Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: What is your recommendation on this Canadian REIT that invests in the U.S.: American Hotel Income Properties REIT? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: American Hotel Income Properties REIT, $9.11, symbol HOT.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 78.0 million; Market cap: $712.8 million, www.ahipreit.com), owns 114 hotels, comprising over 11,600 rooms in 32 U.S. states. The REIT recently announced a licensing deal with Wyndham Hotel Group to re-brand 46 of its hotels from the Oak Tree banner to Wyndham’s Baymont Inn and Suites, Travelodge, and Super 8 brands. For the most part, guests for these hotels are railroad workers. American Hotel believes this is a profitable niche market, as contracts with large railways keep occupancy rates high relative to the overall hospitality industry. The hotels are close to large rail-switching yards and hubs, and the railway contracts keep them about 75% occupied. The specially designed buildings feature crew shuttles and 24-hour food service. The remaining hotels operate under a variety of licensed banners, including Hilton, Holiday Inn and Marriott. American Hotel began trading in February 2013, after it sold 10.1 million units to the public at $10.00 each. The…