Strategic Hotel Capital, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2004 Financial Results

CHICAGO, Strategic Hotel Capital, Inc. (NYSE:SLH) today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004.

                                Highlights

   -- Increase of 5.8 percent in 4Q04 North American same store RevPAR,
      driven by a 4.7 percent increase in ADR and 1.1 percent increase in
      occupancy over the comparable period in 2003.

   -- Increase of 4.7 percent in FY04 North American same store RevPAR,
      resulting from a 1.5 percent increase in ADR and 3.2 percent increase
      in occupancy.

   -- 6.4 percent increase in 4Q04 North American same store property EBITDA
      to $21.5 million from $20.2 million in 4Q03.

   -- 4Q04 North American same store property EBITDA margins improved to
      23.6 percent from 22.8 percent in the comparable period in 2003.

   -- Subsequent to year-end 2004, agreement signed to acquire an 85 percent
      controlling interest in InterContinental hotels in Chicago and Miami
      with an agreed upon aggregate value of $303.5 million.


For the fourth quarter the company recorded net loss of $(9.4) million or $(0.24) per share on a fully converted basis, Adjusted EBITDA of $7.5 million, and FFO of $(1.9) million or $(0.05) per share on a fully converted basis. Excluding an impairment loss of $12.7 million, representing $(0.32) per fully converted share, net income per share on a fully converted basis was $0.08 and FFO per share on a fully converted basis was $0.27. "Fully converted" per share results represent net income and funds from operations before minority interest adjustments, divided by the total number of shares, operating partnership units convertible into shares and restricted stock units. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the company recorded a net income of $13.3 million or $0.33 per share on a fully converted basis, Adjusted EBITDA of $141.3 million, and FFO of $(0.3) million or $(0.01) per share on a fully converted basis. Excluding the impairment charge of $12.7 million, net income per share on a fully converted basis for the year was $0.65 and FFO per share on a fully converted basis for the year was $0.31. Due to the company's restructuring at its IPO, fiscal year and year-over-year comparisons are not representative of performance. "Same store" hotel comparisons are derived from SLH's portfolio at December 31, 2004, excluding the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, which was acquired in August 2004, eliminating the effects of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans lease that was in existence prior to the IPO, and excluding the seven properties that were distributed as part of the IPO. Property EBITDA reflects property net operating income plus depreciation and amortization. Laurence Geller, chief executive officer of Strategic Hotel Capital, commented, "Our decision to become a public company coincided with a fundamental improvement in the lodging industry. Given our strong portfolio, we feel we are well positioned to benefit from this recovery. We anticipate a continuation in the sector trends of increasing RevPAR and demand outpacing supply, particularly as they pertain to our focus on luxury urban and resort hotels. The healthy acquisition pipeline has presented us with solid opportunities and we look forward to capitalizing on these given our unique asset management strategies. The recent addition of Jim Mead to our management team provides us with the focus on a disciplined capital structure that completes our business model." Portfolio Update For the North American hotels, same store RevPAR for the fourth quarter increased 5.8 percent over the prior period in 2003, to $101.66 from $96.06. Full year 2004 North American same store RevPAR increased 4.7 percent to $105.86, driven by a 1.5 percent increase in ADR and 3.2 percent increase in occupancy. North American same store Total RevPAR, which includes revenues from food and beverage and other sources in addition to rooms, increased 3.0 percent to $185.31 for the fourth quarter and increased 2.7 percent to $186.03 for the full year 2004. For the European hotels, same store RevPAR for the fourth quarter increased 11.1 percent over the fourth quarter of 2003, due to a 9.6 percent increase in ADR and a 1.4 percent increase in occupancy. For the full year 2004, same store RevPAR for the European hotels increased 11.7 percent over 2003, with an ADR increase of 6.9 percent and a 4.4 percent increase in occupancy. Operating results were positively impacted by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. European hotels contributed approximately $0.1 million to Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2004. Acquisition Update As previously announced, the company has signed an agreement to acquire an 85 percent controlling interest in the InterContinental hotels in Chicago and Miami with an agreed upon aggregate value of $303.5 million. The acquisition is anticipated to close in April 2005. 2005 Outlook The company also announced initial earnings guidance for 2005. Management anticipates that for the full year 2005 Adjusted EBITDA will be in the range of $108.3 million to $113.3 million, net income (loss) will be in the range of $(1.9) million to $2.1 million, and FFO per share on a fully converted basis will be in the range of $1.35 to $1.45. The company expects North American same store RevPAR growth in the range of 4.0 percent to 5.0 percent. North American same store Total RevPAR is expected to increase between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent. The following tables reconcile projected 2005 net income to projected FFO and Adjusted EBITDA.
                                                       Low Range  High Range
                                                           (in millions)

   Net (loss) income                                    $(1.9)         $2.1
   Depreciation and amortization                         57.2          57.2
   Realized portion of deferred gain on sale leasebacks  (4.5)         (4.5)
   Deferred tax on realized portion of deferred gain      1.3           1.3
   Minority interest                                      0.9           1.9
   Adjustments from unconsolidated affiliates             3.0           3.0
   Funds from Operations (FFO)                           56.0          61.0
   FFO per Share (Fully converted)                      $1.35         $1.45



                                                      Low Range   High Range
                                                          (in millions)

   Net (loss) income                                    $(1.9)        $2.1
   Depreciation and amortization                         57.2         57.2
   Interest expense                                      41.2         41.2
   Equity capital costs                                   4.8          4.8
   Income taxes                                           4.6          4.6
   Minority interest                                      0.9          1.9
   Adjustments from unconsolidated affiliates             6.0          6.0
   Realized portion of deferred gain on sale leasebacks  (4.5)        (4.5)
   Adjusted EBITDA                                      108.3        113.3


The company's 2005 guidance is based upon an assumed continued modest recovery in the lodging sector and several internal forecasts and assumptions, including, but not limited to:

   -- Flat gross operating margins for the year;

   -- Closing of the InterContinental Hotel (IHG) acquisitions in the second
      quarter of 2005;

   -- Budget for future additional acquisitions of between $150 million and
      $200 million and an assumed disposition;

   -- The level and timing of capital market activity to fund acquisitions;

   -- 100-basis points increase in LIBOR;

   -- Corporate expenses to remain approximately flat on a run rate basis
      with those incurred in the third and fourth quarters of 2004,
      inclusive of $1.2 million in Sarbanes Oxley compliance costs;

   -- European hotels expected contribution of between $4.5 million to $5.0
      million to Adjusted EBITDA; and

   -- Company contribution to furniture, fixture and equipment reserves at
      the properties owned at the end of 2004 and the two IHG acquisition
      properties of approximately $20 million during 2005.  In addition, the
      company will invest approximately $15 million in owner funded
      improvements, of  which approximately 60 percent is estimated as
      revenue enhancing expenditures.


For the first quarter 2005, management anticipates that Adjusted EBITDA will be in the range of $23.3 million to $24.5 million, net income will be in the range of $2.7 million to $3.6 million, and FFO per share on a fully converted basis will be in the range of $0.35 to $0.38. North American same store RevPAR growth is expected to be in the range of 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent, and North American same store Total RevPAR growth is expected to be in the range of 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent. The following tables reconcile projected first quarter 2005 net income to projected FFO and Adjusted EBITDA.

                                                      Low Range  High Range
                                                           (in millions)

   Net income                                            $2.7          $3.6
   Depreciation and amortization                         10.4          10.4
   Realized portion of deferred gain on sale leasebacks  (1.1)         (1.1)
   Deferred tax on realized portion of deferred gain      0.3           0.3
   Minority interest                                      0.8           1.1
   Adjustments from unconsolidated affiliates             0.7           0.7
       Funds from Operations (FFO)                      $13.8         $15.0
       FFO per Share (fully converted)                  $0.35         $0.38


                                                      Low Range   High Range
                                                           (in millions)

   Net income                                            $2.7          $3.6
   Depreciation and amortization                         10.4          10.4
   Interest expense                                       7.9           7.9
   Income taxes                                           1.2           1.2
   Minority interest                                      0.8           1.1
   Adjustments from unconsolidated affiliates             1.4           1.4
   Realized portion of deferred gain on sale leasebacks  (1.1)         (1.1)
       Adjusted EBITDA                                  $23.3         $24.5


  Earnings Call and Supplemental Data
The company will conduct its quarterly conference call for investors and other interested parties on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Interested individuals are invited to listen to the call by telephone at 800-289-0569. To participate on the webcast, log on to http://www.shci.com/ or http://www.fulldisclosure.com/ 15 minutes before the call to download the necessary software. The company also produces supplemental financial data that includes detailed information regarding the operating results. This supplemental data is considered an integral part of this earnings release and together with the release, is available on the Strategic Hotel Capital website at http://www.shci.com/ . in the investor relations section.
Strategic Hotel Capital, Inc., is a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns and asset manages high-end hotels and resorts. The company has ownership interests in 15 properties with an aggregate of 6,192 rooms. For further information, please visit the company's website at / . This press release contains forward-looking statements about Strategic Hotel Capital, Inc. (the "Company"). Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to the following: availability of capital; ability to obtain or refinance debt; rising interest rates; rising insurance premiums; cash available for capital expenditures; competition; demand for hotel rooms in our current and proposed market areas; economic conditions generally and in the real estate market specifically; the effect of threats of terrorism and increased security precautions on travel patterns and hotel bookings; the outbreak of hostilities and international political instability; legislative or regulatory changes, including changes to laws governing the taxation of REITs; and changes in generally accepted accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to REITs. Additional risks are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
                  Consolidated Statements of Operations
                  (in thousands, except per share data)

                           Three Months Ended         Years Ended
                              December 31,            December 31,
                           2004         2003       2004         2003
   Revenues:
    Rooms                $54,883      $85,020     $270,820     $317,978
    Food and beverage     34,445       47,301      144,593      164,358
    Other hotel operating
     revenue              14,070       15,126       51,064       55,580
                         103,398      147,447      466,477      537,916
    Lease revenue          3,314        6,266       24,233       27,638

      Total revenues     106,712      153,713      490,710      565,554

   Operating Costs and Expenses:
    Rooms                 12,839       22,550       67,761       82,245
    Food and beverage     25,613       36,069      110,768      127,751
    Other departmental
     expenses             31,769       40,311      135,323      148,595
    Management fees        3,860        5,434       17,145       19,295
    Other property level
     expenses              6,417       10,157       30,344       36,903
    Lease expense          3,257            -        6,446            -
    Depreciation and
     amortization         10,653       20,217       61,463       82,661
    Impairment losses on
     goodwill and hotel
     property             12,675            -       12,675            -
    Corporate expenses     4,352        5,640       28,845       21,912

      Total operating
       costs and
       expenses          111,435      140,378      470,770      519,362

        Operating (loss)
         income           (4,723)      13,335       19,940       46,192

   Interest expense       (7,481)     (25,007)     (64,578)    (107,391)
   Interest income           257          311        1,270        2,643
   Gain (loss) on early
    extinguishment of debt    29          767      (21,934)     (13,761)
   Other income (expenses),
    net                    3,816       (2,549)       3,132       (7,581)
   Loss before income
    taxes, minority
    interests And
    discontinued
    operations           (8,102)      (13,143)     (62,170)     (79,898)
   Income tax (expense)
    benefit              (4,230)         (992)      (4,990)         552
   Minority interests     2,914           (61)       4,831       (2,895)
   Loss from continuing
    operations           (9,418)      (14,196)     (62,329)     (82,241)
   Income from
    discontinued
    operations                -           363       75,662       26,047

   Net (Loss) Income    $(9,418)     $(13,833)     $13,333     $(56,194)

   Basic and Diluted
   (Loss) Income Per
    Share:
     Loss from
      continuing
      operations per
      share              $(0.31)       $(0.74)     $(2.55)       $(4.84)
     Income from
      discontinued
      operations per
      share                   -          0.02        3.10          1.53
     Net (loss) income
      per share          $(0.31)       $(0.72)      $0.55        $(3.31)
     Weighted-average
      common shares
      outstanding        30,204        19,090      24,390        17,002


  Our consolidated statements of operations for the three months and year
  ended December 31, 2004 include the following: the results of the 15 hotel
  interests currently owned or leased by the company, referred to as the
  REIT Hotels; and before June 29, 2004, the date of the IPO, the results of
  seven other hotels, which were distributed out of the company and in which
  the company no longer has an ownership interest.


                       Consolidated Balance Sheets
                    (in thousands, except share data)

                                                          Years Ended
                                                          December 31,
                                                       2004         2003
   Assets
    Property and equipment                          $952,717     $1,881,840
     Less accumulated depreciation                  (222,150)      (472,645)
      Net property and equipment                     730,567      1,409,195
    Goodwill                                          66,438        259,150
    Intangible assets (net of accumulated
     amortization of $87 and $0,
     respectively)                                     1,613              -
    Assets held for sale                                   -         80,519
    Investment in hotel joint ventures                12,060         23,392
    Cash and cash equivalents                         40,071        107,437
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents              26,979         85,697
    Accounts receivable (net of allowance for
     doubtful accounts of $361 and $772,
     respectively)                                    21,056         31,030
    Deferred financing costs (net of accumulated
     amortization of $1,420 and $8,609,
     respectively)                                    11,178         29,247
    Other assets                                      80,388         53,854
      Total assets                                  $990,350     $2,079,521

  Liabilities and Owners' Equity
   Liabilities:
    Mortgages and other debt payable                $489,140     $1,505,984
    Bank credit facility                              54,000              -
    Convertible debt                                       -        122,030
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses             58,946        124,422
    Distributions payable                              8,709              -
    Liabilities of assets held for sale                    -         68,153
    Deferred fees on management contracts              2,333         12,256
    Deferred gain on sale of hotels                  119,616              -
     Total liabilities                               732,744      1,832,845
  Minority interests                                  61,053        107,608
  Owners' equity:
   Members' capital                                        -        875,767
   Distributions to members                                -       (439,377)
   Common shares ($0.01 par value; 150,000,000
    common shares authorized; 30,035,701 common
    shares issued and outstanding)                       300              -
   Additional paid-in capital                        483,691              -
   Deferred compensation                              (1,731)             -
   Accumulated deficit                              (271,873)      (285,206)
   Accumulated distributions to owners               (13,447)             -
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                 (387)       (12,116)
     Total owners' equity                            196,553        139,068
     Total liabilities and owners' equity           $990,350     $2,079,521


                 REIT Hotel Statements of Operations (a)
                  (in thousands, except per share data)

                            Three Months Ended          Years Ended
                               December 31,              December 31,
                            2004        2003         2004         2003
   REIT Hotel Revenues:
    Rooms                  $54,883      $42,037     $192,750     $169,780
    Food and beverage       34,445       26,518      108,747       93,659
    Other hotel operating
     revenue                14,070       10,477       42,370       37,459
                           103,398       79,032      343,867      300,898
    Lease revenue (b)        3,314        4,839       20,698       20,150
     REIT hotel revenues   106,712       83,871      364,565      321,048

   REIT Hotel Expenses:
    Rooms                   12,839        9,664       43,848       36,936
    Food and beverage       25,613       19,331       80,903       69,431
    Other departmental
     expenses               31,769       24,276      104,033       89,459
    Management fees          3,860        3,801       14,224       13,651
    Other property level
     expenses                6,417        4,166       20,575       15,955
    Lease expense            3,257            -        6,446            -

     REIT hotel expenses    83,755       61,238      270,029      225,432

   REIT Hotel Adjusted
    Operating Income        22,957       22,633       94,536       95,616
     Interest expense, net  (7,224)     (13,647)     (41,070)     (60,498)
     Gain (loss) on early
      extinguishment of debt    29          767       (9,271)      (7,794)
     Other income (expenses),
      net (c)                3,816       (2,549)        3,132      (7,581)

   Income before income
    taxes and minority
    interests               19,578        7,204        47,327      19,743

   Income tax (expense)
    benefit                 (4,230)        (992)       (4,990)        552
   Minority interests        2,914          (61)        4,831      (2,895)

   REIT Hotel Net Income    18,262        6,151        47,168      17,400

   REIT depreciation and
    amortization           (10,653)      (9,828)      (41,778)    (39,090)
   Impairment losses on
    goodwill and hotel
    property               (12,675)           -       (12,675)          -
   Corporate expenses       (4,352)      (5,640)      (28,845)    (21,912)
   Non-REIT hotel results,
    net                          -       (4,879)      (26,199)    (38,639)
   Income from discontinued
    operations                   -          363        75,662      26,047

   Net (Loss) Income       $(9,418)    $(13,833)     $ 13,333    $(56,194)


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