UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number: 001-14625 (Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.)
0-25087 (Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P.)
HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland (Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.) Delaware (Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P.) |
53-0085950 (Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.) 52-2095412 (Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P.) | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500 Bethesda, Maryland |
20817 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(240) 744-1000
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |||
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | Common Stock, $.01 par value (726,697,966 shares outstanding as of February 21, 2013) | New York Stock Exchange | ||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. | None | None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
None | |
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Units of limited partnership interest (721,213,932 units outstanding as of February 21, 2013) |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
Yes | x | No | ¨ | ||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Yes | ¨ | No | x |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
Yes | ¨ | No | x | ||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Yes | ¨ | No | x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
Yes | x | No | ¨ | ||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Yes | x | No | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
Yes | x | No | ¨ | ||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Yes | x | No | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) x | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
Yes | ¨ | No | x | ||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
Yes | ¨ | No | x |
The aggregate market value of common shares held by non-affiliates of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (based on the closing sale price on the New York Stock Exchange) on June 15, 2012 was $10,911,508,776.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivered to stockholders in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 16, 2013 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to Host Inc. mean Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and references to Host L.P. mean Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its consolidated subsidiaries. We use the terms we or our or the company to refer to Host Inc. and Host L.P. together, unless the context indicates otherwise. We use the term Host Inc. to specifically refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and the term Host L.P. to specifically refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. (and its consolidated subsidiaries) in cases where it is important to distinguish between Host Inc. and Host L.P. Host Inc. owns properties and conducts operations through Host L.P., of which Host Inc. is the sole general partner and of which it holds approximately 98.6% of the partnership interests (OP units) as of December 31, 2012. The remaining approximate 1.4% partnership interests are owned by various unaffiliated limited partners. As the sole general partner of Host L.P., Host Inc. has the exclusive and complete responsibility for Host L.P.s day-to-day management and control.
We believe combining the annual reports on Form 10-K of Host Inc. and Host L.P. into this single report results in the following benefits:
| enhances investors understanding of Host Inc. and Host L.P. by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business; |
| eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined presentation, since a substantial portion of our disclosure applies to both Host Inc. and Host L.P.; and |
| creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports. |
Management operates Host Inc. and Host L.P. as one enterprise. The management of Host Inc. consists of the same members who direct the management of Host L.P. The executive officers of Host Inc. are appointed by Host Inc.s board of directors, but are employed by Host L.P. Host L.P. employs everyone who works for Host Inc. or Host L.P. As general partner with control of Host L.P., Host Inc. consolidates Host L.P. for financial reporting purposes, and Host Inc. does not have significant assets other than its investment in Host L.P. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of Host Inc. and Host L.P. are the same on their respective financial statements.
There are a few differences between Host Inc. and Host L.P., which are reflected in the disclosure in this report. We believe it is important to understand the differences between Host Inc. and Host L.P. in the context of how Host Inc. and Host L.P. operate as an interrelated consolidated company. Host Inc. is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and its only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of Host L.P. As a result, Host Inc. does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of Host L.P., and issuing public equity from time to time, the proceeds from which are contributed to Host L.P. in exchange for OP units. Host Inc. itself does not issue any indebtedness and does not guarantee the debt or obligations of Host L.P. Host L.P. holds substantially all of our assets and holds the ownership interests in our joint ventures. Host L.P. conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a limited partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by Host Inc., Host L.P. generates the capital required by our business through Host L.P.s operations, by Host L.P.s direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness, or through the issuance of OP units.
The substantive difference between the filings of Host Inc. and Host L.P. is that Host Inc. is a REIT with public stock, while Host L.P. is a partnership with no publicly traded equity. In the financial statements, this difference primarily is reflected in the equity (or partners capital for Host L.P.) section of the consolidated balance sheets and in the consolidated statements of equity (or partners capital) and in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) with respect to the manner in which income is allocated to non-controlling interests. Income allocable to the holders of approximately 1.4% of the OP units is reflected as income allocable to non-controlling interests at Host Inc. and within net income at Host L.P. Also, earnings per share generally will be slightly less than the earnings per OP unit, as each Host Inc. common share is the equivalent of .97895 OP units (instead of 1 OP unit). Apart from these differences, the financial statements of Host Inc. and Host L.P. are nearly identical.
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To help investors understand the differences between Host Inc. and Host L.P., this report presents the following separate sections or portions of sections for each of Host Inc. and Host L.P.:
| Part II Item 5 Market for Registrants Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for Host Inc. / Market for Registrants Common Units, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for Host L.P.; |
| Part II Item 6 Selected Financial Data; |
| Part II Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is combined, except for a separate discussion of material differences, if any, in the liquidity and capital resources between Host Inc. and Host L.P.; |
| Part II Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk is combined, except for separate discussions of material differences, if any, between Host Inc. and Host L.P.; and |
| Part II Item 8 Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. While the financial statements themselves are presented separately, the notes to the financial statements generally are combined, except for separate discussions of differences between equity of Host Inc. and capital of Host L.P. |
This report also includes separate Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibit 31 and 32 certifications for each of Host Inc. and Host L.P. in order to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Host Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Host Inc. as the general partner of Host L.P. have made the requisite certifications and that Host Inc. and Host L.P. are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
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HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. AND HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, L.P.
Page | ||||||
Part I | ||||||
Item 1. | 1 | |||||
Item 1A. | 16 | |||||
Item 1B. | 33 | |||||
Item 2. | 33 | |||||
Item 3. | 34 | |||||
Item 4. | 34 | |||||
Part II | ||||||
Item 5. | 37 | |||||
39 | ||||||
Item 6. | 40 | |||||
41 | ||||||
Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
42 | ||||
Item 7A. | 91 | |||||
Item 8. | 94 | |||||
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
150 | ||||
Item 9A. | 150 | |||||
Item 9B. | 151 | |||||
Part III | ||||||
Item 10. | 152 | |||||
Item 11. | 152 | |||||
Item 12. | 152 | |||||
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
152 | ||||
Item 14. | 152 | |||||
Part IV | ||||||
Item 15. | 153 |
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Forward Looking Statements
Our disclosure and analysis in this 2012 Form 10-K and in Host Inc.s 2012 Annual Report to stockholders contain some forward-looking statements that set forth anticipated results based on managements plans and assumptions. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. Such statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events; they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify each such statement by using words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, will, target, forecast and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these forward-looking statements include those relating to future actions, future acquisitions or dispositions, future capital expenditure plans, future performance or results of current and anticipated expenses, interest rates, foreign exchange rates or the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings.
We cannot guarantee that any future results discussed in any forward-looking statements will be realized, although we believe that we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions, including those discussed in Item 1A Risk Factors. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those results anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make or related subjects in our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Also note that, in our risk factors, we provide a cautionary discussion of risks, uncertainties and possibly inaccurate assumptions relevant to our business. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from past results and those results anticipated, estimated or projected. We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risk factors. Consequently, you should not consider the discussion of risk factors to be a complete discussion of all of the potential risks or uncertainties that could affect our business.
Item 1. | Business |
Host Inc. was incorporated as a Maryland corporation in 1998 and operates as a self-managed and self-administered REIT. Host Inc. owns properties and conducts operations through Host L.P., of which Host Inc. is the sole general partner and in which it holds approximately 98.6% of the partnership interests (OP units) as of December 31, 2012. The remaining approximate 1.4% partnership interests are owned by various unaffiliated limited partners. Host Inc. has the exclusive and complete responsibility for Host L.P.s day-to-day management and control.
As of February 25, 2013, our consolidated lodging portfolio consists of 118 primarily luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 62,600 rooms, with the majority located in the United States, and 15 properties located outside of the U.S. in Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Mexico and Brazil. We also are developing two hotels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, we own non-controlling interests in two international joint ventures: a joint venture in Europe, which owns 19 luxury and upper upscale hotels with approximately 6,100 rooms in France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland and Germany; and a joint venture in Asia/Pacific, which owns one hotel in Australia and minority interests in two operating hotels in India and five additional hotels in India currently under development. Our other real estate joint ventures include the development of a 225-room Hyatt Place in Nashville, Tennessee, and the development of a 131unit vacation ownership project in Maui, Hawaii adjacent to our Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
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The Lodging Industry
The lodging industry in the United States consists of private and public entities that operate in an extremely diversified market under a variety of brand names. The lodging industry has several key participants:
| Owners own the hotel and typically enter into an agreement for an independent third party to manage the hotel. These properties may be branded and operated under the managers brand or branded under a franchise agreement and operated by the franchisee or by an independent hotel manager. The properties also may be operated as an independent hotel by an independent hotel manager. |
| Owner/Managers own the hotel and operate the property with their own management team. These properties may be branded under a franchise agreement, operated as an independent hotel or operated under the owners brand. We are prohibited from operating and managing hotels under applicable REIT rules. |
| Franchisors own a brand or brands and strive to grow their revenues by expanding the number of hotels in their franchise system. Franchisors provide their hotels with brand recognition, marketing support and centralized reservation systems for the franchised hotels. |
| Franchisor/Managers own a brand or brands and also operate hotels on behalf of the hotel owner or franchisee. |
| Managers operate hotels on behalf of the hotel owner, but do not, themselves, own a brand. The hotels may be operated under a franchise agreement or as an independent hotel. |
The hotel manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the hotel, including the employment of hotel staff, the determination of room rates, the development of sales and marketing plans, the preparation of operating and capital expenditure budgets and the preparation of financial reports for the owner. They typically receive fees based on the revenues and profitability of the hotel.
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) is an operational measure commonly used in the hotel industry to evaluate hotel performance. RevPAR represents the product of the average daily room rate (ADR) charged and the average daily occupancy achieved, but excludes other revenue generated by a hotel property, such as food and beverage, parking and other revenues. ADR reflects the average rate charged by hotels. Average rates can be influenced by, among other things, demand, previously negotiated contracts, the overall mix of business and new supply in a given market.
Our industry is influenced by the cyclical relationship between the supply of and demand for hotel rooms. Lodging demand growth typically is related to the vitality of the overall economy, in addition to local market factors that stimulate travel to specific destinations. In particular, economic indicators such as GDP growth, business investment and employment growth are some of the primary drivers of lodging demand. Between 2003 and 2007, broad growth in the economy led to increases in demand. However, the global recession of 2008 through 2009 resulted in a considerable decline in both consumer and business spending and a severe decline in demand within the lodging industry. While lodging demand has not recovered fully from the steep declines in those years, the gradual recovery that began in 2010 has continued through 2012, led by transient demand from business and leisure travelers. We expect demand to continue to improve in 2013, though the rate of growth may be affected by uncertainty in the direction of both the domestic and global economy.
Lodging supply growth generally is driven by overall lodging demand, as extended periods of strong demand growth tend to encourage new development. However, the rate of supply growth also is influenced by a number of additional factors, including the availability of capital, interest rates, construction costs and unique market considerations. The relatively long lead-time required to complete the development of hotels makes supply growth easier to forecast than demand growth, but increases the volatility of the cyclical behavior of the lodging industry. As illustrated in the charts below, at different points in the cycle, demand may increase when there is no new supply or supply may grow when demand is declining. The decline in lodging demand during the recession of 2008 through
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2009 and the lack of available financing for new hotel construction caused a significant reduction in hotel development. As a result, supply growth was relatively low in 2010 through 2012, and we expect growth through 2013 to continue to be below the historical growth rate of 2% (based on data from Smith Travel Research over the past 25 years).
We anticipate that demand growth will exceed supply growth in the near term, resulting in continued RevPAR growth, which is consistent with analysis prepared by PKF Hospitality Research. Occupancy levels in the upper-upscale market are currently close to their 15-year average. Therefore, while there is still potential for occupancy growth, we believe RevPAR growth will primarily be driven by increases in average room rate. However, the pace of economic recovery and general market uncertainty will continue to impact negatively the pace of improvement in the industry. Therefore, there can be no assurance that any increases in hotel revenues or earnings at our properties or improvement in margins will continue for any number of reasons, including those listed above.
The charts below detail the historical supply, demand and RevPAR growth for the U.S. lodging industry and for the upper upscale segment for 2008 to 2012 and forecast data for 2013. Our portfolio primarily consists of upper upscale hotels and, accordingly, its performance is best understood in comparison to the upper upscale segment rather than the entire industry.
U.S. Lodging Industry Supply, Demand and RevPAR Growth
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U.S. Upper Upscale Supply, Demand and RevPAR Growth
Business Strategy
Our primary long-term business objective is to provide superior total returns to our equity holders through a combination of appreciation in asset values, growth in earnings and dividend distributions. To achieve this objective, we seek to:
| drive operating results at our properties through aggressive asset management; |
| acquire properties in urban and resort/conference destinations that are operated by leading management companies. We will continue to focus on target markets and gateway cities (such as New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle), which we believe have strong demand generators that appeal to multiple customer segments and have high barriers to entry that limit new supply. While our focus will remain primarily on luxury and upper upscale properties, we will remain opportunistic and may acquire or develop hotels in other lodging segments or markets; |
| strategically invest in major redevelopment and return on investment (ROI) projects in order to maximize the inherent value in our portfolio; |
| maintain a strong balance sheet with a low leverage level and balanced debt maturities in order to minimize our cost of capital and to maximize our financial flexibility in order to take advantage of opportunities throughout the lodging cycle; |
| expand our global portfolio holdings and revenue sources through joint ventures or direct acquisitions that diversify our investments; and |
| recycle capital through the disposition of assets to better align our portfolio within our target gateway markets. We also may opportunistically dispose of hotels to take advantage of market conditions or in situations where the hotels are at a competitive risk. |
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Acquisitions and New Development. Our acquisition strategy focuses on acquiring hotels at attractive yields that exceed our cost of capital in our target markets. These markets consist of gateway cities in the U.S. and in key international cities that are positioned to attract premium corporate, leisure and international travelers, while, at the same time, have significant barriers to entry. Based on historical trends, we believe these markets will have favorable long-term supply and demand dynamics and consequently better potential for revenue growth. In the U.S., we will focus primarily on acquiring upper upscale and luxury hotels and secondarily, developing midscale and upscale hotels with strategic partners in these target markets. Our efforts in Europe will be to acquire upper upscale and luxury hotels in our target markets, such as London, Paris and Munich. In the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions, we will concentrate on both the acquisition of upper upscale and luxury hotels and the development of midscale and upscale hotels in our target markets, such as Australia and Brazil.
Redevelopment and Return on Investment Projects. We pursue opportunities to enhance asset value by completing select capital improvements outside the scope of recurring renewal and replacement capital expenditures. These projects are designed to take advantage of changing market conditions and the favorable location of our properties to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profitability. We evaluate our capital expenditure projects based on their economic and environmental impact. In collaboration with our hotel managers, we evaluate new products and systems designed to yield predictable and targeted results, while improving overall energy efficiency and reducing water consumption. Examples include in-room and central energy management systems, lighting retrofits, low flow plumbing fixtures and intelligent landscape irrigation systems.
Redevelopment projects. These projects are designed to optimally position our hotels within their markets and competitive set. Redevelopment projects include extensive renovations of guest rooms, including bathrooms, lobbies, food and beverage outlets, expanding ballroom and meeting rooms, and major mechanical system upgrades.
Targeted Return on Investment Projects. These ROI projects often are smaller and focused on specific areas, such as converting unprofitable or underutilized space into meeting space or adding guestrooms. We also target projects that improve utility efficiency through the implementation and adoption of proven sustainable technologies.
Value enhancement capital projects. These projects identify and execute strategies that seek to maximize the highest and best use of all aspects of our hotels. These projects include the development of timeshare or condominium units on excess land, or the acquisition of air rights or development entitlements that add value to our portfolio currently or in the event that we sell the hotel.
Acquisition projects. In conjunction with the acquisition of a property, we prepare capital and operational improvement plans designed to improve profitability and enhance the guest experience. These projects may include required renewal and replacement projects, significant redevelopment and even re-branding of the property and represent a key component of our decision to invest in a hotel that are typically completed within two to three years.
Asset Management. As Host Inc. is the nations largest lodging REIT with a diverse portfolio of properties, we are in a unique position to work with our managers to maximize revenues, while minimizing operating costs. The size and composition of our portfolio and our affiliation with most of the leading operators and brands in the industry allow us to benchmark similar hotels and identify best practices and efficiencies that can be implemented at our properties, all of which improve the long-term profitability of the hotel.
A key component of our asset management strategy is maintaining the high standards of product quality of our properties. We work closely with our managers to ensure that renewal and replacement expenditures are spent efficiently in order to maximize the profitability of the hotel. Typically, room refurbishments occur at intervals of approximately seven years, but the timing may vary based on the type of property and equipment being replaced. These refurbishments generally are divided into the following types: soft goods, case goods, bathroom and
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infrastructure. Soft goods include items such as carpeting, bed spreads, curtains and wall vinyl and may require more frequent updates in order to maintain brand quality standards. Case goods include items such as dressers, desks, couches, restaurant and meeting room chairs and tables and generally are not replaced as frequently. Bathroom renovations range from refresh of vinyl and paint to full renovation and replacement of tile, vanity, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Infrastructure includes the physical plant of the hotel, including the roof, elevators, façade and fire systems, which are subject to regular maintenance and then replaced at the end of their useful lives.
Capital structure and liquidity profile. In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, Host Inc. is required to distribute 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gain) to its stockholders and, as a result, generally relies on external sources of capital to finance growth. We use a variety of debt and equity instruments to fund our external growth, including senior notes and mortgage debt, exchangeable debentures, common and preferred stock offerings, issuances of Host L.P. partnership units and joint ventures/limited partnerships to take advantage of the prevailing market conditions. While we may issue debt at any time, management believes it is prudent, over time, to target a leverage ratio of approximately 3.0x debt-to-EBITDA. Consistent with this strategy, we have significantly improved our credit statistics over the past several years. We believe that lower leverage reduces our overall cost of capital and our earnings volatility and increases our access to capital, thereby providing us with the necessary flexibility to take advantage of opportunities throughout the lodging cycle, which we consider a key competitive advantage.
We also seek to structure our debt profile to allow us to access different forms of financing, primarily senior notes and exchangeable debentures, as well as mortgage debt, particularly outside of the U.S. when debt is priced reasonably. Generally, this means we look to minimize the number of assets that are encumbered by mortgage debt, minimize near-term maturities and maintain a balanced maturity schedule.
Joint Ventures. We expect to continue to utilize joint ventures to finance external growth. We believe joint ventures provide a significant means to access external capital and spread the inherent risk of hotel ownership. Our primary focus for joint ventures is in international markets, which helps to diversify exposure to market risk.
Dispositions. Our disposition strategy is aligned with our overall portfolio focus to reallocate our investments to target gateway markets. Generally, our dispositions will be focused on secondary or tertiary markets, or as part of our strategy to limit our total investment within individual markets. We may dispose of assets in our primary markets through direct sales or through the creation of joint ventures when we have the opportunity to capitalize on value enhancement strategies and apply the proceeds to other business objectives. Additionally, we will dispose of properties where we believe the potential for growth is constrained or on properties with significant capital expenditure requirements where we do not believe we would generate a significant return on the investment. Proceeds from dispositions are deployed to repay debt or fund acquisitions and ROI/redevelopment projects.
Corporate Responsibility
Hosts corporate responsibility strategy integrates fiscal, environmental and social elements at both the corporate and portfolio levels. Our corporate responsibility program focuses on the following themes and objectives:
| Responsible Investment: further consider sustainability-related risks and opportunities during the development and acquisition processes and throughout the ownership period; |
| Environmental Stewardship: collaborate with and support our hotel managers to reduce overall carbon emissions, energy and water consumption and waste stream within our portfolio; and |
| Corporate Citizenship: strengthen the local communities where we do business through financial support, partnership, volunteerism and coordination with our hotel managers. |
Management and Governance. Our corporate responsibility program is managed by our Corporate Responsibility team and governed by our Board of Directors Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Operating Structure
Host Inc. operates through an umbrella partnership structure in which substantially all of its assets are held by Host L.P., of which Host Inc. is the sole general partner and holds approximately 98.6% of the OP units as of
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December 31, 2012. A REIT is a corporation that has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and that meets certain ownership, organizational and operating requirements set forth under the Code. In general, through payments of dividends to stockholders, a REIT is permitted to reduce or eliminate federal income taxes at the corporate level. Each OP unit owned by holders other than Host Inc. is redeemable, at the option of the holder, for an amount of cash equal to the market value of one share of Host Inc. common stock multiplied by a factor of 1.021494 (rather than a conversion factor of 1 share/OP unit that existed prior to the December 2009 stock dividend). Host Inc. has the right to acquire any OP unit offered for redemption directly from the holder in exchange for 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. common stock, instead of Host L.P. redeeming such OP unit for cash. Additionally, for every share of common stock issued by Host Inc., Host L.P. will issue .97895 OP units to Host Inc. As of December 31, 2012, non-controlling limited partners held 9.9 million OP units, which were convertible into 10.1 million Host Inc. common shares. Assuming that all OP units held by non-controlling limited partners were converted into common shares, there would have been 734.7 million common shares of Host Inc. outstanding at December 31, 2012.
Our operating structure is as follows:
Because Host Inc. has elected to be treated as a REIT, certain tax laws limit the amount of non-qualifying income that Host Inc. and Host L.P. can earn, including income derived directly from the operation of hotels. As a result, we lease substantially all of our consolidated properties to certain of our subsidiaries designated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRS) for federal income tax purposes or to third party lessees. Our TRS are subject to income tax and are not limited as to the amount of non-qualifying income they can generate. The lessees and our TRS enter into agreements with third parties to manage the operations of the hotels. Our TRS also may own assets engaging in other activities that produce non-qualifying income, such as the development of timeshare or condominium units, subject to certain restrictions. The difference between the hotels net operating cash flow and the aggregate rents paid to Host L.P. is retained by our TRS as taxable income. Accordingly, the net effect of the TRS leases is that, while, as a REIT, Host Inc. generally is exempt from federal income tax to the extent that it meets specific distribution requirements, among other REIT requirements, a portion of the net operating cash flow from our properties is subject to federal, state and, if applicable, foreign income tax.
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Our Hotel Properties
Overview. We have 118 hotels in our portfolio, primarily consisting of luxury and upper upscale properties. These hotels generally are located in the central business districts of major cities, near airports and resort/conference destinations that, because of their locations, typically benefit from barriers to entry for new supply. These properties typically include meeting and banquet facilities, a variety of restaurants and lounges, swimming pools, exercise facilities and/or spas, gift shops and parking facilities, the combination of which enable them to serve business, leisure and group travelers. Forty-two of our hotels, representing approximately 59% of our revenues, have in excess of 500 rooms. The average age of our properties is 28 years, although substantially all of the properties have benefited from significant renovations or major additions, as well as regularly scheduled renewal and replacement and other capital improvements.
The following table details our consolidated hotel portfolio by brand as of February 25, 2013:
Number | Percentage of | |||||||||||
Brand |
of Hotels | Rooms | Revenues (1) | |||||||||
Marriott |
62 | 34,733 | 52 | % | ||||||||
Ritz-Carlton |
8 | 3,020 | 8 | |||||||||
Starwood: |
||||||||||||
Westin |
13 | 6,900 | 10 | |||||||||
Sheraton |
7 | 5,444 | 9 | |||||||||
W |
3 | 1,387 | 3 | |||||||||
St. Regis |
1 | 232 | 1 | |||||||||
The Luxury Collection |
1 | 139 | | |||||||||
Hyatt |
8 | 6,372 | 11 | |||||||||
Hilton/Embassy Suites |
3 | 1,041 | 2 | |||||||||
Swissôtel |
1 | 661 | 1 | |||||||||
Four Seasons |
2 | 608 | 1 | |||||||||
Fairmont |
1 | 450 | 2 | |||||||||
Delta |
1 | 374 | | |||||||||
Accor: |
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ibis |
3 | 455 | | |||||||||
Novotel |
4 | 752 | | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
118 | 62,568 | 100 | ||||||||||
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|
|
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(1) | Percentage of revenues is based on 2012 revenues. No individual property contributed more than 6% of total revenues in 2012. |
8
Hotel Properties. The following table sets forth the location and number of rooms at our hotels as of February 25, 2013:
9
(1) | The land on which this hotel is built is leased from a third party under one or more lease agreements. |
(2) | The land, building and improvements are leased from a third party under a long-term lease agreement. |
(3) | This property is not wholly owned. |
(4) | This property is subject to a ground lease under which we have the option to purchase the land for an incremental payment of $19.9 million through 2017. |
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Competition
The lodging industry is highly competitive. Competition often is specific to individual markets and is based on a number of factors, including location, brand, guest facilities and amenities, level of service, room rates and the quality of accommodations. The lodging industry generally is viewed as consisting of six different segments, each of which caters to a discrete set of customer tastes and needs: luxury, upper upscale, upscale, midscale (with and without food and beverage service) and economy. The classification of a property is based on lodging industry standards, which take into consideration many factors such as guest facilities and amenities, level of service and quality of accommodations. Most of our hotels operate in urban and resort markets either as luxury properties under such brand names as Fairmont®, Four Seasons®, Grand Hyatt®, JW Marriott®, Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection® and W®, or as upper upscale properties under such brand names as Embassy Suites®, Hilton®, Hyatt®, Le Méridien®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Marquis®, Marriott Suites®, Pullman®, Renaissance®, Sheraton®, Swissôtel® and Westin®. We also may selectively invest in upscale and midscale properties such as Courtyard by Marriott®, Crowne Plaza®, Four Points by Sheraton®, Hyatt Place®, ibis®, Novotel® or Residence Inn by Marriott®, particularly in international markets.1 While our hotels primarily compete with other hotels in the luxury and upper upscale segments, they also may compete with hotels in other lower-tier segments.
We believe our properties enjoy competitive advantages associated with the hotel brands under which they operate. The international marketing programs and reservation systems of these brands, combined with the strong management systems and expertise they provide, should enable our properties to perform favorably in terms of both occupancy and room rates. In addition, repeat guest business is enhanced by guest reward or guest recognition programs offered by most of these brands. Nevertheless, many management contracts for our hotels do not prohibit our managers from converting, franchising or developing other hotel properties in our markets. As a result, our hotels compete with other hotels that our managers may own, invest in, manage or franchise.
We also compete with other REITs and other public and private investors for the acquisition of new properties and investment opportunities, in both domestic and international markets, as we attempt to position our portfolio to take best advantage of changes in markets and travel patterns of our customers.
Seasonality
Our hotel sales traditionally have experienced moderate seasonality, which varies based on the individual property and the region. Historically, our reporting cycle for hotel revenues for our domestic Marriott-managed hotels reflects 16 or 17 weeks of results in the fourth quarter compared to 12 weeks for each of the first three quarters of the year. For our non-Marriott managed hotels, the first quarter includes two months of operations, the second and third quarters include three months of operations and the fourth quarter includes four months of operations. Hotel sales have averaged approximately 20%, 26%, 22% and 32% for the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively, under our historic reporting calendar. However, Marriott announced that beginning January 1, 2013 it will convert from a 52-53 week fiscal year to a 12-month calendar year. As a result, we will report our hotel results based on a 3-month quarterly reporting cycle beginning with the first quarter of 2013. Based on this new reporting cycle, we estimate that hotel sales will be 24% in the first quarter, 27% in the second quarter, 24% in the third quarter and 25% in the fourth quarter. See Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Reporting Periods.
1 | This annual report contains registered trademarks that are the exclusive property of their respective owners, which are companies other than us. None of the owners of these trademarks, their affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, has or will have any responsibility or liability for any information contained in this annual report. |
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Other Real Estate Investments
European Joint Venture. We own a general and limited partnership interest in a joint venture in Europe (Euro JV) with APG Strategic Real Estate Pool NV, an affiliate of a Dutch Pension Fund, and Jasmine Hotels Pte Ltd, an affiliate of the real estate investment company of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd (GIC RE). The Euro JV consists of two funds, which we refer to as Euro JV Fund I and Euro JV Fund II. We hold a 32.0% limited partner interest and a 0.1% general partner interest in Euro JV Fund I and a 33.3% limited partner interest and a 0.1% general partner interest in Euro JV Fund II. The Euro JV also acts as the asset manager for the hotels owned by the Euro JV, as well as one hotel in Paris, France, in exchange for a fee. As of February 25, 2013, the Euro JV owns the following hotels:
Hotel |
City |
Country |
Rooms/Units | |||||
Fund I: |
||||||||
Hotel Arts Barcelona |
Barcelona | Spain | 483 | |||||
The Westin Palace, Madrid |
Madrid | Spain | 467 | |||||
Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center |
Rome | Italy | 640 | |||||
The Westin Palace, Milan |
Milan | Italy | 227 | |||||
The Westin Europa & Regina |
Venice | Italy | 185 | |||||
Renaissance Brussels Hotel |
Brussels | Belgium | 262 | |||||
Brussels Marriott Hotel |
Brussels | Belgium | 221 | |||||
Marriott Executive Apartments |
Brussels | Belgium | 56 | |||||
Crowne Plaza Hotel Amsterdam City Centre |
Amsterdam | The Netherlands | 270 | |||||
Sheraton Skyline Hotel & Conference Centre |
Hayes | United Kingdom | 350 | |||||
Sheraton Warsaw Hotel & Towers |
Warsaw | Poland | 350 | |||||
|
|
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Fund I total rooms |
3,511 | |||||||
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|
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Fund II: |
||||||||
Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center |
Paris | France | 757 | |||||
Pullman Bercy Paris |
Paris | France | 396 | |||||
Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel |
Paris | France | 327 | |||||
Courtyard Paris La Defense West Colombes |
Paris | France | 150 | |||||
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel |
Paris | France | 97 | |||||
Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel |
Amsterdam | The Netherlands | 402 | |||||
Le Méridien Piccadilly |
London | United Kingdom | 280 | |||||
Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg |
Nuremberg | Germany | 192 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Fund II total rooms |
2,601 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total European joint venture rooms |
6,112 | |||||||
|
|
Asian Joint Venture. We own a 25% interest in a joint venture (the Asia/Pacific JV) with RECO Hotels JV Private Limited, an affiliate of GIC RE. Our Asia/Pacific JV owns the 278-room Four Points by Sheraton Perth in Perth, Australia and a 36% non-controlling interest in a joint venture in India with Accor S.A. and InterGlobe Enterprises Limited that owns two hotels, with an additional five hotels under development, totaling 1,750 rooms for an estimated $325 million of construction costs. The seven Indian hotels will be operated under the Pullman, Novotel and ibis brands.
Other U.S. Real Estate Investments. Our other domestic real estate investments include the following:
| We have a non-controlling 50% interest in a joint venture with White Lodging Services to develop the 255-room Hyatt Place in Nashville, Tennessee. The hotel is expected to open in late 2013. |
| We have a non-controlling 67% interest in a joint venture with Hyatt Residential Group to develop, sell and operate a 131-unit vacation ownership project in Maui, Hawaii adjacent to our Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. Construction has begun and the project is expected to be completed in late 2014. |
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Consolidated International Operations
Excluding hotels owned by our European and Asian joint ventures, as of December 31, 2012, we own one property in Australia, one property in Brazil, three in Canada, one in Mexico, two in Chile, and seven in New Zealand, which collectively contain approximately 3,865 rooms. Approximately 5%, 5%, and 3% of our revenues were attributed to the operations of these properties in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Environmental and Regulatory Matters
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances. These laws may impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. In addition, certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for release of hazardous or toxic materials, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with exposure to released hazardous or toxic materials. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require corrective or other expenditures. In connection with our current or prior ownership or operation of hotels, we potentially may be liable for various environmental costs or liabilities. Although currently we are not aware of any material environmental claims pending or threatened against us, we can offer no assurance that a material environmental claim will not be asserted against us in the future.
Operational Agreements
All of our hotels are managed by third parties pursuant to management or operating agreements, with some of those hotels also subject to separate license agreements addressing matters pertaining to operation under the designated brand. Under these agreements, the managers generally have sole responsibility and exclusive authority for all activities necessary for the day-to-day operation of the hotels, including establishing room rates, securing and processing reservations, procuring inventories, supplies and services, providing periodic inspection and consultation visits to the hotels by the managers technical and operational experts and promoting and publicizing the hotels. The managers provide all managerial and other employees for the hotels, review the operation and maintenance of the hotels, prepare reports, budgets and projections, and provide other administrative and accounting support services to the hotels. These support services include planning and policy services, divisional financial services, product planning and development, employee staffing and training, corporate executive management and certain in-house legal services. We have certain approval rights over budgets, capital expenditures, significant leases and contractual commitments, and various other matters.
General Terms and Provisions Agreements governing the management and operation of our hotels typically include the terms described below:
| Term and fees for operational services. The initial term of our management and operating agreements generally is 15 to 25 years, with one or more renewal terms at the option of the manager. The majority of our management agreements condition the managers right to exercise options for specified renewal terms upon the satisfaction of specified economic performance criteria. The manager typically receives compensation in the form of a base management fee, which is calculated as a percentage (generally 2-3%) of annual gross revenues, and an incentive management fee, which typically is calculated as a percentage (generally 10-20%) of operating profit after the owner has received a priority return on its investment in the hotel. In the case of our Starwood-managed hotels, the base management fee only is 1% of annual gross revenues, but that amount is supplemented by license fees payable to Starwood under a separate license agreement (as described below). |
| License services. In the case of our Starwood-managed hotels, the operation of the hotels is subject to separate license agreements addressing matters pertaining to the designated brand, including rights to use trademarks, service marks and logos, matters relating to compliance with certain brand standards and policies, and the provision of certain system programs and centralized services. Although the term of these license agreements with Starwood generally is coterminous with the corresponding operating |
13
agreements, the license agreements contemplate the potential for continued brand affiliation even in the event of a termination of the operating agreement. As noted above, the Starwood licensors receive compensation in the form of license fees (generally 5% of gross revenues attributable to room sales and 2% of gross revenues attributable to food and beverage sales), which amounts supplement the lower base management fee of 1% of gross revenues received by Starwood under the operating agreements. |
| Chain or system programs and services. Managers are required to provide chain or system programs and services generally that are furnished on a centralized basis. Such services include the development and operation of certain computer systems and reservation services, regional or other centralized management and administrative services, marketing and sales programs and services, training and other personnel services, and other centralized or regional services as may be determined to be more efficiently performed on a centralized, regional or group basis rather than on an individual hotel basis. Costs and expenses incurred in providing these chain or system programs and services generally are allocated on a cost reimbursement basis among all hotels managed by the manager or its affiliates or that otherwise benefit from these services. |
| Working capital and fixed asset supplies. We are required to maintain working capital for each hotel and to fund the cost of certain fixed asset supplies (for example, linen, china, glassware, silver and uniforms). We also are responsible for providing funds to meet the cash needs for hotel operations if at any time the funds available from working capital are insufficient to meet the financial requirements of the hotels. For certain hotels, the working capital accounts which would otherwise be maintained by the managers for each of such hotels are maintained on a pooled basis, with managers being authorized to make withdrawals from such pooled account as otherwise contemplated with respect to working capital in accordance with the provisions of the management or operating agreements. |
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment replacements. We are required to provide the managers with all furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) necessary for the operation of the hotels (including funding any required FF&E replacements). On an annual basis, the managers prepare budgets for FF&E to be acquired and certain routine repairs and maintenance to be performed in the next year and an estimate of the necessary funds, which budgets are subject to our review and approval. For purposes of funding such expenditures, a specified percentage (typically 5%) of the gross revenues of each hotel is deposited by the manager into an escrow or reserve account in our name, to which the manager has access. In the case of our Starwood-managed hotels, our operating agreements contemplate that this reserve account also may be used to fund the cost of certain major repairs and improvements affecting the hotel building (as described below). For certain of our Marriott-managed hotels, we have entered into an agreement with Marriott to allow for such expenditures to be funded from one pooled reserve account, rather than funds being deposited into separate reserve accounts at each hotel, with the minimum required balance maintained on an ongoing basis in that pooled reserve account being significantly below the amount that would otherwise have been maintained in such separate hotel reserve accounts. For certain of our Starwood-managed hotels, the periodic reserve fund contributions, which otherwise would be deposited into reserve accounts maintained by managers for each hotel, are distributed to us and, as to this pool of hotels, we are responsible for providing funding of expenditures which otherwise would be funded from reserve accounts for each of the subject hotels. |
| Building alterations, improvements and renewals. The managers are required to prepare an annual estimate of the expenditures necessary for major repairs, alterations, improvements, renewals and replacements to the structural, mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing and elevators of each hotel, along with alterations and improvements to the hotel as are required, in the managers reasonable judgment, to keep the hotel in a competitive, efficient and economical operating condition that is consistent with brand standards. We generally have approval rights as to such budgets and expenditures, which we review and approve based on our managers recommendations and on our judgment. Expenditures for these major repairs and improvements affecting the hotel building typically are funded directly by owners, although (as noted above) our agreements with Starwood contemplate that certain such expenditures may be funded from the reserve account. |
14
| Treatment of additional owner funding. As additional owner funding becomes necessary either for expenditures generally funded from the FF&E replacement funds, or for any major repairs or improvements to the hotel building which may be required to be funded directly by owners, most of our agreements provide for an economic benefit to us through an impact on the calculation of incentive management fees payable to our managers. One approach frequently utilized at our Marriott-managed hotels is to provide such owner funding through loans which are repaid, with interest, from operational revenues, with the repayment amounts reducing operating profit available for payment of incentive management fees. Another approach typically that is used at our Starwood-managed hotels, as well as with certain expenditures projects at our Marriott-managed hotels, is to treat such owner funding as an increase to our investment in the hotel, resulting in an increase to owners priority return with a corresponding reduction to the amount of operating profit available for payment of incentive management fees. For our Starwood-managed hotels that are subject to the pooled arrangement described above, the amount of any additional reserve account funding is allocated to each of such hotels on a pro rata basis, determined with reference to the net operating income of each hotel and the total net operating income of all such pooled hotels for the most recent operating year. |
| Territorial protections. Certain management and operating agreements impose restrictions for a specified period which limit the manager and its affiliates from owning, operating or licensing a hotel of the same brand within a specified area. The area restrictions vary with each hotel, from city blocks in urban areas to up to a multi-mile radius from the hotel in other areas. |
| Sale of the hotel. Subject to specific agreements as to certain hotels (see below under Special Termination Rights), we generally are limited in our ability to sell, lease or otherwise transfer the hotels by the requirement that the transferee assume the related management agreements and meet specified other conditions, including the condition that the transferee not be a competitor of the manager. |
| Performance Termination Rights. In addition to any right to terminate that may arise as a result of a default by the manager, most of our management and operating agreements include reserved rights by us to terminate management or operating agreements on the basis of the managers failure to meet certain performance-based metrics, typically including a specified threshold return on owners investment in the hotel, along with a failure of the hotel to achieve a specified RevPAR performance threshold established with reference to other competitive hotels in the market. Typically, such performance-based termination rights arise in the event the operator fails to achieve specified performance thresholds over a consecutive two-year period, and are subject to the managers ability to cure and avoid termination by payment to us of specified deficiency amounts (or, in some instances, waiver of the right to receive specified future management fees). We have agreed in the past, and may agree in the future, to waive certain of these termination rights in exchange for consideration from a manager or its affiliates, which consideration may include cash compensation or amendments to management agreements. |
| Special Termination Rights. In addition to any performance-based or other termination rights set forth in our management and operating agreements, we have negotiated with Marriott and Starwood specific termination rights as to certain management and operating agreements. While the brand affiliation of a property may increase the value of a hotel, the ability to dispose of a property unencumbered by a management agreement or even brand affiliation also can increase the value for prospective purchasers. These termination rights can take a number of different forms, including termination of agreements upon sale that leave the property unencumbered by any agreement; termination upon sale provided that the property continues to be operated under a license or franchise agreement with continued brand affiliation; as well as termination without sale or other condition, which may require payment of a fee. These termination rights also may restrict the number of agreements that may be terminated over any annual or other period; impose limitations on the number of agreements terminated as measured by EBITDA; require that a certain number of properties continue to maintain the brand affiliation; or be restricted to a specific pool of assets. |
15
Employees
As of December 31, 2012, we had 233 employees, of which 208 work in the United States. We had 25 employees located in our offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam and Singapore. None of Hosts employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, other than those working in our office in Rio de Janeiro. These employee numbers do not include the 522 hotel employees of our New Zealand and Australian properties, which also are Host employees, as they are under the direct supervision and control of our third-party hotel managers. Our third-party managers are responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of our hotels. Although we do not manage employees at our consolidated hotels, we still are subject to many of the costs and risks generally associated with the hotel labor force, particularly those hotels with unionized labor. We believe relations with these employees are positive. For a discussion of these relationships, see Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors We are subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor.
Employees at certain of our third-party managed hotels are covered by collective bargaining agreements that are subject to review and renewal on a regular basis. For a discussion of these relationships, see Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors We are subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor.
Where to Find Additional Information
The address of our principal executive office is 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817. Our phone number is 240-744-1000. We maintain an internet website at: www.hosthotels.com. Through our website, we make available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). The public also may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Our website also is a key source of important information about us. We routinely post to the Investor Relations section of our website important information about our business, our operating results and our financial condition and prospects, including, for example, information about material acquisitions and dispositions, our earnings releases and certain supplemental financial information related or complimentary thereto. The website also has a Governance page in the Investor Relations section that includes, among other things, copies of our By-laws, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Policy for our directors, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy for employees, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters for each standing committee of Host Inc.s Board of Directors, which currently are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Policy Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Copies of these charters and policies, Host Inc.s By-laws and Host L.P.s partnership agreement also are available in print to stockholders and unitholders upon request to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, Attn: Secretary. Please note that the information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document, unless expressly incorporated by reference therein.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
The statements in this section describe the major risks to our business and should be considered carefully. In addition, these statements constitute our cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
16
Financial Risks and Risks of Operation
Our revenues and the value of our properties are subject to conditions affecting the lodging industry.
The lodging industry is subject to changes in the travel patterns of business and leisure travelers, both of which are affected by the strength of the economy, as well as other factors. Changes in travel patterns of both business and leisure travelers may create difficulties for the industry over the long-term and adversely affect our results. During the recession in 2008 and 2009, overall travel was reduced, which had a significant effect on our results of operations. While operating results have improved since then, uncertainty in the strength and direction of the recovery and continued high unemployment have slowed the pace of the overall economic recovery. Therefore, there can be no assurance that any increases in hotel revenues or earnings at our properties will continue for any number of reasons, including, but not limited to, slower than anticipated growth in the economy. Our results of operations and any forecast we make, may be affected by, and can change based on, a variety of circumstances that affect the lodging industry, including:
| changes in the international, national, regional and local economic climate; |
| changes in business and leisure travel patterns; |
| the effect of terrorist attacks and terror alerts in the United States and internationally, as well as other geopolitical disturbances; |
| supply growth in markets where we own hotels, which may adversely affect demand at our properties; |
| the attractiveness of our hotels to consumers relative to competing hotels; |
| the performance of the managers of our hotels; |
| outbreaks of disease and the impact on travel of natural disasters and weather; |
| physical damage to our hotels as a result of earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, or the income lost as a result of the damage; |
| changes in room rates and increases in operating costs due to inflation and other factors; and |
| unionization of the labor force at our hotels. |
A reduction in our revenue or earnings as a result of the above risks may reduce our working capital, impact our long-term business strategy, and impact the value of our assets and our ability to meet certain covenants in our existing debt agreements.
In addition, the continuing debate in Congress regarding the national debt ceiling, federal budget deficit concerns, and overall weakness in the economy resulted in actual and threatened downgrades of U.S. government securities by the various major credit ratings agencies, including Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings. All of these factors have created uncertainty in U.S. and global financial markets, which factors could have material adverse impacts on financial markets and economic conditions in the United States and throughout the world. This in turn could, directly or indirectly, adversely affect lodging demand and therefore our business and financial condition. Because of the unprecedented nature of these events, including the negative credit rating actions with respect to U.S. government securities, the ultimate impact on global markets and our business, financial condition and liquidity are unpredictable and may not be immediately apparent. Also, in 2012 Standard & Poors lowered its long term sovereign credit rating on France, Italy and seven other European countries, which has impacted negatively global markets and economic conditions. The continued uncertainty over the outcome of the governments and other European Union (EU) member states financial support programs and the possibility that other EU member states may experience similar financial troubles could further disrupt global markets and economic growth in these countries. We have properties in several EU member states, held through our European joint venture, that have experienced difficulties servicing their sovereign debt, including Italy and Spain, and the results of operations at those hotels also could be affected adversely by any adverse economic conditions in these countries.
17
Disruptions in the financial markets may affect adversely our business and results of operations, our ability to obtain financing on reasonable and acceptable terms, and our ability to hedge our foreign currency exchange risk.
The United States and global equity and credit markets have at times experienced significant price volatility, dislocations and liquidity disruptions since 2008, all of which caused market prices of the stock of many companies to fluctuate substantially and the spreads on prospective and outstanding debt financings to widen considerably. These circumstances impacted liquidity in the financial markets, which made terms for financings less attractive, and, in some cases, resulted in the lack of availability of certain types of financing. Continued uncertainty in the equity and credit markets may impact negatively our ability to access additional short-term and long-term financing on reasonable terms or at all, which would impact negatively our liquidity and financial condition. A prolonged downturn in the stock or credit markets may cause us to seek alternative sources of potentially less attractive financing and may impact negatively our ability to enter into derivative contracts in order to hedge risks associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Disruptions in the financial markets also may adversely affect our credit rating. While we believe we have adequate sources of liquidity with which to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future, if our operating results weaken significantly and our cash flow or capital resources prove inadequate, or if interest rates increase significantly, we could face liquidity problems that could affect materially and adversely our results of operations and financial condition.
Economic conditions may affect adversely the value of our hotels which may result in impairment charges on our properties.
We analyze our assets for impairment in several situations, including when a property has current or projected losses from operations, when it becomes more likely than not that a hotel will be sold before the end of its previously estimated useful life, or when other material trends, contingencies or changes in circumstances indicate that a triggering event has occurred, such that an assets carrying value may not be recoverable. For impaired assets, we record an impairment charge equal to the excess of the propertys carrying value over its fair value. We may incur additional impairment charges in the future, which charges will affect negatively our results of operations. We can provide no assurance that any impairment loss recognized would not be material to our results of operations. For information on impairment charges taken in 2011 and 2012, see Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies.
We depend on external sources of capital for future growth and we may be unable to access capital when necessary.
Unlike regular C corporations, Host Inc. must finance its growth and fund debt repayments largely with external sources of capital because it is required to distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gain) in order to qualify as a REIT, including taxable income recognized for federal income tax purposes but with regard to which it does not receive cash. Funds used by Host Inc. to make required distributions are provided through distributions from Host L.P. Our ability to access external capital could be hampered by a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including credit market conditions as discussed above, unfavorable market perception of our growth potential, decreases in our current and estimated future earnings, or decreases in the market price of the common stock of Host Inc. Our ability to access additional capital also may be limited by the terms of our existing indebtedness which, under certain circumstances, restrict our incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends and Host L.P. distributions. The occurrence of any of these factors, individually or in combination, could prevent us from being able to obtain the external capital we require on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to finance our future growth.
We have substantial debt and may incur additional debt.
As of December 31, 2012, we and our subsidiaries had total indebtedness of approximately $5.4 billion. Our substantial indebtedness requires us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, which reduces the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, expansion efforts, dividends and distributions and other general corporate needs. Additionally, our substantial indebtedness could:
| make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness; |
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| limit our ability in the future to undertake refinancings of our debt or to obtain financing for expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate needs on terms and conditions acceptable to us, if at all; or |
| affect adversely our ability to compete effectively or operate successfully under adverse economic conditions. |
If our cash flow and working capital are not sufficient to fund our expenditures or service our indebtedness, we will have to raise additional funds through:
| sales of Host L.P.s OP units or Host Inc.s common stock; |
| the incurrence of additional permitted indebtedness by Host L.P.; or |
| the sale of our assets. |
We cannot make any assurances that any of these sources of funds will be available to us or, if available, will be on terms that we would find acceptable or in amounts sufficient to meet our obligations or fulfill our business plan. Under certain circumstances, we would be required to use the cash from some of the events described above to repay other indebtedness.
The terms of our debt place restrictions on us and our subsidiaries and these restrictions reduce our operational flexibility and create default risks.
The documents governing the terms of our existing senior notes and our credit facility contain covenants that place restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability to:
| conduct acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, unless the successor entity in such transaction assumes our indebtedness; |
| incur additional debt in excess of certain thresholds and without satisfying certain financial metrics; |
| create liens securing indebtedness, unless an effective provision is made to secure our other indebtedness by such liens; |
| sell assets without using the proceeds from such sales for certain permitted uses or to make an offer to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness; |
| make distributions without satisfying certain financial metrics; and |
| conduct transactions with affiliates other than on an arms length basis and, in certain instances, without obtaining opinions as to the fairness of such transactions. |
Certain of these covenants under our senior notes, including restrictions on incurring debt and making distributions, are no longer in effect while our senior notes maintain their current investment grade rating. However, we are still subject to similar covenants under the terms of our credit facility. In addition, certain covenants in our credit facility also require us and our subsidiaries to meet financial performance tests. The restrictive covenants in the applicable indenture(s), the credit facility and the documents governing our other debt (including our mortgage debt) will reduce our flexibility in conducting our operations and will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Failure to comply with these restrictive covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of our debt. In addition, certain of our mortgage debt requires that, to the extent cash flow from the hotels which secure such debt drops below stated levels, we escrow cash flow after the payment of debt service until operations improve above the stated levels. In some cases, the lender may apply the escrowed amount to the outstanding balance of the mortgage debt. If such provisions are triggered, the amounts required to be escrowed may affect negatively our liquidity by
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limiting our access to cash flow after debt service from these mortgaged properties. For a detailed description of the covenants and restrictions imposed by the documents governing our indebtedness, see Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition.
Our ability to pay dividends and to make distributions may be limited or prohibited by the terms of our indebtedness or preferred units.
We are, and may in the future become, party to agreements and instruments that restrict or prevent the payment of dividends on classes and series of Host Inc. capital stock and Host L.P.s payment of distributions on its classes of units. Under the terms of Host L.P.s credit facility, distributions to Host L.P. unitholders, including Host Inc., upon which Host Inc. depends in order to obtain the cash necessary to pay dividends, are permitted only to the extent that Host L.P. can satisfy certain financial covenant tests (concerning leverage, fixed charge coverage and unsecured interest coverage) and meet other requirements. We will also be subject to similar restrictions under the terms of our senior notes if our senior notes are no longer rated investment grade. We are permitted under our credit facility and senior notes indenture to make distributions of estimated taxable income that are necessary to maintain Host Inc.s REIT status.
Under the terms of Host L.P.s outstanding preferred OP units, we are not permitted to make distributions on our common OP units unless all cumulative distributions have been paid (or funds for payment have been set aside for payment) on our preferred OP units. In the event that we fail to pay the accrued distributions on our preferred OP units for any reason, including any restriction on making such distributions under the terms of our debt instruments (as discussed above), distributions will continue to accrue on such preferred OP units and we will be prohibited from making any distributions on our common OP units until all such accrued but unpaid distributions on our preferred OP units have been paid (or funds for such payment have been set aside).
An increase in interest rates would increase the interest costs on our credit facility and on our floating rate debt and could adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt or sell assets.
Interest payments for borrowings on our credit facility, the mortgages on nine properties and the fixed-to- floating interest rate swaps linked to two other properties are based on floating rates. As a result, an increase in interest rates will reduce our cash flow available for other corporate purposes, including investments in our portfolio. Further, rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures and increase interest costs on any debt that is refinanced. We may from time to time enter into agreements such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and other interest rate hedging contracts. Currently, all of the mortgages with floating rates, which are secured by nine of our hotel properties, are fully or partially hedged through the use of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps or interest rate caps and floors. While these agreements may lessen the impact of rising interest rates, they also expose us to the risk that other parties to the agreements will not perform or that the agreements will be unenforceable. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the amount third parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to dispose of assets as part of our business strategy.
Rating agency downgrades may increase our cost of capital.
Our senior notes are rated by Moodys Investors Service, Standard & Poors Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings. These independent rating agencies may elect to downgrade their ratings on our senior notes at any time. Such downgrades may affect negatively our access to the capital markets and increase our cost of capital.
Our expenses may not decrease if our revenue decreases.
Many of the expenses associated with owning and operating hotels, such as debt-service payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and employee wages and benefits, are relatively inflexible and do not necessarily decrease in tandem with a reduction in revenue at the hotels. Our expenses also will be affected by inflationary increases, and certain costs, such as wages, benefits and insurance, may exceed the rate of inflation in any given period. In the event of a significant decrease in demand, our hotel managers may not be able to reduce the size of hotel work forces in order to decrease wages and benefits. Our managers also may be unable to offset any such increased expenses with higher room rates. Any of our efforts to reduce operating costs or failure to make scheduled capital expenditures also could adversely affect the future growth of our business and the value of our hotel properties.
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Our acquisition of additional properties may have a significant effect on our business, liquidity, financial position and/or results of operations.
As part of our business strategy, we seek to acquire primarily luxury and upper upscale hotel properties. We may acquire properties through various structures, including transactions involving portfolios, single assets, joint ventures and acquisitions of all or substantially all of the securities or assets of other REITs or similar real estate entities. We anticipate that our acquisitions will be financed through a combination of methods, including proceeds from Host Inc. equity offerings, issuance of limited partnership interests of Host L.P., advances under our credit facility, the incurrence or assumption of indebtedness and proceeds from the sales of assets. Continued disruptions in credit markets may limit our ability to finance acquisitions and may limit the ability of purchasers to finance hotels and affect adversely our disposition strategy and our ability to use disposition proceeds to finance acquisitions.
We may, from time to time, be in the process of identifying, analyzing and negotiating possible acquisition transactions. We cannot provide any assurances that we will be successful in consummating future acquisitions on favorable terms or that we will realize the benefits that we anticipate from such acquisitions. Our inability to consummate one or more acquisitions on such terms, or our failure to realize the intended benefits from one or more acquisitions, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial position and/or results of operations, including as a result of our forfeiture of deposits in connection with our failure to consummate an acquisition or our incurrence of additional indebtedness and related interest expense and our assumption of unforeseen contingent liabilities in connection with completed acquisitions.
We may not achieve the value we anticipate from new hotel developments or value enhancement projects at our existing hotels.
We currently are, and in the future may be, involved in the development of hotel properties, timeshare units or other alternate uses of portions of our existing properties, including the development of retail, office or apartments, including through joint ventures. There are risks inherent in any new development, including:
| We may not obtain the zoning, occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations necessary to complete the development. A delay in receiving these approvals could affect the returns we expect to receive. |
| Any new construction involves the possibility of construction delays and cost overruns that may increase project costs. |
| Defects in design or construction may result in delays and additional costs to remedy the defect or require a portion of a property to be closed during the period required to rectify the defect. |
| We may not be able to meet the loan covenants in any financing obtained to fund the new development, creating default risks. |
| The development of timeshare units could become less attractive due to decreases in demand for residential, fractional or interval ownership, increases in mortgage rates and/or decreases in mortgage availability, market absorption or oversupply, with the result that we may not be able to sell the timeshares for a profit or at the prices or selling pace we anticipate. |
In addition, to the extent that developments are conducted through joint ventures that involve shared control, this creates additional risks, including the possibility that our partners may not meet their financial obligations or could have or develop business interests, policies or objectives that are inconsistent with ours. See We may acquire hotel properties through joint ventures with third parties that could result in conflicts.
Any of the above factors could affect adversely our and our partners ability to complete the developments on schedule and along the scope that currently is contemplated, or to achieve the intended value of these projects. For these reasons, there can be no assurances as to the value to be realized by the company from these transactions or any future similar transactions.
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We do not control our hotel operations and we are dependent on the managers of our hotels.
We have entered into management agreements with third-party managers to operate our hotel properties. The cash flow from our hotels may be affected adversely if our managers fail to provide quality services and amenities or if they or their affiliates fail to maintain a quality brand name. While we monitor the hotel managers performance, we have limited recourse under our management agreements if we believe that the hotel managers are not performing adequately. In addition, from time to time, we have had, and continue to have, differences with the managers of our hotels over their performance and compliance with the terms of our management agreements. We generally resolve issues with our managers through discussions and negotiations. However, if we are unable to reach satisfactory results through discussions and negotiations, we may choose to litigate the dispute or submit the matter to third-party dispute resolution. Failure by our hotel managers to fully perform the duties agreed to in our management agreements could affect adversely our results of operations. Our hotel managers or their affiliates manage, and in some cases own, have invested in, or provided credit support or operating guarantees to hotels that compete with our hotels, all of which may result in conflicts of interest. As a result, our hotel managers have in the past made, and may in the future make, decisions regarding competing lodging facilities that are not or would not be in our best interest.
We are subject to risks associated with the employment of hotel personnel, particularly with hotels that employ unionized labor.
Our third-party managers are responsible for hiring and maintaining the labor force at each of our hotels. Although we do not directly employ or manage employees at our consolidated hotels (other than employing, but not managing, the associates at our New Zealand and Australian properties), we still are subject to many of the costs and risks generally associated with the hotel labor force, particularly those hotels with unionized labor. From time to time, hotel operations may be disrupted as a result of strikes, lockouts, public demonstrations or other negative actions and publicity. We also may incur increased legal costs and indirect labor costs as a result of contract disputes involving our third-party managers and their labor force or other events. The resolution of labor disputes or re-negotiated labor contracts could lead to increased labor costs, a significant component of our costs, either by increases in wages or benefits or by changes in work rules that raise hotel operating costs. We do not have the ability to affect the outcome of these negotiations.
Our hotels have an ongoing need for renovations and potentially significant capital expenditures in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, maintain brand standards or to comply with applicable laws or regulations. The timing and costs of such renovations or improvements may result in reduced operating performance during construction and may not improve the return on these investments.
We are required by our loan agreements or agreements with our hotel managers to make agreed upon capital expenditures. In addition, we will need to make further capital expenditures in order to remain competitive with other hotels, to maintain the economic value of our hotels and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. The timing of these improvements can affect hotel performance, particularly if the improvements require closure of a significant number of rooms or other features of the hotels, such as ballrooms, meeting space and restaurants. These capital improvements reduce the availability of cash for other purposes and are subject to cost overruns and delays. In addition, because we depend on external sources of capital, we may not have the necessary funds to invest and, if we fail to maintain our properties in accordance with brand standards set by our managers, the manager may terminate the management agreement. Moreover, we may not necessarily realize a significant, or any, improvement in the performance of the hotels in which we make these investments.
The ownership of hotels outside the United States and the expansion of our business into new markets outside of the United States will expose us to risks relating to owning hotels in those international markets.
Part of our business strategy is to expand our presence outside of the United States. As of December 31, 2012, we own directly 15 hotels located outside of the United States. We also are party to a joint venture that owns 19 hotels in Europe and to a joint venture that owns one hotel in Australia and a non-controlling interest in two hotels
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currently open and five hotels in development in India. We may have difficulty managing our expansion into new geographic markets where we have limited knowledge and understanding of the local economy, an absence of business relationships in the area, or unfamiliarity with local governmental and permitting procedures and regulations. There are risks inherent in conducting business outside of the United States, which include:
| employment laws and practices; |
| tax laws, which may provide for income or other taxes or tax rates that exceed those of the U.S. and which may provide that foreign earnings that are repatriated, directly or indirectly, are subject to dividend withholding tax requirements or other restrictions; |
| compliance with and unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or monetary policy; |
| the willingness of domestic or international lenders to provide financing and changes in the availability, cost and terms of such financing; |
| adverse changes in local, political, economic and market conditions; |
| insurance coverage related to terrorist events; |
| changes in interest rates and/or currency exchange rates; |
| regulations regarding the incurrence of debt; and |
| difficulties in complying with U.S. rules governing REITs while operating outside of the United States. |
Any of these factors could affect adversely our ability to obtain all of the intended benefits of our international country expansion. If we do not effectively manage this expansion and successfully integrate the international hotels into our organization, our operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We may acquire hotel properties through joint ventures with third parties that could result in conflicts.
We have made investments in joint ventures in Europe and Asia and are exploring further investment opportunities in Asia, Europe and Latin America. We may, from time to time, invest as a co-venturer in other entities holding hotel properties instead of purchasing hotel properties directly. Investments in joint ventures may involve risks not present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Co-venturers often share control over the operation of a joint venture. Actions by a co-venturer also could subject the assets to additional risks as a result of any of the following circumstances:
| our co-venturer might have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our, or the joint ventures, interests or goals; or |
| our co-venturer may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests, or contrary to our policies or objectives. |
Although generally we will seek to maintain sufficient control of any joint venture in order to permit our objectives to be achieved, we might not be able to take action without the approval of our joint venture partners. Disputes between us and partners or co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers from focusing their time and effort on our business.
Our management agreements could affect the sale or financing of our hotels.
Under the terms of our management agreements, we generally may not sell, lease or otherwise transfer our hotels unless the transferee is not a competitor of the manager and the transferee assumes the related management agreements and meets specified other conditions. Our ability to finance or sell our properties, depending upon the structure of such transactions, may require the managers consent. If the manager does not consent to such sale or financing, we may be precluded from taking actions in our best interest.
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We may not be able to recover fully under our existing terrorism insurance for losses caused by some types of terrorist acts, and federal terrorism legislation does not ensure that we will be able to obtain terrorism insurance in adequate amounts or at acceptable premium levels in the future.
We obtain terrorism insurance as part of our all-risk property insurance program, as well as our general liability and directors and officers coverage. However, our all-risk policies have limitations, such as per occurrence limits, annual aggregate coverage limits and sublimits, all of which might have to be shared proportionally across participating hotels under certain loss scenarios. Also, all-risk insurers only are required to provide terrorism coverage to the extent mandated by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA). Property damage related to war and to nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical incidents is excluded under our policies. While TRIPRA will reimburse insurers for losses resulting from nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical perils, TRIPRA does not require insurers to offer coverage for these perils and, to date, insurers are not willing to provide this coverage, even with government reinsurance. We have a wholly-owned captive insurance company through which we obtain a policy for nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological (NBCR) coverage. This captive insurer has the same ability as other insurance companies to apply to the U.S. Treasury for reimbursement, as provided for in TRIPRA, and is subject to the same deductibles and co-insurance obligations. This potential reimbursement applies to property insurance only, and not to general liability or directors and officers insurance, and there are no assurances that we will be able to recover any or all of our NBCR losses under this program.
Some potential losses are not covered by insurance.
We, or our hotel managers, carry comprehensive insurance coverage for general liability, property, business interruption and other risks with respect to all of our hotels and other properties. These policies offer coverage features and insured limits that we believe are customary for similar types of properties. Generally, our all-risk property policies provide coverage that is available on a per-occurrence basis and that, for each occurrence, has an overall limit, as well as various sub-limits, on the amount of insurance proceeds we can receive. Sub-limits exist for certain types of claims, such as service interruption, debris removal, expediting costs, landscaping replacement and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, and may be subject to annual aggregate coverage limits. The dollar amounts of these sub-limits are significantly lower than the dollar amounts of the overall coverage limit. In this regard, hotels in certain of our markets, including California, Florida and New Zealand, have in the past been and continue to be particularly susceptible to damage from natural disasters. Recovery under the applicable policies also is subject to substantial deductibles and complex calculations of lost business income. There is no assurance that this insurance, where maintained, will fully fund the re-building or restoration of a hotel that is impacted by an earthquake, hurricane, or other natural disaster, or the income lost as a result of the damage. Our property policies also provide that all of the claims from each of our properties resulting from a particular insurable event must be combined together for purposes of evaluating whether the aggregate limits and sub-limits contained in our policies have been exceeded and, in the case where the manager of one of our hotels provides this coverage, any such claims will be combined with the claims of other owners participating in the managers program for the same purpose. Therefore, if an insurable event occurs that affects more than one of our hotels, or, in the case of hotels where coverage is provided by the manager, affects hotels owned by others, the claims from each affected hotel will be added together to determine whether the aggregate limit or sub-limits, depending on the type of claim, have been reached. Each affected hotel only may receive a proportional share of the amount of insurance proceeds provided for under the policy if the total value of the loss exceeds the aggregate limits available. We may incur losses in excess of insured limits and, as a result, we may be even less likely to receive complete coverage for risks that affect multiple properties, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or certain types of terrorism.
In addition, there are other risks, such as certain environmental hazards, that may be deemed to fall completely outside the general coverage limits of our policies or may be uninsurable or too expensive to justify coverage. We also may encounter challenges with an insurance provider regarding whether it will pay a particular claim that we believe to be covered under our policy. Should a loss in excess of insured limits or an uninsured loss occur, or should we be unsuccessful in obtaining coverage from an insurance carrier, we could lose all or a part of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the hotel. In that event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property.
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Litigation judgments or settlements could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition.
We have accrued a potential litigation loss of approximately $58 million in connection with a lawsuit in the 166th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, Texas involving the sale of land encumbered by a ground lease for the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter. See Part I Item 3. Legal Proceedings for more information on the verdict and the status of the appeal.
We also are involved in various other legal proceedings in the normal course of business and are vigorously defending these claims; however, no assurances can be given as to the outcome of any pending legal proceedings. We believe, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, but might be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
We also could become the subject of future claims by the operators of our hotels, individuals or companies who use our hotels, our investors, our joint venture partners or regulating entities and these claims could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and performance.
We may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities related to hotels or businesses we acquire.
Assets and entities that we have acquired, or may in the future acquire, may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which we may have no recourse, or only limited recourse, against the sellers. In general, the representations and warranties provided under the transaction agreements may not survive long enough for us to become aware of such liabilities and seek recourse against our sellers. While usually we require the sellers to indemnify us with respect to breaches of representations and warranties that survive, such indemnification often is limited and subject to various materiality thresholds, a significant deductible or an aggregate cap on losses. As a result, there is no guarantee that we will recover any amounts with respect to losses due to breaches by the sellers of their representations and warranties. The total amount of costs and expenses that may be incurred with respect to liabilities associated with acquired hotels and entities may exceed our expectations, plus we may experience other unanticipated adverse effects, all of which may affect adversely our revenues, expenses, operating results and financial condition. Finally, indemnification agreements between us and the sellers typically provide that the sellers will retain certain specified liabilities relating to the assets and entities acquired by us. While the sellers generally are contractually obligated to pay all losses and other expenses relating to such retained liabilities without regard to survival limitations, materiality thresholds, deductibles or caps on losses, there can be no guarantee that such arrangements will not require us to incur losses or other expenses in addition to those incurred by the sellers.
We depend on our key personnel.
Our success depends on the efforts of our executive officers and other key personnel. None of our key personnel have employment agreements and we do not maintain key person life insurance for any of our executive officers. We cannot assure you that these key personnel will remain employed by us. While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, the loss of their services could have a significant adverse effect on our financial performance.
Exchange rate fluctuations could affect adversely our financial results.
As a result of the expansion of our international operations, currency exchange rate fluctuations could affect our results of operations and financial position. We expect to generate an increasing portion of our revenue and expenses in such foreign currencies as the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso, the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar, the British pound sterling, the Polish zloty, the Brazilian real and the Chilean peso. In 2012, revenues in these currencies represented approximately 5% of our total revenues. Although we may enter into foreign exchange agreements with financial institutions and/or obtain local currency mortgage debt in order to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the value of these and other foreign currencies, these transactions, if entered into, will not eliminate that risk entirely. To the extent that we are unable to match revenue received in foreign currencies with expenses paid in the same currency, exchange rate fluctuations could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, because our consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, if we generate revenues or earnings in other currencies, the conversion of such amounts into U.S. dollars can result in an increase or decrease in the amount of our revenues or earnings.
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Applicable REIT laws may restrict certain business activities.
As a REIT, Host Inc. is subject to various restrictions on the types of income it can earn, assets it can own and activities in which it can engage. Business activities that could be impacted by applicable REIT laws include, but are not limited to, activities such as developing alternative uses of real estate, including the development and/or sale of timeshare or condominium units. Due to these restrictions, we anticipate that we will conduct certain business activities, including those mentioned above, in one or more of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries are taxable as regular C corporations and are subject to federal, state, local, and, if applicable, foreign taxation on their taxable income.
We may be unable to sell properties because real estate investments are inherently illiquid.
Real estate properties generally cannot be sold quickly and, accordingly, we may not be able to vary our portfolio promptly in response to economic or other conditions. The inability to respond promptly to changes in the performance of our investments could affect adversely our financial condition and the ability to service our debt. In addition, under the federal income tax laws applicable to REITs, we may be limited in our ability to recognize the full economic benefit from a sale of our assets.
Our ground lease payments may increase faster than the revenues we receive on the hotels located on the leased properties.
As of December 31, 2012, 38 of our hotels are subject to third-party ground leases (encumbering all or a portion of the hotel). These ground leases generally require periodic increases in ground rent payments, which are often based on economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index. Our ability to pay ground rent could be affected adversely to the extent that our hotel revenues do not increase at the same or a greater rate than the increases in rental payments under the ground leases. In addition, if we were to sell a hotel encumbered by a ground lease, the buyer would be required to assume the ground lease, which may result in a lower sales price.
Environmental problems are possible and can be costly.
We believe that our properties comply in all material respects with applicable environmental laws. Unidentified environmental liabilities could arise, however, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and performance. Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment may require a current or previous owner or operator of real estate to investigate and remediate hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at the property. The owner or operator may be required to pay a governmental entity or third parties for property damage, and for investigation and remediation costs incurred by the parties in connection with the contamination. These laws typically impose clean-up responsibility and liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of or caused the presence of the contaminants. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the environmental laws may be held responsible for all of the clean-up costs incurred. In addition, third parties may sue the owner or operator of a site for damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from that site. Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of toxic or hazardous substances. These laws require that owners or operators of buildings properly manage and maintain these substances and notify and train those who may come into contact with them and undertake special precautions. These laws may impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to toxic or hazardous materials.
Compliance with other government regulations can be costly.
Our hotels are subject to various other forms of regulation, including Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), building codes and regulations pertaining to fire and life safety. Under the ADA, all
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public accommodations are required to meet certain federal rules related to access and use by disabled persons. These laws and regulations may be changed from time-to-time, or new regulations adopted, resulting in additional costs of compliance, including potential litigation. For example, the ADA was revised substantially in September 2010 and our facilities were required to comply with the new regulations by March 15, 2012. A determination that we are not in compliance with the ADA could result in a court order to bring the hotel into compliance, imposition of fines or an award of attorneys fees to private litigants. Compliance with the ADA and other laws and regulations could require substantial capital expenditures. Any increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, the operations of our international properties are subject to a variety of United States and international laws and regulations, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). We have policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws, but we cannot assure you that we will continue to be found to be operating in compliance with, or be able to detect violations of, any such laws or regulations. In addition, we cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international properties might be subject and the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.
Risks of Ownership of Host Inc.s Common Stock
There are limitations on the acquisition of Host Inc. common stock and changes in control.
Host Inc.s charter and bylaws, the partnership agreement of Host L.P., and the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) contain a number of provisions, the exercise or existence of which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for Host Inc.s stockholders or Host L.P.s unitholders or otherwise be in their best interests, including the following:
| Restrictions on transfer and ownership of Host Inc.s stock. To maintain Host Inc.s qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, not more than 50% in value of Host Inc.s outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned in the last half of the taxable year, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, which, as defined in the Code, may include certain entities. In addition, if Host Inc., or one or more owners of 10% or more of Host Inc., actually or constructively owns 10% or more of a tenant of Host Inc. or a tenant of any partnership in which Host Inc. is a partner, the rent received by Host Inc. either directly or through any such partnership from such tenant generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income qualification tests of the Code, and therefore could jeopardize Host Inc.s qualification as a REIT, unless the tenant qualifies as a TRS and certain other requirements are met. |
Accordingly, Host Inc.s charter prohibits ownership, directly or by attribution, by any person or persons acting as a group, of more than 9.8% in value or number, whichever is more restrictive, of shares of Host Inc.s outstanding common stock, preferred stock or any other class or series of stock, each considered as a separate class or series for this purpose. Together, these limitations are referred to as the ownership limit.
Stock acquired or held in violation of the ownership limit will be transferred automatically to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and the intended acquirer of the stock in violation of the ownership limit will not be entitled to any distributions thereon, to vote those shares of stock or to receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the stock in excess of the lesser of the price paid for the stock or the amount realized from the sale. A transfer of shares of Host Inc.s stock to a person who, as a result of the transfer, violates the ownership limit may be void under certain circumstances, and, in any event, would deny that person any of the economic benefits of owning shares of Host Inc.s stock in excess of the ownership limit. These restrictions will not apply if Host Inc.s Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in Host Inc.s best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions on transfer and ownership is no longer required for Host Inc. to qualify as a REIT.
| Removal of Board of Directors. Host Inc.s charter provides that, except for any directors who may be elected by holders of a class or series of shares of capital stock other than common stock, directors may be removed only for cause and by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of all |
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the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. Vacancies on Host Inc.s Board of Directors may be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the remaining directors, except that a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors. Any vacancy resulting from the removal of a director by the stockholders may be filled by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. |
| Preferred shares; classification or reclassification of unissued shares of capital stock without stockholder approval. Host Inc.s charter provides that the total number of shares of stock of all classes that Host Inc. has authority to issue is 1,100,000,000, consisting of 1,050,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Host Inc.s Board of Directors has the authority, without a vote of stockholders, to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, and to establish the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Because Host Inc.s Board of Directors has this power, it may give the holders of any class or series of stock terms, preferences, powers and rights, including voting rights, senior to the rights of holders of existing stock. |
| Certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third-party to acquire control of Host Inc. Certain provisions of the MGCL may have the effect of inhibiting a third-party from acquiring Host Inc., including: |
| business combination provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between a corporation and an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporations then outstanding shares of voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of any interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter imposes two super-majority stockholder voting requirements on these combinations: and |
| control share provisions that provide that holders of control shares of a corporation (defined as voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned or controlled by the acquirer, would entitle the acquirer to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a control share acquisition (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares. |
Host Inc. is subject to the Maryland business combination statute. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting us from the control share provisions of the MGCL. There can be no assurance that this bylaw provision exempting us from the control share provisions will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Additionally, Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL permits our board of directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what currently is provided in our charter or bylaws, to implement certain takeover defenses, such as a classified board, some of which we do not have.
| Merger, consolidation, share exchange and transfer of Host Inc.s assets. Under Maryland law and Host Inc.s charter, subject to the terms of any outstanding class or series of capital stock, we can merge with or into another entity, consolidate with one or more other entities, participate in a share exchange or transfer Host Inc.s assets within the meaning of the MGCL if approved (1) by Host Inc.s Board of Directors in the manner provided in the MGCL, and (2) by Host Inc.s stockholders holding two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except that any merger of Host Inc. with or into a trust organized for the purpose of changing Host Inc.s form of organization from a corporation to a trust |
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requires only the approval of Host Inc.s stockholders holding a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the merger. Under the MGCL, specified mergers may be approved without a vote of stockholders and a share exchange only is required to be approved by the board of directors of a Maryland corporation if the corporation is the successor entity. Host Inc.s voluntary dissolution also would require approval of stockholders holding two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. |
| Certain charter and bylaw amendments. Host Inc.s charter contains provisions relating to restrictions on transfer and ownership of Host Inc.s stock, fixing the size of the Board of Directors within the range set forth in the charter, removal of directors, the filling of vacancies, exculpation and indemnification of directors, calling special stockholder meetings and others, all of which may be amended only by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by Host Inc.s stockholders holding two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Other charter amendments generally require approval of the Board and the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. As permitted under the MGCL, Host Inc.s charter and bylaws provide that the Board of Directors has the exclusive right to amend Host Inc.s bylaws. These provisions may make it more difficult to amend Host Inc.s charter and bylaws to alter the provisions described herein that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control or the acquisition of Host Inc. common stock, without the approval of the Board of Directors. |
Shares of Host Inc.s common stock that are or become available for sale could affect the share price of Host Inc.s common stock.
We may issue additional shares of common stock to raise the capital necessary to finance hotel acquisitions, fund capital expenditures, refinance debt or for other corporate purposes. Sales of a substantial number of shares of Host Inc.s common stock, or the perception that sales could occur, could affect adversely prevailing market prices for Host Inc.s common stock. In addition, holders of OP units who redeem their units and receive, at Host Inc.s election, shares of Host Inc. common stock will be able to sell those shares freely. As of December 31, 2012, there are approximately 9.9 million OP units outstanding owned by third parties that are redeemable, which represents approximately 1.4% of all outstanding units. Further, a substantial number of shares of Host Inc.s common stock have been and will be issued or reserved for issuance from time to time under our employee benefit plans. We maintain two stock-based compensation plans: (i) the comprehensive stock plan, whereby we may award to participating employees and directors restricted shares of common stock, options to purchase common stock and deferred shares of common stock, and (ii) an employee stock purchase plan. At December 31, 2012, there were approximately 19 million shares of Host Inc.s common stock reserved and available for issuance under the comprehensive stock plan and employee stock purchase plan and 1.0 million outstanding options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $9.86 per share.
Also as of December 31, 2012, Host L.P. had outstanding $575 million principal amount of exchangeable senior debentures that could become exchangeable, under certain conditions, for shares of Host Inc.s common stock. Although the exchange conditions currently have not been satisfied, these debentures would be exchangeable for approximately 41 million shares based on the current exchange prices. For $400 million of such exchangeable debentures, however, Host Inc. has the option to issue cash, shares of Host Inc.s common stock or any combination thereof in settlement of the debentures, should they be presented for exchange.
On April 24, 2012, Host Inc. entered into two sales financing agreements, one with each of BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., through which Host Inc. may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $400 million. The sales will be made in at the market offerings under SEC rules, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange. Each of BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. is acting as sales agent. Host Inc. may sell shares of common stock under its program, from time to time, based on market conditions, although it is not under an obligation to sell any shares. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $100 million of Host Inc.s common stock have been issued and sold pursuant to the program. Shares of Host Inc.s common stock, having an aggregate offering price of approximately $300 million, remain issuable from time to time under the agreements. Any additional shares of common stock issued by Host Inc., whether issued under this program or otherwise, would be available in the future for sale in the public markets.
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Our earnings and cash distributions will affect the market price of shares of Host Inc.s common stock.
We believe that the market value of a REITs equity securities is based primarily upon the markets perception of the REITs growth potential and its current and potential future cash distributions, whether from operations, sales, acquisitions, development or refinancings, and secondarily is based upon the value of the underlying assets. For that reason, shares of Host Inc.s common stock may trade at prices that are higher or lower than the net asset value per share. To the extent that we retain operating cash flow for investment purposes, working capital reserves or other purposes, rather than distributing the cash flow to stockholders, these retained funds, while increasing the value of our underlying assets, may impact negatively the market price of Host Inc.s common stock. Our failure to meet the markets expectation with regard to future earnings and cash distributions likely would affect adversely the market price of Host Inc.s common stock.
Market interest rates may affect the price of shares of Host Inc.s common stock.
We believe that one of the factors that investors consider important in deciding whether to buy or sell shares of a REIT is the dividend rate on the shares, considered as a percentage of the price of the shares, relative to market interest rates. If market interest rates increase, prospective purchasers of REIT shares may expect a higher dividend rate. Thus, higher market interest rates could cause the market price of Host Inc.s common stock to decrease.
Federal Income Tax Risks
To qualify as a REIT, each of Host Inc. and its subsidiary REITs are required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gain, regardless of available cash or outstanding obligations.
To continue to qualify as a REIT, Host Inc. is required to distribute to its stockholders with respect to each year at least 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gain. To the extent that Host Inc. satisfies this distribution requirement, but distributes less than 100% of its taxable income and net capital gain for the taxable year, it will be subject to federal and state corporate income tax on its undistributed taxable income and net capital gain. In addition, Host Inc. will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the amount, if any, by which distributions made by Host Inc. with respect to the calendar year are less than the sum of (1) 85% of its ordinary income, (2) 95% of its net capital gain, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, less excess distributions from prior years. Host Inc. intends to make distributions, subject to the availability of cash and in compliance with any debt covenants, to its stockholders in order to comply with the distribution requirement and to avoid the imposition of a significant nondeductible 4% excise tax and will rely for this purpose on distributions from Host L.P. and its subsidiaries. There are differences in timing between Host Inc.s recognition of taxable income and its receipt of cash available for distribution due to, among other things, the seasonality of the lodging industry and the fact that some taxable income will be phantom taxable income, which is taxable income that is not matched by cash flow. Due to transactions entered into in years prior to Host Inc.s conversion to a REIT, Host Inc. could recognize substantial amounts of phantom taxable income in the future. It is possible that any differences between the recognition of taxable income and the receipt of the related cash could require us to borrow funds or for Host Inc. to issue additional equity in order to enable Host Inc. to meet its distribution requirements and, therefore, to maintain its REIT status and to avoid the nondeductible 4% excise tax. In addition, because the REIT distribution requirements prevent Host Inc. from retaining earnings, generally we will be required to refinance debt at its maturity with additional debt or equity. It is possible that any of these sources of funds, if available at all, would not be sufficient to meet Host Inc.s distribution and tax obligations.
Host L.P. owns 100% of the outstanding common stock and a portion of the outstanding preferred stock of two entities that have elected to be treated as REITs. Each of these subsidiary REITs are subject to the same requirements that Host Inc. must satisfy in order to qualify as a REIT, including the distribution requirements described above.
Adverse tax consequences would occur if Host Inc. or any of its subsidiary REITs fail to qualify as a REIT.
We believe that Host Inc. has been organized and has operated in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code, commencing with its taxable year beginning January 1, 1999, and Host Inc. currently intends to
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continue to operate as a REIT during future years. In addition, Host Inc. owns, through Host L.P., two entities that have elected to be treated as REITs. As the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT are extremely complex and interpretations of the federal income tax laws governing qualification and taxation as a REIT are limited, no assurance can be provided that Host Inc. currently qualifies as a REIT or will continue to qualify as a REIT or that each of Host Inc.s subsidiary REITs qualify as a REIT. If any of the subsidiary REITs were to fail to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that Host Inc. would fail to qualify as a REIT unless it (or the subsidiary REIT) could avail itself of certain relief provisions. New legislation, treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could change significantly the tax laws with respect to an entitys qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of its REIT qualification. If Host Inc. or any of the subsidiary REITs were to fail to qualify as a REIT, and any available relief provisions did not apply, the non-qualifying REIT would not be allowed to take a deduction for distributions to its stockholders in computing its taxable income, and it would be subject to federal and state corporate income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Moreover, unless entitled to statutory relief, the non-qualifying REIT would not qualify as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which REIT qualification was lost.
Any determination that Host Inc. or one of its subsidiary REITs does not qualify as a REIT will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and could materially reduce the value of Host Inc.s common stock. The additional tax liability of Host Inc. or the subsidiary REIT for the year, or years, in which the relevant entity did not qualify as a REIT would reduce its net earnings available for investment, debt service or distributions to stockholders. Furthermore, the non-qualifying entity no longer would be required to make distributions to stockholders as a condition to REIT qualification and all of its distributions to stockholders would be taxable as ordinary C corporation dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits. This means that, if Host Inc. were to fail to qualify as a REIT, Host Inc.s stockholders currently taxed as individuals would be taxed on those dividends at capital gain rates and Host Inc.s corporate stockholders generally would be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends, subject in each case to applicable limitations under the Code. Host Inc.s failure to qualify as a REIT also would cause an event of default under Host L.P.s credit facility, which default could lead to an acceleration of the amounts due thereunder, which, in turn, would constitute an event of default under Host L.P.s outstanding debt securities.
If our leases are not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, each of Host Inc. and its subsidiary REITs would fail to qualify as a REIT.
To qualify as a REIT, Host Inc. must satisfy two gross income tests, pursuant to which specified percentages of its gross income must be passive income, such as rent. For the rent paid pursuant to the hotel leases with our TRS, which rental income currently constitutes substantially all of Host Inc.s and each of our subsidiary REITs gross income, to qualify for purposes of the gross income tests, our leases must be respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes and must not be treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. We believe that the leases will be respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will agree with this characterization. If the leases were not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, neither Host Inc. nor either of our subsidiary REITs would be able to satisfy either of the two gross income tests applicable to REITs and each likely would lose its REIT status.
If our affiliated lessees fail to qualify as taxable REIT subsidiaries, each of Host Inc. and its subsidiary REITs would fail to qualify as a REIT.
Rent paid by a lessee that is a related party tenant of Host Inc. will not be qualifying income for purposes of the two gross income tests applicable to REITs. We lease substantially all of our hotels to our subsidiary that is taxable as a regular C corporation and that has elected to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect to Host Inc. So long as any affiliated lessee qualifies as a taxable REIT subsidiary, it will not be treated as a related party tenant. We believe that our affiliated lessees have qualified and will continue to qualify, and that the taxable REIT subsidiaries of each of our subsidiary REITs have qualified and will continue to qualify, to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS will not challenge the status of a taxable REIT subsidiary for federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in disqualifying any of our affiliated lessees (including the taxable REIT subsidiaries of our subsidiary REITs) from treatment as a taxable REIT subsidiary, it is possible that
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Host Inc. or a subsidiary REIT would fail to meet the asset tests applicable to REITs and substantially all of its income would fail to qualify for the gross income tests. If Host Inc. or a subsidiary REIT failed to meet either the asset tests or the gross income tests, each likely would lose its REIT status.
Despite the REIT status of each of Host Inc. and its subsidiary REITs, we remain subject to various taxes.
One of the subsidiary REITs of Host Inc. will be required to pay federal income tax at the highest regular corporate rate on built-in gain recognized as a result of the sale of one or more of its hotel assets prior to the expiration of the applicable 10-year holding period, including certain hotels acquired from Starwood and its affiliates in 2006. The total amount of gain on which the subsidiary REIT would be subject to corporate income tax if all of its built-in gain assets were sold in a taxable transaction prior to the expiration of the applicable 10-year holding period would be material to it. In addition, we expect that we could recognize other substantial deferred tax liabilities in the future without any corresponding receipt of cash.
Notwithstanding Host Inc.s status as a REIT, Host Inc. and our subsidiaries (including our subsidiary REITs) are subject to some federal, state, local and foreign taxes on their income and property. For example, Host Inc. and our subsidiary REITs will pay tax on certain types of income that are not distributed and will be subject to a 100% excise tax on transactions with a taxable REIT subsidiary that are not conducted on an arms length basis. Moreover, the taxable REIT subsidiaries of Host Inc. and our subsidiary REITs are taxable as regular C corporations and will pay federal, state and local income tax on their net income at the applicable corporate rates, and foreign taxes to the extent that they own assets or conduct operations in international jurisdictions.
Host L.P. is obligated under its partnership agreement to pay all such taxes (and any related interest and penalties) incurred by Host Inc.
If the IRS were to challenge successfully Host L.P.s status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Host Inc. would cease to qualify as a REIT and would suffer other adverse consequences.
We believe that Host L.P. qualifies to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, it is not subject to federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including Host Inc., is required to report and pay tax, if applicable, on such partners allocable share of its income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the IRS will not challenge Host L.P.s status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating Host L.P. as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, Host Inc. would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, cease to qualify as a REIT. If Host L.P. fails to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or Host Inc. fails to qualify as a REIT, either failure would cause an event of default under Host L.P.s credit facility that, in turn, could constitute an event of default under Host L.P.s outstanding debt securities. Also, the failure of Host L.P. to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes would cause it to become subject to federal, state and foreign corporate income tax, which tax would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for debt service and for distribution to its partners, including Host Inc.
As a REIT, each of Host Inc. and its subsidiary REITs is subject to limitations on its ownership of debt and equity securities.
Subject to certain exceptions, a REIT generally is prohibited from owning securities in any one issuer to the extent that (1) the value of such securities exceeds 5% of the value of the REITs total assets, (2) the securities owned by the REIT represent more than 10% of the issuers outstanding voting securities, or (3) the REIT owns more than 10% of the value of the issuers outstanding securities. A REIT is permitted to own securities of a subsidiary in an amount that exceeds the 5% value test and the 10% vote or value test if the subsidiary elects to be a taxable REIT subsidiary. However, a REIT may not own securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries that represent in the aggregate more than 25% of the value of the REITs total assets. If Host Inc. or any of its subsidiary REITs were to violate these ownership limitations, each likely would lose its REIT status.
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Each of Host Inc. or its subsidiary REITs may be required to pay a penalty tax upon the sale of a hotel.
The federal income tax provisions applicable to REITs provide that any gain realized by a REIT on the sale of property held as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% excise tax. Under existing law, whether property, including hotels, is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is a question of fact that depends upon all of the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. We intend to hold our hotels for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring and owning hotels and to make occasional sales of hotels consistent with our investment objectives. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS might not contend that one or more of these sales are subject to the 100% excise tax.
Risks Relating to Redemption of OP Units
A holder who offers its OP units for redemption may have adverse tax consequences.
A holder whose OP units are redeemed will be treated for federal and state income tax purposes as having sold the OP units. The sale of these units is a taxable event and the holder thereof will be treated as realizing an amount equal to the sum of (1) the value of the common stock or cash the holder receives, and (2) the amount of Host L.P.s nonrecourse liabilities allocated to the redeemed OP units. The gain or loss recognized by the holder of OP units is measured by the difference between the amount realized by the holder and the holders basis in the OP units redeemed (which basis includes the amount of Host L.P.s nonrecourse liabilities allocated to the redeemed OP units). It is possible that the amount of gain and/or the tax liability related thereto that the holder recognizes and pays could exceed the value of the common stock or cash that the holder receives.
If a holder of OP units elects to offer them for redemption, the original receipt of the OP units may be subject to tax.
If a holder of OP units elects to have its units redeemed, particularly within two years of receiving them, there is a risk that the original receipt of the OP units may be treated as a taxable sale under the disguised sale rules of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to several exceptions, the tax law generally provides that a partners contribution of property to a partnership and a simultaneous or subsequent transfer of money or other consideration from the partnership to the partner will be presumed to be a taxable sale. In particular, if money or other consideration is transferred by a partnership to a partner within two years of the partners contribution of property, the transactions are presumed to be a taxable sale of the contributed property, unless the facts and circumstances clearly establish that the transfers are not a sale. On the other hand, if two years have passed between the original contribution of property and the transfer of money or other consideration, the transactions will not be presumed to be a taxable sale, unless the facts and circumstances clearly establish that they should be so treated.
Differences between an investment in shares of Host Inc. common stock and OP units may affect redeemed holders of OP units.
If a holder of OP units elects to have OP units redeemed, we will determine whether the holder receives cash or shares of Host Inc.s common stock in exchange for the OP units. Although an investment in shares of Host Inc.s common stock is substantially similar to an investment in OP units, there are some differences between ownership of OP units and ownership of Host Inc. common stock. These differences include form of organization, management structure, voting rights, liquidity and federal income taxation, some of which may be material to investors.
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
Item 2. | Properties |
See Part 1 Item 1. Business Our Hotel Properties above for a discussion of our hotels.
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Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
On April 27, 2005, we initiated a lawsuit against Keystone-Texas Property Holding Corporation (Keystone) seeking a declaration that a provision of the ground lease for the property under the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter was valid and claiming that Keystone had breached that lease provision. On October 18, 2006, Keystone filed an amended counterclaim and later, a third party claim, alleging that we had tortiously interfered with Keystones attempted sale of the property and that we slandered Keystones title to the property.
On February 8, 2010, we received an adverse jury verdict in the 166th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, Texas. The jury found that we tortiously interfered with the attempted sale by Keystone of the land under the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and awarded Keystone $34.3 million in damages, plus statutory interest. In addition, the jury found that we slandered Keystones title to the property and awarded Keystone $39 million in damages, plus statutory interest. Keystone only will be entitled to receive one of these damage awards. On February 12, 2010, the jury awarded Keystone $7.5 million in exemplary damages with respect to the second claim. The trial court, however, subsequently granted our motion to disregard the jurys exemplary damages award. On June 3, 2010, the trial court issued its final judgment awarding Keystone: (i) $39 million in damages for slander of title or, alternatively, $34.3 million for tortious interference of contract; (ii) approximately $15 million in pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; (iii) approximately $3.5 million in attorneys fees, expenses, and costs; and (iv) an additional $750,000 in attorneys fees for any appeal to the court of appeals and Texas Supreme Court.
On November 23, 2011, a three-judge panel of the San Antonio Court of Appeals issued its memorandum opinion denying our appeal of the trial courts June 3, 2010 final judgment. In addition, the panel overturned the trial courts decision to grant our motion to disregard the jurys $7.5 million award of exemplary damages.
On January 17, 2012, we filed a motion seeking rehearing from the three-judge panel and a motion for rehearing by the entire seven-judge court of appeal. Those motions were denied on February 29, 2012.
We are continuing to vigorously pursue our appeal. On May 16, 2012, we filed a Petition for Review in the Texas Supreme Court and on August 17, 2012 the Court requested briefing on the merits. Briefings concluded in January 2013. No assurances can be given as to the outcome of this appeal.
We also are involved in various other legal proceedings in the normal course of business and are vigorously defending these claims; however, no assurances can be given as to the outcome of any pending legal proceedings. We believe, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, but might be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not Applicable.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In the following table we set forth certain information regarding those persons currently serving as executive officers of Host Inc. as of February 1, 2013. Host L.P. does not have executive officers.
Name and Title |
Age |
Business Experience Prior to Becoming an Executive Officer of Host Inc. | ||
Richard E. Marriott Chairman of the Board |
74 | Richard E. Marriott joined our company in 1965 and has served in various executive capacities. In 1979, Mr. Marriott was elected to the Board of Directors. In 1984, he was elected Executive Vice President and in 1986, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 1993, Mr. Marriott was elected Chairman of the Board. | ||
W. Edward Walter President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
57 | W. Edward Walter joined our company in 1996 as Senior Vice President for Acquisitions and was later named Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer before becoming our Chief Financial Officer in 2003 and President, Chief Executive Officer and Director in October 2007. | ||
Elizabeth A. Abdoo Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
54 | Elizabeth A. Abdoo joined our company in June 2001 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and became Executive Vice President in February 2003. She was elected Secretary in August 2001. | ||
Minaz B. Abji Executive Vice President, Asset Management |
59 | Minaz B. Abji joined our company in 2003 as Executive Vice President, Asset Management. Prior to joining us, Mr. Abji was President of Canadian Hotel Income Properties REIT, a Canadian REIT located in Vancouver, British Columbia where he worked since 1998. | ||
Joanne G. Hamilton Executive Vice President, Human Resources |
55 | Joanne G. Hamilton joined our company as Executive Vice President, Human Resources in January 2010. Prior to joining our company, she was the Chief Human Resource Officer for Beers & Cutler, an accounting and consulting firm based in Vienna, Virginia from 2007 to 2010. Prior to joining Beers & Cutler, Ms. Hamilton served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Spirent PLC, a global telecommunications company, from 2002 to 2007. | ||
Larry K. Harvey Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
48 | Larry K. Harvey rejoined our company in February 2003 as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller. In February 2006, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. He was elected Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2007. He served as Treasurer until February 2010 and continues to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. | ||
Gregory J. Larson Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy |
48 | Gregory J. Larson joined our company in October 1993. In 1998, Mr. Larson joined the Treasury group as Vice President of Corporate Finance. He assumed leadership of the Investor Relations department in 2000, was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2002, and was elected Treasurer in 2005. In November 2007, Mr. Larson was selected to lead our corporate strategy business and elected to Executive Vice President. | ||
James F. Risoleo Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Europe |
57 | James F. Risoleo joined our company in 1996 as Senior Vice President for Acquisitions, and was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in 2000. In January 2012, he became managing director of the Companys European business activities. |
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Name and Title |
Age |
Business Experience Prior to Becoming an Executive Officer of Host Inc. | ||
Struan B. Robertson Executive Vice President Chief Investment Officer |
47 | Struan B. Robertson joined our company in January 2013. From 1994 to 2012 he held various positions at Morgan Stanley, most recently as Global Co-Head of its real estate and lodging business. | ||
Brian G. Macnamara Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller |
53 | Brian G. Macnamara joined our company in February 1996, was promoted to Vice President, Assistant Corporate Controller in February 2007, and was elected Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller in September 2007. Prior to serving as Assistant Corporate Controller, Mr. Macnamara served as Vice President, Financial Reporting and Corporate Real Estate. |
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Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for Host Inc. |
Host Inc.s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol HST. The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of Host Inc.s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and dividends declared per share:
Stock Price |
Dividends Declared Per Share |
|||||||||||
High | Low | |||||||||||
2011 |
||||||||||||
1st Quarter |
$ | 19.88 | $ | 16.62 | $ | 0.02 | ||||||
2nd Quarter |
18.30 | 15.60 | 0.03 | |||||||||
3rd Quarter |
17.81 | 10.19 | 0.04 | |||||||||
4th Quarter |
14.90 | 9.78 | 0.05 |
Stock Price |
Dividends Declared Per Share |
|||||||||||
High | Low | |||||||||||
2012 |
||||||||||||
1st Quarter |
$ | 17.25 | $ | 14.71 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||
2nd Quarter |
17.06 | 14.11 | 0.07 | |||||||||
3rd Quarter |
16.30 | 14.06 | 0.08 | |||||||||
4th Quarter |
17.25 | 13.78 | 0.09 |
Under the terms of our senior notes indenture and the credit facility, Host Inc.s ability to pay dividends and make other payments is dependent on its ability to satisfy certain financial requirements. See Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition and Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors Financial Risks and Risks of Operation Our ability to pay dividends and to make distributions may be limited or prohibited by the terms of our indebtedness or preferred units.
As of February 21, 2013, there were 26,255 holders of record of Host Inc.s common stock. However, because many of the shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we believe that there are considerably more beneficial holders of our common stock than record holders. As of February 21, 2013, there were 1,765 holders of OP units (in addition to Host Inc.). OP units are redeemable for cash, or, at our election, convertible into Host Inc.s common stock.
Host Inc.s ability to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code is facilitated by limiting the number of shares of its stock that a person may own. Its charter provides that, subject to limited exceptions, no person or persons acting as a group may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of shares of Host Inc.s outstanding common stock, preferred stock or any other class of stock, each considered as a separate class or series for this purpose. Host Inc.s Board of Directors has the authority to increase the ownership limit from time to time, but does not have the authority to do so to the extent that, after giving effect to such increase, any five beneficial owners of capital stock beneficially could own in the aggregate more than 49.5% of the outstanding capital stock. See Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors Risks of Ownership of Host Inc.s Common Stock There are limitations on the acquisition of Host Inc. common stock and changes in control.
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Stockholder Return Performance
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total stockholder return on Host Inc.s common stock against the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poors Corporation Composite 500 Index and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust (NAREIT) Equity Index. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 in Host Inc.s common stock and in each of the indexes, and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Stockholder Returns 2007 2012
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 46.59 | $ | 71.99 | $ | 110.50 | $ | 92.23 | $ | 99.75 | ||||||||||||
NAREIT Equity Index |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 62.27 | $ | 79.70 | $ | 101.98 | $ | 110.42 | $ | 132.18 | ||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 63.00 | $ | 79.67 | $ | 91.67 | $ | 93.60 | $ | 108.58 |
This performance graph shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing of Host Inc. or Host L.P. (or any of their respective subsidiaries) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Fourth Quarter 2012 Host Inc. Purchases of Equity Securities
Period |
Total Number of Host Inc. Common Shares Purchased |
Average Price
Paid Per Common Share |
Total Number of
Common Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs |
Maximum Number
(or Approximate Dollar Value) of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
||||||||||||
September 8, 2012 October 7, 2012 |
| | | | ||||||||||||
October 8, 2012 November 7, 2012 |
1,939 | * | | | | |||||||||||
November 8, 2012 December 7, 2012 |
| | | | ||||||||||||
December 8, 2012 December 31, 2012 |
3,176 | ** | $ | 14.96 | ** | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
5,115 | $ | 14.96 | | | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Reflects shares of restricted stock forfeited for failure to meet vesting criteria. |
** | Reflects shares of restricted stock withheld and used for the purpose of paying taxes in connection with the release of restricted common shares to plan participants (the purchase price listed is the price of Host Inc. common stock on the date of release). |
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Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Units, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for Host L.P. |
There is no established public trading market for our OP units and transfers of OP units are restricted by the terms of Host L.P.s partnership agreement. The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, Host L.P.s distributions declared per common OP unit:
Distributions Declared Per Common Unit |
||||||||
2011 | 2012 | |||||||
1st Quarter |
$ | .0204 | $ | .0613 | ||||
2nd Quarter |
.0306 | .0715 | ||||||
3rd Quarter |
.0409 | .0817 | ||||||
4th Quarter |
.0511 | .0919 |
The number of holders of record of Host L.P.s common OP units on February 21, 2013 was 1,765. The number of outstanding common OP units as of February 21, 2013 was 721,213,932 of which 711,406,759 were owned by Host Inc. Under the terms of our senior notes indenture and the credit facility, Host L.P.s ability to make distributions and other payments is dependent on its ability to satisfy certain financial requirements. In addition, under the terms of Host L.P.s preferred OP units, we are not permitted to make distributions on our common OP units unless all cumulative distributions have been paid on our preferred OP units. See Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition and Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors Financial Risks and Risks of Operation Our ability to pay dividends and to make distributions may be limited or prohibited by the terms of our indebtedness or preferred units
Fourth Quarter 2012 Host L.P. Purchases of Equity Securities
Period |
Total Number of Units Purchased |
Average Price Paid Per Common Unit |
Total Number of
Common Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs |
Maximum Number
(or Approximate Dollar Value) of Common Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
||||||||||
September 8, 2012 October 7, 2012 |
29,416 | * | 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. Common Stock * |
| | |||||||||
October 8, 2012 November 7, 2012 |
60,828 | ** | 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. Common Stock ** |
| | |||||||||
November 8, 2012 December 7, 2012 |
24,290 | * | 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. Common Stock * |
| | |||||||||
December 8, 2012 December 31, 2012 |
53,554 | *** | 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. Common Stock *** |
| | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
168,088 | | | |||||||||||
|
|
* | Reflects common OP units redeemed by Host Inc. in exchange for shares of its common stock. |
** | Reflects (1) 58,930 common OP units redeemed by holders in exchange for shares of Host Inc.s common stock and (2) 1,898 common OP units cancelled upon cancellation of 1,939 shares of Host Inc.s common stock by Host Inc. |
*** | Reflects (1) 50,445 common OP units redeemed by holders in exchange for shares of Host Inc.s common stock and (2) 3,109 common OP units cancelled upon cancellation of 3,176 shares of Host Inc.s common stock by Host Inc. |
39
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data (Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.) |
The following table presents certain selected historical financial data which has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. for the five years ended December 31, 2012 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:
Calendar year | ||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,286 | $ | 4,924 | $ | 4,361 | $ | 4,074 | $ | 5,034 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
13 | (10 | ) | (127 | ) | (194 | ) | 379 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) |
50 | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | (64 | ) | 35 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
63 | (16 | ) | (132 | ) | (258 | ) | 414 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
61 | (15 | ) | (130 | ) | (252 | ) | 395 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders |
61 | (15 | ) | (138 | ) | (261 | ) | 386 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
.01 | (.01 | ) | (.20 | ) | (.34 | ) | .67 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
.07 | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.11 | ) | .07 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
.08 | (.02 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.45 | ) | .74 | ||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
.01 | (.01 | ) | (.20 | ) | (.34 | ) | .65 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
.07 | (.01 | ) | (.01 | ) | (.11 | ) | .07 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
.08 | (.02 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.45 | ) | .72 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
.30 | .14 | .04 | .25 | .65 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 12,994 | $ | 13,090 | $ | 12,411 | $ | 12,555 | $ | 11,950 | ||||||||||
Debt |
5,411 | 5,753 | 5,477 | 5,837 | 5,876 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
| | | 97 | 97 |
(1) | Discontinued operations reflects the operations of properties classified as held for sale, the results of operations of properties prior to their disposition and the gain or loss on those dispositions. |
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Item 6. | Selected Financial Data (Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P.) |
The following table presents certain selected historical financial data which has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements of Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. for the five years ended December 31, 2012 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and Part II Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:
Calendar year | ||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per unit amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,286 | $ | 4,924 | $ | 4,361 | $ | 4,074 | $ | 5,034 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
13 | (10 | ) | (127 | ) | (194 | ) | 379 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) |
50 | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | (64 | ) | 35 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
63 | (16 | ) | (132 | ) | (258 | ) | 414 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
62 | (15 | ) | (132 | ) | (257 | ) | 411 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) available to common unitholders |
62 | (15 | ) | (140 | ) | (266 | ) | 402 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per common unit: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
.02 | (.01 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.34 | ) | .68 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
.07 | (.01 | ) | | (.10 | ) | .06 | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
.09 | (.02 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.44 | ) | .74 | ||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per common unit: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
.02 | (.01 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.35 | ) | .66 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
.07 | (.01 | ) | | (.10 | ) | .06 | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
.09 | (.02 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.45 | ) | .72 | ||||||||||||
Distributions declared per common unit |
.306 | .143 | .0408 | .025 | .65 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 12,994 | $ | 13,090 | $ | 12,410 | $ | 12,553 | $ | 11,948 | ||||||||||
Debt |
5,411 | 5,753 | 5,477 | 5,837 | 5,876 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred units |
| | | 97 | 97 |
(1) | Discontinued operations reflects the operations of properties classified as held for sale, the results of operations of properties prior to their disposition and the gain or loss on those dispositions. |
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Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
Overview
Host Inc. operates as a self-managed and self-administered REIT that owns properties and conducts operations through Host L.P., of which Host Inc. is the sole general partner and in which it holds approximately 98.6% of Host L.P.s common OP units as of December 31, 2012. The remaining approximate 1.4% of Host L.P.s common OP units are owned by various unaffiliated limited partners. Host Inc. has the exclusive and complete responsibility for Host L.P.s day-to-day management and control.
Host Inc. is the largest lodging REIT in NAREITs composite index and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper upscale hotel properties. We currently own 118 hotels in the United States and internationally and have minority ownership interests in an additional 22 hotels through joint ventures in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. These hotels are operated under brand names that are among the most respected and widely recognized in the lodging industry. The majority are located in central business districts of major cities, near airports and in resort/conference destinations that benefit from significant barriers to entry by competitors. Since 2000, the percentage of revenues generated by our urban and resort/conference hotels has increased from 64% to 80% in 2012, as we have focused our acquisition efforts on these hotel types, and similarly disposed of non-core assets. While hotels in these markets still are subject to competitive pressures, we believe this strategy of combining premium brands with superior locations provides opportunities to achieve room rate and occupancy premiums in excess of our competitors.
Our Customers
The majority of our customers fall into three broad groups: transient business, group business and contract business, which accounted for approximately 60%, 35%, and 5%, respectively, of our 2012 room sales. Similar to the majority of the lodging industry, we further categorize business within these categories based on characteristics they have in common as follows:
Transient business broadly represents individual business or leisure travelers. Business travelers make up the majority of transient demand at our hotels. Therefore, we will be significantly more affected by trends in business travel versus leisure demand. The three key subcategories of the transient business group are:
| Retail: This is the benchmark rate that a hotel publishes and offers to the general public. It typically is for travelers that do not have access to negotiated or discount rates. It includes the rack rate, which typically is applied to rooms during high demand periods and is the highest rate category available. Retail room rates will fluctuate more freely depending on anticipated demand levels (e.g. seasonality and weekday vs. weekend stays). |
| Special Corporate: This is a negotiated rate offered to companies and organizations that provide significant levels of room night demand to the hotel or to hotel brands generally. These rates typically are negotiated annually at a discount to the anticipated retail rate. |
| Discount: This category encompasses all discount programs, such as AAA and AARP discounts, government per diem, rooms booked through wholesale channels, frequent guest program redemptions, and promotional rates and packages offered by a hotel. |
Group business represents clusters of guestrooms booked together, usually with a minimum of 10 rooms. The three key sub-categories of the group business category are:
| Association: group business related to national and regional association meetings and conventions. |
| Corporate: group business related to corporate meetings (e.g., product launches, training programs, contract negotiations, and presentations). |
| Other: group business predominately related to social, military, education, religious, fraternal and youth and amateur sports teams, otherwise known as SMERF business. |
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The final category is contract business, which refers to blocks of rooms sold to a specific company for an extended period of time at significantly discounted rates. Contract rates usually are utilized by hotels that are located in markets that are experiencing consistently lower levels of demand. Airline crews are typical generators of contract demand for our hotels.
Understanding Our Performance
Our Revenues and Expenses. Our hotels are operated by third-party managers under long-term agreements, pursuant to which they typically earn base and incentive management fees based on the levels of revenues and profitability of each individual hotel. We provide operating funds, or working capital, which the managers use to purchase inventory and to pay wages, utilities, property taxes and other hotel-level expenses. We generally receive a cash distribution from our hotel managers each month, which distribution reflects hotel-level sales less property-level operating expenses (excluding depreciation).
Revenue from owned hotels represents 95% of our total revenue. The following table presents the components of our hotel revenue as a percentage of our total revenue:
% of
2012 Revenues |
||||||
|
Rooms revenue. Occupancy and average daily room rate are the major drivers of rooms revenue. The business mix of the hotel (group versus transient and premium versus discount business) is a significant driver of room rates. | 61 | % | |||
|
Food and beverage revenue. Occupancy and the type of customer staying at the hotel are the major drivers of food and beverage revenue (i.e., group business typically generates more food and beverage business through catering functions when compared to transient business, which may or may not utilize the hotels restaurants). | 28 | % | |||
|
Other revenue. Occupancy, the nature of the property (i.e., resort, etc.) and its price point are the main drivers of other ancillary revenue, such as parking, golf course, spa, entertainment and other guest services. | 6 | % |
Hotel operating expenses represent approximately 98% of our total operating costs and expenses. The following table presents the components of our hotel operating expenses as a percentage of our total operating costs and expenses:
% of 2012 Operating Costs and Expenses |
||||||
|
Rooms expense. These costs include housekeeping, reservation systems, room supplies, laundry services and front desk costs. Occupancy is the major driver of rooms expense. These costs can increase based on increases in salaries and wages, as well as on the level of service and amenities that are provided. | 18 | % | |||
|
Food and beverage expense. These expenses primarily include food, beverage and labor costs. Occupancy and the type of customer staying at the hotel (i.e., catered functions generally are more profitable than outlet sales) are the major drivers of food and beverage expense, which correlates closely with food and beverage revenue. | 23 | % |
43
% of 2012 Operating Costs and Expenses |
||||||
|
Other departmental and support expenses. These expenses include labor and other costs associated with other ancillary revenue, such as parking, golf courses, spas, entertainment and other guest services, as well as labor and other costs associated with administrative departments, sales and marketing, repairs and minor maintenance and utility costs. | 26 | % | |||
|
Management fees. Base management fees are computed as a percentage of gross revenue. Incentive management fees generally are paid when operating profits exceed certain threshold levels. | 4 | % | |||
|
Other property-level expenses. These expenses consist primarily of real and personal property taxes, ground rent, equipment rent and property insurance. Many of these expenses are relatively inflexible and do not necessarily change based on changes in revenue at our hotels. | 12 | % | |||
|
Depreciation and amortization expense. This is a non-cash expense that changes primarily based on the acquisition and disposition of hotel properties and the level of past capital expenditures. | 15 | % |
The expense components listed above are based on those presented in our consolidated statements of operations. It also is worth noting that wage and benefit costs are spread among various line items. Taken separately, these costs represent approximately 55% of our hotel operating expenses.
Key Performance Indicators. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) is a commonly used measure within the hotel industry to evaluate hotel operations. RevPAR is defined as the product of the average daily room rate charged and the average daily occupancy achieved. RevPAR does not include food and beverage or parking, telephone or other guest service revenues generated by the property. Although RevPAR does not include these ancillary revenues, it generally is considered the key indicator of core revenues for many hotels.
RevPAR changes that are driven by occupancy have different implications on overall revenue levels, as well as incremental operating profit, than do changes that are driven by average room rate. For example, increases in occupancy at a hotel would lead to increases in rooms revenues and ancillary revenues, such as food and beverage revenue, as well as additional incremental costs (including housekeeping services, utilities and room amenity costs). RevPAR increases due to higher room rates, however, would not result in additional room-related costs, with the exception of those charged as a percentage of revenue. As a result, changes in RevPAR driven by increases or decreases in average room rates have a greater effect on profitability than changes in RevPAR caused by occupancy levels.
In discussing our operating results, we present RevPAR and certain other financial data for our hotels on a comparable hotel basis. Comparable hotels are those properties that we have owned for the entirety of the reporting periods being compared and whose operations have been included in our consolidated results. Comparable hotels do not include the results of properties acquired or sold, or that incurred business interruption due to significant property damage or large scale capital improvements.
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We also evaluate the performance of our business through certain non-GAAP financial measures. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors as supplemental measures to GAAP performance measures such as total revenues, operating profit, net income and earnings per share. We provide a more detailed discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures, how management uses such measures to evaluate our financial condition and operating performance and a discussion of certain limitations of such measures in Non-GAAP Financial Measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures include:
| NAREIT Funds From Operations (FFO) and Adjusted FFO per diluted share. We use NAREIT FFO and Adjusted FFO per diluted share as a supplemental measure of company-wide profitability. NAREIT adopted FFO in order to promote an industry-wide measure of REIT operating performance. We also adjust NAREIT FFO for gains and losses on extinguishment of debt, acquisition costs and litigation gains or losses outside the ordinary course of business. |
| Hotel adjusted operating profit and margins. Hotel adjusted operating profit measures property-level results before debt service, depreciation and corporate expenses and is a supplemental measure of aggregate property-level profitability. We use hotel adjusted operating profit and associated margins to evaluate the profitability of our comparable hotels. |
| EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Earnings before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is a supplemental measure of the operating performance of our properties and facilitates comparisons between us and other lodging REITs, hotel owners who are not REITs and other capital-intensive companies. We also adjust EBITDA for gains and losses related to real estate transactions and impairment losses (Adjusted EBITDA). |
Summary of 2012 Operating Results
The following table reflects certain line items from our audited statements of operations and the significant operating statistics (in millions, except per share and hotel statistics):
Historical Income Statement Data:
2012 | 2011 | % Change 2011 to 2012 |
2010 | % Change 2010 to 2011 |
||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
$ | 5,286 | $ | 4,924 | 7.4 | % | $ | 4,361 | 12.9 | % | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
63 | (16 | ) | N/M | (132 | ) | 87.9 | |||||||||||||
Operating profit |
383 | 326 | 17.5 | 223 | 46.2 | |||||||||||||||
Operating profit margin under GAAP |
7.2 | % | 6.6 | % | 60bps | 5.1 | % | 150bps | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
1,190 | 1,018 | 16.9 | % | 834 | 22.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | .08 | $ | (.02 | ) | N/M | $ | (.21 | ) | 90.5 | % | |||||||||
NAREIT FFO per diluted share |
1.04 | .89 | 16.9 | .68 | 30.9 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted FFO per diluted share |
1.10 | .92 | 19.6 | .74 | 24.3 |
Comparable Hotel Data:
2012 Comparable Hotels (a) | 2011 Comparable Hotels (a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | % Change 2011 to 2012 |
2011 | 2010 | % Change 2010 to 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Comparable hotel revenues |
$ | 4,428 | $ | 4,195 | 5.5 | % | $ | 4,315 | $ | 4,087 | 5.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Comparable hotel RevPAR |
142.48 | 133.87 | 6.4 | 129.97 | 122.47 | 6.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comparable hotel operating profit |
1,061 | 946 | 12.2 | 961 | 875 | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margin |
24.0 | % | 22.6 | % | 140bps | 22.3 | % | 21.4 | % | 90bps |
(a) | Comparable hotel operating statistics for 2012 and 2011 are based on 103 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2012, while the comparable hotel operating statistics for 2011 and 2010 are based on 104 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2011. |
In 2012, RevPAR at our comparable hotels increased 6.4% compared to 2011, marking the third straight year of comparable RevPAR growth of approximately 6%. While the overall growth in the economy since the 2008-2009 recession has been slow, particularly with regards to GDP growth and the continued high unemployment, specific
45
drivers of lodging demand have proven to be more resilient, allowing for steady RevPAR improvements. In particular, corporate business, which is one of the most important demand drivers of our portfolio, has strengthened as corporate profits and business investment have increased at a much greater rate than the overall economy. Additionally, our properties in gateway markets, such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Miami and Chicago, have benefited from an increase in demand from travel to the U.S. as international arrivals increased 7% through September 2012 based on the most recent available report from the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
Growth in 2012 at our comparable hotels was both rate and occupancy driven, as room rates improved 3.6% and occupancy improved 200 basis points to 74.5%, which is one percentage point above our pre-recession occupancy levels in 2007. As we enter the third full year of the lodging recovery, our operators have been able to gradually increase room rates, particularly for our transient business, as the occupancy levels at our properties have continued to improve. The occupancy improvement for the year was driven by an increase in demand from our corporate group business, as reflected in a 4% increase in group room nights compared to 2011.
Food and beverage revenues at our comparable hotels increased 3.9% for 2012. The increase was driven primarily by improvements in banquet and audio visual revenues during the first half of the year, while outlet revenue improved during the second half of the year. Banquet and audio visual revenues provide higher overall operating margins than outlet revenue, as catered functions generally are more profitable. Overall, food and beverage revenues increased by 6.4% compared to 2011, which includes incremental food and beverage revenues from recently acquired hotels of $31 million.
As a result, total revenues for our owned hotels increased $342 million to $5.0 billion for the year. In addition to the hotel revenues for our owned hotels described above, our other revenues increased $20 million, which was due primarily to increased revenue from the 53 Courtyard by Marriott hotels leased from Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT). Accordingly, total revenues increased $362 million to approximately $5.3 billion for 2012. Approximately $99 million of the increase both in total revenues and revenues for owned hotels resulted from the inclusion of operations from recently acquired hotels, including the Grand Hyatt Washington, which was purchased in July 2012 and a full year of operations for 10 hotels purchased in the first quarter of 2011.
Operating margins (calculated based on GAAP operating profit as a percentage of GAAP revenues) increased 60 basis points for the full year 2012. Operating margins are affected significantly by several items, including operations from recently acquired hotels, depreciation, impairments, and corporate expenses. Our comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins, which exclude these and other items, increased 140 basis points to 24.0%. Our comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins were impacted positively by the 3.6% increase in average room rate, as well as a 5.5% decline in utilities expense.
Net income (loss) for Host Inc. improved $79 million in 2012 to a net income of $63 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased $172 million, or 16.9%, to $1.2 billion. Net income was impacted negatively by a $60 million non-cash impairment charge in 2012 related to The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, partially offset by a $48 million gain from asset sales.
During 2012, Host Inc.s diluted income (loss) per common share improved $.10 per share to income of $.08 per share. The improvement in our income per diluted share reflects the improvement in operating results at our hotels as described above. Host Inc.s Adjusted FFO per diluted share increased 19.6% to $1.10 per share for 2012.
The trends and transactions described above for Host Inc. affected similarly the operating results for Host L.P, as the only significant difference between the Host Inc. and Host L.P. statements of operations relates to the treatment of income attributable to the outside partners of Host L.P. For the year, Host L.P.s net income (loss) improved $79 million to income of $63 million, and the diluted income (loss) per common diluted unit improved $.11 per unit to income of $.09 per unit.
46
Investing Activities
Acquisitions and New Development. We believe that the lodging industry will continue to present opportunities to acquire hotels at discounts to replacement cost, with growth potential that will provide returns at attractive premiums to our cost of capital. While the global economic outlook remains unclear, the on-going strength of hotel performance, particularly in gateway markets, due to limited new supply and the increasing availability of debt, creates a favorable environment for hotel transactions. Our acquisition strategy also includes the acquisition or development of midscale and upscale properties in select target markets. During 2012, we completed the following transactions:
| On July 16, 2012, we acquired the 888-room Grand Hyatt Washington for approximately $400 million. In connection with the acquisition, we also paid $17 million, net, for the FF&E replacement fund, working capital and other assets. |
| On June 8, 2012, we acquired land and entered into a construction agreement to develop two hotels, totaling 405 rooms, in Rio de Janeiro. We invested approximately R$53 million ($26 million) in 2012 and estimate our total development costs to be R$129 million ($72 million). The hotels will be managed by Accor under the ibis and Novotel brands and are expected to open in 2014. |
| In May 2012, we entered into a 50/50 joint venture with White Lodging Services to develop a 255-room Hyatt Place in Nashville, Tennessee. The hotel is expected to open in December 2013 at a total cost of $46 million, including the purchase of the land. The joint venture has secured a $34.8 million construction loan for this project, but, as of December 31, 2012, had not drawn on this facility. |
International Joint Venture Investments. We continue to utilize joint ventures to expand our global portfolio and help diversify exposure to the market. During 2012, the Euro JV completed the following acquisitions:
| On July 26, 2012, the Euro JV acquired the 192-room Le Méridien Grand Hotel in Nuremberg for approximately 30 million ($37 million). |
| On November 30, 2012, the Euro JV acquired a portfolio of five hotels comprising 1,733 rooms in Paris and Amsterdam for approximately 440 million ($572 million) and the payment of 10 million ($13 million) for the FF&E replacement fund. The acquisition was financed, in part, through the issuance of 250 million ($325 million) of mortgage debt. |
We contributed approximately 80 million ($103 million) in connection with these acquisitions, which also includes closing costs of 9 million ($11 million). In connection with the acquisition of the portfolio of five hotels, we received 62 million ($80 million) for our interest in the mortgage loan secured by the hotels that was repaid at closing which we had acquired for 40 million ($55 million) in April 2010.
On March 6, 2012, the Asia/Pacific JV acquired the 278-room Citigate Perth in Australia for A$61 million ($64 million). The Asia/Pacific JV invested approximately A$17 million ($18 million) to upgrade and rebrand the hotel to a Four Points by Sheraton. Our equity contribution for the hotel was approximately A$10 million ($11 million). Additionally, the Asia/Pacific JV has a non-controlling interest in a separate joint venture to develop seven hotels in India. The ibis and Novotel Techpark, Bangalore opened in 2012 and the other five hotels are under various stages of development in Chennai and Delhi and are expected to open during 2014.
Value Enhancement Projects. We also look to enhance the value of our portfolio by identifying and executing strategies designed to achieve the highest and best use of all aspects of our properties. We believe that the successful execution of these projects will create significant value for the company. During 2012, we focused on the following value-enhancement projects:
| On November 9, 2012, we entered into a joint venture agreement (the Maui JV) with Hyatt Residential Group to develop, sell and operate a 131-unit vacation ownership project in Maui, Hawaii adjacent to our Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa for estimated development costs of $200 million, which we expect will be funded with a $110 million construction loan and partner equity contributions. We contributed a combination of land and cash to the Maui JV in exchange for a 67% membership |
47
interest. The residents of the timeshare units will have access to amenities at our existing resort, for which they will pay a fee that will be included in their timeshare association dues. In addition to any profits from the sale of timeshare units, we also expect to benefit from synergies created with our existing hotel, including room sales in connection with marketing efforts or transition nights, ancillary revenues from our spa, food and beverage outlets and retail shops, as well as savings related to shared expenses. Construction has begun and the project is expected to open in late 2014. |
| On August 2, 2012, we announced a 20-year lease agreement with Vornado Realty Trust (Vornado) to lease the retail and signage space at the New York Marriott Marquis. Vornado plans to invest approximately $140 million to redevelop and substantially expand the existing retail space, including the conversion of below-grade parking to high-end retail space and six-story, block front, LED signage that is expected to improve the hotels presence on Times Square. As a result of the lease, our rental income increased by more than $6 million annually and we would expect significant additional rent increases as the project is completed and leased. Over the term of the lease, each party has options that, if exercised, would result in ownership of the retail space being conveyed to Vornado at a price based on the future cash flow of the leased property. |
| We also are under contract with a luxury homebuilder to sell 4.2 acres of excess land adjacent to our Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. The land, which previously was used for tennis courts, has been approved for the development and sale of 79 luxury condominiums. The sale is expected to close by mid-2013 and is subject to various customary closing conditions. |
Redevelopment and Return on Investment Capital Expenditures. Redevelopment and ROI projects primarily consist of large-scale redevelopment projects, as well as near-term capital and operational improvement plans at our newly acquired properties, which we refer to as acquisition projects. During 2012 and 2011, we invested $128 million and $13 million, respectively, in acquisition projects and $144 million and $202 million, respectively, in other projects for a total of $272 million and $215 million, respectively, in redevelopment and ROI expenditures. During 2013, we plan to spend between $40 million to $50 million in acquisition expenditures and $90 million to $100 million for other projects for total redevelopment and ROI expenditures of $130 million to $150 million. In 2012, we continued to implement various projects that were designed specifically to increase the eco-efficiency of our hotels, incorporate elements of sustainable design and replace aging equipment and systems with more efficient technology. Significant redevelopment capital expenditures during the year included the following projects:
| The redevelopment projects that began in 2011 at the following three properties were completed: the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, the Chicago Marriott OHare and the Sheraton Indianapolis. These properties have experienced an average RevPAR increase of 41% for 2012 when compared to the pre-construction period in 2010. |
| Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers the completion of the renovation of all 1,780 rooms, including major mechanical upgrades to the heating and cooling system as part of the extensive renovation and redevelopment project begun in 2011. |
| San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina continuation of the extensive renovation and redevelopment project begun in 2010, which in 2012 included the completion of the South Tower greatroom redesign of the bar, restaurant and grab & go outlet. |
| Orlando World Center Marriott we began the complete enhancement of the pool area, including new water slides and activity areas and new pool dining facilities. |
Included in our ROI expenditures are capital projects at our recently acquired hotels that we considered as part of our initial investment. Significant projects during the year included:
| The $88 million conversion of the former New York Helmsley Hotel (acquired March 2011) to The Westin New York Grand Central on October 1, 2012. The hotel is New York Citys second Westin-branded property. The conversion included a complete renovation of all 774 guest rooms, the ballroom and meeting space, fitness center, lobby and public areas and the heating and cooling systems, as well as a new bar and restaurant. |
| We also completed the renovation of the 270 rooms at the W New York Union Square (acquired September 2010) and began the renovation of all guestrooms at both the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (acquired March 2011) and the Grand Hyatt Washington (acquired July 2012). |
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Renewal and Replacement Capital Expenditures. We spent $366 million and $327 million on renewal and replacement expenditures during 2012 and 2011, respectively. These projects included the renovation of over 6,500 rooms, 100,000 square feet of public space and 500,000 square feet of meeting space in 2012. These expenditures are designed to ensure that our high standards for product quality are maintained and to enhance the overall competitiveness of our properties in the marketplace. Major projects completed in 2012 included the renovation of 1,100 rooms at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, all 834 guestrooms at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, all 891 rooms at The Westin Seattle, over 33,000 square feet of meeting space at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, almost 10,500 square feet of meeting space at the W New York and the renovation of 978 guestrooms and the 45,000 square foot exhibit hall in the New York Marriott Marquis. Major renewal and replacement projects that were underway during the fourth quarter of 2012 included 459 rooms at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center, the 504-room North Tower of the Orlando World Center Marriott and 130,000 square feet of meeting space at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. We expect that our investment in renewal and replacement expenditures in 2013 will total approximately $270 million to $290 million. At the midpoint of this range, this represents an approximate 20% decrease when compared to 2012 and should result in less business disruption at our properties.
Dispositions. We disposed of four properties over the last 12 months, including the sale of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on January 11, 2013, for $445 million, including $26 million of FF&E replacement funds. While two of the sales were smaller properties in non-core markets, the disposition of the San Francisco Airport Marriott and the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotels represented opportunities to capitalize on favorable market conditions and rebalance the investments in our portfolio. For example, the sale of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis reduced our overall market presence in Atlanta, which now represents approximately 3% of our total revenues. During 2013, we believe that transaction volume in the industry will increase as the year progresses and we plan to remain opportunistic with our disposition activity.
Financing Activities
We continued to make progress in 2012 on our goal to strengthen our balance sheet by lowering our debt-to-equity ratio and improving our overall credit statistics. We believe that lower leverage reduces our overall cost of capital and our earnings volatility and increases our access to capital, thereby providing us with the necessary flexibility to take advantage of opportunities throughout the lodging cycle, which we consider a key competitive advantage. As our operations have improved, we have focused strategically on raising and deploying capital to improve our leverage ratios, while at the same time completing substantial investments in our portfolio through acquisitions and capital investments. During the year, we issued approximately $1.5 billion of debt with a weighted average interest rate of 3.7% and used the proceeds thereof, along with available cash, to repay approximately $1.9 billion of debt with a weighted average interest rate of 6.7%. As a result of these transactions, we have decreased our weighted average interest rate by 90 basis points, to 5.4%, and lengthened our weighted average debt maturity by 0.7 years to 5.1 years. Specifically, during the year we completed the following significant financing transactions.
| We issued $450 million of 4 3/4% Series C senior notes due 2023 for net proceeds of approximately $443 million and $350 million 5 1/4% Series B senior notes due 2022 for net proceeds of approximately $344 million. |
| We entered into a $500 million term loan through an amendment of our credit facility. The term loan has a five-year maturity and a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 180 basis points based on our leverage ratio at December 31, 2012. We also drew approximately $142 million on a net basis in 2012 on the revolving portion of our credit facility. |
| We redeemed a total of nearly $1.8 billion of senior notes and exchangeable debentures. |
| We repaid the $113 million loan with a 7.5% interest rate on the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. and issued a $100 million mortgage loan secured by the Hyatt Regency Reston. The new loan bears interest at 1-month LIBOR plus 310 basis points and matures on July 1, 2016, with an additional one-year extension at our option subject to debt service and loan-to-value requirements and other conditions. |
| We issued 17.5 million common shares under our at the market offering programs. The shares were issued at an average price of $15.67 per share for net proceeds of $271 million. |
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We believe, based on the overall strength of our balance sheet, that we have sufficient liquidity and access to the capital markets in order to pay our near-term debt maturities, fund our capital expenditures programs and take advantage of investment opportunities. For a detailed discussion, see Liquidity and Capital Resources.
2013 Outlook
We believe that the broad economic trends experienced between 2010 and 2012 should continue in 2013, which likely will translate into moderate growth in lodging demand. Real U.S. GDP growth is anticipated to be 2.0% in 2013 based on consensus estimates. The slightly muted economic growth prospects in the U.S. relate to the increased tax rates in 2013, as well as continued uncertainty regarding U.S. tax and spending policies and continued elevated unemployment levels. We anticipate that this uncertainty also will lead to more moderate growth in business investment, particularly in the first half of the year, which historically has been correlated to lodging demand. We expect slower economic growth in Europe, which will affect demand negatively, though key urban markets such as London and Paris should outperform the market as a whole. We expect economic growth in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions to accelerate, which should bolster lodging demand both for our international properties and our properties located in key domestic gateway markets.
Supply growth for upper-upscale and luxury hotels is expected to increase from 2012 levels, but remain well below the long-term industry trend. As is typical in the lodging cycle, supply growth has lagged the recovery in demand due to the long term planning required for hotel development. During the current recovery, supply growth also has been hampered first by the lack of available credit during the recession and second by the slow pace of the recovery as, on average, upper-upscale hotels in gateway markets continue to trade below replacement cost. Demand has therefore increased at a faster pace than supply, resulting in strong occupancy increases, which is reflected in our strong booking pace for 2013. We continue to expect demand to outpace supply in 2013, resulting in a modest increase in occupancy, which we believe will allow operators to shift focus toward improving the mix of business and driving average daily rate increases. Therefore, RevPAR growth is anticipated to be driven primarily by average daily rate, which should provide an opportunity to drive operating profits.
We also believe that our hotels will benefit in 2013 from the improvements made to our portfolio through our capital expenditures program and acquisitions. We spent over $600 million on major redevelopment and return on investment capital projects between 2010 and 2012 that we believe have improved significantly the competitive position of our properties, while taking advantage of reduced occupancies and significantly lower construction costs. We expect that the pace of our capital spending will slow in 2013, which will lessen the disruption experienced compared to 2011 and 2012.
Based on the trends discussed above as well as our forecasts for our properties, we believe that comparable hotel RevPAR will increase 5% to 7% for 2013. Additionally, we believe that comparable food and beverage and other revenue will increase approximately 2% to 4% for 2013. However, there can be no assurances that any increases in hotel revenues or earnings at our properties will continue for any number of reasons, including, but not limited to, slower than anticipated growth in the economy and changes in travel patterns. See Part I Item 1A. Risk Factors.
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Results of Operations
The following table reflects certain line items from our audited statements of operations and other significant operating statistics (in millions, except operating statistics and percentages):
2012 | 2011 | %
Change 2011 to 2012 |
2010 | %
Change 2010 to 2011 |
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Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Owned hotel revenues |
$ | 5,013 | $ | 4,671 | 7.3 | % | $ | 4,162 | 12.2 | % | ||||||||||
Other revenues (1) |
273 | 253 | 7.9 | 199 | 27.1 | |||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Property-level costs (2) |
4,807 | 4,489 | 7.1 | 4,033 | 11.3 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other expenses |
107 | 111 | (3.6 | ) | 108 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on insurance settlements |
11 | 2 | N/M | 3 | (33.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
383 | 326 | 17.5 | 223 | 46.2 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
373 | 371 | 0.5 | 383 | (3.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
50 | (6 | ) | N/M | (5 | ) | 20.0 | |||||||||||||
All hotel operating statistics (3): |
||||||||||||||||||||
RevPAR |
$ | 139.90 | $ | 130.70 | 7.0 | % | $ | 121.46 | 7.6 | % | ||||||||||
Average room rate |
$ | 189.32 | $ | 181.88 | 4.1 | % | $ | 173.17 | 5.0 | % | ||||||||||
Average occupancy |
73.9 | % | 71.9 | % | 2.0pts. | 70.1 | % | 1.8pts. | ||||||||||||
Comparable hotel operating statistics (4): |
||||||||||||||||||||
RevPAR |
$ | 142.48 | $ | 133.87 | 6.4 | % | N/A | 6.1 | % | |||||||||||
Average room rate |
$ | 191.15 | $ | 184.52 | 3.6 | % | N/A | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||
Average occupancy |
74.5 | % | 72.5 | % | 2.0pts. | N/A | 1.3pts. | |||||||||||||
Host Inc.: |
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Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests |
$ | (2 | ) | $ | 1 | N/M | $ | 2 | (50 | )% | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. |
61 | (15 | ) | N/M | (130 | ) | 88.5 | |||||||||||||
Host L.P.: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests |
$ | (1 | ) | $ | 1 | N/M | $ | | N/M | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. |
62 | (15 | ) | N/M | (132 | ) | 88.6 | % |
(1) | Includes the results of the 53 hotels leased from HPT in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the 71 hotels leased from HPT in 2010, which operations we consolidated beginning July 7, 2010 as a result of the termination of the subleases with our subtenant. The line item also includes rental income earned prior to the sublease terminations. The leases expired December 31, 2012. |
(2) | Amounts represent operating costs and expenses per our consolidated statements of operations, less corporate and other expenses and the gain on insurance settlements. |
(3) | Operating statistics are for all properties as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and include the results of operations for hotels sold prior to their disposition. |
(4) | Comparable hotel operating statistics for 2012 and 2011 are based on 103 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2012. The percent change from 2010 and 2011 are based on 104 comparable hotels as of December 31, 2011. |
N/M=Not Meaningful
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Hotel Sales Overview
The following table presents revenues in accordance with GAAP and includes both comparable and non-comparable hotels (in millions, except percentages):
2012 | 2011 | % Change 2011 to 2012 |
2010 | % Change 2010 to 2011 |
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Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rooms |
$ | 3,219 | $ | 2,975 | 8.2 | % | $ | 2,619 | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||
Food and beverage |
1,494 | 1,404 | 6.4 | 1,270 | 10.6 | |||||||||||||||
Other |
300 | 292 | 2.7 | 273 | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Owned hotel revenues |
5,013 | 4,671 | 7.3 | 4,162 | 12.2 | |||||||||||||||
Other revenues |
273 | 253 | 7.9 | 199 | 27.1 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total revenues |
$ | 5,286 | $ | 4,924 | 7.4 | $ | 4,361 | 12.9 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012 Compared to 2011. During 2012, total revenue increased $362 million, or 7.4%, primarily as a result of growth in room revenues, reflecting an increase in RevPAR, and growth in food and beverage revenues. In addition, revenues benefited from the acquisition of one hotel in July 2012 and a full year of operations for 10 hotels acquired in 2011. Revenues for properties sold in 2012 or 2011 have been reclassified to discontinued operations.
Rooms. Room revenues increased $244 million, or 8.2%, to $3,219 million in 2012 due to strong growth in room rates coupled with a growth in occupancy. Comparable hotel RevPAR improved 6.4% as a result of a 3.6% increase in average room rate and a 200 basis point increase in average occupancy. In addition, room revenue for 2012 increased $67 million due to incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels.
Food and beverage. Food and beverage (F&B) revenues increased $90 million, or 6.4%, to $1,494 million in 2012, primarily resulting from an increase in comparable F&B revenue of 3.9%. The increase in comparable F&B revenue was driven by improvements in banquet and audio visual revenues during the first half of the year, while outlet revenue improved in the second half of the year, as new and recently renovated restaurants performed well. In addition, F&B revenues for 2012 increased $31 million due to incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels.
Other revenues from owned hotels. During 2012, other revenues from owned hotels increased $8 million, or 2.7%, to $300 million. The improvement primarily resulted from an increase in operating departments such as garage, spa and golf, partially offset by a decrease in gift shop revenue, as well as $2 million in incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels.
Other revenues. Other revenues increased $20 million, or 7.9%, to $273 million in 2012. The improvement was due to $5 million in retail lease revenue at the New York Marriott Marquis as a result of the new lease agreement with Vornado Realty Trust, as well as an increase of $12 million in revenues for hotels we leased from HPT.
While management evaluates the performance of each individual hotel against its competitive set in a given market, overall we evaluate the portfolio operating results using three different criteria: property type (i.e. urban, suburban, resort/conference or airport), geographic region and mix of business (i.e. transient, group or contract).
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Comparable Hotel Sales by Property Type.
The following table sets forth performance information for our comparable hotels by property type as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:
Comparable Hotels Portfolio by Property Type (a)
As of December 31, 2012 | Year ended December 31, 2012 | Year ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of Properties |
No. of Rooms |
Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Percent Change in RevPAR |
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Urban |
53 | 33,232 | $ | 203.60 | 75.9 | % | $ | 154.58 | $ | 197.61 | 74.0 | % | $ | 146.30 | 5.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Suburban |
27 | 10,321 | 151.90 | 70.0 | 106.34 | 146.16 | 68.1 | 99.59 | 6.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resort/Conference |
12 | 6,083 | 246.68 | 70.0 | 172.74 | 234.20 | 67.9 | 159.09 | 8.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Airport |
11 | 5,168 | 126.41 | 80.0 | 101.09 | 119.95 | 77.2 | 92.62 | 9.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All Types |
103 | 54,804 | 191.15 | 74.5 | 142.48 | 184.52 | 72.5 | 133.87 | 6.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
(a) | For a discussion of the reporting periods for our comparable hotel results, see Comparable Hotel Operating Statistics Reporting Periods. |
During 2012, comparable hotel RevPAR increased across all of our hotel property types. Our Airport properties led the portfolio with a 9.1% increase for the year, driven by an improvement in average room rates of 5.4%, as well as strength at our San Francisco, Chicago, Houston and Tampa airport hotels. Our resort/conference hotels also experienced a significant RevPAR increase of 8.6%, led by our Florida and Hawaii properties. Our urban hotels slightly underperformed the portfolio due to renovation activity during the year and the effects of Hurricane Sandy in the fourth quarter.
Comparable Hotel Sales by Geographic Region.
The following table sets forth performance information for our comparable hotels by geographic region as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:
Comparable Hotels by Region (a)
As of December 31, 2012 | Year ended December 31, 2012 | Year ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of Properties |
No. of Rooms |
Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Percent Change in RevPAR |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacific |
25 | 13,896 | $ | 183.71 | 77.7 | % | $ | 142.68 | $ | 174.10 | 75.2 | % | $ | 130.84 | 9.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
11 | 8,638 | 250.77 | 81.4 | 204.02 | 246.54 | 78.3 | 193.07 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Central |
9 | 5,695 | 149.21 | 71.7 | 106.94 | 147.86 | 68.6 | 101.36 | 5.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D.C. Metro |
12 | 5,416 | 194.18 | 72.5 | 140.86 | 194.48 | 74.0 | 143.90 | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Central |
11 | 4,782 | 158.90 | 72.8 | 115.66 | 152.39 | 71.5 | 108.91 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atlanta |
7 | 3,846 | 160.74 | 68.1 | 109.50 | 157.31 | 65.0 | 102.32 | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida |
8 | 3,680 | 210.74 | 73.6 | 155.16 | 196.88 | 71.7 | 141.11 | 10.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New England |
6 | 3,672 | 189.28 | 74.1 | 140.30 | 174.35 | 72.4 | 126.19 | 11.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain |
7 | 2,885 | 161.01 | 65.5 | 105.42 | 157.90 | 65.0 | 102.59 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada |
3 | 1,219 | 179.54 | 68.3 | 122.68 | 177.23 | 67.5 | 119.66 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America |
4 | 1,075 | 232.18 | 71.2 | 165.21 | 214.79 | 67.8 | 145.69 | 13.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All Regions |
103 | 54,804 | 191.15 | 74.5 | 142.48 | 184.52 | 72.5 | 133.87 | 6.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
(a) | For a discussion of the reporting periods for our comparable hotel results, see Comparable Hotel Operating Statistics Reporting Periods. |
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New England was our top performing region in 2012, with a RevPAR increase of 11.2%. The improvement was due to a RevPAR increase of 11.1% at our Boston properties, due to strong group demand, which resulted in an increase in rate of 8.6% and occupancy of 1.7 percentage points.
The Florida region had an increase in RevPAR of 10.0% due to a strong performance at our resort properties, which benefited from the completion of several renovations, leading to improvements in average room rates of 7.0% and average occupancy of 2.0 percentage points.
RevPAR in our Pacific region increased 9.1% due to strong performance at our Los Angeles and San Francisco hotels, which saw RevPAR growth of 12.3% and 10.4%, respectively. The growth in our Los Angeles hotels resulted in an increase in average room rates of 5.7% and occupancy of 4.9 percentage points, while average room rates and occupancy increased 7.7% and 2.0 percentage points, respectively, at our San Francisco hotels.
The Atlanta region had an increase in RevPAR of 7.0%, resulting from strong transient demand, which led to an increase in average room rates of 2.2% and occupancy of 3.1 percentage points.
The North Central region had an increase in RevPAR of 6.2%, led by our Chicago market, which had strong improvements in both group and transient demand, leading to an 8.8% increase in RevPAR.
The RevPAR growth of 5.7% in our Mid-Atlantic region lagged the portfolio as a whole due to lower levels of demand in our New York market as a result of cancellations related to Hurricane Sandy, including the closure of three hotels, one of which was closed for 15 days. These results were partially offset a by 14.4% RevPAR increase at our Philadelphia hotels, which benefited from significant renovations completed in 2011, as occupancy increased 8.9 percentage points.
RevPAR at our D.C. Metro region declined by 2.1% during the year, as average rate decreased slightly and occupancy decreased 1.5 percentage points. The decline was due to weak transient business, as well as cancellations related to Hurricane Sandy and renovations at three of the hotels.
Hotel Sales by Business Mix. The majority of our customers fall into three broad groups: transient, group and contract business. The information below is derived from business mix data for 103 of our hotels for which 2012 and 2011 comparable hotel information is available from our managers. In 2012, overall transient revenues increased 5.9% when compared to 2011, reflecting a 4.2% improvement in average rate and a 1.6% increase in room nights. During 2012, group revenues increased approximately 6.4% when compared to 2011, reflecting a 2.3% increase in average rate and a 4.1% increase in room nights. The improvement was due to strong performance in both association and corporate business. As of year end, our group business has recovered approximately half of the 19% drop in demand that occurred during the 2008/2009 recession, and our average group rate is 1% below 2007 levels.
2011 Compared to 2010. In 2011, total revenue grew 12.9%, due to strong growth in RevPAR at our properties, as well as the inclusion of operations for 10 hotels acquired in early 2011 and a full year of operations for four hotels acquired in 2010. Revenues for properties sold in 2011 or 2010 have been reclassified to discontinued operations.
Rooms. The increase in room revenue in 2011 reflects our 6.1% improvement in comparable hotel RevPAR, which was driven by the 4.3% increase in average room rates. Rooms revenue increased an additional 8.0% due to incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels.
Food and beverage. The increase in food and beverage revenue reflects an increase of 5.5% at our comparable hotels, with the majority of growth generated from our banquet and audio-visual revenue. Food and beverage revenue increased an additional 5.8% due to incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels.
Other. The increase in other revenues for owned hotels in 2011 primarily is due to incremental revenues from recently acquired hotels. We also began to see improvement in the fourth quarter in spa and golf revenues as group business improved.
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Other revenues. For 2011, the increase primarily was driven by the inclusion of a full year of revenues for the leased HPT hotels, which includes hotel revenues of $214 million, compared to $123 million of hotel revenues and $44 million of rental income recorded in 2010. On July 7, 2010, in connection with the termination of subleases for 71 hotels leased from HPT, we began recording the operations of the hotels instead of rental income. On December 30, 2011, we entered into a settlement with our subtenant related to the termination of the subleases, which resulted in an additional $7 million of income being recorded in 2011 to compensate us for a portion of our losses subsequent to the sublease termination.
Comparable Hotels Portfolio by Property Type (a)
Comparable Hotel Sales by Property Type.
The following table sets forth performance information for our comparable hotels by property type as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:
As of December 31, 2011 | Year ended December 31, 2011 | Year ended December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of Properties |
No. of Rooms |
Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Percent Change in RevPAR |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Urban |
50 | 32,282 | $ | 194.40 | 73.7 | % | $ | 143.33 | $ | 186.87 | 73.2 | % | $ | 136.76 | 4.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Suburban |
28 | 10,564 | 145.56 | 67.9 | 98.77 | 139.45 | 66.0 | 91.98 | 7.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resort/Conference |
13 | 8,082 | 215.19 | 67.5 | 145.24 | 204.83 | 65.3 | 133.76 | 8.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Airport |
13 | 6,275 | 122.85 | 76.6 | 94.09 | 116.03 | 73.9 | 85.73 | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All Types |
104 | 57,203 | 180.32 | 72.1 | 129.97 | 172.95 | 70.8 | 122.47 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(a) | For a discussion of the reporting periods for our comparable hotel results, see Comparable Hotel Operating Statistics Reporting Periods |
During 2011, comparable hotel RevPAR increased across all of our hotel property types. Our airport properties led the portfolio with a 9.7% increase for the year, driven by an improvement in average room rates of 5.9%, as well as strength at our San Francisco airport hotels. Our resort/conference hotels also experienced a significant RevPAR increase of 8.6%, led by our Hawaiian properties. Our urban properties lagged the portfolio as a whole, with a RevPAR increase of 4.8%. Strong performance in our west coast urban markets, particularly San Francisco and San Diego, was offset by renovation disruption at the Sheraton New York Times Square and Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, as well as weak overall demand in our Washington, D.C. and Atlanta hotels. RevPAR improved at our suburban hotels by 7.4% for the year, driven by an increase in rate of 4.4% and an increase in occupancy of 1.9 percentage points.
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Comparable Hotel Sales by Geographic Region.
The following table sets forth performance information for our comparable hotels by geographic region as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:
As of December 31, 2011 | Year ended December 31, 2011 | Year ended December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of Properties |
No. of Rooms |
Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Average Room Rate |
Average Occupancy Percentages |
RevPAR | Percent Change in RevPAR |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pacific |
26 | 14,581 | $ | 172.15 | 75.4 | % | $ | 129.74 | $ | 161.38 | 71.6 | % | $ | 115.55 | 12.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
10 | 8,352 | 241.47 | 77.9 | 188.17 | 225.63 | 79.9 | 180.38 | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Central |
9 | 5,687 | 147.86 | 68.6 | 101.36 | 142.83 | 67.1 | 95.80 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida |
9 | 5,677 | 183.14 | 69.7 | 127.71 | 178.23 | 68.7 | 122.37 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DC Metro |
12 | 5,416 | 194.48 | 74.0 | 143.90 | 191.55 | 74.0 | 141.83 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Central |
10 | 4,358 | 145.00 | 70.6 | 102.33 | 139.68 | 69.0 | 96.39 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New England |
7 | 3,924 | 171.39 | 71.3 | 122.28 | 172.19 | 69.6 | 119.83 | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atlanta |
7 | 3,846 | 157.31 | 65.0 | 102.32 | 156.55 | 64.5 | 101.00 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain |
7 | 2,889 | 157.90 | 65.0 | 102.59 | 149.32 | 63.2 | 94.30 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada |
4 | 1,643 | 168.40 | 66.5 | 112.07 | 154.37 | 68.1 | 105.11 | 6.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America |
3 | 830 | 175.35 | 62.9 | 110.26 | 165.68 | 61.1 | 101.21 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All Regions |
104 | 57,203 | 180.32 | 72.1 | 129.97 | 172.95 | 70.8 | 122.47 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(a) | For a discussion of the reporting periods for our comparable hotel results, see Comparable Hotel Operating Statistics Reporting Periods |
For 2011, comparable hotel RevPAR improved across all of our geographic regions when compared to 2010. Our Pacific region was the top performing region, with a RevPAR increase of 12.3% that was driven by strong group and transient demand in our Hawaiian, San Diego and San Francisco markets.
The 8.8% RevPAR improvement in our Mountain region was driven primarily by strong growth in the Phoenix market, which increased by 13.3% for 2011. The increase in the Phoenix market was a result of strong group demand, aided by the construction of a new ballroom and meeting space at The Westin Kierland in 2010, as well as increases in both group and transient rates.
The North Central region had an increase in RevPAR of 6.2%, led by our Chicago market, which had increases in both transient and group demand, resulting in RevPAR growth of 6.9%.
RevPAR in our South Central region grew 5.8% for the year, driven mainly by our Houston market, which saw strong increases in rate of 5.5% and occupancy of 3.5 percentage points as a result of an increase in retail and corporate transient demand.
Results in our Florida region were mixed. The Miami and Ft. Lauderdale market experienced a 7.3 percentage point improvement in occupancy, primarily due to strong group demand, aided by the renovation of the Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott, which was completed in 2010. RevPAR growth at our Orlando World Center Marriott had an increase of just 1%, due to lower than expected group demand.
The RevPAR growth in our Mid-Atlantic region of 4.3% lagged the portfolio as a whole due to lower levels of rate growth and the effect of new supply in the New York market, as well as significant renovations at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
Our DC Metro and Atlanta regions underperformed the portfolio as a whole, with RevPAR growth of 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively. For our DC Metro market, weak group and transient demand, along with discounted leisure rates, slowed rate growth. Our Atlanta market was affected negatively by the decline in city-wide demand, as well as renovations at the JW Marriott, Buckhead, particularly in the second half of 2011.
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Hotel Sales by Business Mix. The majority of our customers fall into three broad groups: transient, group and contract business. The information below is derived from business mix data for 104 of our hotels for which 2011 and 2010 comparable hotel information is available from our managers. In 2011, overall transient revenues increased 6.9% when compared to 2010, reflecting a 4.6% improvement in average rate and a 2.2% increase in room nights. Average daily rates improved consistently for all transient segments. The improvement in transient demand was driven by increases in special corporate room nights. During 2011, group revenues increased approximately 5.3%. Average daily rates improved 3.4%, reflecting a consistent rate growth for all group customer segments. Overall, group demand improved 1.7% for the year. The improvement was due entirely to an increase in demand in the corporate group segment, as association and other group business declined during 2011.
Property-level Operating Expenses
The following table presents consolidated property-level operating expenses in accordance with GAAP and includes both comparable and non-comparable hotels (in millions, except percentages):
2012 | 2011 | % Change 2011 to 2012 |
2010 | % Change 2010 to 2011 |
||||||||||||||||
Rooms |
$ | 875 | $ | 816 | 7.2 | % | $ | 719 | 13.5 | % | ||||||||||
Food and beverage |
1,105 | 1,044 | 5.8 | 949 | 10.0 | |||||||||||||||
Other departmental and support expenses |
1,282 | 1,240 | 3.4 | 1,131 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||
Management fees |
207 | 187 | 10.7 | 169 | 10.7 | |||||||||||||||
Other property-level expenses |
587 | 564 | 4.1 | 483 | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
751 | 638 | 17.7 | 582 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||
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Total property-level operating expenses |
$ | 4,807 | $ | 4,489 | 7.1 | $ | 4,033 | 11.3 | ||||||||||||
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2012 compared to 2011 and 2011 compared to 2010. Our operating costs and expenses, both of which consist of fixed and variable components, are affected by a number of factors. As previously discussed, room expense is affected mainly by occupancy, which drives costs related to items such as housekeeping, reservation systems, room supplies, laundry services and front desk costs. Food and beverage expense correlates closely with food and beverage revenues, and is affected by occupancy as well as the type of customers staying at the hotel. However, the most significant expense for both room expense and food and beverage expense is related to wages and employee benefits, which comprise approximately 55% of these expenses in any year. Other property-level expenses consist of property taxes, which are highly dependent on local taxing authorities, and property and general liability insurance, and do not necessarily change based on changes in revenues at our hotels. The overall increases in operating expenses in 2012 and 2011 are consistent with higher overall RevPAR and increases in occupancy and rates at our hotels. The year-over-year increases also reflect the incremental expenses from our recently acquired properties. For 2012, the recently acquired properties include the Grand Hyatt Washington that was purchased in July 2012 and a full year of operations for 10 hotels acquired in 2011. The increase in 2011 compared to 2010 reflects the inclusion of the 2011 acquisitions, as well as a full year of operations for four hotels acquired in 2010. Property-level operating expenses for hotels sold during the periods presented have been reclassified as discontinued operations.
Rooms. Room expenses increased $59 million to $875 million during 2012, reflecting an increase of 5.5% at our comparable hotels. The increase at our comparable hotels is a result of higher occupancy, as well as higher wage rates and benefits. Room expenses for 2012 also increased an incremental $19 million as a result of recently acquired hotels. The increase in room expenses for 2011 was consistent with the overall increase in occupancy during the year and higher wage costs, combined with an incremental $59 million as a result of recently acquired hotels.
Food and beverage. F&B expenses increased $61 million to $1,105 million during 2012. The increase was a result of a 3.6% increase at our comparable hotels, reflecting higher wages and benefits, partially offset by a slight improvement in productivity. Overall, the cost increase is in-line with the increase in comparable F&B revenues. Growth in the food and beverage department for the second half of the year was driven largely by improvements at our outlets, which generally have a lower overall operating margin than banquet revenues. F&B expenses for 2012 also increased an incremental $21 million as a result of recently acquired hotels. The increase in F&B costs for 2011 reflect an increase in F&B revenues, partially offset by an increase in productivity, combined with an incremental $54 million as a result of recently acquired hotels.
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Other departmental and support expenses. Other departmental and support expenses increased $42 million to $1,282 million. The increase was driven primarily by higher sales and marketing expenses, which are variable and dependent upon revenues, such as loyalty rewards expense and national sales allocations. These increases partially were offset by lower centralized accounting charges and lower utility rates and consumption. Recently acquired hotels also increased other departmental and support expenses by an incremental $24 million in 2012. The increase in other departmental and support costs in 2011 resulted from an incremental $67 million from recently acquired hotels, as well as an increase in sales and marketing and administrative expenses.
Management fees. Management fees, which generally are calculated as a percentage of revenues and operating profit, increased 10.7% to $207 million for 2012, which is consistent with our overall improvement in revenues and operating profits. Our management fees include $4 million of incremental costs from recently acquired hotels for 2012. Base management fees, which generally are calculated as a percentage of total revenues, increased $10 million in 2012. Incentive management fees, which generally are calculated based on operating profit after a preferred return, increased $12 million for the year. Management fees increased $18 million for 2011, including $10 million of incremental costs from hotels acquired in 2011. Base management fees and incentive management fees increased $14 million and $5 million, respectively, for 2011.
Other property-level expenses. These expenses generally do not vary significantly based on occupancy and include expenses such as property taxes and insurance. Other property-level expenses increased $23 million, or 4.1%, due mainly to increases in property taxes and expenses related to hotels leased from HPT, as well as the inclusion of expenses from recently acquired hotels. The increase in other property-level expenses for 2011 was driven mainly by the inclusion of expenses related to hotels leased from HPT.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $113 million, or 17.7%, to $751 million in 2012, which includes a $60 million non-cash impairment charge related to The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa. The changes in 2012 and 2011 also reflect the inclusion of depreciation expense for newly acquired properties and recent capital expenditures.
Other Income and Expense
Corporate and other expenses. Corporate and other expenses primarily consist of employee salaries and bonuses and other costs, such as employee stock-based compensation expense, travel, corporate insurance, legal fees, acquisition-related costs, audit fees, building rent and systems costs. Corporate expenses decreased approximately $4 million in 2012. Corporate expenses in 2011 include a charge of $15 million related to the forfeited deposit for the Grand Hyatt Washington transaction. During 2012, this was partially offset by increases in acquisition and compensation expenses.
Corporate expenses increased approximately $3 million in 2011 compared to 2010 due to the $15 million loss described above and the accrual of $5 million of additional litigation costs, which largely was offset by a decline in employee stock compensation. The stock-based compensation is based on employee performance, as well as Host Inc.s stockholder return relative to other REITs and to other lodging companies and will vary significantly due to fluctuations in Host Inc.s stock price.
Gain on insurance settlements. We recorded gains of $9 million and $2 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the receipt of business interruption insurance proceeds for two properties in Christchurch, New Zealand, both of which were affected by an earthquake in February 2011 and one of which remains closed. In 2012, we also recorded a gain of $2 million related to property insurance for two hotels in Chile, both of which were affected by an earthquake in February 2010. For further information on our insurance settlements, see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Settlements Gain on Insurance Settlements.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased $2 million in 2012. The increase is due primarily to an increase in costs associated with debt extinguishments (including prepayment premiums, the acceleration of deferred financing
58
costs and incremental interest), totaling $35 million in 2012, compared to $10 million in 2011. After adjusting for debt extinguishment costs, interest expense declined $23 million in 2012, reflecting the lower weighted average interest rate and overall debt balance. In addition, savings from our fixed-to-floating interest rate swap reduced interest expense by $6 million for each of 2012, 2011 and 2010.
The decrease in interest expense during 2011 is due primarily to a decrease in costs associated with debt extinguishments (including prepayment premiums, the acceleration of deferred financing costs and incremental interest), which totaled $10 million in 2011, compared to $26 million in 2010. After adjusting for debt extinguishment costs, interest expense was comparable to 2010 levels.
Interest Income. Interest income in 2012 and 2011 primarily represents amounts earned on our mortgage loan investment associated with the portfolio of five hotels acquired by the Euro JV. Interest income related to the mortgage was $20 million, $17 million and $4 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Due to the maturity of the mortgage loan in 2012, we expect interest income to significantly decline in 2013.
Net Gains on Property Transactions and Other. Net gains on property transactions and other increased in 2012 due to the $8 million gain related to the sale of land to the Maui JV, compared to a $2 million gain recorded in 2011 for the transfer of the Le Méridien Piccadilly to the Euro JV.
Benefit (provision) for Income Taxes. We lease substantially all of our properties to consolidated subsidiaries designated as TRS for federal income tax purposes. The difference between hotel-level operating cash flow and the aggregate rent paid to Host L.P. by the TRS represents taxable income or loss, on which we record an income tax provision or benefit. The increase in the tax provision in each of 2012 and 2011 reflects year-over-year improvements in property operations recognized by our TRS, as well as increases in foreign taxes in 2012.
Discontinued Operations. Discontinued operations consist of three hotels disposed of in 2012, one hotel disposed of in 2011, and two hotels disposed of in 2010 and represent the results of operations and the gains or losses on the disposition of these hotels during the indicated periods. The following table summarizes the revenues, income (loss) before taxes, and the gain (loss) on dispositions, net of tax, of the hotels which have been reclassified to discontinued operations, which includes assets held for sale and the results of sold hotels prior to their disposition for the periods presented (in millions):
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 37 | $ | 79 | $ | 81 | ||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
2 | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | |||||||
Gain (loss) on dispositions, net of tax |
48 | | (2 | ) |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Capital Resources of Host Inc. and Host L.P. The liquidity and capital resources of Host Inc. and Host L.P. are derived primarily from the activities of Host L.P., which generates the capital required by our business from hotel operations, the incurrence of debt and the issuance of OP units. Host Inc.s only material asset is the ownership of partnership interests of Host L.P.; therefore, its financing and investing activities are conducted through Host L.P., except for the issuance of its common and preferred stock. Proceeds from stock issuances by Host Inc. are contributed to Host L.P. in exchange for OP units. Additionally, funds used by Host Inc. to pay dividends or to repurchase stock are provided by Host L.P. Therefore, while we have noted those areas in which it is important to distinguish between Host Inc. and Host L.P., we have not included a separate discussion of the liquidity and capital resources as the discussion applies to both Host Inc. and Host L.P.
Overview. We look to maintain a capital structure and liquidity profile with an appropriate balance of cash, debt and equity in order to provide financial flexibility, given the inherent volatility in the lodging industry. As operations have improved, we have maintained our focus on strategically decreasing our debt-to-equity ratio through (i) acquisitions and other investments, the majority of which were completed with available cash and proceeds from equity issuances and (ii) the repayment and refinancing of senior notes and mortgage debt to extend maturity dates and lower interest rates.
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We have structured our debt profile to maintain a balanced maturity schedule and minimize the number of assets that are encumbered by mortgage debt. We have access to multiple types of financing as over 80% of our debt consists of senior notes, exchangeable debentures and borrowings under our credit facility, all of which are not collateralized by specific hotel properties. During 2012, we took advantage of lower interest rates to issue new debt and used the proceeds to repay near-term maturities, resulting in the issuance of approximately $1.5 billion of debt that was used to fund the repayment or redemption of approximately $1.8 billion of senior notes and exchangeable debentures and $113 million of mortgage debt. As of December 31, 2012, our weighted average interest rate was 5.4% with a weighted average maturity of 5.1 years with our near-term maturities representing approximately 5% of our total debt ($277 million of mortgage debt). Additionally, only 14 of our consolidated hotels were encumbered by mortgage debt.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity and access to the capital markets to take advantage of opportunities to enhance our portfolio, withstand declines in operating cash flow, pay near-term debt maturities and fund our capital expenditures programs. As of December 31, 2012, we have approximately $417 million of cash and cash equivalents and $737 million of available capacity under our credit facility. We may continue to access the capital markets if favorable conditions exist in order to further enhance our liquidity and to fund cash needs. The table below details our significant cash flows for the three years ended December 31 (in millions):
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
$ | 826 | $ | 1,113 | $ | 1,642 | ||||||
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(409 | ) | (287 | ) | (529 | ) | ||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ | 417 | $ | 826 | $ | 1,113 | ||||||
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Operating activities |
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Cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 782 | $ | 661 | $ | 520 | ||||||
Investing activities |
||||||||||||
Acquisitions and investments |
(579 | ) | (1,096 | ) | (434 | ) | ||||||
Dispositions and return of capital from investments |
296 | 47 | 29 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(638 | ) | (542 | ) | (309 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities |
||||||||||||
Issuances of senior notes |
800 | 796 | 500 | |||||||||
Issuances of mortgage debt |
100 | 159 | | |||||||||
Issuance of credit facility term loan |
500 | | | |||||||||
Net draws (repayments) on credit facility revolver |
142 | 63 | 56 | |||||||||
Repurchase of senior notes, including exchangeable debentures |
(1,795 | ) | (404 | ) | (821 | ) | ||||||
Mortgage debt prepayments and scheduled maturities |
(113 | ) | (210 | ) | (364 | ) | ||||||
Host Inc.: |
||||||||||||
Common stock issuances |
274 | 323 | 406 | |||||||||
Redemption of preferred stock |
| | (101 | ) | ||||||||
Dividends on common stock |
(187 | ) | (70 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||
Host L.P.: |
||||||||||||
Common OP unit issuance |
274 | 323 | 406 | |||||||||
Redemption of preferred units |
| | (101 | ) | ||||||||
Distributions on common OP units |
(190 | ) | (71 | ) | (20 | ) |
Cash Requirements. We use cash for acquisitions, capital expenditures, debt payments, operating costs, corporate and other expenses, as well as dividends and distributions to stockholders and unitholders. As a REIT, Host Inc. is required to distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gain, on an annual basis. Funds used by Host Inc. to make cash distributions are provided by Host L.P. Our primary sources of cash are cash from operations, proceeds from the sale of assets, borrowings under our credit facility and debt and equity issuances.
For 2013, our debt maturities consist of a $246 million mortgage on the Orlando World Center Marriott and a $31 million mortgage on the Westin Denver Downtown. The mortgage on the Westin Denver Downtown is due in 2023; however, we intend to repay the loan in December 2013 without penalty as the related interest expense and principal amortization are scheduled to significantly increase at that time. We also have $642 million of debt maturing in 2014, which includes $175 million of exchangeable debentures, subject to a put option by holders in that year. For more information on debt maturities for later years See Financial Condition.
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Capital Resources. We depend primarily on external sources of capital to finance future growth, including acquisitions. As a result, the liquidity and debt capacity provided by our credit facility and the ability to issue senior unsecured debt are key components of our capital structure. Our financial flexibility (including our ability to incur debt, make distributions and make investments) is contingent on our ability to maintain compliance with the financial covenants, which include, among other things, the allowable amounts of leverage, interest coverage and fixed charges. During 2011 and 2012, we decreased our near-term debt maturities, expanded our borrowing capacity under our senior revolving credit facility and maintained compliance with our senior note and credit facility covenants.
On April 24, 2012, Host Inc. entered into Sales Agency Financing Agreements with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., through which Host Inc. may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $400 million. The agreements followed the completion of $400 million of sales under a similar agreement with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, Inc., that was entered into in 2011. The sales will be made in at the market offerings under SEC rules, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange. Host Inc. is not under an obligation to sell any shares. BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. are acting as sales agents. During 2012, we issued 17.5 million shares through these programs at an average price of $15.67 per share, for net proceeds of $271 million. As of December 31, 2012, we have $300 million of capacity remaining under the 2012 program.
If, at any time, we determine that market conditions are favorable, after taking into account our liquidity requirements, we may seek to issue and sell shares of Host Inc. common stock in registered public offerings, including through sales directly on the New York Stock Exchange under our existing or a future at the market offering program, or to issue and sell shares of Host Inc. preferred stock. We also may seek to cause Host L.P. to issue debentures exchangeable for shares of Host Inc. common stock or senior notes. Given our total debt level and maturity schedule, we will continue to redeem or refinance senior notes and mortgage debt from time to time, taking advantage of favorable market conditions. In February of 2013, Host Inc.s Board of Directors authorized repurchases up to $500 million of senior notes, exchangeable debentures and mortgage debt (other than in accordance with its terms). Separately, the Board of Directors authorized redemptions and repurchases of all or a portion of $175 million principal amount of our 3 1/4% exchangeable debentures. Any redemption of the 3 1/4% exchangeable debentures will not reduce the $500 million of Board authority noted above to repurchase other debt securities. We may purchase senior notes and exchangeable debentures for cash through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, a tender offer or, in some cases, through the early redemption of such securities pursuant to their terms. Repurchases of debt will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Any refinancing or retirement before the maturity date would affect earnings and FFO per diluted share as a result of the payment of any applicable call premiums and the acceleration of previously deferred financing costs. Accordingly, in light of our priorities in managing our capital structure and liquidity profile and given prevailing conditions and relative pricing in the capital markets, we may, at any time, subject to applicable securities laws, be considering, or be in discussions with respect to, the purchase or sale of common stock, exchangeable debentures and/or senior notes. Any such transactions may, subject to applicable securities laws, occur simultaneously.
We continue actively to explore potential acquisitions and anticipate that any such future acquisitions will be funded primarily by proceeds from sales of properties, but also potentially from equity offerings of Host Inc., or by issuances of OP Units by Host LP, the incurrence of debt, available cash or advances under our credit facility. Given the nature of these transactions, we can make no assurances that we will be successful in acquiring any one or more hotels that we may review, bid on or negotiate to purchase. We may acquire additional properties through various structures, including transactions involving single assets, portfolios, joint ventures and acquisitions of the securities or assets of other REITs.
Counterparty Credit Risk. We are subject to counterparty credit risk, which relates to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations or the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver contracted commodities or services at the contracted price. We assess the ability of our counterparties to fulfill their obligation to determine the impact, if any, of counterparty bankruptcy or insolvency on our financial
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condition. We are exposed to credit risk with respect to cash held at various financial institutions, access to our credit facility and amounts due or payable under our derivative contracts. Our credit exposure in each of these cases is limited. Our exposure with regard to our cash and the $737 million available under our credit facility is mitigated, as the credit risk is spread among a diversified group of investment grade financial institutions. At December 31, 2012, the exposure risk related to our derivative contracts totaled $14 million and the counterparties were investment grade financial institutions.
Sources and Uses of Cash. Our sources of cash include cash from operations, proceeds from debt and equity issuances and proceeds from asset sales. Uses of cash during the year consisted of acquisitions, investments in our joint ventures, capital expenditures, operating costs, debt repayments and repurchases and distributions to equity holders. We anticipate that our sources and uses of cash will be similar during 2013.
Cash Provided by Operations. Our cash provided by operations for 2012 increased $121 million to $782 million compared to 2011, primarily due to improved operating profit at our hotels.
Cash Used in Investing Activities. Approximately $886 million of cash was used in investing activities during 2012 compared to $1,576 million in 2011. In addition to the acquisition, investment and disposition activity detailed in the charts below, we spent approximately $638 million on capital expenditures, an increase of $96 million from 2011. Our renewal and replacement capital expenditures for 2012 were approximately $366 million, which reflects an increase of approximately 12% from 2011 levels. Our renewal and replacement capital expenditures generally are funded by the furniture, fixture and equipment funds established at certain of our hotels (typically 5% of property revenues) and by our available cash. We also spent approximately $272 million in 2012 on ROI/redevelopment projects, which reflects an increase of approximately 27% compared to 2011 levels. Capital expenditures have totaled approximately $2.5 billion over the past five years. As a result, we believe that our properties are in a strong competitive position relative to their market competitors.
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The following table summarizes significant investment activities and dispositions that have been completed as of February 25, 2013 (in millions):
Transaction Date |
Description of Transaction |
Cash Paid | Hosts Investment |
|||||||||
Investments/Acquisitions |
| |||||||||||
November |
2012 | Investment in Euro JV acquisition of portfolio of five hotels |
$ | (90 | ) | $ | (90 | ) | ||||
November |
2012 | Investment in Maui JV (1) |
| (32 | ) | |||||||
July |
2012 | Investment in Euro JV acquisition of Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg |
(13 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||
July |
2012 | Acquisition of Grand Hyatt Washington (2) |
(417 | ) | (417 | ) | ||||||
June July |
2012 | Acquisition of land and development costs for two hotels in Rio de Janeiro |
(26 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||||
May December |
2012 | Investment in the Hyatt Place, Nashville joint venture |
(5 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||
March |
2012 | Investment in the Asia/Pacific joint venture Citigate Perth acquisition |
(11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||
September |
2011 | Acquisition of the remaining 51% of Tiburon Golf Ventures |
(11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||
June December |
2011 | Investment in the Asia/Pacific JV |
(19 | ) | (19 | ) | ||||||
September |
2011 | Investment in Euro JV Pullman Bercy, Paris acquisition |
(20 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||
June |
2011 | Initial investment in Euro JV transfer of the Le Méridien Piccadilly (3) |
| (19 | ) | |||||||
April |
2011 | Acquisition of a 75% controlling interest in the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf (4) |
(48 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||||
March |
2011 | Acquisition of the New York Helmsley Hotel |
(314 | ) | (314 | ) | ||||||
March |
2011 | Acquisition of the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (5) |
(566 | ) | (572 | ) | ||||||
February |
2011 | Acquisition of the New Zealand portfolio |
(145 | ) | (145 | ) | ||||||
January December |
2011 | Investment in Euro JV |
(11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total acquisitions |
$ | (1,696 | ) | $ | (1,819 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Transaction Date |
Description of Transaction |
Sales Price |
||||||
Dispositions |
||||||||
January |
2013 | Disposition of Atlanta Marriott Marquis (6) |
$ | 293 | ||||
December |
2012 | Deferred proceeds related to sale of the Hospitality Trust Properties (HPT) properties |
51 | |||||
November |
2012 | Proceeds from repayment of a mortgage loan held on the portfolio of hotels acquired by the Euro JV |
80 | |||||
November |
2012 | Proceeds from transfer of land to Maui JV (1) |
12 | |||||
November |
2012 | Disposition of Toronto Airport Marriott (7) |
32 | |||||
August |
2012 | Disposition of Hartford Marriott Rocky Hill (8) |
7 | |||||
March |
2012 | Disposition of San Francisco Airport Marriott (9) |
113 | |||||
August |
2011 | Disposition of South Bend Marriott |
6 | |||||
June |
2011 | Proceeds from transfer of Le Méridien Piccadilly (3) |
40 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Total dispositions |
$ | 634 | ||||||
|
|
(1) | Includes $24 million for the fair value of the land transferred to the Maui JV as well as our portion of the pre-formation expenditures of $8 million. |
(2) | This hotel was purchased for a price of $400 million, plus approximately $9 million for the settlement of a derivative liability and for other related assets and the acquisition of the FF&E replacement fund for $6 million and $2 million of working capital. |
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(3) | Our initial investment in the Euro JV Fund II was funded in conjunction with the transfer of the Le Méridien Piccadilly. We received cash proceeds of $40 million and recorded $19 million for the fair value of the asset transferred. |
(4) | The investment amount represents the combination of our 75% voting interest and our 12% preferred interest in the joint venture that indirectly owns the hotel. |
(5) | Includes the $19 million we paid for the FF&E replacement fund. Additionally, $6 million of the acquisition was funded through the issuance of common OP units by Host L.P. |
(6) | Proceeds were $276 million, net of $17 million for the FF&E replacement fund paid by the purchaser. |
(7) | Proceeds were $30 million, net of $2 million for the FF&E replacement fund paid by the purchaser. |
(8) | Proceeds were $5 million, net of $2 million for the FF&E replacement fund paid by the purchaser. |
(9) | Proceeds were $108 million, net of $5 million for the FF&E replacement fund paid by the purchaser. |
Cash Provided by/Used in Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $305 million for 2012, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $628 million in 2011. During 2012, cash used consisted of debt repayments or repurchases of approximately $1.9 billion, while we received proceeds of approximately $1.8 billion through the issuance of debt and equity securities.
The following table summarizes significant debt issuances and assumptions, net of deferred financing costs, that have been completed as of December 31, 2012 (in millions):
Transaction Date |
Description of Transaction |
Net Proceeds | ||||||
Debt Issuances |
| |||||||
February December |
2012 | Net draw on credit facility |
$ | 142 | ||||
August |
2012 | Proceeds from the issuance of $450 million 4 3/4% Series C senior notes |
443 | |||||
July |
2012 | Borrowing of $500 million Term Loan |
498 | |||||
June |
2012 | Proceeds from the issuance of a mortgage loan secured by the Hyatt Regency Reston |
98 | |||||
March |
2012 | Proceeds from the issuance of $350 million 5 1/4% Series B senior notes |
344 | |||||
November |
2011 | Proceeds from the issuance of $300 million 6% Series Z senior notes |
295 | |||||
November |
2011 | Issuance of mortgage debt on the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf |
79 | |||||
May |
2011 | Proceeds from the issuance of $500 million 5 7/8% Series X senior notes |
489 | |||||
April |
2011 | Draw on credit facility to acquire Hilton Melbourne South Wharf (1) |
50 | |||||
March |
2011 | Draw on credit facility for the repayment of the mortgage debt secured by our four Canadian properties |
103 | |||||
February |
2011 | Issuance of mortgage debt on our portfolio of hotels in New Zealand |
80 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 2,621 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Debt Assumptions |
| |||||||
April |
2011 | Assumption of mortgage debt on the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf (1) |
$ | 86 | ||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 86 | ||||||
|
|
(1) | These amounts were refinanced or repaid during 2011. |
64
The following table presents significant debt repayments, including prepayment premiums, that have been completed as of December 31, 2012 (in millions):
Transaction Date |
Description of Transaction |
Transaction Amount |
||||||||
Cash Repayments |
| |||||||||
December |
2012 | Redemption of $100 million of 6 3/4% Series Q senior notes |
$ | (102 | ) | |||||
October |
2012 | Redemption of the remaining 2007 Debentures |
(2 | ) | ||||||
September |
2012 | Redemption of $150 million of 6 |