report dated June 24, 2011, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of the PS 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Los Angeles, California
June 24, 2011


 

 
13

 

SIGNATURES
 

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the Plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
PS 401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
Date: June 24, 2011
 
By:           /s/ Candace Krol
 
Candace Krol
 
Chairman, Administrative Committee