Attached files
file | filename |
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8-K - FORM 8-K - ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INC | d84876e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE |
Contact:
|
David Kimichik | Andrea Welch | Scott Eckstein | |||
Chief Financial Officer | Investor Relations | Financial Relations Board | ||||
(972) 490-9600 | (972) 778-9487 | (212) 827-3766 |
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST ANNOUNCES REINSTATEMENT AND
INCREASE IN STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
INCREASE IN STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
DALLAS, September 27, 2011 Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) today announced that
its Board of Directors has authorized the reinstatement of the Companys Stock Repurchase Program
with a $141.6 million increase, bringing the total authorization to $200 million (excluding fees,
commissions and all other ancillary expenses). The plan provides for: (i) the repurchase of shares
of the Companys common stock, Series A preferred stock, Series D preferred stock and Series E
preferred stock, and /or (ii) discounted purchases of outstanding debt obligations of the Company
and its subsidiaries, including debt secured by the Companys hotel assets.
Our strategy continues to be one of preparedness in the event that the stock market turbulence
continues, commented Monty J. Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Hospitality Trust. In
the past, we implemented share repurchases as the best use of our capital to create shareholder
value, and are inclined to do so again if we see an opportunity.
The Company intends to fund any repurchases or discounted debt purchases with the net proceeds from
asset sales, cash flow from operations, existing cash on the balance sheet, and other sources.
Repurchases of securities under this program will be made through the open market, or in privately
negotiated transactions, from time to time in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The
manner, timing and amount of repurchases, if any, will be determined by the Companys management
and will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements,
market conditions and other corporate liquidity requirements. The repurchase program may be
modified or discontinued at any time.
Repurchases of common and preferred stock may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, and in the case of
repurchases of common stock, will be compliant with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Discounted debt purchases, if any, will occur from time to time, and will be subject to
market conditions and negotiation with the Companys current credit providers. While this
repurchase program includes repurchases of the Companys outstanding securities, it is not intended
to be a going private transaction, and the Company will limit repurchases of securities such that,
in no event, will this program have that effect.
Ashford is a self-administered real estate investment trust focused on investing in the hospitality
industry across all segments and at all levels of the capital structure. Additional information
can be found on the Companys website at www.ahtreit.com.
Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon
forward-looking information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties. When we use the words will likely result, may, anticipate,
estimate, should, expect, believe, intend, or similar expressions, we intend to identify
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
timing for closing, the impact of the transaction on our business and future financial condition,
our business and investment strategy, our understanding of our competition and current market
trends and opportunities and projected capital expenditures. Such statements are subject to
numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside Ashfords control.
These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which
could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without
limitation: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock;
changes in our business or investment strategy; availability, terms and deployment of capital;
availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the market in which we operate,
interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and
other risk factors are more fully discussed in Ashfords filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this
press release. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We
are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise.
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