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LaSalle Hotel Properties Reports 3rd Qtr Net income
of $10 million vs $3.3 million in Prior Year 3rd Qtr;
RevPAR Up 11.7%
Hotel Operating Statistics

.

BETHESDA, Md. - Oct. 20, 2004 -- LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO) today reported net income of $10.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share for the prior year period.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company generated funds from operations ("FFO") of $17.8 million versus $12.1 million for the prior year period. FFO for the current quarter includes a contingent litigation expense of $0.9 million associated with the Company's ongoing litigation with Meridien and related affiliates. On a per diluted share/unit basis, FFO for the third quarter was $0.62 versus $0.56 a year ago.

The Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for 2004's third quarter were $28.3 million, up from $18.9 million during the prior year period. The Company's net income and EBITDA for the current quarter include a $2.6 million gain on the sale of the Omaha Marriott, which was sold on September 15, 2004 and the contingent litigation expense of $0.9 million.
Room revenue per available room ("RevPAR") for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 increased 11.7 percent versus the same period in 2003. The average daily rate ("ADR") increased 5.0 percent from the prior year period to $161.11 and occupancy improved 6.3 percent to 75.1 percent. These RevPAR results exclude the Omaha Marriott for the current year and prior year periods as the hotel was sold during the third quarter.

"Our business-oriented hotels again led the portfolio's strong performance, generating an impressive 18.1 percent RevPAR gain," noted Jon Bortz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Hotel Properties. "Business and leisure demand remained solid throughout the summer."

The Company's hotels generated $27.7 million of EBITDA for the third quarter compared with $24.3 million for the same period last year. Third quarter portfolio-wide EBITDA margins improved 152 basis points ("bps") from the prior year. EBITDA margins in the quarter increased primarily due to the robust RevPAR growth driven by the five percent ADR improvement.

"The ability of our hotels to increase room rates during the quarter more than offset the continued cost pressures related to labor expenses, health benefits and insurance," advised Mr. Bortz. "While we believe that constraining these expenses will continue to be an ongoing challenge for our asset managers and hotel operators, we expect that future ADR increases and occupancy growth will more than compensate for these above inflationary cost increases, allowing margins to rise."

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net income applicable to common shareholders decreased to $11.0 million from $29.2 million for the prior year period. RevPAR improved 12.2 percent, as ADR increased 4.3 percent to $153.08, while occupancy improved 7.6 percent to 70.0 percent as compared to the same nine-month period in 2003.

For the first nine months of 2004, the Company's EBITDA was $61.7 million compared to $75.1 million for the same period in 2003. EBITDA and net income for the current year include the Company's $2.6 million gain on the sale of the Omaha Marriott and the $0.9 million contingent litigation expense with Meridien and related entities. EBITDA and net income for the prior year include the $37.1 million gain on sale related to the New Orleans Grande Hotel, which was sold during 2003's second quarter and the combined $2.7 million impairment charge and loss on sale for the Holiday Inn Beachside, which was sold during 2003's third quarter.

Year-to-date through September 30, 2004, FFO was $38.2 million compared with $19.1 million for the prior year period. The current year FFO includes the $0.9 million contingent litigation expense. The prior year FFO includes the $2.7 million non-cash impairment expense for the Holiday Inn Beachside and the $1.1 million non-cash expense related to the early extinguishment of debt attributable to the sale of the New Orleans Grande Hotel and Holiday Inn Beachside.

For 2004, the Company has plans for total capital investments in its current assets of approximately $40.0 million to $42.0 million, including $18.0 million at Lansdowne Resort (golf course, clubhouse, guestroom refurbishment, lobby and other resort repositioning enhancements), $4.0 million at the Westin City Center Dallas (guestroom bathroom refurbishment, lobby, public area and infrastructure enhancements) and $5.5 million at the Sheraton Bloomington hotel (brand conversion improvements, guestroom, lobby and public area refurbishments). This represents a $3.0 million to $5.0 million reduction from our prior forecast due to a slower pace of cash outflows, with redevelopment work proceeding on schedule.

"The capital investments we completed throughout our portfolio, and most recently at our Holiday Inn on the Hill in Washington, D.C. and the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island, continue to contribute to healthy increases in our earnings and cash flow," advised Mr. Bortz. "We continue to be positive about the future returns from our current repositioning programs at Lansdowne Resort, Westin Dallas and Sheraton Bloomington."

On August 26, the Company executed a $34.4 million secured loan with Wells Fargo Bank at a fixed rate of 4.98 percent. The term of the loan is five years and is collateralized by the Company's 241-room Hilton Alexandria Old Town Hotel that was purchased on May 28th of this year.

Also in August, the Company increased its senior unsecured credit facility to $300.0 million from $215.0 million and its affiliated lessee revolving credit facility to $25.0 million from $13.0 million.

On September 15, the Company announced the sale of the 299-room Omaha Marriott for $28.5 million. The cash proceeds from the sale were used to reduce the Company's outstanding debt. In connection with the sale, the Company recognized a gain on sale of $2.6 million which was recorded in the third quarter.

During the third quarter, the Company accrued a net $0.9 million for contingent legal fees relating to its ongoing litigation with Meridien and related affiliates. As a result of this accrual, the net contingent lease termination liability has a current balance of approximately $2.4 million as of September 30, 2004, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in LaSalle's consolidated balance sheets. Based on the claims LaSalle has against Meridien, LaSalle is and will continue to seek damages and reimbursement of legal fees, and therefore, ultimately any contingent lease termination expense may be adjusted accordingly.

As of the end of the third quarter 2004, LaSalle Hotel Properties had total outstanding debt of $272.3 million, which includes its $13.9 million portion of the joint venture debt related to the Chicago Marriott. The Company's $300.0 million unsecured credit facility had no balance outstanding as of September 30, 2004. Interest expense for the quarter was $3.3 million, resulting in a trailing 12-month Corporate EBITDA to interest coverage ratio of 5.0 times. As of September 30, 2004, total debt to trailing 12-month Corporate EBITDA equaled 3.4 times, one of the lowest in the industry.

Subsequent Events

On October 15, 2004, the Company announced its monthly dividend of $0.08 per common share of beneficial interest for each of the three months of October, November and December 2004. The October dividend will be paid on November 15, 2004 to common shareholders of record on October 29, 2004; the November dividend will be paid on December 15, 2004 to common shareholders of record on November 30, 2004; and the December dividend will be paid on January 14, 2005 to common shareholders of record on December 31, 2004.

2004 Outlook

"We remain encouraged by the continuing improvements in the economy and travel demand," said Mr. Bortz. "Business transient travel continues to exhibit growth at a healthy pace and leisure travel remains solid. Supply growth remains near ten-year lows. Pricing power is growing and customer mix continues to improve."

As a result of LaSalle's strong third quarter performance, the Company now expects its 2004 portfolio RevPAR will increase 9.0 to 9.5 percent, up from the 8.0 to 9.0 percent increase provided in the Company's prior outlook. The Company's forecast for fourth quarter RevPAR growth remains at 1.0 to 2.0 percent, which is lower than prior quarter performance due to a number of quarter specific factors, including occupancy displacement associated with major capital projects at Lansdowne Resort, Westin Dallas, Sheraton Bloomington, Chicago Marriott Downtown and Le Montrose. The Company's forecast for full year 2004 FFO per diluted share/unit is $1.76 to $1.78. Embedded in this forecast is the better than expected third quarter results, offset by $0.03 related to the contingent litigation expense. Additionally, this assumes fourth quarter performance is in-line with the Company's prior FFO per share/unit forecast of $0.37 to $0.39.

The revised 2004 outlook assumes a steadily recovering economic and travel environment, continued improving performance from the Company's renovated and repositioned hotels, and no adverse geopolitical events or terrorist acts in the U.S.
Based upon these assumptions, the Company currently expects full year 2004 net income to range from $10.7 million to $11.1 million and EBITDA to range from $77.8 million to $78.2 million. The net income and EBITDA forecast include the $2.6 million gain on sale and $0.9 million contingent litigation expense.
 

LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                                           For the three months ended
                                                  September 30,
                                               2004          2003
                                           ------------- -------------
Revenues:
  Hotel operating revenues:
    Room revenue                           $     44,590  $     29,769
    Food and beverage revenue                    23,323        17,887
    Other operating department revenue            6,918         6,035
                                           ------------- -------------
      Total hotel operating revenues             74,831        53,691

  Participating lease revenue                     7,135         6,958
  Other income                                       18           110
                                           ------------- -------------
      Total revenues                             81,984        60,759
                                           ------------- -------------

Expenses:
  Hotel operating expenses:
    Room                                         10,750         7,040
    Food and beverage                            15,954        12,396
    Other direct                                  3,762         3,192
    Other indirect                               20,003        14,626
                                           ------------- -------------
      Total hotel operating expenses             50,469        37,254

  Depreciation and other amortization             9,977         7,891
  Real estate taxes, personal property
   taxes and insurance                            2,980         2,517
  Ground rent                                     1,111         1,147
  General and administrative                      2,238         1,915
  Amortization of deferred financing costs          590           575
  Contingent lease termination expenses             850             -
  Other expenses                                      7            11
                                           ------------- -------------
      Total operating expenses                   68,222        51,310
                                           ------------- -------------

  Operating income                               13,762         9,449
    Interest income                                  64            73
    Interest expense                             (3,338)       (3,550)
                                           ------------- -------------

Income before income tax benefit
 (expense), minority interest, equity in
 earnings of unconsolidated entities and
 discontinued operations                         10,488         5,972

Income tax benefit (expense)                       (558)           55
                                           ------------- -------------

Income before minority interest, equity in
 earnings of unconsolidated entities and
 discontinued operations                          9,930         6,027
Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel
 Operating Partnership, L.P.                       (158)         (108)
                                           ------------- -------------

Income before equity in earnings of
 unconsolidated entities and discontinued
 operations                                       9,772         5,919
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
 entities                                           221           190
                                           ------------- -------------

Income before discontinued operations             9,993         6,109
Discontinued operations:
  Income (loss) from operations of
   property disposed of, including gain on
   disposal of assets                             3,286          (325)
  Minority interest, net of tax                     (51)            7
  Income tax benefit (expense)                      (56)           20
                                           ------------- -------------
  Net income (loss) from discontinued
   operations                                     3,179          (298)

Net income                                       13,172         5,811

Distributions to preferred shareholders          (3,133)       (2,557)
                                           ------------- -------------

Net income applicable to common
 shareholders                              $     10,039  $      3,254
                                           ============= =============

Earnings per Common Share - Basic:
  Income applicable to common shareholders
   before discontinued operations and
   after dividends paid on unvested
   restricted shares                       $       0.25  $       0.17
  Discontinued operations                          0.11         (0.01)
                                           ------------- -------------
  Net income applicable to common
   shareholders after dividends paid on
   unvested restricted shares              $       0.36  $       0.16
                                           ============= =============

Earnings per Common Share - Diluted:
  Income applicable to common shareholders
   before discontinued operations          $       0.24  $       0.16
  Discontinued operations                          0.11         (0.01)
                                           ------------- -------------
  Net income applicable to common
   shareholders                            $       0.35  $       0.15
                                           ============= =============

Weighted average number common shares
 outstanding:
  Basic                                      27,805,183    20,738,660
  Diluted                                    28,351,296    21,197,051
 

                       LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
                            FFO and EBITDA
            (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                             (Unaudited)
                                           For the three months ended
                                                  September 30,
                                               2004          2003
                                           ------------- -------------

Funds From Operations (FFO):
Net income applicable to common
 shareholders                              $     10,039  $      3,254
Depreciation                                      9,949         8,192
Equity in depreciation of joint venture             265           255
Amortization of deferred lease costs                 11            11
Minority interest:
  Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel
   Operating Partnership, L.P.                      158           108
  Minority interest in discontinued
   operations                                        51            (7)
Net (gain) loss on sale of property
 disposed of                                     (2,643)          295
                                           ------------- -------------
  FFO                                      $     17,830  $     12,108
                                           ============= =============

Weighted average number of common shares
 and units outstanding:
  Basic                                      28,223,539    21,163,346
  Diluted                                    28,769,652    21,621,737
 

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
 Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA):
Net income applicable to common
 shareholders                              $     10,039  $      3,254
Interest                                          3,338         3,605
Equity in interest expense of joint
 venture                                            130           148
Income tax (benefit) expense:
  Income tax (benefit) expense                      558           (55)
  Income tax (benefit) expense from
   discontinued operations                           56           (20)
Depreciation and other amortization               9,977         8,222
Equity in depreciation/amortization of
 joint venture                                      286           283
Amortization of deferred financing costs            590           836
Minority interest:
  Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel
   Operating Partnership, L.P.                      158           108
  Minority interest in discontinued
   operations                                        51            (7)
Distributions to preferred shareholders           3,133         2,557
                                           ------------- -------------

  EBITDA                                   $     28,316  $     18,931
                                           ============= =============
 

                       LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
                Consolidated Statements of Operations
            (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                             (Unaudited)
                                                For the nine months
                                                 ended September 30,
                                                  2004        2003
                                               ----------- -----------
Revenues:
 Hotel operating revenues:
   Room revenue                                  $115,463     $66,132
   Food and beverage revenue                       63,101      39,294
   Other operating department revenue              17,436      11,969
                                               ----------- -----------
   Total hotel operating revenues                 196,000     117,395

 Participating lease revenue                       15,562      17,454
 Other income                                         110         906
                                               ----------- -----------
   Total revenues                                 211,672     135,755
                                               ----------- -----------

Expenses:
 Hotel operating expenses:
   Room                                            28,755      17,510
   Food and beverage                               43,618      28,464
   Other direct                                    10,193       6,637
   Other indirect                                  54,765      34,375
                                               ----------- -----------
   Total hotel operating expenses                 137,331      86,986

 Depreciation and other amortization               28,700      23,485
 Real estate taxes, personal property taxes
  and insurance                                     8,723       6,777
 Ground rent                                        2,713       2,771
 General and administrative                         6,351       5,583
 Amortization of deferred financing costs           1,657       1,731
 Impairment of investment in hotel property             -       2,453
 Contingent lease termination expenses                850           -
 Other expenses                                       590          91
                                               ----------- -----------
   Total operating expenses                       186,915     129,877
                                               ----------- -----------

 Operating income                                  24,757       5,878
   Interest income                                    223         197
   Interest expense                                (9,909)     (9,266)
                                               ----------- -----------

Income (loss) before income tax benefit,
 minority interest, equity in earnings of
 unconsolidated entities and discontinued
 operations                                        15,071      (3,191)
Income tax benefit                                    807       2,857
                                               ----------- -----------

Income (loss) before minority interest, equity
 in earnings of unconsolidated entities and
 discontinued operations                           15,878        (334)
Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel Operating
 Partnership, L.P.                                   (256)          1
                                               ----------- -----------

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of
 unconsolidated entities and discontinued
 operations                                        15,622        (333)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities         235         307
                                               ----------- -----------

Income before discontinued operations              15,857         (26)
Discontinued operations:
 Income from operations of property disposed
  of, including gain on disposal of assets          4,745      37,748
 Minority interest, net of tax                        (72)       (806)
 Income tax expense                                  (180)        (70)
                                               ----------- -----------
 Net income from discontinued operations            4,493      36,872

Net income                                         20,350      36,846

Distributions to preferred shareholders            (9,399)     (7,672)
                                               ----------- -----------

Net income applicable to common shareholders      $10,951     $29,174
                                               =========== ===========

Earnings per Common Share - Basic:
 Income (loss) applicable to common
  shareholders before discontinued operations
  and after dividends paid on unvested
  restricted shares                                 $0.24      $(0.41)
 Discontinued operations                             0.17        1.91
                                               ----------- -----------
 Net income applicable to common shareholders
  after dividends paid on unvested restricted
  shares                                            $0.41       $1.50
                                               =========== ===========

Earnings per Common Share - Diluted:
 Income (loss) applicable to common
  shareholders before discontinued operations       $0.24      $(0.39)
 Discontinued operations                             0.17        1.87
                                               ----------- -----------
 Net income applicable to common shareholders       $0.41       $1.48
                                               =========== ===========

Weighted average number common shares
 outstanding:
 Basic                                         26,087,859  19,254,958
 Diluted                                       26,714,754  19,657,100
 

                        LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
                             FFO and EBITDA
              (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                               (Unaudited)
                                                For the nine months
                                                 ended September 30,
                                                  2004        2003
                                               ----------- -----------

Funds From Operations (FFO):
Net income applicable to common shareholders      $10,951     $29,174
Depreciation                                       28,732      25,106
Equity in depreciation of joint venture               790         758
Amortization of deferred lease costs                   34          38
Minority interest:
 Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel Operating
  Partnership, L.P.                                   256          (1)
 Minority interest in discontinued operations          72         806
 Net gain on sale of property disposed of          (2,643)    (36,796)

                                               ----------- -----------
   FFO                                            $38,192     $19,085
                                               =========== ===========

Weighted average number of common shares and
 units outstanding:
 Basic                                         26,510,419  19,679,643
 Diluted                                       27,137,314  20,081,786
 

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation
 and Amortization (EBITDA):
Net income applicable to common shareholders      $10,951     $29,174
Interest                                            9,909      10,944
Equity in interest expense of joint venture           391         441
Income tax benefit:
 Income tax benefit                                  (807)     (2,857)
 Income tax expense from discontinued
  operations                                          180          70
Depreciation and other amortization                28,813      25,193
Equity in depreciation/amortization of joint
 venture                                              879         841
Amortization of deferred financing costs            1,657       2,843
Minority interest:
 Minority interest in LaSalle Hotel Operating
  Partnership, L.P.                                   256          (1)
 Minority interest in discontinued operations          72         806
Distributions to preferred shareholders             9,399       7,672
                                               ----------- -----------

 EBITDA                                           $61,700     $75,126
                                               =========== ===========
 

LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
                   Statistical Data for the Hotels
                             (Unaudited)
                          For the Three Months   For the Nine Months
                                  Ended                  Ended
                              September 30,         September 30,
                          --------------------- ----------------------
                               2004       2003       2004        2003
TOTAL PORTFOLIO
Occupancy                      75.1%      70.6%      70.0%       65.0%
     Increase/(Decrease)        6.3%                  7.6%
ADR                         $161.11    $153.36    $153.08     $146.79
     Increase/(Decrease)        5.0%                  4.3%
REVPAR                      $120.95    $108.31    $107.13      $95.47
     Increase/(Decrease)       11.7%                 12.2%
 

Note:
This schedule includes the operating data for all properties leased to
 LHL, and to third parties as of September 30, 2004, including the
 Indianapolis Marriott and Hilton Alexandria Old Town for the
 Company's period of ownership, and the Company's 9.9% interest in The
 Chicago Marriott Downtown joint venture. The 2003 operating
 performance is shown as though Lansdowne Resort and Hotel George were
 owned for the entire quarter and year to date;  The Indianapolis
 Marriott and Hilton Alexandria Old Town are shown in 2003 for their
 comparative period of ownership in 2004.

                        LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
                         Hotel Operational Data
                   Schedule of Property Level Results
                   (unaudited, dollars in thousands)

                                 For the Three    For the Nine Months
                                 Months Ended           Ended
                                 September 30,       September 30,
                              ------------------- --------------------
                                  2004      2003      2004       2003
Revenues
  Room                          54,407    48,810   138,526    123,292
  Food & beverage               26,255    25,052    71,898     67,519
  Other                          8,310     8,365    20,462     19,922
                              --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total hotel sales               88,972    82,227   230,886    210,733
Expenses
  Room                          12,145    10,774    33,193     29,919
  Food & beverage               17,990    16,899    49,294     46,272
  Other direct                   4,294     4,198    11,448     11,047
  General & administrative      19,093    18,211    54,015     50,368
  Management fees                2,934     2,698     7,232      6,730
  Fixed expenses                 4,863     5,138    14,105     13,597
                              --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total hotel expenses            61,319    57,918   169,287    157,933

EBITDA                          27,653    24,309    61,599     52,800
 

Note:
This schedule includes the operating data for all properties leased to LHL, and to third parties as of September 30, 2004, including the Indianapolis Marriott and Hilton Alexandria Old Town for the Company's period of ownership, and the Company's 9.9% interest in The Chicago Marriott Downtown joint venture. The 2003 operating performance is shown as though Lansdowne Resort and Hotel George were owned for the entire quarter and year to date;  The Indianapolis Marriott and Hilton Alexandria Old Town are shown in 2003 for their comparative period of ownership in 2004.

LaSalle Hotel Properties is a leading multi-tenant, multi-operator real estate investment trust, which owns interests in 18 upscale and luxury full-service hotels, totaling approximately 6,100 guest rooms in 13 markets in 10 states and the District of Columbia. LaSalle Hotel Properties focuses on investing in upscale and luxury full-service hotels located in urban, resort and convention markets. The Company seeks to grow through strategic relationships with premier internationally recognized hotel operating companies including Marriott International, Inc., Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Inc., Outrigger Lodging Services, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Benchmark Hospitality, White Lodging Services Corporation, Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, and the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC.

Certain matters discussed in this press release may be deemed to be forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 


 
Contact:
LaSalle Hotel Properties
Hans Weger, Chief Financial Officer
301-941-1500
Also See: LaSalle Hotel Properties Reports Net Loss of $3.7 million for 4th Qtr 2003; RevPAR Down 4.8% for the Year Hotel Operating Statistics / Feb 2003
LaSalle Hotel Properties Acquires the 241 room Hilton Alexandria Old Town for $59 million; Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels Named Manager / May 2004


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