Host Marriott Reports Strong Results of Operations for Third Quarter 2005

BETHESDA, Md., Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE:HMT) , the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced results of operations for the third quarter ended September 9, 2005. Third quarter results include the following:

BETHESDA, Md., Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE:HMT) , the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced results of operations for the third quarter ended September 9, 2005. Third quarter results include the following:

  • Total revenue increased 7.7% to $841 million for the third quarter and 8.0% to $2,647 million for year-to-date 2005.
  • Net income (loss) was $(5) million and $92 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2005, respectively, compared to $(47) million and $(61) million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2004, respectively. Earnings (loss) per diluted share was $(.03) and $.19 for the third quarter and year-to-date 2005, respectively, and $(.17) and $(.28) for the third quarter and year-to-date 2004, respectively.
  • For year-to-date 2005, net income includes a net gain of $15 million ($.04 per share) from the following transactions: the sale of 85% of the Company's interest in a joint venture that owns 120 Courtyard by Marriott hotels; gains on hotel dispositions; and, costs associated with refinancing the Company's senior notes and the redemption of preferred stock. By comparison, for the third quarter and year-to-date 2004, net income (loss) includes a net loss of $19 million ($(.05) per share) and $43 million ($(.13) per share), respectively, associated with similar transactions in 2004. For further detail, refer to the "Schedule of Significant Transactions Affecting Earnings per Share and Funds From Operations per Diluted Share" attached to this press release.
  • Adjusted EBITDA, which is Earnings before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and other items, increased 18.8% to $158 million for the third quarter and 15.9% to $606 million for year-to-date 2005. (Adjusted EBITDA has been reduced by $2 million and $4 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2005, respectively, for distributions to minority interest partners of Host Marriott, L.P.)
  • Funds from Operations (FFO) per diluted share was $.19 and $.70 for the third quarter and year-to-date 2005, respectively, compared to $.06 and $.40 for the third quarter and year-to-date 2004, respectively. Costs associated with refinancing the Company's senior notes and the redemption of preferred stock reduced the Company's FFO per diluted share for year-to-date 2005 by $.09. The Company's FFO per diluted share for the third quarter and year-to-date 2004 was reduced by $.05 and $.18, respectively, associated with similar transactions in 2004.

Adjusted EBITDA, FFO per diluted share and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins (discussed below) are non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See the discussion included in this press release for information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures.

Operating Results

Comparable hotel RevPAR for the third quarter of 2005 increased 8.0%, which was at the high end of our previous guidance, and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins increased 9.8%, or 1.8 percentage points, when compared to the third quarter of 2004. The Company's third quarter increases in comparable hotel RevPAR and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins were driven by a 6.3% increase in average room rates and a 1.2 percentage point increase in occupancy. Year-to-date 2005 comparable hotel RevPAR increased 9.1% (comprised of an increase in average room rates of 7.5% and an increase in occupancy of 1.1 percentage points), while comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins increased 7.7%, or 1.7 percentage points, when compared to year-to-date 2004. Based on a calendar quarter end of September 30, comparable hotel RevPAR would have increased 9.5% for the third quarter of 2005.

Comparable hotel RevPAR does not include results from the New Orleans Marriott, which incurred damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. It is unlikely that operations for this hotel will return to historical levels for a period of time. While the total extent of the property damage and business interruption cannot be determined at this time, the Company believes its insurance coverage should be sufficient to cover substantially all of the property damage to the hotel and the near-term loss of business. The overall effect of the hurricane on our third quarter operations was not significant.

Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, stated, "We had another outstanding quarter, with very strong RevPAR growth and margin improvement, which drove significant growth in Adjusted EBITDA and FFO per diluted share. We expect lodging demand and business travel will continue to increase in the fourth quarter and into 2006, driving further improvements in our operating results and dividends to our stockholders."

As of September 9, 2005, the Company had $402 million of cash and cash equivalents, approximately $274 million of which were used subsequently to acquire the Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C. The Company also had $165 million of restricted cash, $68 million of which the Company believes will be released in the fourth quarter.

W. Edward Walter, executive vice president and chief financial officer, stated, "Our credit ratios have continued to improve due to the significant improvement in our operations and the financing transactions we have completed over the last two years. Our strong balance sheet, available cash and ready access to the capital markets enables us to invest in our current portfolio or pursue appropriate acquisition opportunities in the market place."

Acquisitions and Dispositions

On September 30, 2005, the Company acquired the 834-room Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill for approximately $274 million, financed with available cash. On October 7, 2005, the Company also completed the sale of the 297-room Charlotte Marriott Executive Park for approximately $21 million.

James F. Risoleo, executive vice president of acquisitions and development, stated, "We are very pleased with the acquisition of the Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill. We believe that the Washington, D.C. market will continue to perform very well for the foreseeable future. We continue to pursue acquisitions that are consistent with our target profile of upper-upscale and luxury properties in markets with significant barriers to entry, while seeking to dispose of non-core assets to recycle and build on our truly unmatched portfolio of properties."

2005 Outlook

The Company expects comparable hotel RevPAR for full year 2005 to increase approximately 8.0% to 9.0%. For full year 2005, the Company also expects operating profit margins under GAAP to increase approximately 210 basis points to 240 basis points and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins to increase approximately 130 basis points to 150 basis points as compared to 2004. Based upon this guidance, the Company estimates that for 2005 its:

  • earnings per diluted share should be approximately $.38 to $.42 for the full year;
  • net income should be approximately $166 million to $180 million for the full year;
  • Adjusted EBITDA should be approximately $894 million to $909 million for the full year, both of which have been reduced by approximately $6 million for distributions to minority interest partners of Host Marriott, L.P.; and
  • FFO per diluted share should be approximately $1.07 to $1.10 for the full year (including a charge of approximately $36 million, or $.09 per diluted share, for the full year, related to the refinancing of senior notes and the redemption of the Class B preferred stock).

2006 Outlook

The Company is in the preliminary stages of its budget process for 2006. Accordingly, certain key items such as detailed property-level operating budgets and capital expenditure requirements, as well as corporate-level acquisition and disposition targets and financing requirements have not been determined, all of which could significantly affect results of operations. However, based on preliminary discussions with the Company's operators and hotel general managers, as well as a review of booking pace and other metrics, the Company believes comparable hotel RevPAR for full year 2006 will increase approximately 7.0% to 9.0%. For full year 2006, the Company also believes operating profit margins under GAAP will increase approximately 190 basis points to 230 basis points and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins will increase approximately 125 basis points to 175 basis points as compared to 2005.

Based upon this guidance, the Company estimates that for 2006 its:

  • earnings per diluted share should be approximately $.42 to $.53;
  • net income should be approximately $174 million to $212 million;
  • Adjusted EBITDA should be approximately $996 million to $1,036 million, both of which have been reduced by approximately $9 million for distributions to minority interest partners of Host Marriott, L.P.; and
  • FFO per diluted share should be approximately $1.35 to $1.45.

Host Marriott is a Fortune 500 lodging real estate company that currently owns or holds controlling interests in 107 upper-upscale and luxury hotel properties primarily operated under premium brands, such as Marriott(R), Ritz-Carlton(R), Hyatt(R), Four Seasons(R), Fairmont(R), Hilton(R) and Westin(R) (*). For further information, please visit the Company's website at /.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," "continue" and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumption and forecasts of future results. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks include, but are not limited to: national and local economic and business conditions, including the potential for terrorist attacks, that will affect occupancy rates at our hotels and the demand for hotel products and services; operating risks associated with the hotel business; risks associated with the level of our indebtedness and our ability to meet covenants in our debt agreements; relationships with property managers; our ability to maintain our properties in a first-class manner, including meeting capital expenditure requirements; our ability to compete effectively in areas such as access, location, quality of accommodations and room rate structures; changes in travel patterns, taxes and government regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, construction procedures and costs; our ability to complete pending acquisitions and dispositions; and our ability to continue to satisfy complex rules in order for us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and other risks and uncertainties associated with our business described in the Company's filings with the SEC. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. All information in this release is as of October 11, 2005, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

(*) This press release contains registered trademarks that are the exclusive property of their respective owners. None of the owners of these trademarks has any responsibility or liability for any information contained in this press release.

Host Marriott Corporation, herein referred to as "we" or "Host Marriott," is a self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns hotel properties. We conduct our operations as an umbrella partnership REIT through an operating partnership, Host Marriott, L.P., or Host LP, of which we are the sole general partner. For each share of our common stock, Host LP has issued to us one unit of operating partnership interest, or OP Unit. When distinguishing between Host Marriott and Host LP, the primary difference is approximately 5% of the partnership interests in Host LP held by outside partners as of October 11, 2005, which is reflected as minority interest in our consolidated balance sheets and minority interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Readers are encouraged to find further detail regarding our organizational structure in our annual report on Form 10-K.

For information on our reporting periods and non-GAAP financial measures (including Adjusted EBITDA, FFO per diluted share and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins) which we believe is useful to investors, see the Notes to the Financial Information.

                        HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets (a)
              (unaudited, in millions, except share amounts)

                                              September 9,      December 31,
                                                 2005              2004
                                   ASSETS

  Property and equipment, net                     $7,204            $7,274
  Assets held for sale                                13               113
  Due from managers                                   66                75
  Investments in affiliates                           42                69
  Deferred financing costs, net                       69                70
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment
   replacement fund                                  154               151
  Other                                              133               168
  Restricted cash                                    165               154
  Cash and cash equivalents                          402               347
    Total assets                                  $8,248            $8,421



                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Debt
    Senior notes, including $492 million
     and $491 million, net of discount,
     of Exchangeable Senior Debentures,
     respectively                                 $3,054            $2,890
    Mortgage debt                                  1,858             2,043
    Convertible Subordinated Debentures              492               492
    Other                                             97                98
      Total debt                                   5,501             5,523
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses              129               113
  Liabilities associated with assets
   held for sale                                       -                26
  Other                                              153               156
      Total liabilities                            5,783             5,818

  Interest of minority partners of Host
   Marriott L.P.                                     117               122
  Interest of minority partners of
   other consolidated partnerships                    28                86

  Stockholders' equity
    Cumulative redeemable preferred stock
     (liquidation preference $250
     million), 50 million shares
     authorized; 10.0 million shares and
     14.0 million shares issued and
     outstanding, respectively                       241               337
    Common stock, par value $.01, 750
     million shares authorized; 353.3
     million shares and 350.3 million
     shares issued and outstanding,
     respectively                                      3                 3
    Additional paid-in capital                     2,967             2,953
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                           17                13
    Deficit                                         (908)             (911)
      Total stockholders' equity                   2,320             2,395
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                     $8,248            $8,421

  (a) Our consolidated balance sheet as of September 9, 2005 has been
      prepared without audit. Certain information and footnote disclosures
      normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with
      GAAP have been omitted. The consolidated balance sheets should be read
      in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes
      thereto included in out most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                        HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION
                Consolidated Statements of Operations (a)
            (unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

                                           Quarter ended  Year-to-date ended
                                           Sept.    Sept.    Sept.    Sept.
                                            9,       10,      9,       10,
                                           2005     2004     2005     2004
  Revenues
    Rooms                                  $532     $487   $1,612   $1,463
    Food and beverage                       230      218      785      751
    Other                                    57       55      174      164
      Total hotel sales                     819      760    2,571    2,378
  Rental income (b)                          22       21       76       74
      Total revenues                        841      781    2,647    2,452
  Expenses
    Rooms                                   135      127      392      366
    Food and beverage                       189      183      592      572
    Hotel departmental expenses             243      228      710      666
    Management fees                          34       29      112       98
    Other property-level expenses (b)        69       69      205      206
    Depreciation and amortization            85       83      254      242
    Corporate and other expenses             16       18       45       43
      Total operating costs and expenses    771      737    2,310    2,193
  Operating profit                           70       44      337      259
  Interest income                             5        3       17        8
  Interest expense                          (94)    (108)    (317)    (356)
  Net gains on property transactions          -        5       77       10
  Gain (loss) on foreign currency and
   derivative contracts                      (1)      (2)       1       (2)
  Minority interest income (expense)          -        4      (12)       2
  Equity in earnings (losses) of
   affiliates                                 -       (4)      (1)     (12)
  Income (loss) before income taxes         (20)     (58)     102      (91)
  Benefit (provision) for income taxes       15       10      (23)       2
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations                                (5)     (48)      79      (89)
  Income from discontinued operations (c)     -        1       13       28
  Net income (loss)                          (5)     (47)      92      (61)
  Less: Dividends on preferred stock         (6)      (9)     (21)     (28)
  Issuance costs of redeemed preferred
   stock (d)                                  -       (4)      (4)      (4)

  Net income (loss) available to common
   stockholders                            $(11)    $(60)     $67     $(93)

  Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
   common share:
    Continuing operations                $(0.03)  $(0.17)   $0.15   $(0.36)
    Discontinued operations                   -        -     0.04     0.08

  Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
   common share                          $(0.03)  $(0.17)   $0.19   $(0.28)

  (a)    Our consolidated statements of operations presented above have been
         prepared without audit. Certain information and footnote
         disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in
         accordance with GAAP have been omitted. The consolidated statements
         of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
         financial statements and notes thereto included in our most recent
         Annual Report on Form 10-K.

  (b)    Rental income and expense are as follows:



                                         Quarter ended   Year-to-date ended
                                           Sept.    Sept.    Sept.    Sept.
                                            9,       10,      9,       10,
                                           2005     2004     2005     2004

          Rental income                      $4       $3      $22      $21
            Full-service                     18       18       54       53
            Limited service and office
             buildings                      $22      $21      $76      $74

          Rental and other expenses
           (included in other property
           level expenses)                   $2       $2       $5       $5
            Full-service                     18       18       54       54
            Limited service and office
             buildings                      $20      $20      $59      $59

  (c)     Reflects the results of operations and gain (loss) on sale, net
          of the related income tax, for four properties sold in the first
          quarter of 2005, the one property classified as held for sale as
          of the end of the third quarter of 2005, and nine properties sold
          in 2004.

  (d)     Emerging Issues Task Force Topic D-42, "The Effect on the
          Calculation of Earnings per Share for the Redemption or Induced
          Conversion of Preferred Stock," requires that the excess of the
          fair value of the consideration transferred to the holders of
          preferred stock redeemed over the carrying amount of the preferred
          stock should be subtracted from net earnings to determine net
          earnings available to common stockholders in the calculation of
          earnings per share.

          On August 3, 2004, the fair value paid to holders of our Class A
          preferred stock, or $104 million (which was equal to the
          redemption price and par value) exceeded the carrying value of the
          preferred stock ($100 million, which was net of $4 million of
          original issuance costs). Accordingly, the $4 million of original
          issuance costs has been included in the determination of net
          income (loss) available to common stockholders for the purpose of
          calculating our third quarter and year-to-date 2004 basic and
          diluted earnings (loss) per share.

          On May 20, 2005, the fair value paid to holders of our Class B
          preferred stock, or $100 million (which was equal to the
          redemption price and par value) exceeded the carrying value of the
          preferred stock ($96 million, which was net of $4 million of
          original issuance costs).  Accordingly, the $4 million of original
          issuance costs has been included in the determination of net
          income (loss) available to common stockholders for the purpose of
          calculating our year-to-date 2005 basic and diluted earnings
          (loss) per share.



                        HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION
                     Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
            (unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

                                Quarter ended             Quarter ended
                              September 9, 2005        September 10, 2004
                           Income                    Income
                          (loss)   Shares    Per    (loss)   Shares    Per
                          (Numer- (Denomi-  Share   (Numer- (Denomi-  Share
                           ator)   nator)   Amount   ator)   nator)   Amount

  Net loss                  $(5)   353.1   $(0.01)   $(47)   348.7   $(0.13)
    Dividends on
     preferred stock         (6)       -    (0.02)     (9)       -    (0.03)
    Issuance costs of
     redeemed preferred
     stock (a)                -        -        -      (4)       -    (0.01)
  Basic and diluted loss
   available to common
   stockholders (b) (c)    $(11)   353.1   $(0.03)   $(60)   348.7   $(0.17)

                              Year-to-date ended       Year-to-date ended
                              September 9, 2005        September 10, 2004
                           Income                    Income
                          (loss)   Shares    Per    (loss)   Shares    Per
                          (Numer- (Denomi-  Share   (Numer- (Denomi-  Share
                           ator)   nator)   Amount   ator)   nator)   Amount

  Net income (loss)         $92    352.6    $0.26    $(61)   331.5   $(0.18)
    Dividends on
     preferred stock        (21)       -    (0.06)    (28)       -    (0.09)
    Issuance costs of
     redeemed preferred
     stock (a)               (4)       -    (0.01)     (4)       -    (0.01)
  Basic earnings (loss)
   available to common
   stockholders (b)          67    352.6     0.19     (93)   331.5    (0.28)
    Assuming distribution
     of common shares
     granted under the
     comprehensive stock
     plan less shares
     assumed purchased at
     average market price     -      2.4        -       -        -        -
  Diluted earnings (loss)
   available to common
   stockholders (b)(c)      $67    355.0    $0.19    $(93)   331.5   $(0.28)

  (a)  For discussion on accounting treatment, see footnote (d) to the
       consolidated statements of operations.

  (b)  Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net
       income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted
       average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted
       earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income
       (loss) available to common stockholders as adjusted for potentially
       dilutive securities, by the weighted average number of shares of
       common stock outstanding plus other potentially dilutive securities.
       Dilutive securities may include shares granted under comprehensive
       stock plans, those preferred OP Units held by minority partners,
       other minority interests that have the option to convert their
       limited partnership interests to common OP Units, the Exchangeable
       Senior Debentures and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. No
       effect is shown for any securities that are anti-dilutive.

  (c)  Our results for certain periods presented were significantly affected
       by certain transactions, which are detailed in the table entitled,
       "Schedule of Significant Transactions Affecting Earnings per Share
       and Funds From Operations per Diluted Share."



                        HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION
                     Comparable Hotel Operating Data
                               (unaudited)

                     Comparable Hotels by Region (a)

                                                   As of September 9, 2005

                                                  No. of            No. of
                                                Properties           Rooms
  Pacific                                            20             11,035
  Florida                                            11              7,027
  Mid-Atlantic                                       10              6,720
  North Central                                      13              4,923
  DC Metro                                           11              4,661
  Atlanta                                            12              4,265
  South Central                                       6              3,526
  New England                                         6              3,032
  Mountain                                            5              1,940
  International                                       5              1,953
    All Regions                                      99             49,082



                                            Quarter ended September 9, 2005
                                                         Average
                                             Average    Occupancy
                                           Daily Rate  Percentages   RevPAR
  Pacific                                   $165.84       81.6%     $135.28
  Florida                                    137.38       68.7        94.38
  Mid-Atlantic                               194.11       79.3       153.95
  North Central                              131.84       74.3        97.98
  DC Metro                                   168.33       77.3       130.05
  Atlanta                                    146.11       66.1        96.53
  South Central                              121.64       73.1        88.88
  New England                                151.03       81.6       123.22
  Mountain                                    89.85       71.7        64.42
  International                              134.49       74.4       100.00
    All Regions                              153.38       75.6       115.98



                                Quarter ended September 10, 2004
                                                 Average           Percent
                                                 Occupancy          Change
                                        Average  Percent-             in
                                      Daily Rate  ages    RevPAR   RevPAR
  Pacific                               $154.84    78.5% $121.53    11.3%
  Florida                                133.13    67.2    89.47     5.5
  Mid-Atlantic                           175.44    81.3   142.56     8.0
  North Central                          122.41    73.9    90.47     8.3
  DC Metro                               151.45    74.9   113.37    14.7
  Atlanta                                146.04    68.7   100.27    (3.7)
  South Central                          112.98    72.5    81.93     8.5
  New England                            151.77    79.9   121.27     1.6
  Mountain                                89.25    63.1    56.33    14.4
  International                          122.97    73.4    90.28    10.8
    All Regions                          144.24    74.4   107.34     8.0



                                              As of September 9, 2005

                                                  No. of            No. of
                                                Properties           Rooms
  Pacific                                            20             11,035
  Florida                                            11              7,027
  Mid-Atlantic                                       10              6,720
  North Central                                      13              4,923
  DC Metro                                           11              4,661
  Atlanta                                            12              4,265
  South Central                                       6              3,526
  New England                                         6              3,032
  Mountain                                            5              1,940
  International                                       5              1,953
    All Regions                                      99             49,082

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., is an S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. The Company currently owns 104 properties in the United States and 16 properties internationally totaling approximately 64,300 rooms. The Company also holds non-controlling interests in a joint venture in Europe that owns 13 hotels with approximately 4,200...