New York REIT President Reflects on Strong Market Response to Public Listing

Michael Happel, president of New York REIT, Inc. (NYSE: NYRT), joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWeek 2014: NAREIT’s Investor Forum, held in New York.

New York REIT started as a public, non-listed REIT (PNLR) before listing on the NYSE in April. Happel was asked about market reaction to the listing.

“The market response has been fantastic,” he said. He explained that the listing had two main purposes – to provide liquidity to existing shareholders as well as to provide the company with long-term access to public market debt and equity.

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Fitch: REIT Share Buybacks Could Impair Credit Quality

As share buybacks are becoming more appealing for equity REITs, ratings firm Fitch Ratings is warning that they pose risks to the companies’ credit ratings.

Despite outperforming the broader market in the first quarter, shares of equity REITs in general continue to trade below net asset value (NAV), making share buybacks “an intriguing use of capital,” according to a report released by Fitch on April 29. As of the end of 2013, REITs traded at a 7.2 percent discount to NAV. In the previous year, pricing was essentially in line with NAV, according to Fitch.

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Credit Suisse Banker says REIT Debt Markets Healthy as Ever

Andy Richard, managing director of the Real Estate Group at Credit Suisse, joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWise 2014: NAREIT’s Law, Accounting and Finance Conference held in Boca Raton, Fla.

Richard was asked about the state of REIT capital markets and the prospects they face going forward.

“On the equity side, stocks are trading at very healthy levels. It’s a very seasoned asset class with a broad range of investors who are interested,” Richard said. On the debt side, he added, “I have never seen the debt markets healthier than they are now.”

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NYSE’s Bohlert Says REIT IPO Pipeline Relatively Dry

Ron Bohlert, managing director of the global corporate client group of the NYSE, joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWise 2014: NAREIT’s Law, Accounting and Finance Conference held in Boca Raton, Fla.

Bohlert was asked to discuss some of the initial trends in the market for REIT initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2014. Bohlert described the 2013 IPO market as “incredibly active.” Overall, 230 companies listed in 2013 (half of those on the NYSE), generating approximately $ 55 billion in new capital. Seventeen REITs listed and raised a combined total of $ 4.5 billion.

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Credit Suisse Analyst says REIT Debt Markets Healthy as Ever

Andy Richard, managing director of the Real Estate Group at Credit Suisse, joined REIT.com for a video interview during REITWise 2014: NAREIT’s Law, Accounting and Finance Conference held in Boca Raton, Fla.

Richard was asked about the state of REIT capital markets and the prospects they face going forward.

“On the equity side, stocks are trading at very healthy levels. It’s a very seasoned asset class with a broad range of investors who are interested,” Richard said. On the debt side, he added, “I have never seen the debt markets healthier than they are now.”

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