CatchMark Timber CEO Expects Uptick in REIT’s Acquisition Activity

Jerry Barag, president and CEO of CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CTT), joined REIT.com for a CEO Spotlight video interview during REITWeek 2015: NAREIT’s Investor Forum, held in New York.

Barag began the interview with an overview of the company’s acquisition activity. He noted that the first half of 2015 has been quite different from 2014. Whereas 2014 saw a steady stream of medium-sized deals, the first half of 2015 has seen either very large deals or very small ones.

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KPMG Partner Expects Leasing to Continue After Implementing New Reporting Standard

Kimber Bascom, partner in the KPMG Department of Professional Practice, joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWise 2015: NAREIT’s Law, Accounting and Finance Conference held in Phoenix.

Bascom downplayed concerns that the new leases standard will end leasing activity.

“There are many good reasons why leasing activity will continue to go on even after the accounting standards change,” he said.

Kimber Bascom

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Goldman Sachs Banker Expects Rise in REIT M&A

Mike Graziano, managing director with Goldman Sachs, joined REIT.com for a video interview at NAREIT’s 2015 Washington Leadership Forum.

Graziano said the rise in the number of REITs pursuing investment-grade ratings “makes a lot of sense.” He pointed out that an investment-grade rating allows for “instant and immediate access to capital.” Furthermore, it leads to a lower cost of capital.

Mike Graziano

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HCP Executive says REIT Expects More Solar Energy Projects in 2015

Tom Klaritch, executive vice president of medical office properties at HCP, Inc. (NYSE: HCP), joined REIT.com for a video interview at NAREIT’s 2015 Leader in the Light Working Forum in Reston, Va.

HCP is a fully integrated REIT serving the health care industry. It was the first health care REIT selected to the S&P 500 Index. Klaritch outlined a number of sustainability initiatives now underway at HCP.

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Retail Properties of America CEO Expects Increased Retail Strength in 2015

Steven Grimes, president and CEO of Retail Properties of America, Inc. (NYSE: RPAI), joined REIT.com for a CEO Spotlight video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Retail Properties of America is one of the largest owners and operators of shopping centers in the country. The firm owns a diversified mix of assets that includes power centers, community centers and lifestyle centers.

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Farmland Partners CEO Expects Agricultural Land Values To Trend Higher

Paul Pittman, chairman, president and CEO of Farmland Partners Inc. (NYSE: FPI), joined REIT.com for a CEO Spotlight video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Farmland Partners invests in primary row crop farmland throughout North America. The substantial majority of the farms in the current portfolio are devoted to primary crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat. Farmland became a publicly traded company earlier this year.

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Fidelity Portfolio Manager Expects Active REIT Transaction Market in 2015

Steve Buller, portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Buller discussed the impact of rising interest rates on REITs in both the United States and abroad.  He noted that on a historical basis, there has been little correlation between REIT returns and higher interest rates.

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Analyst Expects Hotel REIT RevPAR Acceleration in First Half of 2015

C. Patrick Scholes, managing director with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Scholes said healthy fundamentals in the hotel REIT sector are likely to continue into 2015, based on a favorable supply-and-demand balance. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) should accelerate in the first half of 2015, according to Scholes.

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