Analysis of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Industry

In 2009, most REITs opted for the recapitalization of their balance sheets in order to respond to the recent global credit crisis, thus reducing their leverage and strengthening their financial statements (REIT, 2011b). In 2011, the REIT industry represented $54.3 billion in revenue and a profit of $7.8 billion. The industry annual growth expectation for the next 5 years (from 2011 to 2016) is 5.1% or $69.7 billion (IBISWorld, 2011b). The Hotel & Motel industry counted 14 REITs in the lodging/resort sector in the U.S. (REIT, 2011c) and represented 10.5% of the equity REIT Industry (IBISWorld, 2011b). The REIT structure keeps gaining popularity among investors and real estate firms (IBISWorld, 2011b). Expansion, capitalization (balance sheet strategy), and portfolio restructuration and selection are the main objectives in the Lodging REIT industry. As a result of an interest rate to remain low in 2012, investors should still be interested in investing in REITs. However, the uncertainty and volatility in the market are expected to remain in 2012. In addition, quality assets are not easy to find, which makes it difficult for a quick recover. The position of FelCor Lodging Trust (FelCor) in the market is worse than its competitors as evidenced by the worst net income result (-$290.48 million) and the lowest operating margin (2.97%). Overall from 2008 to 2010, the reduction of total assets reflects the CEO’s, Richard Smith, decision to shrink the company in order to reposition and strengthen it (FelCor Lodging Trust, 2011f). The company show an ongoing effort to shift to a new market strategy, which started in 2005 and which clearly show FelCor’s intention to become an oligopolistic firm by dropping hotels in markets with low barriers to entry and by focusing on high barriers market hotels, thus increasing its market force (FelCor Lodging Trust, 2011b)