Modelling and Valuing a REIT

Hi WSO,

I am doing a research report/valuation on a Canadian-based REIT (TSE:BAM.A). Does anyone have suggestions on what to model for the firm and what valuation format to use. It seems that a NAV would be appropriate but time consuming. A DCF is also applicable but would be riddled with forecasting errors for all line items due to different sensitivities across all line items which would be hard to model.

Please let me know if you have examples or experience valuing a REIT and what valuation model you prefer.

-George Robert

35 Comments
 

I might be a little off on this, but for REIT's the most commonly accepted way of valuing them is through Funds From Operations (FFO). FFO is intended to make adjustments on Net Income that accounting methods may distort in order to find the true value from operating cash flow. Simply, FFO = Net Income + Depreciation + Amortization - Gains on Sale of property.

You should be able to find all those items from BAM.A financial statements.

 

Not sure if this is for work or school but I would definitely expect to see an NAV/Capitalization tab along with an income statement that rolls to both FFO and AFFO (along with BS/CF/assumptions/etc.). Per share metrics should include: FFO, AFFO, EBITDA and Operating Cash Flow. I would also want to see the full CAM/expense break-down along with a full blown debt schedule.

 

Thank you very much, along the lines of what I had done already. Used FFO and AFFO to value different segments and made a sum of parts NAV. Thanks again

- George Robert
 

REIT valuation textbooks/modelling resources include 1. Real Estate Finance and Investment 14th ed by Brueggeman, Fisher which is a leading 2. Real Estate Finance 9th Edition - John.P.Wiedemer, K.Keith Baker 3.Global Real Estate Trusts, Process and Management by David Parker which specifically covers IB/PE/Funds Management and Cap Trans, it is quite comprehensive would be regarded as a leading book of REIT/PE practitioners I'm sure i have some other stuff lying around my computer
- PM if interested, willing to share my copies

 

hi, in order to calculate FFO.. Do I have to subtract Net Valuation Gains on Investment Property?

 

Dude, stop just posting your hw or potential interview questions on here if you aren't going to make any effort to learn.

If you genuinely want to learn, then tell me about what a DCF is good for and then tell me about the structure of a REIT (i.e. how is cash flow generated). Once it seems like you actually tried to grasp what is going on, then I'd be happy to answer your question. But at least try before coming here.

 

Maybe hold it as a percentage of operating income? Then project out an average of the historical percentages (so if taxes for FY2013 were 20% of op. income and FY2014 taxes were 19% of op. income, I would project out 19.5% for 2016, 2017 etc) . I haven't modeled this out before so I might be wrong but it's one way I'd start thinking about it.

 

There are no corporate taxes, unless a REIT has a TRS.

Property taxes are considered OpEx for REITs, usually ~1% of asset value; but very difficult to model appropriately.

If you're practicing modeling and you have no banking experience, IRM is a horrible case study in the sense that they are an extremely complex company with a very intricate capital structure.

 

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