REITMedia.com Key REIT Search Terms
Now that REITMedia is almost two years, we've slowly taken over a couple of Google search terms, and we've moved up quite nicely in others. Below are some of the search terms we actively monitor with our corresponding Google rank for that term.
REIT BLOG - #1
REIT - #9
REIT DIVIDENDS - #10
REIT DIVIDEND - #10
REIT ANALYSIS - #10
REIT DIRECTORY - #15
REIT NEWS - #25
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Jul.24.2009. 06:30
Follow Us on Twitter
Finally decided to get REITMedia a Twitter account. Please follow us!
http://www.twitter.com/REITMedia
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Comments (0) Jul.24.2009. 02:48
Two Investors Now Own 13% of BEE
With the recent SEC filing by the Vector Group we now know that Vector and Bill Gate's Cascade Investment Company own just over 13% of Strategic Hotels and Resorts. With the stock hovering around $1 and everyone assuming that their debt is greater than the value of their luxury hotels, the addition of another activist investor like Vector is promising. I've been burned too many times by cheap stocks in the dollar range, and never really thought I'd see REITs at such low levels. Despite my historical experiences, BEE might yet be a winner, but the gamble still feels risky.
I see several potential outcomes for Strategic Hotels. (1) The economy doesn’t improve and BEE is forced to sale assets at a discount or simply declares bankruptcy. (2) Economy improves, hotel bookings rise, and BEE soars. (3) Large investors take the company private in the $3 – $4 dollar range.
I’m fine with either (2) or (3). My preference would be (2).
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Comments (1) Jul.23.2009. 22:02
Awaiting Updates, You and I Want to Sell
The last few months have been busy, and REITs have been rather depressing lately. I've considered a sale of REITMedia, but I’m having a difficult time finding a buyer in this market. Finding a buyer is a potential big problem for Hotel REITs too. Seems like the Hotel REITs have large piles of debt coming due and it's not a good market to unload into.
Despite the pessimistic market, as humans we are irrational going up and irrational going down. I'm still long on REITs, but it's a painful experience at the moment.
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Comments (0) Jul.22.2009. 01:36
Target Managment Very Much Against REIT Idea
As a Target shareholder, I got a letter in the mail yesterday from Target's management that was very much against Bill Ackerman's proposed Target REIT. They didn't go into much detail about the idea other than saying that the REIT idea was risky and would threaten long-term shareholder value. Target’s management said the land under the stores provided value and leverage to improve the stores to protect their brand.
I would counter that a Target REIT would also want to increase the value of its sites as any business would want to protect and increase the value of its assets. A Target REIT could focus on the ownership of the land and increase long-term shareholder value by consistently rewarding shareholders with a high-yielding dividend check. Target retail could then focus on retailing and its credit card business.
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Comments (0) Apr.14.2009. 20:32
HPT Jumps on the Dividend Suspension Bandwagon
The annoucment today by Hospitality Properties Trust almost isn't newsworthy. Following the move of many in the hospitality industry such as Strategic Hotels and Ashford Hospitality Trust, HPT also decides to suspend their dividend.
Instead of only solely claiming a need to conserve capital, the firm also blames the move on Marriott for "paying less than the minimum return due HPT." Creative excuse.
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Comments (0) Apr.08.2009. 18:30
Past, Present and Future with Duke Realty
I'm a long-term investor in Duke Realty (DRE). Up until recently the stock has performed, and the dividend has steadily increased. However, now, Duke is trading in the single-digits and many investors are frowning on their mixed-use developments which I believe will exhibit higher returns than single-use properties.
I actually own my Duke stock through their DRIP. It's an awesome DRIP because the company covers all of the fees. In addition, if you automatically reinvest your dividends you have the opportunity to receive the reinvested stock with a discount.
Needless to say Duke’s leadership has had to address their current troubles by taking some bold moves. They've reduced their dividend and are now using their DRIP investors to purchase reinvestment stock from the open market instead of issuing new stock at a discount. These moves are prudent and allow the DRIP to act as economic clutch for the company to shift into a lower gear.
Shona Bedwell, Duke's Assistant Vice President of Investor Relations penned a great letter documenting these changes for the participants in the Duke Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Because the letter so eloquently illustrates the past, present and future of Duke Realty's approach, I'm publishing the complete letter below. Enjoy this honest communication that I find very refreshing from a public company.
February 26, 2009
Dear Fellow Investors:
We wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of changes recently made to our Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
The Company has decided to switch from issuing new shares through the Plan to purchasing shares on the open market. Accordingly, as your Plan prospectus indicates, when shares are purchased on the open market you will not receive a discount and your investment price will be the average for shares purchased for each investment date. Duke will pay the commissions for such purchases, however, and the Plan will continue allow participants to acquire and hold Duke shares absolutely free of any service charges, fees or commissions.
Additionally, on January 29th, we announced a reduction in our dividend to $1.00 per share annually. Duke Realty has increased its annual dividend every year since we went public in 1993. We did not take lightly the ramifications to our shareholders and potential long-term consequences of a dividend reduction. However, in light of the current economic environment, we made the difficult decision to reduce the dividend.
At Duke, we very much value the support of our individual investors and we appreciate your understanding of these changes. Furthermore, you should know that these changes are not necessarily permanent. As market conditions change, we will periodically evaluate a return to providing participants a discount on shares purchased through the Plan, as well as examine the level of our dividend.
Thank you again for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
Shona L. Bedwell
Assistant Vice President – Investor Relations
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Comments (0) Mar.10.2009. 23:44