Fidelity Portfolio Manager says REIT NAV Discount Generating Activity

Steve Buller, portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2015: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Buller said 2015 has lived up to his initial expectations of being a year with a high level of transaction activity within the REIT industry.  A major reason behind that has been the fact that REITs have been trading at a discount to net asset value (NAV) throughout the year.

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NYSE Manager Sees Healthy REIT IPO Pipeline for 2015

Ron Bohlert, manager of global listings at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWise 2015: NAREIT’s Law, Accounting and Finance Conference held in Phoenix.

Bohlert noted that initial public offering (IPO) activity during 2014 was “incredibly successful for the NYSE.” There were a total of 117 IPOs, which raised a total amount of $ 65 billion. While the Alibaba Group IPO contributed a sizeable portion of that total, “in terms of the number of deals and capital raised, it was still very successful on all fronts,” he said.

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Lazard Portfolio Manager Sees REIT Returns of 10 to 15 Percent in 2015

Jay Leupp, managing director and senior portfolio manager at Lazard Asset Management, joined REIT.com for a video interview during NAREIT’s 2015 Washington Leadership Forum.

After a solid performance for REITs in 2014, “we do think there’s still room to run” in 2015, Leupp said.

“We don’t think rates are going to rise as much as most pundits,” he said. “We do still see very strong real estate fundamentals… and we still see rent growth and earnings growth tracking ahead of inflation. In our view, this adds up to a pretty good year for REITs.”

Jay Leupp

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Neuberger Berman Fund Manager Says Higher Interest Rates Should be Good Sign for REITs

Steve Shigekawa, managing director at Neuberger Berman, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Shigekawa noted that the biggest surprise for the REIT industry during 2014 has been the decline in interest rates.

“At the beginning of the year, the 10-year Treasury note was 3 percent. At the time, the consensus view was that interest rates would go higher, which would be a headwind for the REIT market. What we’ve actually seen is the opposite,” he observed.

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Eaton Vance Fund Manager Paying Increased Attention to Accounting Checks and Balances

J. Scott Craig, vice president and portfolio manager at Eaton Vance Management, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Craig discussed ways in which his background as a certified public accountant influences his approach to investing.

“It’s very easy to take accounting for granted and to assume everything is fine,” Craig said. He added that he has now started to have conversations with companies regarding their systems of checks and balances in accounting.

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INVESCO Fund Manager highlights broader acceptance of REIT investment

Paul Curbo, portfolio manager at INVESCO Realty Advisors, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Curbo highlighted the biggest changes he has seen in the real estate sector during the last two decades.

“Real estate has become an accepted investment class. Twenty years ago, we often had to explain the merits of investing in REITs,” he said.

The benefits of REIT income, diversification and total returns have now become apparent, Curbo noted.

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Chilton Capital Fund Manager Says REITs Should be Trading at Higher Premiums to NAV

Matt Werner, portfolio manager and analyst at Chilton Capital Management, joined REIT.com for a video interview at REITWorld 2014: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

Given the outperformance of the REIT market compared with broader market indices in 2014, Werner commented on REIT valuation levels.

“Any time the market goes up by almost 30 percent, you’re going to have questions about valuation,” Werner said.

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