LaSalle Hotel Properties Reports Second Quarter Results

LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO) today reported net income to common shareholders of $8.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to net income of $20.5 million, or $0.51 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company generated funds from operations ("FFO”) of $35.6 million versus $47.4 million for the second quarter of 2008. On a per diluted share basis, FFO for the second quarter was $0.70, compared to $1.18 for the same period of 2008.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, net income and FFO included $5.7 million of after-tax income related to the recognition of prior termination cure payments from the previous manager of the Company’s Seaview Resort and a $1.0 million fee for exchanging 2,348,888 7.25% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest for 2,348,888 7.25% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (the "Preferred Share Exchange”).

The Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA”) for the second quarter of 2009 were $59.5 million as compared to $70.5 million for the second quarter of 2008. For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, EBITDA included $9.5 million of pre-tax income related to the recognition of prior termination cure payments and the $1.0 million fee related to the Preferred Share Exchange.

Room revenue per available room ("RevPAR”) in the second quarter of 2009 was $134.15, which was a decrease of 22.6 percent compared to the same period of 2008. Average daily rate ("ADR”) declined 16.0 percent from the second quarter of 2008 to $179.70, while occupancy fell 7.9 percent to 74.7 percent.

"During the second quarter, the U.S. lodging industry continued to be challenged by a very difficult economic environment, though we are seeing signs of stabilization in both demand and RevPAR declines on a year over year basis,” said Jon Bortz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Hotel Properties. "In light of the substantial reductions in revenues so far this year, our team and our operators continue to develop and implement cost saving measures. These efforts have significantly mitigated EBITDA margin erosion for the portfolio during the second quarter and the year to date.”

The Company’s hotels generated $52.2 million of EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 compared with $72.6 million for the same period of 2008. Hotel revenues declined 20.2 percent while hotel expenses were reduced by 15.8 percent. As a result, hotel EBITDA margins for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 were limited to a decline of 352 basis points compared to the same period last year.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had total outstanding debt of $686.2 million including the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility balance of $18.3 million. Total debt to trailing 12 month Corporate EBITDA (as defined in the Company’s senior unsecured credit facility) equaled 3.6 times as of June 30, 2009. For the quarter, the Company’s weighted average interest rate was 4.4 percent. As of June 30, 2009, based on the Company’s covenants under its senior unsecured credit facility, the Company’s EBITDA to interest coverage ratio was 4.2 times and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.2 times. At the end of the second quarter, the Company had $15.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet and an aggregate of $444.0 million available on its credit facilities.

"Our balance sheet has been strengthened significantly by the equity issuances which took place in the quarter,” stated Hans Weger, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. "We have no debt maturities in 2009 and only $33.0 million of non-extendable maturities between now and the end of 2011.”

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company reported a net loss to common shareholders of $10.7 million compared to net income of $5.7 million for the same period of 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, FFO was $44.2 million, or $0.96 per diluted share compared to $57.2 million, or $1.43 per diluted share for the same period of 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net income and FFO included $5.7 million of after-tax income related to the recognition of prior termination cure payments from the previous manager of the Company’s Seaview Resort and the $1.0 million fee related to the Preferred Share Exchange.

EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2009 decreased to $80.8 million from $95.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, EBITDA included $9.5 million of pre-tax income related to the recognition of prior termination cure payments and the $1.0 million fee related to the Preferred Share Exchange.

RevPAR decreased 18.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2009 to $119.42 versus the same prior year period. ADR declined 11.8 percent from the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $176.41, while occupancy fell 7.3 percent to 67.7 percent during the same period.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company’s hotels generated $75.8 million of EBITDA compared with $100.8 million for the same period last year. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, hotel revenues declined 15.8 percent, while hotel expenses were reduced by 11.9 percent. As a result, the decrease in Hotel EBITDA margins across the Company’s portfolio was limited to 320 basis points compared to the same period last year.

Second Quarter Highlights

On April 16, 2009, the Preferred Share Exchange was completed between the Company and SCG Hotel DLP, L.P. The Company received a one-time payment of $1.0 million related to the exchange.

In April, the Company, in an underwritten public offering, sold a total of 12,362,500 common shares including the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option resulting in net proceeds of $119.3 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to reduce the outstanding balance on the Company’s credit facilities and for general corporate purposes.

On May 8, 2009, Marriott International, Inc. ceased to operate the Company’s Seaview Resort due to the termination of their agreement. In conjunction with the termination of the management agreement, the Company recognized approximately $9.5 million in prior termination cure payments as income. The Company retained Dolce Hotels and Resorts to manage the hotel facilities and Troon Golf to manage the golf facilities.

On June 1, 2009, the Company retired, without penalty, the $30.9 million outstanding mortgage principal balance on the Hilton Alexandria Old Town with funds drawn from the senior unsecured credit facility.

In June, the Company, in an underwritten public offering, sold a total of 10,000,000 common shares resulting in net proceeds of $141.0 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to reduce the outstanding balance on the Company’s credit facilities and for general corporate purposes.

On June 15, 2009, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per common share for the second quarter of 2009. The second quarter dividend was paid on July 15, 2009 to common shareholders of record on June 30, 2009.

2009 Outlook

Due to uncertain general economic conditions and the lack of visibility related to the economy, travel industry and our business, the Company remains unable to provide a full outlook for 2009 at this time. However, the Company expects the year to continue to be difficult and forecasts the following for 2009:

• Average outstanding fully diluted shares of 54.6 million;
• Interest expense of $38.0 million to $39.0 million including $1.0 million in amortization of deferred financing costs ($38.6 million to $39.6 million excluding the effect of $0.6 million of capitalized interest);
• Preferred dividends of $26.4 million and preferred unit distributions of $0.4 million; and
• General and administrative expenses of $18.0 to $18.5 million, including $7.3 million of non-cash expense related to equity compensation.

Earnings Call

The Company will conduct its quarterly conference call on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 9:00 AM EDT. To participate in the conference call, please dial (888) 466-4587. Additionally, a live webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company’s website. To access, log on to http://www.lasallehotels.com. A replay of the conference call will be archived and available online through the Investor Relations section of http://www.lasallehotels.com.

LaSalle Hotel Properties is a leading multi-operator real estate investment trust owning 31 upscale full-service hotels, totaling approximately 8,500 guest rooms in 14 markets in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The Company focuses on owning, redeveloping and repositioning upscale full-service hotels located in urban, resort and convention markets. LaSalle Hotel Properties seeks to grow through strategic relationships with premier lodging companies, including Westin Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Hilton Hotels Corporation, Outrigger Lodging Services, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Benchmark Hospitality, White Lodging Services Corporation, Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, LLC, Thompson Hotels, Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, Davidson Hotel Company, Denihan Hospitality Group, Dolce Hotels and Resorts and the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC.

This press release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about stabilization of demand trends, debt maturities, diluted shares outstanding, interest expense, preferred dividends and distributions and general and administrative expenses. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, (i) the Company’s dependence on third-party managers of its hotels, including its inability to implement strategic business decisions directly, (ii) risks associated with the hotel industry, including competition, increases in wages, energy costs and other operating costs, actual or threatened terrorist attacks, downturns in general and local economic conditions and cancellation of or delays in the completion of anticipated demand generators, (iii) the availability and terms of financing and capital and the general volatility of securities markets, (iv) risks associated with the real estate industry, including environmental contamination and costs of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws, (v) interest rate increases, (vi) the possible failure of the Company to qualify as a REIT and the risk of changes in laws affecting REITs, (vii) the possibility of uninsured losses, (viii) risks associated with redevelopment and repositioning projects, including delays and cost overruns and (ix) the risk factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as updated in its Quarterly Reports. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

For additional information or to receive press releases via e-mail, please visit our website at www.lasallehotels.com

With respect to Hotel EBITDA, the Company believes that excluding the effect of corporate-level expenses, non-cash items, and the portion of these items related to unconsolidated entities, provides a more complete understanding of the operating results over which individual hotels and operators have direct control. We believe property-level results provide investors with supplemental information on the ongoing operational performance of our hotels and effectiveness of the third-party management companies operating our business on a property-level basis.

Hotel EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 includes the operating data for all properties leased to LHL and to third parties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, all properties were leased to LHL. Hotel EBITDA includes adjustments made for periods when hotels were closed for renovations for presentation of comparable information.