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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INC - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission file number: 001-31775

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
86-1062192
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS employer identification number)
 
 
 
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
 
 
Dallas, Texas
 
75254
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)

(972) 490-9600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). þ Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
Large accelerated filer
þ
 
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes þ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
101,068,813
(Class)
 
Outstanding at May 7, 2015




ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
 
 



Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts)
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
355,727

 
$
215,063

Marketable securities
72,427

 
63,217

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
428,154

 
278,280

Investments in hotel properties, net
3,953,983

 
2,128,611

Restricted cash
143,043

 
85,830

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $417 and $241, respectively
52,512

 
22,399

Inventories
4,188

 
2,104

Note receivable, net of allowance of $7,416 and $7,522, respectively
3,599

 
3,553

Investment in unconsolidated entities
58,971

 
206,790

Deferred costs, net
36,514

 
12,588

Prepaid expenses
22,757

 
7,017

Derivative assets, net
917

 
182

Other assets
7,969

 
17,116

Intangible assets, net
15,045

 

Due from Ashford Prime OP, net
335

 
896

Due from affiliates

 
3,473

Due from related party, net
1,922

 

Due from third-party hotel managers
39,047

 
12,241

Total assets
$
4,768,956

 
$
2,781,080

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Indebtedness
$
3,387,623

 
$
1,954,103

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
131,890

 
71,118

Dividends payable
23,346

 
21,889

Unfavorable management contract liabilities
4,836

 
5,330

Due to Ashford Inc., net
9,120

 
8,202

Due to related party, net

 
1,867

Due to third-party hotel managers
1,529

 
1,640

Intangible liabilities, net
27,262

 

Liabilities associated with marketable securities and other
12,771

 
6,201

Other liabilities
6,923

 
1,233

Total liabilities
3,605,300

 
2,071,583

 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
165,590

 
177,064

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock, 1,657,206 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
17

 
17

Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, 9,468,706 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
95

 
95

Series E Cumulative Preferred Stock, 4,630,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
46

 
46

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 124,896,765 shares issued, 101,078,531 and 89,439,624 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
1,249

 
1,249

Additional paid-in capital
1,801,656

 
1,706,274

Accumulated deficit
(696,787
)
 
(1,050,323
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 23,818,234 and 35,457,141 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
(108,985
)
 
(125,725
)
Total stockholders’ equity of the Company
997,291

 
531,633

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
775

 
800

Total equity
998,066

 
532,433

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,768,956

 
$
2,781,080

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
Rooms
$
200,990

 
$
156,997

Food and beverage
39,553

 
28,239

Other hotel revenue
8,832

 
6,366

Total hotel revenue
249,375

 
191,602

Advisory services revenue

 
2,194

Other
860

 
1,065

Total revenue
250,235

 
194,861

Expenses
 
 
 
Hotel operating expenses:
 
 
 
Rooms
43,153

 
34,754

Food and beverage
26,280

 
19,323

Other expenses
74,782

 
58,274

Management fees
9,657

 
7,742

Total hotel expenses
153,872

 
120,093

Property taxes, insurance, and other
11,594

 
9,589

Depreciation and amortization
37,864

 
26,152

Impairment charges
(106
)
 
(101
)
Transaction costs
499

 

Advisory services fee
9,567

 

Corporate, general, and administrative
4,840

 
12,735

Total expenses
218,130

 
168,468

Operating income
32,105

 
26,393

Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities
(6,622
)
 
(3,498
)
Interest income
16

 
6

Gain on acquisition of PIM Highland JV
381,835

 

Other income
4,330

 
1,277

Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs
(34,635
)
 
(28,375
)
Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
(4,767
)
 
(2,028
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1,802
)
 
1

Unrealized loss on derivatives
(1,698
)
 
(347
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
368,762

 
(6,571
)
Income tax expense
(825
)
 
(216
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
367,937

 
(6,787
)
Income from discontinued operations

 
4

Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties, net of tax
(1,130
)
 
3,491

Net income (loss)
366,807

 
(3,292
)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
25

 
27

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(45,336
)
 
877

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
321,496

 
(2,388
)
Preferred dividends
(8,490
)
 
(8,490
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
313,006

 
$
(10,878
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) per share - basic and diluted:
 
 
 
Basic:
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders
$
3.25

 
$
(0.13
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
3.25

 
$
(0.13
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
95,539

 
81,690

Diluted:
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders
$
3.13

 
$
(0.13
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
3.13

 
$
(0.13
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
113,912

 
81,690

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

 
 
 
 
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
321,496

 
$
(2,391
)
Income from discontinued operations

 
3

Preferred dividends
(8,490
)
 
(8,490
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
313,006

 
$
(10,878
)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
366,807

 
$
(3,292
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Reclassification to interest expense

 
71

Total other comprehensive income

 
71

Comprehensive income (loss)
366,807

 
(3,221
)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated entities
25

 
27

Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(45,336
)
 
868

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
321,496

 
$
(2,326
)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Preferred Stock
 
 
 
Additional
Paid In
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling
Interests In
Consolidated
Entities
 
 
 

Noncontrolling
Interests in
Operating
Partnership
 
Series A
 
Series D
 
Series E
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Total
 
Balance at January 1, 2015
1,657

 
$
17

 
9,469

 
$
95

 
4,630

 
$
46

 
124,897

 
$
1,249

 
$
1,706,274

 
$
(1,050,323
)
 
(35,457
)
 
$
(125,725
)
 
$
800

 
$
532,433

 
$
177,064

Purchases of treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(43
)
 
(446
)
 

 
(446
)
 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
107

 

 

 

 

 
107

 
64

Issuance of restricted shares/units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,269
)
 

 
1,013

 
2,269

 

 

 
33

Reissuance of treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
96,228

 

 
10,530

 
14,711

 

 
110,939

 

Dividends declared- common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(12,129
)
 

 

 

 
(12,129
)
 

Dividends declared- preferred shares- Series A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(886
)
 

 

 

 
(886
)
 

Dividends declared- preferred shares- Series D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(5,000
)
 

 

 

 
(5,000
)
 

Dividends declared – preferred shares- Series E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,604
)
 

 

 

 
(2,604
)
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,726
)
Redemption/conversion of operating partnership units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,316

 

 
139

 
206

 

 
1,522

 
(1,522
)
Redemption value adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
52,659

 

 

 

 
52,659

 
(52,659
)
Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
321,496

 

 

 
(25
)
 
321,471

 
45,336

Balance at March 31, 2015
1,657

 
$
17

 
9,469

 
$
95

 
4,630

 
$
46

 
124,897

 
$
1,249

 
$
1,801,656

 
$
(696,787
)
 
(23,818
)
 
$
(108,985
)
 
$
775

 
$
998,066

 
$
165,590

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
Net income (loss)
$
366,807

 
$
(3,292
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
37,864

 
26,229

Impairment charges
(106
)
 
(101
)
Amortization of loan costs and premiums, write-off of loan costs and exit fees
7,646

 
3,967

Bad debt expense
152

 

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
6,622

 
3,498

Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities
249

 

Gain on hotel properties
(380,705
)
 
(3,503
)
Realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities
(2,275
)
 
(1,064
)
Purchases of marketable securities
(64,346
)
 
(22,553
)
Sales of marketable securities
64,036

 
22,319

Net settlement of trading derivatives
(1,367
)
 
(253
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
1,698

 
347

Equity-based compensation
171

 
4,488

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of effect of acquisitions and dispositions of hotel properties:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
3,003

 
(1,551
)
Accounts receivable and inventories
(10,405
)
 
(8,990
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(6,690
)
 
(5,413
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
13,780

 
2,513

Due from affiliates
3,473

 
541

Due to/from related party
(6,315
)
 
(1,114
)
Due to/from third-party hotel managers
(8,295
)
 
(1,828
)
Due to/from Ashford Prime OP, net
561

 
(2,655
)
Due to/from Ashford Inc., net
918

 

Other liabilities
3,851

 
(504
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
30,327

 
11,081

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from payments of note receivable
60

 
61

Net proceeds from sales of hotel properties
7,502

 
22,402

Dividends from Ashford Prime OP

 
249

Acquisition of hotel properties, net of cash acquired
(287,618
)
 

Change in restricted cash related to improvements and additions to hotel properties
49,703

 

Improvements and additions to hotel properties
(28,812
)
 
(26,956
)
Due from Ashford Prime OP

 
13,635

Payments of franchise fees
(175
)
 

Proceeds from property insurance
282

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(259,058
)
 
9,391

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
Borrowings on indebtedness
1,581,032

 
200,000

Repayments of indebtedness and capital leases
(1,267,467
)
 
(169,503
)
Payments of loan costs and exit fees
(31,558
)
 
(3,831
)
Payments of dividends
(21,888
)
 
(20,734
)
Purchases of treasury shares
(446
)
 
(231
)
Payments for derivatives
(1,250
)
 
(216
)
Issuances of treasury stock
110,939

 
307

Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities

 
(980
)
Other
33

 
46

Net cash provided by financing activities
369,395

 
4,858

 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
140,664

 
25,330

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
215,063

 
128,780

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
355,727


$
154,110

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
26,543

 
$
24,588

Income taxes paid
197

 
19

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activity
 
 
 
Accrued but unpaid capital expenditures
$
6,522

 
$
2,927

Deferred compensation to be settled in shares

 
183

Dividend receivable from Ashford Prime OP
249

 
249

Transfer of debt to Ashford Prime OP

 
69,000

Dividends declared but not paid
23,346

 
20,890

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)



1. Organization and Description of Business
Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“Ashford Trust”), is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on investing in the hospitality industry across all segments and in all methods including direct real estate, securities, equity, and debt. Other than Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.’s investment in Ashford Inc. common stock, we own our lodging investments and conduct our business through Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership (“Ashford Trust OP”), our operating partnership. Ashford OP General Partner LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashford Trust, serves as the sole general partner of our operating partnership. In this report, terms such as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. and all entities included in its consolidated financial statements.
On December 14, 2014, we executed a Letter Agreement (the “Agreement”) with PRISA III Investments ("PRISA III"). The Agreement was approved by the investment committee of Prudential Real Estate Investors ("PREI"), the investment manager of PRISA III, and fully executed and delivered to us on December 15, 2014. Pursuant to the Agreement, we agreed to purchase and PRISA III agreed to sell (the “Transaction”) all of PRISA III’s right, title and interest in and to its approximately 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland Holding LLC (“PIM Highland JV”). As of March 6, 2015, we own 100% of the PIM Highland JV. See Notes 3, 6 and 7.
We are advised by Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC (“Ashford LLC”), a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., through an advisory agreement. All of the hotels in our portfolio are currently asset-managed by Ashford LLC. We do not have any employees. All of the services that might be provided by employees are provided to us by Ashford LLC.
As of March 31, 2015, we owned interests in the following assets:
116 consolidated hotel properties, including 114 directly owned and two owned through a majority-owned investment in a consolidated entity, which represent 25,579 total rooms (or 25,552 net rooms excluding those attributable to our partners);
10 hotel properties owned through a 15.2% interest in Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership (“Ashford Prime OP”) with a carrying value of $54.6 million;
86 hotel condominium units at WorldQuest Resort in Orlando, Florida;
a 30.1% ownership in Ashford Inc. common stock with a carrying value of $4.4 million; and
a mezzanine loan with a carrying value of $3.6 million.
For federal income tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a REIT, which imposes limitations related to operating hotels. As of March 31, 2015, our 116 hotel properties were leased or owned by our wholly owned subsidiaries that are treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes (collectively, these subsidiaries are referred to as “Ashford TRS”). Ashford TRS then engages third-party or affiliated hotel management companies to operate the hotels under management contracts. Hotel operating results related to these properties are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2015, Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, together with its affiliates (“Remington Lodging”), which is beneficially wholly owned by Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., our Chairman Emeritus, managed 76 of our 116 hotel properties, one of the 10 Ashford Prime OP hotel properties and WorldQuest Resort. Third-party management companies managed the remaining hotel properties.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., its majority-owned subsidiaries, and its majority-owned entities in which it has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in these consolidated financial statements. These consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2014 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015, and March 31, 2015, respectively.

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Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

The following items affect reporting comparability related to our consolidated financial statements:
Historical seasonality patterns at some of our properties cause fluctuations in our overall operating results. Consequently, operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
On March 1, 2014, we completed the sale of the Pier House Resort to Ashford Prime (“Ashford Prime”). The results of the Pier House Resort, which we acquired on May 14, 2013, and sold on March 1, 2014, are included in our results of operations for the period from January 1, 2014, through February 28, 2014.
On February 6, 2015, we acquired the Lakeway Resort & Spa, and on February 25, 2015, we acquired the Memphis Marriott East hotel. The results of these hotels are included in our results of operations as of their respective acquisition dates.
On March 6, 2015, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the 28 hotels of the PIM Highland JV. For the period January 1, 2014, through March 5, 2015, we have recorded equity in earnings for our ownership percentage. Beginning March 6, 2015, we consolidated the results of operations of these hotels.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Restricted Cash—Restricted cash includes reserves for debt service, real estate taxes, and insurance, as well as excess cash flow deposits and reserves for furniture, fixtures, and equipment replacements of approximately 3% to 6% of property revenue for certain hotels, as required by certain management or mortgage debt agreement restrictions and provisions. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, changes in restricted cash caused by using such funds for debt service, real estate taxes, and insurance are shown as operating activities. Changes in restricted cash caused by using such funds for furniture, fixtures, and equipment replacements are included in cash flows from investing activities.
Investments in Hotel Properties, net—Hotel properties are generally stated at cost. However, four hotel properties contributed upon Ashford Trust’s formation in 2003 are stated at the predecessor’s historical cost, net of impairment charges, if any, plus a partial step-up related to the acquisition of noncontrolling interests from third parties associated with certain of these properties. For hotel properties owned through our majority-owned entities, the carrying basis attributable to the partners’ minority ownership is recorded at the predecessor’s historical cost, net of any impairment charges, while the carrying basis attributable to our majority ownership is recorded based on the allocated purchase price of our ownership interests in the entities. All improvements and additions which extend the useful life of hotel properties are capitalized.
Impairment of Investments in Hotel Properties—Hotel properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the hotel is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the hotel to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, which take into account current market conditions and our intent with respect to holding or disposing of the hotel. If our analysis indicates that the carrying value of the hotel is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the property’s net book value exceeds its estimated fair value, or fair value, less cost to sell. In evaluating impairment of hotel properties, we make many assumptions and estimates, including projected cash flows, expected holding period, and expected useful life. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including internally developed discounted cash flow models, comparable market transactions and third-party appraisals, where considered necessary. No impairment charges were recorded for investments in hotel properties for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Hotel Dispositions—Effective January 1, 2015, discontinued operations are defined as the disposal of components of an entity that represents strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. We anticipate that dispositions of hotel properties will not represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results as most will not fit the definition. This new guidance is to be implemented prospectively only. As such, hotel property dispositions that occurred prior to December 31, 2014, will continue to be reported as discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all applicable periods presented. See Note 4.
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations—We classify assets as held for sale when we have obtained a firm commitment from a buyer, and consummation of the sale is considered probable and expected within one year. The related operations of assets held for sale are reported as discontinued if the disposal is a component of an entity or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and cash flows.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Intangible Assets and Liabilities—Intangible assets and liabilities represent the assets and liabilities recorded on certain hotel properties’ ground lease contracts that were below or above market rates at the date of acquisition. These assets and liabilities are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining terms of the respective lease contracts.
Note Receivable—Mezzanine loan financing, classified as note receivable, represents a loan held for investment and intended to be held to maturity. Note receivable is recorded at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, loan purchase discounts, and allowance for losses when a loan is deemed to be impaired. Premiums, discounts, and net origination fees are amortized or accreted as an adjustment to interest income using the effective interest method over the life of the loan. We discontinue recording interest and amortizing discounts/premiums when the contractual payment of interest and/or principal is not received when contractually due. Payments received on impaired nonaccrual loans are recorded as adjustments to impairment charges. No interest income was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Variable interest entities (“VIEs”), as defined by authoritative accounting guidance, must be consolidated by their controlling interest beneficiaries if the VIEs do not effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. Our remaining mezzanine note receivable at March 31, 2015, is secured by a hotel property and is subordinate to the controlling interest in the secured hotel property. Although the note receivable is considered to be a variable interest in the entity that owns the related hotel, we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the hotel property as a result of holding the loan. Therefore, we do not consolidate the hotel property for which we have provided financing. We will evaluate interests in entities acquired or created in the future to determine whether such entities should be consolidated. In evaluating VIEs, our analysis involves considerable management judgment and assumptions.
Impairment of Note Receivable—We review notes receivable for impairment each reporting period. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, collection of all amounts recorded as assets on the balance sheet is no longer considered probable. We apply normal loan review and underwriting procedures (as may be implemented or modified from time to time) in making that judgment.
When a loan is impaired, we measure impairment based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate against the value of the asset recorded on the balance sheet. We may also measure impairment based on a loan’s observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Loan impairments are recorded as a valuation allowance and a charge to earnings. Our assessment of impairment is based on considerable management judgment and assumptions. No impairment charges were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Valuation adjustments of $(106,000) and $(101,000) on previously impaired notes were credited to impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities—Investments in entities in which we have ownership interests ranging from 14.4% to 30.1% are accounted for under the equity method of accounting by recording the initial investment and our percentage of interest in the entities’ net income/loss. We review the investments in our unconsolidated entities for impairment in each reporting period pursuant to the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. An investment is impaired when its estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of our investment. Any impairment is recorded in equity earnings (loss) in unconsolidated entities. No such impairment was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Our investments in certain unconsolidated entities are considered to be variable interests in the underlying entities. Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), as defined by authoritative accounting guidance, must be consolidated by a reporting entity if the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary because it has (i) the power to direct the VIE’s activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, (ii) an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed, and (iii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. Because we do not have the power and financial responsibility to direct the unconsolidated entities’ activities and operations, we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary of these entities on an ongoing basis and therefore such entities should not be consolidated. In evaluating VIEs, our analysis involves considerable management judgment and assumptions.
Marketable Securities—Marketable securities, including U.S. treasury bills, publicly traded equity securities and stocks, and put and call options on certain publicly traded securities. All of these investments are recorded at fair value. Put and call options are considered derivatives. The fair value of these investments has been determined based on the closing price as of the balance sheet date and is reported as “marketable securities” or “liabilities associated with marketable securities and other” in the consolidated balance sheets. The cost of securities sold is determined by using the high cost method. Net investment income, including interest income (expense), dividends, realized gains or losses and costs of investment, is reported as a component of “other income.” Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported as “unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities” in the consolidated statements of operations.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Due to/from Affiliates—Due to/from affiliates represents current receivables and payables resulting primarily from advances of shared costs incurred. Both due to/from affiliates are generally settled within a period not exceeding one year.
Due to/from Related Party—Due to/from related party represents current receivables and payables resulting from transactions related to hotel management, project management and market services with a related party. Due to/from related party is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year.
Due to/from Ashford Prime OP, net—Due to/from Ashford Prime OP represents receivables and payables resulting primarily from miscellaneous operating and capital improvement true-ups between the two entities. In 2014, we had receivables related to advisory fees. Both due to/from Ashford Prime OP is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year.
Due to Ashford Inc., net—Due to Ashford Inc., net, represents current payables resulting primarily from advisory services fee, including reimbursable expenses. In 2014, due to Ashford Inc., net, included payables resulting primarily from costs associated with the spin-off of Ashford Inc. Due to Ashford Inc., net, is generally settled within a period not exceeding one year.
Revenue Recognition—Hotel revenues, including room, food, beverage, and ancillary revenues such as long-distance telephone service, laundry, parking and space rentals, are recognized when services have been rendered. Taxes collected from customers and submitted to taxing authorities are not recorded in revenue. Interest income (including accretion of discounts on the mezzanine loan using the effective interest method) is recognized when earned. We discontinue recording interest and amortizing discounts/premiums when the contractual payment of interest and/or principal is not received when contractually due. We are reimbursed by PIM Highland JV for costs associated with managing its day-to-day operations and providing corporate administrative services such as accounting, insurance, marketing support, asset management and other services. Beginning with the three months ended March 31, 2014, we changed the presentation to report such reimbursements as “Other” revenue as opposed to credits within “Corporate, general and administrative” expense. This change had no impact on our financial condition or results of operations. As of March 6, 2015, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% of the PIM Highland JV which discontinued the aforementioned reimbursements.
Prior to the spin-off of Ashford Inc. in November 2014, we recognized advisory services revenue when services had been rendered. The quarterly base fee was equal to 0.7% per annum of the total market capitalization, as defined in the advisory agreement, of Ashford Prime, subject to certain minimums. Reimbursements for overhead and internal audit services was recognized when services had been rendered. We also recorded advisory services revenue for equity grants of Ashford Prime common stock and LTIP units awarded to our officers and employees in connection with providing advisory services equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period, as well as an offsetting expense in an equal amount included in “corporate, general and administrative” expense.
Derivatives Instruments and Hedging—We use interest rate derivatives to hedge our risks and to capitalize on the historical correlation between changes in LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) and RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room). Interest rate derivatives could include swaps, caps, floors and flooridors. We assess the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. We also use credit default swaps to hedge financial and capital market risk. All of our derivatives are subject to master-netting settlement arrangements and the credit default swaps are subject to credit support annexes. For credit default swaps, cash collateral is posted by us as well as our counterparty. We offset the fair value of the derivative and the obligation/right to return/reclaim cash collateral.
All derivatives are recorded at fair value in accordance with the applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Interest rate derivatives and credit default swaps are reported as “Derivative assets, net” or “Liabilities associated with marketable securities and other” in the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest on non-hedge designated interest rate derivatives is included in “Accounts receivable, net” in the consolidated balance sheets. For interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
a)
the effective portion of changes in fair value is initially reported as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“OCI”) in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets and reclassified to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings, and
b)
the ineffective portion of changes in fair value is recognized directly in earnings as “Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives” in the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there was no ineffectiveness.
For non-hedge designated interest rate derivatives and credit default swaps, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as “unrealized loss on derivatives” in the consolidated statements of operations.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Income Taxes—As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal corporate income tax on the portion of our net income (loss) that does not relate to taxable REIT subsidiaries. However, Ashford TRS is treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary for federal income tax purposes. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, we account for income taxes related to Ashford TRS using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In addition, the analysis utilized by us in determining our deferred tax asset valuation allowance involves considerable management judgment and assumptions.
The “Income Taxes” Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification addresses the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. The guidance requires us to determine whether tax positions we have taken or expect to take in a tax return are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority based on the technical merits of the positions. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not threshold would be recorded as additional tax expense in the current period. We analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations for each jurisdiction, which includes the federal jurisdiction and various states. We classify interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense. We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and cities. Tax years 2011 through 2014 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities.
Reclassification—Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014, have been reclassified for discontinued operations.
Recently Adopted Accounting StandardsIn April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance that revises the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, removing the lack of continuing involvement criteria and requiring discontinued operations reporting for the disposal of an equity method investment that meets the definition of discontinued operations. The update also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations, including disclosure of pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The new accounting guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted this accounting guidance on January 1, 2015. The adoption of this accounting guidance impacted the presentation of our results of operations as it required the operations of our disposed hotel property to be included in continuing operations.
Recently Issued Accounting StandardsIn May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model, which requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The update will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 is effective in fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management's responsibility to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosure requirements. ASU 2014-15 applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard will have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The ASU amends the consolidation guidance for VIEs and general partners' investments in limited partnerships and modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The new standard requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption of the standard we will reclassify deferred financing

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

costs, net from total assets to be shown net of debt in the liabilities section of our consolidated balance sheet. Adoption of this standard will only affect the presentation of our consolidated balance sheet.
3. Investments in Hotel Properties, net
Investments in hotel properties, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Land
$
661,499

 
$
358,514

Buildings and improvements
3,535,862

 
2,125,656

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
346,744

 
211,777

Construction in progress
16,563

 
11,704

Condominium properties
12,153

 
12,065

Total cost
4,572,821

 
2,719,716

Accumulated depreciation
(618,838
)
 
(591,105
)
Investments in hotel properties, net
$
3,953,983

 
$
2,128,611

Acquisitions
On February 6, 2015, we acquired a 100% interest in the Lakeway Resort & Spa (“Lakeway Resort”) in Austin, Texas, for total consideration of $33.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash. We have allocated the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a preliminary basis using the estimated fair value information currently available. This valuation is considered a Level 3 valuation technique. We are in the process of obtaining necessary information and evaluating the values assigned to investment in hotel properties and property level working capital balances. Thus, the balances reflected below are subject to change and could result in adjustments. Any change to the amounts recorded within the investments in hotel properties will also impact depreciation and amortization expense.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition (in thousands):
Land
$
4,541

Buildings and improvements
24,703

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
4,237

 
33,481

Net other assets and liabilities
(382
)
The results of operations of the hotel property have been included in our results of operations since February 6, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we have included total revenue of $1.8 million and net loss of $58,000 in our consolidated statements of operations.
On February 25, 2015, we acquired a 100% interest in the Memphis Marriott East (“Memphis Marriott”) hotel in Memphis, Tennessee for total consideration of $43.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash. We have allocated the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a preliminary basis using the estimated fair value information currently available. This valuation is considered a Level 3 valuation technique. We are in the process of obtaining necessary information and evaluating the values assigned to investment in hotel properties and property level working capital balances. Thus, the balances reflected below are subject to change and could result in adjustments. Any change to the amounts recorded within the investments in hotel properties will also impact depreciation and amortization expense.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition (in thousands):
Land
$
6,210

Buildings and improvements
32,934

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
4,350

 
43,494

Net other assets and liabilities
34

The results of operations of the hotel property have been included in our results of operations since February 25, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we have included total revenue of $1.2 million and net income of $152,000 in our consolidated statements of operations.
On March 25, 2015, we completed the financing of a $33.3 million mortgage loan, secured by the Memphis Marriott. See Note 7.
As previously discussed in Note 1, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV. The transaction closed on March 6, 2015, for consideration of $250.1 million in cash. We recognized a gain of $381.8 million. Subsequent to the close of the transaction, $907.6 million of existing debt of the PIM Highland JV was refinanced. See Note 7. We have allocated the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a preliminary basis using the estimated fair value information currently available. This valuation is considered a Level 3 valuation technique. We are in the process of obtaining necessary information and evaluating the values assigned to investment in hotel properties and property level working capital balances. We are also in the process of evaluating the fair value of intangibles associated with above and below market leases which could impact rent expense. Thus, the balances reflected below are subject to change and could result in adjustments. Any change to the amounts recorded within the investments in hotel properties will also impact depreciation and amortization expense.

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition (in thousands):
Land
$
292,934

Buildings and improvements
1,351,293

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
118,878

 
1,763,105

Indebtedness
(1,120,082
)
Net other assets and liabilities
105,814

The results of operations of the hotel properties have been included in our results of operations since March 6, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we have included total revenue of $37.6 million and net income of $434,000 in our consolidated statements of operations.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Subsequent to March 31, 2015, on April 29, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the Hampton Inn & Suites in Gainesville, Florida for total consideration of $25.3 million in cash.
The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma results of operations as if all acquisitions had occurred and the applicable indebtedness was incurred on January 1, 2014 and the removal of $495,000 of non-recurring transaction costs and gain on acquisition of the PIM Highland JV of $381.8 million. The table also reflects the removal of equity in loss in unconsolidated entity of $3.8 million and $2.8 million for the three month ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These adjustments are directly attributable to the transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
330,830

 
$
310,103

Net loss
(23,129
)
 
(11,466
)
4. Hotel Dispositions
Effective January 1, 2015, discontinued operations according to ASU 2014-08 are defined as the disposal of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. As a result, operations of hotels sold subsequent to December 31, 2014 will continue to be reported in continuing operations, while gains/losses on disposition will be included in gain/loss on sale of property, after continuing operations. For transactions that have been classified as discontinued operations for periods prior to ASU 2014-08, we will continue to present the operating results as discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all applicable periods presented.
In March 2015, we completed the sale of the Hampton Inn hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana. We included operations for this hotel through the date of disposition in income (loss) from continuing operations as shown in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, as disposition of this hotel does not represent a strategic shift in our business.
The following table includes condensed financial information from this hotel (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total hotel revenue
$
361

 
$
472

Total hotel operating expenses
(308
)
 
(430
)
Operating income
53

 
42

Property taxes, insurance and other
(40
)
 
(41
)
Depreciation and amortization
(164
)
 
(150
)
Interest expense and amortization of loan costs

 
(128
)
Loss from continuing operations
(151
)
 
(277
)
Loss on sale of hotel property
(1,130
)
 

Net loss
(1,281
)
 
(277
)
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
147

 
36

Loss from continuing operations attributable to the Company
$
(1,134
)
 
$
(241
)
In November 2014, we completed the sale of the Homewood Suites hotel in Mobile, Alabama. Since this hotel sold prior to ASU 2014-08, we will continue to present the operating results as discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all applicable periods presented. The following table includes condensed financial information from this hotel for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
Hotel revenues
$
735

Hotel operating expenses
(473
)
Operating income
262

Property taxes, insurance and other
(31
)
Depreciation and amortization
(77
)
Interest expense and amortization of loan costs
(150
)
Net income
4

Income from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(1
)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Company
$
3

5. Note Receivable
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had one mezzanine loan receivable with a net carrying value of $3.6 million, net of a valuation allowance of $7.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively. This note is secured by one hotel property, bears interest at a rate of 6.09%, and matures in 2017. All required payments on this loan are current. Ongoing payments are treated as reductions of carrying value with related valuation allowance adjustments recorded as credits to impairment charges.
6. Investment in Unconsolidated Entities
We held a 71.74% common equity interest and a $25.0 million, or 50%, preferred equity interest earning an accrued but unpaid 15% annual return with priority over common equity distributions in PIM Highland JV, a 28-hotel portfolio venture. Although we had majority ownership in PIM Highland JV, all major decisions related to the joint venture, including establishment of policies and operating procedures with respect to business affairs and incurring obligations and expenditures, were subject to the approval of an executive committee, which was comprised of four persons with us and our partner each designating two of those persons. As a result, we utilized the equity accounting method with respect to the PIM Highland JV.
As previously discussed, pursuant to the Agreement, we agreed to purchase and PRISA III agreed to sell all of PRISA III’s right, title and interest in and to its approximately 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV. As of March 6, 2015, we own 100% of the PIM Highland JV. Prior to the acquisition of the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV, we had a carrying value of $144.8 million at December 31, 2014. The acquisition-date fair value of the previous equity interest was $522.8 million and is included in the measurement of the consideration transferred. We recognized a gain of $381.8 million as a result of remeasuring our equity interest in PIM Highland JV before the business combination. See Note 3 for unaudited pro forma results of operations and Note 7 for indebtedness related to the PIM Highland JV.
The following tables summarize the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and the consolidated statements of operations for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 5, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2014 of the PIM Highland JV (in thousands):

PIM Highland JV
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
December 31, 2014
Total assets
$
1,394,806

Total liabilities
1,166,682

Members’ equity
228,124

Total liabilities and members’ equity
$
1,394,806

 
 
Our ownership interest in PIM Highland JV
$
144,784


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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

PIM Highland JV
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Period from January 1 to March 5,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
76,695

 
$
108,761

Total operating expenses
(69,949
)
 
(95,388
)
Operating income
6,746

 
13,373

Interest income and other
17

 
13

Interest expense, amortization and write-offs of deferred loan costs, discounts and premiums and exit fees
(10,212
)
 
(15,908
)
Other expenses

 
(44
)
Income tax expense
(1,222
)
 
(447
)
Net loss
$
(4,671
)
 
$
(3,013
)
Our equity in loss of PIM Highland JV
$
(3,836
)
 
$
(2,754
)
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we held a 15.2% and 14.9%, respectively, ownership interest in Ashford Prime OP, a 10-hotel portfolio, totaling 3,707 rooms (3,472 net rooms excluding those attributable to our partners).
The following tables summarize the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, of Ashford Prime OP (in thousands):
Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Total assets
$
1,225,832

 
$
1,229,508

Total liabilities
815,555

 
805,510

Partners’ capital
410,277

 
423,998

Total liabilities and partners’ capital
$
1,225,832

 
$
1,229,508

Our ownership interest in Ashford Prime OP
$
54,613

 
$
54,907


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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Ashford Hospitality Prime Limited Partnership
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
77,789

 
$
61,806

Total operating expenses
(69,530
)
 
(57,031
)
Operating income
8,259

 
4,775

Interest income
4

 
4

Other Income
139

 

Interest expense and amortization and write-offs of loan costs
(9,637
)
 
(8,989
)
Unrealized gain on investments
1,323

 

Unrealized loss on derivatives
(32
)
 
(15
)
Income tax expense
(481
)
 
(226
)
Net loss
(425
)
 
(4,451
)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests
147

 
405

Net loss attributable to Ashford Prime OP
$
(278
)
 
$
(4,046
)
Our equity in loss of Ashford Prime OP
$
(45
)
 
$
(744
)
On February 27, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a plan to spin-off our asset management business into a separate publicly traded company in the form of a taxable special distribution. The spin-off was completed on November 12, 2014, with a pro-rata taxable distribution of Ashford Inc.’s common stock to our common stockholders of record as of November 11, 2014. The distribution was comprised of one share of Ashford Inc. common stock for every 87 shares of our common stock held by our stockholders. In addition for each common unit of our operating partnership the holder received a common unit of the operating limited liability company subsidiary of Ashford Inc. Each holder of common units of the operating limited liability company of Ashford Inc. could exchange up to 99% of those units for shares of Ashford Inc. stock at the rate of one share of Ashford Inc. common stock for every 55 common units. The exchange occurred on November 12, 2014, simultaneously with the distribution to common stockholders. Following the spin-off, we continue to hold approximately 598,000 shares of Ashford Inc. common stock for the benefit of our common stockholders, which represents an approximate 30.1% ownership interest in Ashford Inc. at the time of the spin-off. In connection with the spin-off, we entered into a 20-year advisory agreement with Ashford Inc.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

The following tables summarize the condensed balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the condensed statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 of Ashford Inc. (in thousands):
Ashford Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Total assets
$
48,801

 
$
49,230

Total liabilities
37,807

 
33,912

Redeemable noncontrolling interests in Ashford LLC
535

 
424

Total equity
10,459

 
14,894

Total liabilities and equity
$
48,801

 
$
49,230

Our ownership interest in Ashford Inc.
$
4,358

 
$
7,099

Ashford Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
13,118

 
$
2,312

Total operating expenses
(21,502
)
 
(11,110
)
Operating loss
(8,384
)
 
(8,798
)
Income tax expense
(1,454
)
 
(15
)
Net loss
(9,838
)
 
(8,813
)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests
763

 

Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in Ashford LLC
21

 

Net loss attributable to Ashford Inc.
$
(9,054
)
 
$
(8,813
)
Our equity in loss of Ashford Inc.
$
(2,741
)
 
$

Additionally, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had a 14.4% subordinated beneficial interest in a trust that holds the Four Seasons hotel property in Nevis, which had a zero carrying value.

18

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

7. Indebtedness
Indebtedness consisted of the following (in thousands):
Indebtedness
 
Collateral
 
Maturity
 
Interest Rate
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Mortgage loan (4)
 
5 hotels
 
November 2015
 
Greater of 6.40% or LIBOR (1) + 6.15%
 
$

 
$
211,000

Mortgage loan
 
10 hotels
 
July 2015
 
5.22%
 

 
145,278

Mortgage loan
 
8 hotels
 
December 2015
 
5.70%
 
92,203

 
92,772

Mortgage loan
 
5 hotels
 
February 2016
 
5.53%
 
104,692

 
105,164

Mortgage loan
 
5 hotels
 
February 2016
 
5.53%
 
75,207

 
75,546

Mortgage loan (2)(6)
 
5 hotels
 
February 2016
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.75%
 
200,000

 
200,000

Mortgage loan (2)
 
7 hotels
 
August 2016
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.35%
 
301,000

 
301,000

Mortgage loan (2)
 
5 hotels
 
August 2016
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.38%
 
62,900

 
62,900

Mortgage loan (2)
 
1 hotel
 
August 2016
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.20%
 
37,500

 
37,500

Mortgage loan (2)
 
8 hotels
 
January 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.95%
 
376,800

 

Mortgage loan (5)
 
24 hotels
 
April 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.39%
 
1,070,560

 

Mortgage loan (2)
 
1 hotel
 
April 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.95%
 
33,300

 

Mortgage loan
 
5 hotels
 
April 2017
 
5.95%
 
111,463

 
111,869

Mortgage loan
 
5 hotels
 
April 2017
 
5.95%
 
100,188

 
100,552

Mortgage loan
 
5 hotels
 
April 2017
 
5.95%
 
152,447

 
153,002

Mortgage loan
 
7 hotels
 
April 2017
 
5.95%
 
121,940

 
122,384

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2018
 
4.38%
 
99,343

 

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
January 2018
 
4.44%
 
108,646

 

Mortgage loan (3)
 
1 hotel
 
July 2019
 
LIBOR (1) + 3.75%
 
5,524

 
5,525

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
November 2020
 
6.26%
 
99,509

 
99,780

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2024
 
5.49%
 
10,636

 
10,673

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2024
 
5.49%
 
7,288

 
7,313

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
May 2024
 
4.99%
 
6,819

 
6,845

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
August 2024
 
5.20%
 
67,520

 
67,520

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
August 2024
 
4.85%
 
12,500

 
12,500

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
August 2024
 
4.90%
 
24,980

 
24,980

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
February 2025
 
4.45%
 
54,813

 

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
February 2025
 
4.45%
 
24,461

 

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
February 2025
 
4.45%
 
21,192

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,383,431

 
1,954,103

Premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,192

 

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,387,623

 
$
1,954,103

____________________________________
(1) LIBOR rates were 0.176% and 0.171% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
(3) This mortgage loan provides for an interest rate of LIBOR + 3.75% with a 0.25% LIBOR floor for the first 18 months and is fixed at 4.0% thereafter.
(4) This mortgage loan had three one-year extension options subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The first one-year extension period began in November 2014.
(5) This mortgage loan has four one-year extension options subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
(6) This mortgage loan has a LIBOR floor of 0.20%.
On January 2, 2015, we refinanced two mortgage loans totaling $356.3 million. The refinance included our $211.0 million mortgage loan due November 2015 and the $145.3 million mortgage loan due July 2015. The new loans totaled $477.3 million in four loan pools as of March 31, 2015. The new loans include a $376.8 million mortgage loan due January 2017, a $54.8 million mortgage loan due February 2025, a $24.5 million mortgage loan due February 2025 and a $21.2 million mortgage loan due February 2025. The $376.8 million mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 4.95%. The stated maturity is January 2017, with three one-year extension options. The three mortgage loans totaling $100.5 million due February 2025 bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.45%. The stated maturity date for each of these loans is February 2025. The new loans continue to be secured by the same 15 hotel properties.

19

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

On March 25, 2015, we completed the financing of a $33.3 million mortgage loan, secured by the Memphis Marriott. The mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 4.95%. The stated maturity is April 2017, with three one-year extension options.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized premium amortization of $127,000. The amortization of the premium is computed using a method that approximates the effective interest method, which is included in interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
As previously discussed in Note 1, pursuant to the Agreement, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV. The transaction closed on March 6, 2015. Subsequent to the close of the transaction, $907.6 million of assumed mortgage loans due March 2015 were refinanced with a $1.07 billion non-recourse mortgage loan due April 2017. The new loan provides for an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.39%. Additionally we assumed two mortgage loans which include a $99.3 million mortgage due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.38% and a $108.6 million mortgage loan due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.44%.
We are required to maintain certain financial ratios under various debt and derivative agreements. If we violate covenants in any debt or derivative agreement, we could be required to repay all or a portion of our indebtedness before maturity at a time when we might be unable to arrange financing for such repayment on attractive terms, if at all. The assets of certain of our subsidiaries are pledged under non-recourse indebtedness and are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of Ashford Trust or Ashford Trust OP, our operating partnership, and the liabilities of such subsidiaries do not constitute the obligations of Ashford Trust or Ashford Trust OP. Presently, our existing financial covenants are non-recourse and primarily relate to maintaining minimum debt coverage ratios, maintaining an overall minimum net worth, maintaining a maximum loan to value ratio, and maintaining an overall minimum total assets. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance in all material respects with all covenants or other requirements set forth in our debt and related agreements as amended.
8. Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated using the two-class method by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is calculated using the two-class method, or treasury stock method if more dilutive, and reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares, whereby such exercise or conversion would result in lower income per share.

20

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

The following table reconciles the amounts used in calculating basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
321,496

 
$
(2,391
)
Less: Dividends on preferred stocks
(8,490
)
 
(8,490
)
Less: Dividends on common stock
(11,964
)
 
(9,629
)
Less: Dividends on unvested restricted shares
(165
)
 
(84
)
Less: Undistributed income from continuing operations allocated to unvested shares
(2,035
)
 

Undistributed income (loss)
298,842

 
(20,594
)
Add back: Dividends on common stock
11,964

 
9,629

Distributed and undistributed income (loss) from continuing operations - basic
$
310,806

 
$
(10,965
)
Add back: Income from continuing operations allocated to operating partnership units
45,336

 

Distributed and undistributed net income (loss) - diluted
$
356,142

 
$
(10,965
)
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations allocated to common stockholders:
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Company
$

 
$
3

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
95,539

 
81,690

Effect of assumed conversion of operating partnership units
18,373

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
113,912

 
81,690

 
 
 
 
Basic income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations allocated to common stockholders per share
$
3.25

 
$
(0.13
)
Income from discontinued operations allocated to common stockholders per share

 

Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders per share
$
3.25

 
$
(0.13
)
 
 
 
 
Diluted income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations allocated to common stockholders per share
$
3.13

 
$
(0.13
)
Income from discontinued operations allocated to common stockholders per share

 

Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders per share
$
3.13

 
$
(0.13
)
Due to the anti-dilutive effect, the computation of diluted income (loss) per share does not reflect adjustments for the following items (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders is not adjusted for:
 
 
 
Income allocated to unvested restricted shares
$
2,200

 
$
84

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership units

 
(877
)
Total
$
2,200

 
$
(793
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares are not adjusted for:
 
 
 
Effect of unvested restricted shares
432

 
144

Effect of assumed conversion of operating partnership units

 
19,316

Total
432

 
19,460


21

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

9. Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Interest Rate Derivatives—We are exposed to risks arising from our business operations, economic conditions and financial markets. To manage these risks, we primarily use interest rate derivatives to hedge our debt as a way to potentially improve cash flows. We also use non-hedge derivatives to capitalize on the historical correlation between changes in LIBOR and RevPAR. The interest rate derivatives currently include interest rate caps. These derivatives are subject to master netting settlement arrangements. As of March 31, 2015, maturities on these instruments range from November 2015 to April 2017. To mitigate the nonperformance risk, we routinely rely on a third party’s analysis of the creditworthiness of the counterparties, which supports our belief that the counterparties’ nonperformance risk is limited. All derivatives are recorded at fair value.
In 2015, we entered into interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $1.5 billion and strike rates ranging from 2.50% to 3.00%. These interest rate caps had effective dates from January 2015 to March 2015, and maturity dates from January 2017 to April 2017, for a total cost of $1.3 million. These instruments were not designated as a cash flow hedges. These instruments cap the interest rates on our mortgage loans with principal balances of $1.5 billion and a maturity dates from January 2017 to April 2017.
In 2014, we entered into an interest rate cap with a notional amount and strike rate of $200.0 million and 2.25%, respectively, which had an effective date of January 2014, a maturity date of February 2016 and total cost of $216,000. The instrument was not designated as a cash flow hedge. This instrument caps the interest rate on our mortgage loan with a principal balance of $200.0 million and a maturity date of February 2016.
Credit Default Swap Derivatives—A credit default swap is a derivative contract that functions like an insurance policy against the credit risk of an entity or obligation. The seller of protection assumes the credit risk of the reference obligation from the buyer (us) of protection in exchange for annual premium payments. If a default or a loss, as defined in the credit default swap agreements, occurs on the underlying bonds, then the buyer of protection is protected against those losses. The only liability for us, the buyer, is the annual premium and any change in value of the underlying CMBX index (if the trade is terminated prior to maturity). For all CMBX trades completed to date, we were the buyer of protection. Credit default swaps are subject to master-netting settlement arrangements and credit support annexes. Assuming the underlying bonds pay off at par over their remaining average life, our total exposure for these trades was approximately $1.8 million as of March 31, 2015. Cash collateral is posted by us as well as our counterparty. We offset the fair value of the derivative and the obligation/right to return/reclaim cash collateral. The change in market value of credit default swaps is settled net through posting cash collateral or reclaiming cash collateral between us and our counterparty when the change in market value is over $250,000.
In February 2015 and August 2011, we entered into credit default swap transactions for notional amounts of $45.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, to hedge financial and capital market risk for upfront costs of $1.6 million and $8.2 million, respectively, that was subsequently returned to us as collateral by our counterparty. The net carrying value of these credit default swaps was an asset of $503,000 and liability of $184,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which are included in “derivative assets, net” and “liabilities associated with marketable securities and other”, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. We recognized an unrealized loss of $0.7 million and $226,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are included in “unrealized loss on derivatives” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Marketable Securities and Liabilities Associated with Marketable Securities and other—We invest in publicly traded equity securities and put and call options on certain publicly traded equity securities, which are considered derivatives. At March 31, 2015, we had investments in these derivatives totaling $1.2 million and liabilities of $1.0 million. At December 31, 2014, we had investments in these derivatives totaling $654,000 and liabilities of $997,000.

22

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

10. Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Hierarchy—For disclosure purposes, financial instruments, whether measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis or not measured at fair value, are classified in a hierarchy consisting of three levels based on the observability of valuation inputs in the market place as discussed below:
Level 1: Fair value measurements that are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that we have the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities. Market price data generally is obtained from exchange or dealer markets.
Level 2: Fair value measurements based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3: Fair value measurements based on valuation techniques that use significant inputs that are unobservable. The circumstances for using these measurements include those in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
Fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts/payments and the discounted expected variable cash payments/receipts. Fair values of interest rate caps, floors, flooridors, and corridors are determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates fell below the strike rates of the floors or rise above the strike rates of the caps. Variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts and payments on the swaps, caps, and floors are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves (LIBOR forward curves) and volatilities (Level 2 inputs). We also incorporate credit valuation adjustments (Level 3 inputs) to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk.
Fair values of credit default swaps are obtained from a third party who publishes various information including the index composition and price data (Level 2 inputs). The fair value of credit default swaps does not contain credit-risk-related adjustments as the change in fair value is settled net through posting cash collateral or reclaiming cash collateral between us and our counterparty.
Fair values of marketable securities and liabilities associated with marketable securities, including public equity securities, equity put and call options, and other investments, are based on their quoted market closing prices (Level 1 inputs).
When a majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. However, when valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and our counterparties, which we consider significant (10% or more) to the overall valuation of our derivatives, the derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers of inputs between levels are determined at the end of each reporting period. In determining the fair values of our derivatives at March 31, 2015, the LIBOR interest rate forward curve (Level 2 inputs) assumed an uptrend from 0.18% to 1.31% for the remaining term of our derivatives. Credit spreads (Level 3 inputs) used in determining the fair values of hedge and non-hedge designated derivatives assumed an uptrend in nonperformance risk for us and all of our counterparties through the maturity dates.

23

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis aggregated by the level within which measurements fall in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
 
 
Quoted Market Prices (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting(4)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge
$

 
$
414

 
$

 
$

 
$
414

(1) 
 
Credit default swaps

 
1,331

 

 
(828
)
 
503

(1) 
 
Equity put options
935

 

 

 

 
935

(2) 
 
Equity call options
267

 

 

 

 
267

(2) 
 
Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
53,155

 

 

 

 
53,155

(2) 
 
U.S. treasury securities
18,070

 

 

 

 
18,070

(2) 
 
Total
72,427

 
1,745

 

 
(828
)
 
73,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Short equity put options
(353
)
 

 

 

 
(353
)
(3) 
 
 Short equity call options
(694
)
 

 

 

 
(694
)
(3) 
 
Non-derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
(1,427
)
 

 

 

 
(1,427
)
(3) 
 
Margin account balance
(10,297
)
 

 

 

 
(10,297
)
(3) 
 
Total
(12,771
)
 

 

 

 
(12,771
)
 
 
Net
$
59,656

 
$
1,745

 
$

 
$
(828
)
 
$
60,573

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge
$

 
$
182

 
$

 
$

 
$
182

(1) 
 
Equity put options
653

 

 

 

 
653

(2) 
 
Equity call options
1

 

 

 

 
1

(2) 
 
Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
57,941

 

 

 

 
57,941

(2) 
 
U.S. treasury securities
4,622

 

 

 

 
4,622

(2) 
 
Total
63,217

 
182

 

 

 
63,399

 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps

 
379

 

 
(563
)
 
(184
)
(3) 
 
Short equity put options
(216
)
 

 

 

 
(216
)
(3) 
 
Short equity call options
(781
)
 

 

 

 
(781
)
(3) 
 
Non-derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short equity securities
(17
)
 

 

 

 
(17
)
(3) 
 
Margin account balance
(5,003
)
 

 

 

 
(5,003
)
(3) 
 
Total
(6,017
)
 
379

 

 
(563
)
 
(6,201
)
 
 
Net
$
57,200

 
$
561

 
$

 
$
(563
)
 
$
57,198

 
____________________________________
(1) Reported net as “derivative assets, net” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2) Reported as “marketable securities” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Reported as “liabilities associated with marketable securities and other” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(4) Represents cash collateral posted by our counterparty.

24

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Effect of Fair-Value-Measured Assets and Liabilities on Consolidated Statements of Operations
The following tables summarize the effect of fair-value-measured assets and liabilities on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
 Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
 into Interest Expense
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
(1,018
)
 
$
(121
)
 
$

 
$
71

Equity put options
(1,290
)
 
(462
)
 

 

Equity call options
80

 
(50
)
 

 

Credit default swaps
(737
)
 
(247
)
 

 

Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity - American Depositary Receipt
(65
)
 

 

 

Equity
2,063

 
948

 

 

U.S. Treasury
406

 
294

 

 

Total
(561
)
 
362

 

 
71

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short equity put options
595

 
4

 

 

Short equity call options
579

 
391

 

 

Non-derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short equity securities
(36
)
 

 

 

Total
1,138

 
395

 

 

Net
$
577

 
$
757

 
$

 
$
71

Total combined
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
(1,018
)
 
$
(121
)
 
$

 
$
71

Credit default swaps
(680
)
 
(226
)
 

 

Total derivatives
(1,698
)
(1) 
(347
)
(1) 

 
71

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1,802
)
(3) 
1

(3) 

 

Realized gain on marketable securities
4,077

(2) (4) 
1,103

(2) (4) 

 

Net
$
577

 
$
757

 
$

 
$
71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
____________________________________
(1) Reported as “unrealized loss on derivatives” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Included in “other income” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Reported as “unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(4) Includes costs of $57 and $21 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, associated with credit default swaps.
There was no change in fair value of our interest rate derivatives that were recognized in other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

25

Table of Contents
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

11. Summary of Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Determining estimated fair values of our financial instruments such as notes receivable and indebtedness requires considerable judgment to interpret market data. Market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies used may have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts. Accordingly, estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of amounts at which these instruments could be purchased, sold, or settled. Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments, for periods indicated, were as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities
$
72,427

 
$
72,427

 
$
63,217

 
$
63,217

Derivative assets, net
917

 
917

 
182

 
182

Liabilities associated with marketable securities and other
12,771

 
12,771

 
6,201

 
6,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets not measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
355,727

 
$
355,727

 
$
215,063

 
$
215,063

Restricted cash
143,043

 
143,043

 
85,830

 
85,830

Accounts receivable, net
52,512

 
52,512

 
22,399

 
22,399

Note receivable, net
3,599

 
3,117 to 3,445

 
3,553

 
3,049 to 3,370

Due from affiliates

 

 
3,473

 
3,473

Due from Ashford Prime OP, net
335

 
335

 
896

 
896

Due from related party, net
1,922

 
1,922

 

 

Due from third-party hotel managers
39,047

 
39,047

 
12,241

 
12,241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indebtedness
$
3,387,623

 
$3,267,372 to $3,611,305

 
$
1,954,103

 
$1,905,801 to $2,106,413

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
131,890

 
131,890

 
71,118

 
71,118

Dividends payable
23,346

 
23,346

 
21,889

 
21,889

Due to Ashford Inc., net
9,120

 
9,120

 
8,202

 
8,202

Due to related party, net

 

 
1,867

 
1,867

Due to third-party hotel managers
1,529

 
1,529

 
1,640

 
1,640

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. These financial assets bear interest at market rates and have maturities of less than 90 days. The carrying value approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. This is considered a Level 1 valuation technique.
Accounts receivable, net, accounts payable and accrued expenses, dividends payable, due to/from Ashford Prime OP, due to/from related party, due from affiliates, due to/from Ashford Inc. and due to/from third-party hotel managers. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. This is considered a Level 1 valuation technique.
Note receivable, net. Fair value of notes receivable is determined using similar loans with similar collateral. We relied on our internal analysis of what we believe a willing buyer would pay for this note. We estimated the fair value of the note receivable to be approximately 13.4% to 4.3% lower than the carrying value of $3.6 million at March 31, 2015 and approximately 14.2% to 5.2% lower than the carrying value of $3.6 million at December 31, 2014. This is considered a Level 2 valuation technique.
Marketable securities. Marketable securities consist of U.S. treasury bills, publicly traded equity securities, and put and call options on certain publicly traded equity securities. The fair value of these investments is based on quoted market closing prices at the balance sheet dates. See Notes 2, 9 and 10 for a complete description of the methodology and assumptions utilized in determining fair values.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Indebtedness. Fair value of indebtedness is determined using future cash flows discounted at current replacement rates for these instruments. Cash flows are determined using a forward interest rate yield curve. Current replacement rates are determined by using the U.S. Treasury yield curve or the index to which these financial instruments are tied and adjusted for credit spreads. Credit spreads take into consideration general market conditions, maturity, and collateral. We estimated the fair value of total indebtedness to be approximately 96.5% to 106.6% of the carrying value of $3.4 billion at March 31, 2015 and approximately 97.5% to 107.8% of the carrying value of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2014. This is considered a Level 2 valuation technique.
Derivative assets and liabilities associated with marketable securities and other. Fair value of interest rate derivatives is determined using the net present value of expected cash flows of each derivative based on the market-based interest rate curve and adjusted for credit spreads of us and our counterparties. Fair values of credit default swap derivatives are obtained from a third party who publishes the CMBX index composition and price data. Liabilities associated with marketable securities and other consists of a margin account balance, short public equity securities and short equity put and call options. Fair value is determined based on quoted market closing prices at the balance sheet dates. See Notes 2, 9 and 10 for a complete description of the methodology and assumptions utilized in determining fair values.
12. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership represents the limited partners’ proportionate share of equity in earnings/losses of the operating partnership, which is an allocation of net income/loss attributable to the common unit holders based on the weighted average ownership percentage of these limited partners’ common units of limited partnership interest in the operating partnership (“common units”) and the units issued under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP units”) that are vested throughout the period plus distributions paid to the limited partners with regard to the Class B common units. Class B common units have a fixed dividend rate of 6.82% in years one to three and 7.2% thereafter, and have priority in payment of cash dividends over common units but otherwise have no preference over common units. Aside from the Class B common units, all other outstanding units represent common units. Beginning one year after issuance, each common unit (including each Class B common unit) may be redeemed for either cash or, at our sole discretion, up to one share of our common stock. Beginning ten years after issuance, each Class B common unit may be converted into a common unit at either party’s discretion. As a result of the Ashford Inc. spin-off, holders of our common stock were distributed one share of Ashford Inc. common stock for every 87 shares of our common stock, while our unit holders received one common unit of the operating limited liability company subsidiary of Ashford Inc. for each common unit of our operating partnership the holder held, and such holder then had the opportunity to exchange up to 99% of those units for shares of Ashford Inc. common stock at the rate of one share of Ashford Inc. common stock for every 55 common units. Following the spin-off, Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. continues to hold 598,000 shares of Ashford Inc. common stock for the benefit of its common stockholders, and all of our remaining lodging investments are owned by Ashford Trust OP. Therefore, each common unit and LTIP unit was worth approximately 93% and 94% of one share of our common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
LTIP units, which are issued to certain executives and employees of Ashford LLC as compensation, have vesting periods ranging from three to five years. Additionally, certain independent members of the Board of Directors have elected to receive LTIP units as part of their compensation, which are fully vested upon grant. Upon reaching economic parity with common units, each vested LTIP unit can be converted by the holder into one common unit which can then be redeemed for cash or, at our election, settled in our common stock. An LTIP unit will achieve parity with the common units upon the sale or deemed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the operating partnership at a time when our stock is trading at a level in excess of the price it was trading on the date of the LTIP issuance. More specifically, LTIP units will achieve full economic parity with common units in connection with (i) the actual sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the operating partnership or (ii) the hypothetical sale of such assets, which results from a capital account revaluation, as defined in the partnership agreement, for the operating partnership.
As of March 31, 2015, we have issued a total of 8.7 million LTIP units, all of which, other than approximately 660,000 units, issued in March 2015, have reached full economic parity with, and are convertible into, common units. Expense of $64,000 was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2015, all of which was associated with LTIP units issued to Ashford LLC’s employees and is included in “advisory services fee” in our consolidated statements of operations. As the LTIP units are issued to non-employees, the compensation expense was determined based on the share price as of the end of the period. Compensation expense of $3.9 million associated with the issuance of LTIP units was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2014, while we were self-advised. The fair value of the unamortized LTIP units, which was $5.8 million at March 31, 2015, will be amortized over a period of 3.0 years.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 150,000 common units with an aggregate fair value of $1.5 million were redeemed by the holder and, at our election, we issued shares of our common stock to satisfy the redemption price. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no common units were presented for redemption.

27


Redeemable noncontrolling interests, including vested LTIP units, in our operating partnership as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $165.6 million and $177.1 million, respectively, which represents ownership of our operating partnership of 12.38% and 13.01%, respectively. The carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included adjustments of $115.7 million and $169.3 million, respectively, to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the accumulated historical costs. Redeemable noncontrolling interests were allocated net income of $45.3 million and and net loss of $877,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We declared aggregate cash distributions to holders of common units and holders of LTIP units of $2.7 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These distributions are recorded as a reduction of redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership.
13. Equity and Equity-Based Compensation
Equity Offering—On January 29, 2015, we commenced a follow-on public offering of 9.5 million shares of common stock. The offering priced on January 30, 2015, at $10.65 per share for gross proceeds of $101.2 million. We granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.425 million shares of common stock. On February 10, 2015, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased an additional 1.029 million shares of our common stock at a price of $10.65 per share less the underwriting discount.
Common Stock Dividends—For each of the 2015 and 2014 quarters, the Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.12 per outstanding share of common stock with an annualized target of $0.48 per share for 2015.
Equity-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $107,000, which is associated with restricted shares of our common stock issued to Ashford LLC’s employees and is included in “advisory services fee” in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of our common stock of $617,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, while we were self-advised. The fair value of the unamortized restricted shares, which was $9.6 million at March 31, 2015, will be amortized over a period of 3.0 years.
Preferred Dividends—During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.5344 per share for our 8.55% Series A preferred stock, $0.5281 per share for our 8.45% Series D preferred stock, and $0.5625 per share for our 9.00% Series E preferred stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.5344 per share for our 8.55% Series A preferred stock, $0.5281 per share for our 8.45% Series D preferred stock and $0.5625 per share for our 9.00% Series E preferred stock.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Entities—Our noncontrolling entity partner, had an ownership interest of 15% in two hotel properties and a total carrying value of $775,000 and $800,000 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Our ownership interest is reported in equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities were allocated losses of $25,000 and $27,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
14. Commitments and Contingencies
Restricted Cash—Under certain management and debt agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2015, escrow payments are required for insurance, real estate taxes, and debt service. In addition, for certain properties based on the terms of the underlying debt and management agreements, we escrow 3% to 6% of gross revenues for capital improvements.
Franchise Fees—Under franchise agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2015, we pay franchisor royalty fees between 2.5% and 6% of gross room revenue and, in some cases, food and beverage revenues. Additionally, we pay fees for marketing, reservations, and other related activities aggregating between 1% and 6% of gross room revenue and, in some cases, food and beverage revenues. These franchise agreements expire on varying dates between 2015 and 2035. When a franchise term expires, the franchisor has no obligation to renew the franchise. A franchise termination could have a material adverse effect on the operations or the underlying value of the affected hotel due to loss of associated name recognition, marketing support, and centralized reservation systems provided by the franchisor. A franchise termination could also have a material adverse effect on cash available for distribution to stockholders. In addition, if we breach the franchise agreement and the franchisor terminates a franchise prior to its expiration date, we may be liable for up to three times the average annual fees incurred for that property.
Our continuing operations incurred franchise fees of $11.9 million and $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

Management Fees—Under management agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2015, we pay a) monthly property management fees equal to the greater of $10,000 (CPI adjusted since 2003) or 3% of gross revenues, or in some cases 1.5% to 7% of gross revenues, as well as annual incentive management fees, if applicable, b) market service fees on approved capital improvements, including project management fees of up to 4% of project costs, for certain hotels, and c) other general fees at current market rates as approved by our independent directors, if required. These management agreements expire from 2015 through 2044, with renewal options. If we terminate a management agreement prior to its expiration, we may be liable for estimated management fees through the remaining term and liquidated damages or, in certain circumstances, we may substitute a new management agreement.
Income Taxes—If we sell or transfer the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington, Virginia prior to July 2016, we will be required to indemnify the entity from which we acquired the property if, as a result of such transactions, such entity would recognize a gain for federal tax purposes. In general, tax indemnities equal the federal, state, and local income tax liabilities the contributor or their specified assignee incurs with respect to the gain allocated to the contributor. The contribution agreements’ terms generally require us to gross up tax indemnity payments for the amount of income taxes due as a result of such tax indemnities.
Potential Pension Liabilities—Upon our 2006 acquisition of a hotel property, certain employees of such hotel were unionized and covered by a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan. At that time, no unfunded pension liabilities existed. Subsequent to our acquisition, a majority of employees, who are employees of the hotel manager, Remington Lodging, petitioned the employer to withdraw recognition of the union. As a result of the decertification petition, Remington Lodging withdrew recognition of the union. At the time of the withdrawal, the National Retirement Fund, the union’s pension fund, indicated unfunded pension liabilities existed. The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) filed a complaint against Remington Lodging seeking, among other things, that Remington Lodging’s withdrawal of recognition was unlawful. Pending the final determination of the NLRB complaint, including appeals, the pension fund entered into a settlement agreement with Remington Lodging on November 1, 2011, providing that (a) Remington Lodging will continue to make monthly pension fund payments pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, and (b) if the withdrawal of recognition is ultimately deemed lawful, Remington Lodging will have an unfunded pension liability equal to $1.7 million minus the monthly pension payments made by Remington Lodging since the settlement agreement. To illustrate, if Remington Lodging—as of the date a final determination occurs—has made monthly pension payments equaling $100,000, Remington Lodging’s remaining withdrawal liability shall be the unfunded pension liability of $1.7 million minus $100,000 (or $1.6 million). This remaining unfunded pension liability shall be paid to the pension fund in annual installments of $84,000 (but may be made monthly or quarterly, at Remington Lodging’s election), which shall continue for the remainder of the twenty-(20)-year capped period, unless Remington Lodging elects to pay the unfunded pension liability amount earlier. We agreed to indemnify Remington Lodging for the payment of the unfunded pension liability as set forth in the settlement agreement.
LitigationPalm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, et al. v. Nantucket Enterprises, Inc. This litigation involves a landlord tenant dispute from 2008 in which the landlord, Palm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Company, claimed that the tenant, Nantucket Enterprises, Inc., had violated various lease provisions of the lease agreement and was therefore in default. The tenant counterclaimed and asserted multiple claims including that it had been wrongfully evicted. The litigation was instituted by the plaintiff in November 2008 in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Palm Beach County, Florida and proceeded to a jury trial on June 30, 2014. The jury entered its verdict awarding the tenant total claims of $10.8 million and ruling against the landlord on its claim of breach of contract. The landlord is preparing various post trial motions. A final judgment was entered and the landlord has filed a notice of appeal. As a result of the jury verdict, we previously recorded pre-judgment interest of $707,000 and accrued a reasonable estimate of loss related to legal fees of $400,000 during 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded additional pre-judgment interest of $24,000. Including the 2014 judgment, pre-judgment interest and estimated loss of legal expenses, total expense was $11.9 million through March 31, 2015. The additional charges related to pre-judgment interest are included in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
We are engaged in other various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. The likelihood of loss from these legal proceedings, based on definitions within contingency accounting literature, ranges from remote to reasonably possible and to probable. Based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and if we fail to prevail in one or more of these legal matters, and the associated realized losses exceed our current estimates of the range of potential losses, our consolidated financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected in future periods.

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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

15. Segment Reporting
We operate in one business segment within the hotel lodging industry: direct hotel investments. Direct hotel investments refer to owning hotels through either acquisition or new development. We report operating results of direct hotel investments on an aggregate basis as substantially all of our hotel investments have similar economic characteristics and exhibit similar long-term financial performance. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all of our hotel properties were domestically located.
16. Subsequent Events
On April 17, 2015, we completed the financing of a $25.1 million mortgage loan, secured by the Lakeway Resort in Austin, Texas. The new mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 5.10%. The stated maturity is May 2017, with three one-year extension options.
On April 29, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the 124-room Hampton Inn & Suites in Gainesville, Florida for total consideration of $25.3 million in cash.
The unaudited pro forma results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014, is included in Note 3.

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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein. This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company” or “we” or “our” or “us”) cautions investors that any forward-looking statements presented herein, or which management may express orally or in writing from time to time, are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions at that time.
Throughout this Form 10-Q, we make forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximately,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” or other similar words or expressions. Additionally, statements regarding the following subjects are forward-looking by their nature: 
our business and investment strategy, including our ability to complete proposed business transactions described herein or the expected benefit of any such transactions;
anticipated or expected purchases or sales of assets;
our projected operating results;
completion of any pending transactions;
our ability to obtain future financing arrangements;
our understanding of our competition;
market trends;
projected capital expenditures; and
the impact of technology on our operations and business.
Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Additionally, the following factors could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements:
factors discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015, including those set forth under the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” and “Properties,” as updated in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q;
general and economic business conditions affecting the lodging and travel industry;
general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common and preferred stock;
changes in our business or investment strategy;
availability, terms, and deployment of capital;
availability of qualified personnel to our advisor;
changes in our industry and the market in which we operate, interest rates, or local economic conditions
the degree and nature of our competition;
actual and potential conflicts of interest with our advisor, Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, our executive officers and our non-independent directors;
changes in governmental regulations, accounting rules, tax rates and similar matters;
legislative and regulatory changes, including changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and related rules, regulations and interpretations governing the taxation of REITs; and
limitations imposed on our business and our ability to satisfy complex rules in order for us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
When we use words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. You 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 otherwise.

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Overview
We will continue to seek ways to benefit from the cyclical nature of the hotel industry. We believe that in the prior cycle, hotel values and cash flows, for the most part, peaked in 2007, and we believe the hotel industry may exceed these cash flows and values during the next cyclical peak.
Based on our primary business objectives and forecasted operating conditions, our current key priorities and financial strategies include, among other things:
acquisition of hotel properties that will be accretive to our portfolio;
disposition of non-core hotel properties;
investing in securities;
pursuing capital market activities to enhance long-term stockholder value;
preserving capital, enhancing liquidity, and continuing current cost-saving measures;
implementing selective capital improvements designed to increase profitability;
implementing effective asset management strategies to minimize operating costs and increase revenues;
financing or refinancing hotels on competitive terms;
utilizing hedges and derivatives to mitigate risks; and
making other investments or divestitures that our Board of Directors deems appropriate.
Our current investment strategies focus on the full-service and select-service hotels in the upscale and upper-upscale segments within the lodging industry that have RevPAR generally less than twice the national average. Our Board of Directors has, subject to the closing of the Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc. transaction, modified our investment strategies to focus on full-service hotels in the upscale and upper-upscale segments in domestic and international markets that have RevPAR generally less than twice the national average. We believe that as supply, demand, and capital market cycles change, we will be able to shift our investment strategies to take advantage of new lodging-related investment opportunities as they may develop. Our Board of Directors may change our investment strategies at any time without stockholder approval or notice.
Recent Developments
On January 2, 2015, we refinanced two mortgage loans totaling $356.3 million. The refinance included our $211.0 million mortgage loan due November 2015 and our $145.3 million mortgage loan due July 2015. The new loans totaled $477.3 million in four loan pools. The new loans continue to be secured by the same 15 hotel properties.
On January 29, 2015, we commenced a follow-on public offering of 9.5 million shares of common stock. The offering priced on January 30, 2015, at $10.65 per share for gross proceeds of $101.2 million. We granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.425 million shares of common stock. On February 10, 2015, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased an additional 1.029 million shares of our common stock at a price of $10.65 per share less the underwriting discount.
On February 6, 2015, we acquired a 100% interest in the Lakeway Resort for total consideration of $33.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash.
On February 25, 2015, we acquired a 100% interest in the Memphis Marriott for total consideration of $43.5 million. The acquisition was funded with cash.
On March 11, 2015, we completed the sale of the Hampton Inn in Terre Haute, Indiana for approximately $7.9 million. The sale resulted in a loss of approximately $1.1 million which is included in our continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
On March 25, 2015, we completed the financing of a $33.3 million mortgage loan, secured by Memphis Marriott. The mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 4.95%. The stated maturity is April 2017, with three one-year extension options.
On March 6, 2015, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV for $250.1 million in cash. Subsequent to the close of the transaction, $907.6 million of mortgage loans due March 2015, were refinanced with a $1.07 billion non-recourse mortgage loan due April 2017. The new loan provides for an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.39%. Additionally we assumed two mortgage loans which include a $99.3 million mortgage due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.38% and a $108.6 million mortgage loan due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.44%.

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On April 17, 2015, we completed the financing of a $25.1 million mortgage loan, secured by the Lakeway Resort in Austin, Texas. The new mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 5.10%. The stated maturity is May 2017, with three one-year extension options.
On April 29, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the 124-room Hampton Inn hotel in Gainesville, Florida, for total considerations of $25.3 million in cash.
On January 29, 2015, we announced the formation of Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc. (“Ashford Select”), a new company focused on investing primarily in premium-branded select-service hotels, including extended stay hotels in the U.S. On February 18, 2015, we entered into certain contribution and purchase and sale agreements in anticipation of the imminent launch of Ashford Select. Those agreements contemplated a proposed private placement of Ashford Select Class A common stock, which has not occurred, and the contribution and purchase and sale agreements have been terminated. While we have continued to pursue the launch of this platform, at this time it is uncertain whether we will pursue this strategy with an external capital source or through a wholly owned subsidiary of Ashford Trust.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our cash position from operations is affected primarily by macro industry movements in occupancy and rate as well as our ability to control costs. Further, interest rates can greatly affect the cost of our debt service as well as the value of any financial hedges we may put in place. We monitor industry fundamentals and interest rates very closely. Capital expenditures above our reserves will affect cash flow as well.
Certain of our loan agreements contain cash trap provisions that may get triggered if the performance of our hotels decline. When these provisions are triggered, substantially all of the profit generated by our hotels is deposited directly into lockbox accounts and then swept into cash management accounts for the benefit of our various lenders. Cash is distributed to us only after certain items are paid, including deposits into ground leasing and maintenance reserves and the payment of debt service, insurance, taxes, operating expenses, and extraordinary capital expenditures and ground leasing expenses. This could affect our liquidity and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Also, we have entered into certain customary guaranty agreements pursuant to which we guaranty payment of any recourse liabilities of our subsidiaries or unconsolidated entities that may result from non-recourse carve-outs, which include, but are not limited to fraud, misrepresentation, willful misconduct resulting in waste, misappropriations of rents following an event of default, voluntary bankruptcy filings, unpermitted transfers of collateral, and certain environmental liabilities. Certain of these guarantees represent a guaranty of material amounts, and if we are required to make payments under those guarantees, our liquidity could be adversely affected. In connection with the Ashford Prime Spin-off, we are still jointly and severally liable under certain carve-out guarantees and environmental indemnities associated with three loans. Ashford Prime has indemnified us in the case that any of these guarantees are ever called.
In September 2010, we entered into an at-the-market (“ATM”) program with an investment banking firm to offer for sale from time to time up to $50.0 million of our common stock at market prices. No shares have been sold under this ATM program since its inception. While the ATM program will remain in effect until such time that either party elects to terminate or the $50.0 million cap is reached, it is not available until such time that a new prospectus is filed.
In September 2011, we entered into an ATM program with an investment banking firm, pursuant to which we may issue up to 700,000 shares of 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock and up to 700,000 shares of 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock at market prices up to $30.0 million in total proceeds. While the ATM program remains in effect until such time that either party elects to terminate or the share or dollar thresholds are reached, it is not available until such time that a new prospectus is filed. Through March 31, 2015, we have issued 169,306 shares of 8.55% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $4.2 million and 501,909 shares of 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $12.3 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, no shares were issued.
On January 2, 2015, we refinanced two mortgage loans totaling $356.3 million. The refinance included our $211.0 million mortgage loan due November 2015 and our $145.3 million mortgage loan due July 2015. The new loans totaled $477.3 million in four loan pools. The new loans continue to be secured by the same 15 hotel properties.
On January 29, 2015, we commenced a follow-on public offering of 9.5 million shares of common stock. The offering priced on January 30, 2015, at $10.65 per share for gross proceeds of $101.2 million. We granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.425 million shares of common stock. On February 10, 2015, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased an additional 1.029 million shares of our common stock at a price of $10.65 per share less the underwriting discount.

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On March 25, 2015, we completed the financing of a $33.3 million mortgage loan, secured by the Memphis Marriott. The mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 4.95%. The stated maturity is April 2017, with three one-year extension options.
On March 6, 2015, we acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV for $250.1 million in cash. Subsequent to the close of the transaction, $907.6 million of mortgage loans due March 2015, were refinanced with a $1.07 billion non-recourse mortgage loan due April 2017. The new loan provides for an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.39%. Additionally we assumed two mortgage loans which include a $99.3 million mortgage due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.38% and a $108.6 million mortgage loan due January 2018 with a fixed interest rate of 4.44%.
On April 17, 2015, we completed the financing of a $25.1 million mortgage loan, secured by the Lakeway Resort in Austin, Texas. The new mortgage loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 5.10%. The stated maturity is May 2017, with three one-year extension options.
Our principal sources of funds to meet our cash requirements include: cash on hand, positive cash flow from operations, capital market activities, property refinancing proceeds and asset sales. Additionally, our principal uses of funds are expected to include possible operating shortfalls, owner-funded capital expenditures, new investments, debt interest and principal payments and dividends. Items that impacted our cash flow and liquidity during the periods indicated are summarized as follows:
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities. Net cash flows provided by operating activities, pursuant to our consolidated statements of cash flows, which includes changes in balance sheet items, were $30.3 million and $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash flows from operations were impacted by changes in hotel operations, the results of the Pier House Resort, which was sold on March 1, 2014 and is included for the periods from January 1, 2014 through February 28, 2014, the operating results of the Lakeway Resort and the Memphis Marriott, which were acquired on February 6, 2015 and February 25, 2015, respectively, the results of the PIM Highland JV, which the remaining 28.26% was acquired on March 6, 2015, the effect of the Ashford Inc. spin-off, that was included in the 2014 results, but not the 2015 results, as well as changes in restricted cash due to the timing of cash deposits for certain loans as well as the timing of collecting receivables from hotel guests, paying vendors, settling with related parties and settling with hotel managers.
Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, investing activities used net cash flows of $259.1 million, which consisted of cash outflows of $287.6 million primarily attributable the purchase of the Lakeway Resort, Memphis Marriott and the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV hotel properties, $28.8 million for capital improvements made to various hotel properties and $175,000 for franchise fees. These outflows were partially offset by inflows of $49.7 million of reductions in restricted cash for capital expenditures, $7.5 million attributable to cash proceeds received from the sale of the Hampton Inn in Terre Haute, Indiana, $282,000 of proceeds from property insurance and $60,000 of cash payments received on previously impaired mezzanine loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, investing activities provided net cash flows of $9.4 million, which primarily consisted of cash inflows of $22.4 million attributable to cash proceeds received from the sale of the Pier House Resort, $13.6 million of reimbursements from Ashford Prime related to transaction costs from the Ashford Prime spin-off and $249,000 from Ashford Prime OP, partially offset by $27.0 million for capital improvements made to various hotel properties.
Net Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $369.4 million. Cash inflows consisted primarily of $1.6 billion in borrowings on indebtedness and proceeds of $110.9 million from issuance of treasury stock associated with our equity offering. Cash inflows were partially offset by cash outlays primarily consisting of $1.3 billion for repayments of indebtedness, $31.6 million for payments of loan costs and exit fees, $21.9 million for dividend payments to common and preferred stockholders and unit holders, $1.3 million of payments for derivatives and $446,000 for purchase of treasury stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $4.9 million. Cash inflows consisted primarily of $200.0 million in borrowings on indebtedness and $307,000 in proceeds from issuance of treasury stock. Cash inflows were partially offset by cash outlays primarily consisting of $169.5 million for repayments of indebtedness, $20.7 million for dividend payments to common and preferred stockholders and unit holders, $1.0 million for distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities, $3.8 million for payments of loan costs and exit fees, $231,000 for purchase of treasury stock and $216,000 of payments for derivatives.
We are required to maintain certain financial ratios under various debt and derivative agreements. If we violate covenants in any debt or derivative agreement, we could be required to repay all or a portion of our indebtedness before maturity at a time when we might be unable to arrange financing for such repayment on attractive terms, if at all. Presently, our existing financial debt covenants primarily relate to maintaining minimum net worth and liquidity. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance in all material respects with all covenants or other requirements set forth in our debt and related agreements as amended.

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Mortgage and mezzanine loans are nonrecourse to the borrowers, except for customary exceptions or carve-outs that trigger recourse liability to the borrowers in certain limited instances. Recourse obligations typically include only the payment of costs and liabilities suffered by lenders as a result of the occurrence of certain bad acts on the part of the borrower. However, in certain cases, carve-outs could trigger recourse obligations on the part of the borrower with respect to repayment of all or a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the loans. We have entered into customary guaranty agreements pursuant to which we guaranty payment of any recourse liabilities of the borrowers that result from non-recourse carve-outs (which include, but are not limited to, fraud, misrepresentation, willful conduct resulting in waste, misappropriations of rents following an event of default, voluntary bankruptcy filings, unpermitted transfers of collateral, and certain environmental liabilities). In the opinion of management, none of these guaranty agreements, either individually or in the aggregate, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Based on our current level of operations, management believes that our cash flow from operations and our existing cash balances will be adequate to meet upcoming anticipated requirements for interest and principal payments on debt, working capital, and capital expenditures for the next 12 months. With respect to upcoming maturities, we will proactively address our 2015 and 2016 maturities. No assurances can be given that we will obtain additional financings or, if we do, what the amount and terms will be. Our failure to obtain future financing under favorable terms could adversely impact our ability to execute our business strategy. In addition, we may selectively pursue debt financing on individual properties.
We are committed to an investment strategy where we will opportunistically pursue hotel-related investments as suitable situations arise. Funds for future hotel-related investments are expected to be derived, in whole or in part, from cash on hand, future borrowings under a credit facility or other loans, or proceeds from additional issuances of common stock, preferred stock, or other securities, asset sales, and joint ventures. However, we have no formal commitment or understanding to invest in additional assets, and there can be no assurance that we will successfully make additional investments. We may, when conditions are suitable, consider additional capital raising opportunities.
Our existing hotels are mostly located in developed areas with competing hotel properties. Future occupancy, average daily room rate (“ADR”), and revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) of any individual hotel could be materially and adversely affected by an increase in the number or quality of competitive hotel properties in its market area. Competition could also affect the quality and quantity of future investment opportunities.
Dividend Policy. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.12 per outstanding share of common stock. In December 2014, the Board of Directors approved our 2015 dividend policy which anticipates a quarterly dividend payment of $0.12 per share for the remainder of 2015. However, the adoption of a dividend policy does not commit our Board of Directors to declare future dividends. The Board of Directors will continue to review our dividend policy on a quarterly basis. We may incur indebtedness to meet distribution requirements imposed on REITs under the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that working capital and cash flow from our investments are insufficient to fund required distributions. Alternatively, we may elect to pay dividends on our common stock in cash or a combination of cash and shares of securities as permitted under federal income tax laws governing REIT distribution requirements. We may pay dividends in excess of our cash flow.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RevPAR is a commonly used measure within the hotel industry to evaluate hotel operations. RevPAR is defined as the product of the ADR charged and the average daily occupancy achieved. RevPAR does not include revenues from food and beverage or parking, telephone, or other guest services generated by the property. Although RevPAR does not include these ancillary revenues, it is generally considered the leading indicator of core revenues for many hotels. We also use RevPAR to compare the results of our hotels between periods and to analyze results of our comparable hotels (comparable hotels represent hotels we have owned for the entire period). RevPAR improvements attributable to increases in occupancy are generally accompanied by increases in most categories of variable operating costs. RevPAR improvements attributable to increases in ADR are generally accompanied by increases in limited categories of operating costs, such as management fees and franchise fees.

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The following table summarizes changes in key line items from our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Total revenue
$
250,235

 
$
194,861

 
$
55,374

Total hotel operating expenses
(153,872
)
 
(120,093
)
 
(33,779
)
Property taxes, insurance, and other
(11,594
)
 
(9,589
)
 
(2,005
)
Depreciation and amortization
(37,864
)
 
(26,152
)
 
(11,712
)
Impairment charges
106

 
101

 
5

Transaction costs
(499
)
 

 
(499
)
Advisory services fee
(9,567
)
 

 
(9,567
)
Corporate, general, and administrative
(4,840
)
 
(12,735
)
 
7,895

Operating income
32,105

 
26,393

 
5,712

Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities
(6,622
)
 
(3,498
)
 
(3,124
)
Interest income
16

 
6

 
10

Gain on acquisition of PIM Highland JV
381,835

 

 
381,835

Other income
4,330

 
1,277

 
3,053

Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs
(34,635
)
 
(28,375
)
 
(6,260
)
Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
(4,767
)
 
(2,028
)
 
(2,739
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1,802
)
 
1

 
(1,803
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
(1,698
)
 
(347
)
 
(1,351
)
Income tax expense
(825
)
 
(216
)
 
(609
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
367,937

 
(6,787
)
 
374,724

Income from discontinued operations

 
4

 
(4
)
Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties, net of tax
(1,130
)
 
3,491

 
(4,621
)
Net income (loss)
366,807

 
(3,292
)
 
370,099

Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests
25

 
27

 
(2
)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(45,336
)
 
877

 
(46,213
)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
321,496

 
$
(2,388
)
 
$
323,884

The following table illustrates key performance indicators for our hotel properties included in continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.The operating results of the Pier House Resort, which was sold on March 1, 2014 are included for the periods from January 1, 2014 through February 28, 2014. The operating results of the Lakeway Resort & Spa (“Lakeway Resort”) in Austin, Texas and the Memphis Marriott East hotel (“Memphis Marriott”) in Memphis, Tennessee, which were acquired on February 6, 2015 and February 25, 2015, respectively, are included in continuing operations since their acquisitions. The operating results of the Ashton hotel (“Ashton”) in Fort Worth, Texas and the Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley hotel (“Fremont Marriott”) in Fremont, California, which were acquired on July 18, 2014 and August 6, 2014, respectively, are included in continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015, but not for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The operating results for the PIM Highland JV for the period from January 1, 2014 through March 5, 2015, are included in equity in loss of unconsolidated entities for our ownership percentage. Beginning March 6, 2015, we consolidated the results of operations of these hotels.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
RevPar (revenue per available room)
$
112.81

 
$
100.88

Occupancy
77.01
%
 
74.74
%
ADR (average daily rate)
$
146.48

 
$
134.97

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company. Net income (loss) attributable to the Company increased $323.9 million, from a net loss of $2.4 million to net income of $321.5 million as a result of the factors discussed below.

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Revenue. Rooms revenue from our hotels increased $44.0 million, or 28.0%, to $201.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 (the “2015 quarter”) compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014 (the “2014 quarter”). We experienced an increase in rooms revenue of $27.8 million as a result of the PIM Highland JV acquisition, $6.8 million associated with the Lakeway Resort, Memphis Marriott, Ashton and Fremont Marriott (“Four Hotel Acquisitions”) that were purchased in February 2015, March 2015, July 2014 and August 2014, respectively, and $12.8 million from our remaining hotel properties and WorldQuest, offset by revenue of $3.4 million from the Pier House Resort that sold in 2014. Food and beverage revenue experienced an increase of $11.3 million, or 40.1%, to $39.6 million. This increase is a result of $8.7 million from the PIM Highland JV acquisition, $2.3 million associated with the Four Hotel Acquisitions and $906,000 from our remaining hotel properties and WorldQuest, offset by revenue of $597,000 from the Pier House Resort that sold in 2014. Other hotel revenue, which consists mainly of Internet access, parking, and spa, experienced an increase of $2.5 million, or 38.7%, to $8.8 million. This increase is a result of $1.1 million from the PIM Highland JV acquisition, $375,000 associated with the Four Hotel Acquisitions and $1.2 million from our remaining hotel properties and WorldQuest, offset by revenue of $247,000 from the Pier House Resort that sold in 2014. For the 2014 quarter, we recorded advisory services revenue of $2.2 million from an agreement between Ashford LLC and Ashford Prime that was in place prior to the spin-off of Ashford, Inc. The advisory services revenue was comprised of a base advisory fee of $2.0 million and reimbursable expenses of $223,000. Other non-hotel revenue decreased $205,000, or 19.2%, to $860,000. The decrease in other non-hotel revenue is primarily attributable to the acquisition of the PIM Highland JV. Prior to the acquisition, we received expense reimbursements related to our managing the day-to-day operations and providing corporate administrative services such as accounting, insurance, marketing support, asset management, and other services.
Hotel Operating Expenses. Hotel operating expenses increased $33.8 million, or 28.1%, to $153.9 million. Hotel operating expenses consist of direct expenses from departments associated with revenue streams and indirect expenses associated with support departments and management fees. We experienced increases of $16.0 million in direct expenses and $17.8 million in indirect expenses and management fees in the 2015 quarter, which were primarily attributable to increases in direct expenses and indirect expenses and management fees of $11.3 million and $11.8 million, respectively as a result of the PIM Highland JV acquisition. The increases from our remaining hotel properties and WorldQuest are attributable to higher hotel revenues at those properties. Direct expenses were 29.6% and 30.1% of total hotel revenue for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively.
Property Taxes, Insurance, and Other. Property taxes, insurance, and other increased $2.0 million, or 20.9%, to $11.6 million. The increase was primarily due to $1.7 million of property taxes, insurance, and other associated with the PIM Highland JV acquisition, $443,000 associated with the Four Hotel Acquisitions and $179,000 from our remaining hotel properties and WorldQuest. This increase was partially offset by $297,000 for the Pier House Resort that sold in 2014.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $11.7 million, or 44.8%, to $37.9 million. The increase was primarily due to $7.0 million of depreciation and amortization associated with the PIM Highland JV acquisition and $1.5 million associated with the Four Hotel Acquisitions. The remaining increase of $3.5 million is attributable to capital expenditures that have occurred since March 31, 2014 and the Four Hotel Acquisitions and lower depreciation of $344,000 as a result of the sale of the Pier House Resort.
Impairment Charges. We recorded credits to impairment charges of $106,000 and $101,000 for the 2015 quarter and 2014 quarter, respectively, for cash received and resulting valuation adjustments on a previously impaired mezzanine loan.
Transaction Costs. Transaction costs were $499,000 in the 2015 quarter. The increase is primarily attributable to costs related to the acquisitions of the remaining interest in PIM Highland JV, the Lakeway Resort and the Memphis Marriott.
Advisory Services Fee. Advisory services fees represent fees paid in connection with the advisory agreement between Ashford Inc. and us for the 2015 quarter. For the 2015 quarter, we recorded an advisory services fee of $9.6 million, which comprised of a base advisory fee of $8.0 million, reimbursable overhead and internal audit, insurance claims advisory and asset management services of $1.4 million and equity-based compensation of $171,000 associated with equity grants of our common stock and LTIP units awarded to the officers and employees of Ashford Inc. For the 2014 quarter, we did not recognize an advisory services fee as we were self-advised.
Corporate, General, and Administrative. Corporate, general, and administrative expenses decreased $7.9 million, or 62.0%, to $4.8 million. Other general and administrative expenses decreased $3.4 million and non-cash equity-based compensation decreased $4.5 million for the 2015 quarter. The decrease in other general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to salaries and benefits of $5.9 million associated with the Ashford Inc. spin-off, as such expenses are no longer recognized with all employees moving to Ashford Inc. Additionally, non-cash equity-based compensation decreased $4.5 million as a result of the Ashford Inc. spin-off. The remaining decrease is primarily attributable to lower office expenses, professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses totaling approximately $773,000. These decreases were partially offset by $2.7 million of costs associated with Ashford Select and $590,000 of expense associated with the spin-off of Ashford Inc.

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Equity in Loss of Unconsolidated Entities. We recorded equity in loss of unconsolidated entities of $6.6 million and $3.5 million for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively. The 2015 quarter includes equity in loss in Ashford Inc. of $2.7 million, Ashford Prime of $45,000 and $3.8 million in PIM Highland JV. The 2014 quarter includes equity in earnings in Ashford Prime of $744,000 and $2.8 million in PIM Highland JV.
Interest Income. Interest income was $16,000 and $6,000 for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively.
Gain on Acquisition of PIM Highland JV. Gain on acquisition of PIM Highland JV was $381.8 million for the 2015 quarter. This gain is related to the acquisition of the remaining interest in the PIM Highland JV in March 2015. No gain was recorded in the 2014 quarter.
Other Income. Other income increased $3.1 million, or 239.1%, to $4.3 million. The increase in other income is primarily attributable to realized gain on marketable securities of $4.1 million and dividend income of $165,000 for the 2015 quarter compared to a realized gain on marketable securities of $1.1 million and dividend income of $172,000 for the 2014 quarter.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Premiums and Loan Costs. Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs increased $6.3 million, or 22.1%, to $34.6 million. The increase is primarily due to $4.9 million of interest expense and amortization associated with the PIM Highland JV acquisition and refinance. The remaining increase is associated with higher loan cost amortization and interest expense as a result of new financings on the majority of the Four Hotel Acquisitions of $625,000 and higher loan cost amortization and interest expense as a result of refinances on our remaining hotel properties of $779,000. These expenses were offset slightly as a result of the sale of the Pier House Resort. The average LIBOR rates for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter were 0.17% and 0.16%, respectively.
Write-off of Loan Costs and Exit Fees. Write-off of loan costs and exit fees increased $2.7 million, or 135.1%, to $4.8 million. The increase is primarily attributable to three mortgage loans we refinanced and one hotel property in which we obtained new financing, See Note 7. For the 2015 quarter, we wrote-off the unamortized loan costs of $86,000, incurred defeasance and other exit fees of $4.7 million. For the 2014 quarter, we sold the Pier House Resort in which we wrote-off unamortized loan costs of $1.4 million and had one mortgage loan refinanced in which we wrote-off the unamortized loan costs of $251,000 and incurred exit fees of $396,000.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities. Unrealized loss on marketable securities of $1.8 million and unrealized gain on marketable securities of $1,000 for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively, are based on changes in closing market prices during the quarter.
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives. Unrealized loss on derivatives increased $1.4 million, or 389.3%, to $1.7 million. The 2015 quarter had losses consisting of $1.0 million and $680,000 related to interest rate derivatives and credit default swaps, respectively. In the 2014 quarter, we had losses consisting of $121,000 and $226,000 related to interest rate derivatives and credit default swaps, respectively. The fair value of interest rate derivatives is primarily based on movements in the LIBOR forward curve and the passage of time. The fair value of credit default swaps is based on the change in value of CMBX indices.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $609,000, or 281.9%, to $825,000. The increase in income tax expense is primarily due to the acquisition of the approximate 28.26% interest in the PIM Highland JV. Prior to the acquisition, the PIM Highland JV was accounted for under the equity method. After the acquisition, the PIM Highland JV became wholly-owned and income tax expense for its TRS is now included in consolidated income tax expense.
Income from Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations was $4,000 for the 2014 quarter related to the sale of the Homewood Suites Mobile hotel in Mobile, Alabama in November 2014.
Gain (loss) on Sale of Hotel Properties, net of tax. Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties, net of tax, was a loss of $1.1 million and a gain of $3.5 million for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively. In the 2015 quarter, we recognized a loss of $1.1 million on the sale of the Hampton Inn in Terre Haute, Indiana. In the 2014 quarter, we recognized a gain of $3.5 million in connection with the sale of the Pier House Resort to Ashford Prime. We deferred a portion of the gain of the Pier House Resort in the amount of $599,000, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, as a result of our equity investment in Ashford Prime OP.
Loss from Consolidated Entities Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interest partners in consolidated entities were allocated losses of $25,000 and $27,000 for the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively.
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership. Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership were allocated net income of $45.3 million and net loss of $877,000 in the 2015 quarter and the 2014 quarter, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interests represented ownership interests of 12.38% and 12.91% in the operating partnership at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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SEASONALITY
Our properties’ operations historically have been seasonal as certain properties maintain higher occupancy rates during the summer months and some during the winter months. This seasonality pattern can cause fluctuations in our quarterly lease revenue under our percentage leases. We anticipate that our cash flows from the operations of our properties will be sufficient to enable us to make quarterly distributions to maintain our REIT status. To the extent that cash flows from operations are insufficient during any quarter due to temporary or seasonal fluctuations in lease revenue, we expect to utilize other cash on hand or borrowings to fund required distributions. However, we cannot make any assurances that we will make distributions in the future.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
In the normal course of business, we form partnerships or joint ventures that operate certain hotels. We evaluate each partnership and joint venture to determine whether the entity is a VIE. If the entity is determined to be a VIE, we assess whether we are the primary beneficiary and need to consolidate the entity. For further discussion of the company’s VIEs, see Notes 2 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
There have been no material changes since December 31, 2014, outside of the ordinary course of business, to contractual obligations specified in the table of contractual obligations included in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2014 Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our accounting policies that are critical or most important to understanding our financial condition and results of operations and that require management to make the most difficult judgments are described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015. There have been no material changes in these critical accounting policies.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following non-GAAP presentations of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Funds From Operations (“FFO”) and Adjusted FFO (“AFFO”) are made to assist our investors evaluate our operating performance.
EBITDA is defined as net loss attributable to the Company before interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs, interest income other than interest income from mezzanine loans, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership and after adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. We adjust EBITDA to exclude certain additional items such as gains on hotel properties, impairment charges, write-off of loan costs and exit fees, other income, transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs, transaction costs related to spin-offs, legal judgments, dead deal costs and non-cash items such as amortization of unfavorable management contract liabilities, equity-based compensation, unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and derivative instruments, as well as the Company’s portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities. We exclude items from Adjusted EBITDA that are either non-cash or are not part of our core operations in order to provide a period-over-period comparison of our operations. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe these measurements a) more accurately reflect the ongoing performance of our hotel assets and other investments, b) provide more useful information to investors as indicators of our ability to meet our future debt payment and working capital requirements, and c) provide an overall evaluation of our financial condition. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by us may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reported by other companies that do not define EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exactly as we define the terms. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to a) GAAP net income or loss as an indication of our financial performance or b) GAAP cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

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Table of Contents

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
366,807

 
$
(3,292
)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
25

 
27

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(45,336
)
 
877

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
321,496

 
(2,388
)
Interest income
(16
)
 
(6
)
Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs
34,606

 
28,491

Depreciation and amortization
37,820

 
26,191

Income tax expense
825

 
228

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
45,336

 
(877
)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities
6,622

 
3,498

Company's portion of EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
(2,278
)
 

Company's portion of EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Prime OP)
2,910

 
2,534

Company's portion of EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (PIM Highland JV)
11,982

 
20,575

EBITDA
459,303

 
78,246

Amortization of unfavorable management contract liabilities
(494
)
 
(494
)
Impairment charges
(106
)
 
(101
)
Gain on hotel properties
(380,705
)
 
(3,503
)
Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
4,767

 
2,028

Other income (1)
(4,330
)
 
(1,277
)
Transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs
499

 

Transaction costs related to spin-offs
3,425

 

Legal judgment
24

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities
1,802

 
(1
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
1,698

 
347

Dead deal costs
55

 

Equity-based compensation
171

 
4,488

Company's portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
3,324

 

Company's portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Prime OP)
(82
)
 
314

Company's portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (PIM Highland JV)

 
(506
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
89,351

 
$
79,541

____________________________________
(1) 
Other income, primarily consisting of income from realized gain/loss on marketable securities, is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

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Table of Contents

We calculate FFO and AFFO in the following table. FFO is calculated on the basis defined by NAREIT, which is net loss attributable to common stockholders, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses on properties, and extraordinary items as defined by GAAP, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership. Adjustments for unconsolidated entities are calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. NAREIT developed FFO as a relative measure of performance of an equity REIT to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the basis determined by GAAP. Our calculation of AFFO excludes write-off of loan costs and exit fees, impairment charges, other income, transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs, transaction costs related to spin-offs, legal judgments, dead deal costs and non-cash items such as gains and losses on marketable securities and derivative instruments as well as our portion of adjustments to FFO related to unconsolidated entities. We exclude items from AFFO that are either non-cash or are not part of our core operations in order to provide a period-over-period comparison of our operating results. We consider FFO and AFFO to be appropriate measures of our ongoing normalized operating performance as a REIT. We compute FFO in accordance with our interpretation of standards established by NAREIT, which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that either do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or interpret the NAREIT definition differently than us. FFO and AFFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities as determined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to a) GAAP net income or loss as an indication of our financial performance or b) GAAP cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to satisfy our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. However, to facilitate a clear understanding of our historical operating results, we believe that FFO and AFFO should be considered along with our net income or loss and cash flows reported in the consolidated financial statements.
The following table reconciles net income (loss) to FFO and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
366,807

 
$
(3,292
)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
25

 
27

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(45,336
)
 
877

Preferred dividends
(8,490
)
 
(8,490
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
313,006

 
(10,878
)
Depreciation and amortization of real estate
37,820

 
26,105

Gain on hotel properties
(380,705
)
 
(3,503
)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
45,336

 
(877
)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities
6,622

 
3,498

Company's portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
(2,747
)
 

Company's portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Prime OP)
1,452

 
785

Company's portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities (PIM Highland JV)
3,791

 
8,851

FFO available to common stockholders
24,575

 
23,981

Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
4,767

 
2,028

Impairment charges
(106
)
 
(101
)
Transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs
499

 

Transaction costs related to spin-offs
3,425

 

Other income (1)
(4,330
)
 
(1,277
)
 Legal judgment
24

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities
1,802

 
(1
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
1,698

 
347

Dead deal costs
55

 

Company's portion of adjustments to FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
1,744

 

Company's portion of adjustments to FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Prime OP)
(148
)
 
321

Company's portion of adjustments to FFO of unconsolidated entities (PIM Highland JV)

 
(506
)
Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders
$
34,005

 
$
24,792

____________________________________
(1) Other income, primarily consisting of net realized gain/loss on marketable securities, is excluded from Adjusted FFO.

41

Table of Contents

HOTEL PORTFOLIO
The following table presents certain information related to our hotel properties as of March 31, 2015:
Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Service Type
 
Total Rooms 
 
% Owned
 
Owned Rooms
Fee Simple Properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embassy Suites
 
Austin, TX
 
Full service
 
150

 
100
%
 
150

Embassy Suites
 
Dallas, TX
 
Full service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Embassy Suites
 
Herndon, VA
 
Full service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Embassy Suites
 
Las Vegas, NV
 
Full service
 
220

 
100

 
220

Embassy Suites
 
Syracuse, NY
 
Full service
 
215

 
100

 
215

Embassy Suites
 
Flagstaff, AZ
 
Full service
 
119

 
100

 
119

Embassy Suites
 
Houston, TX
 
Full service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Embassy Suites
 
West Palm Beach, FL
 
Full service
 
160

 
100

 
160

Embassy Suites
 
Philadelphia, PA
 
Full service
 
263

 
100

 
263

Embassy Suites
 
Walnut Creek, CA
 
Full service
 
249

 
100

 
249

Embassy Suites
 
Arlington, VA
 
Full service
 
267

 
100

 
267

Embassy Suites
 
Portland, OR
 
Full service
 
276

 
100

 
276

Embassy Suites
 
Santa Clara, CA
 
Full service
 
257

 
100

 
257

Embassy Suites
 
Orlando, FL
 
Full service
 
174

 
100

 
174

Hilton Garden Inn
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
Select service
 
119

 
100

 
119

Hilton Garden Inn
 
Austin, TX
 
Select service
 
254

 
100

 
254

Hilton Garden Inn
 
Baltimore, MD
 
Select service
 
158

 
100

 
158

Hilton Garden Inn
 
Virginia Beach, VA
 
Select service
 
176

 
100

 
176

Hilton
 
Houston, TX
 
Full service
 
242

 
100

 
242

Hilton
 
St. Petersburg, FL
 
Full service
 
333

 
100

 
333

Hilton
 
Santa Fe, NM
 
Full service
 
158

 
100

 
158

Hilton
 
Bloomington, MN
 
Full service
 
300

 
100

 
300

Hilton
 
Costa Mesa, CA
 
Full service
 
486

 
100

 
486

Hilton
 
Boston, MA
 
Full service
 
390

 
100

 
390

Hilton
 
Parssippany, NJ
 
Full service
 
353

 
100

 
353

Hilton
 
Tampa, FL
 
Full service
 
238

 
100

 
238

Hampton Inn
 
Lawrenceville, GA
 
Select service
 
85

 
100

 
85

Hampton Inn
 
Evansville, IN
 
Select service
 
140

 
100

 
140

Hampton Inn
 
Parssippany, NJ
 
Select service
 
152

 
100

 
152

Hampton Inn
 
Buford, GA
 
Select service
 
92

 
100

 
92

Marriott
 
Durham, NC
 
Full service
 
225

 
100

 
225

Marriott
 
Arlington, VA
 
Full service
 
697

 
100

 
697

Marriott
 
Bridgewater, NJ
 
Full service
 
347

 
100

 
347

Marriott
 
Dallas, TX
 
Full service
 
265

 
100

 
265

Marriott
 
Fremont, CA
 
Full service
 
357

 
100

 
357

Marriott
 
Memphis, TN
 
Full service
 
232

 
100

 
232

Marriott
 
Irving, TX
 
Full service
 
491

 
100

 
491

Marriott
 
Omaha, NE
 
Full service
 
300

 
100

 
300

Marriott
 
San Antonio, TX
 
Full service
 
251

 
100

 
251

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
Select service
 
102

 
100

 
102

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Baltimore, MD
 
Select service
 
133

 
100

 
133

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Kennesaw, GA
 
Select service
 
90

 
100

 
90

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Buford, GA
 
Select service
 
97

 
100

 
97

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Gaithersburg, MD
 
Select service
 
162

 
100

 
162


42

Table of Contents

Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Service Type
 
Total Rooms 
 
% Owned
 
Owned Rooms
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Centreville, VA
 
Select service
 
136

 
100

 
136

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Charlotte, NC
 
Select service
 
136

 
100

 
136

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Durham, NC
 
Select service
 
120

 
100

 
120

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Orlando, FL
 
Select service
 
400

 
100

 
400

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Manhattan Beach, CA
 
Select service
 
164

 
100

 
164

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Plymouth Meeting, PA
 
Select service
 
199

 
100

 
199

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
 
Glen Allen, VA
 
Select service
 
136

 
100

 
136

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
 
Kennesaw, GA
 
Select service
 
86

 
100

 
86

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
 
Orlando, FL
 
Select service
 
388

 
100

 
388

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Bloomington, IN
 
Select service
 
117

 
100

 
117

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Boston, MA
 
Select service
 
315

 
100

 
315

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Columbus, IN
 
Select service
 
90

 
100

 
90

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Denver, CO
 
Select service
 
202

 
100

 
202

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Louisville, KY
 
Select service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Gaithersburg, MD
 
Select service
 
210

 
100

 
210

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Crystal City, VA
 
Select service
 
272

 
100

 
272

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
 
Select service
 
174

 
100

 
174

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Overland Park, KS
 
Select service
 
168

 
100

 
168

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Palm Desert, CA
 
Select service
 
151

 
100

 
151

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Savannah, GA
 
Select service
 
156

 
100

 
156

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Foothill Ranch, CA
 
Select service
 
156

 
100

 
156

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Alpharetta, GA
 
Select service
 
154

 
100

 
154

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Orlando, FL
 
Select service
 
312

 
100

 
312

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Oakland, CA
 
Select service
 
156

 
100

 
156

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Scottsdale, AZ
 
Select service
 
180

 
100

 
180

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Plano, TX
 
Select service
 
153

 
100

 
153

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Edison, NJ
 
Select service
 
146

 
100

 
146

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Newark, CA
 
Select service
 
181

 
100

 
181

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Manchester, CT
 
Select service
 
90

 
85

 
77

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Basking Ridge, NJ
 
Select service
 
235

 
100

 
235

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Lake Buena Vista, FL
 
Select service
 
210

 
100

 
210

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Evansville, IN
 
Select service
 
78

 
100

 
78

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Orlando, FL
 
Select service
 
350

 
100

 
350

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Falls Church, VA
 
Select service
 
159

 
100

 
159

Marriott Residence Inn
 
San Diego, CA
 
Select service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Salt Lake City, UT
 
Select service
 
144

 
100

 
144

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Palm Desert, CA
 
Select service
 
130

 
100

 
130

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Las Vegas, NV
 
Select service
 
256

 
100

 
256

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Phoenix, AZ
 
Select service
 
200

 
100

 
200

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Plano, TX
 
Select service
 
126

 
100

 
126

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Newark, CA
 
Select service
 
168

 
100

 
168

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Manchester, CT
 
Select service
 
96

 
85

 
82

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Select service
 
150

 
100

 
150

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
Select service
 
120

 
100

 
120

TownePlace Suites by Marriott
 
Manhattan Beach, CA
 
Select service
 
144

 
100

 
144

Renaissance
 
Tampa, FL
 
Full service
 
109

 
100

 
109

Ritz-Carlton
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Full service
 
444

 
100

 
444

One Ocean
 
Atlantic Beach, FL
 
Full service
 
193

 
100

 
193


43

Table of Contents

Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Service Type
 
Total Rooms 
 
% Owned
 
Owned Rooms
Sheraton Hotel
 
Langhorne, PA
 
Full service
 
186

 
100

 
186

Sheraton Hotel
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
Full service
 
220

 
100

 
220

Sheraton Hotel
 
Indianapolis, IN
 
Full service
 
378

 
100

 
378

Sheraton Hotel
 
Anchorage, AK
 
Full service
 
370

 
100

 
370

Sheraton Hotel
 
San Diego, CA
 
Full service
 
260

 
100

 
260

Hyatt Regency
 
Coral Gables, FL
 
Full service
 
250

 
100

 
250

Hyatt Regency
 
Hauppauge, NY
 
Full service
 
358

 
100

 
358

Hyatt Regency
 
Savannah, GA
 
Full service
 
351

 
100

 
351

Crowne Plaza
 
Beverly Hills, CA
 
Full service
 
260

 
100

 
260

Crowne Plaza
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Full service
 
495

 
100

 
495

Annapolis Historic Inn
 
Annapolis, MD
 
Full service
 
124

 
100

 
124

Lakeway Resort & Spa
 
Austin, TX
 
Full service
 
168

 
100

 
168

Silversmith
 
Chicago, IL
 
Full service
 
144

 
100

 
144

The Churchill
 
Washington, DC
 
Full service
 
173

 
100

 
173

The Melrose
 
Washington, DC
 
Full service
 
240

 
100

 
240

The Ashton
 
Ft. Worth, TX
 
Select service
 
39

 
100

 
39

Ground Lease Properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crown Plaza
 
Key West, FL
 
Full service
 
160

 
100
%
 
160

Hilton
 
Ft. Worth, TX
 
Full service
 
294

 
100

 
294

Marriott
 
Houston, TX
 
Full service
 
300

 
100

 
300

Renaissance
 
Nashville, TN
 
Full service
 
673

 
100

 
673

Renaissance
 
Palm Springs, CA
 
Full service
 
410

 
100

 
410

Renaissance
 
Portsmouth, VA
 
Full service
 
249

 
100

 
249

Sheraton Hotel
 
Annapolis, MD
 
Full service
 
196

 
100

 
196

Westin
 
Princeton, NJ
 
Full service
 
296

 
100

 
296

Total
 
 
 
 
 
25,579

 
 
 
25,552


44

Table of Contents

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk exposure consists of changes in interest rates on borrowings under our debt instruments and our derivatives portfolio that bear interest at variable rates that fluctuate with market interest rates. The analysis below presents the sensitivity of the market value of our financial instruments to selected changes in market interest rates. We acquired the remaining approximate 28.26% interest in the 28 hotels of the PIM Highland JV, which had a material impact to the analysis below since December 31, 2014.
At March 31, 2015, our total indebtedness of $3.4 billion included $2.1 billion of variable-rate debt. The impact on our results of operations of a 25-basis point change in interest rate on the outstanding balance of variable-rate debt at March 31, 2015 would be approximately $5.2 million annually. Interest rate changes have no impact on the remaining $1.3 billion of fixed-rate debt. At December 31, 2014, the total consolidated indebtedness of $2.0 billion included $817.9 million of variable-rate debt. The impact on the results of operations of a 25-basis point change in interest rate on the outstanding balance of variable-rate debt at December 31, 2014 would be approximately $2.0 million per year. Interest rate changes will have no impact on the remaining $1.2 billion of fixed rate debt.
The above amounts were determined based on the impact of hypothetical interest rates on our borrowings and assume no changes in our capital structure. As the information presented above includes only those exposures that existed at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, it does not consider exposures or positions that could arise after that date. Accordingly, the information presented herein has limited predictive value. As a result, the ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate fluctuations will depend on exposures that arise during the period, the hedging strategies at the time, and the related interest rates.
In February 2015 and August 2011, we entered into credit default swap transactions for notional amounts of $45.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, to hedge financial and capital market risk for upfront costs of $1.6 million and $8.2 million, respectively, which amounts were subsequently returned to us as collateral by our counterparty. A credit default swap is a derivative contract that functions like an insurance policy against the credit risk of an entity or obligation. The seller of protection assumes the credit risk of the reference obligation from the buyer (us) of protection in exchange for annual premium payments. If a default or a loss, as defined in the credit default swap agreements, occurs on the underlying bonds, then the buyer of protection is protected against those losses. The only liability for us, the buyer, is the annual premium and any change in value of the underlying CMBX index (if the trade is terminated prior to maturity). For all CMBX trades completed to date, we were the buyer of protection. Credit default swaps are subject to master-netting settlement arrangements and credit support annexes. Assuming the underlying bonds pay off at par over their remaining average life, our total exposure for these trades was approximately $1.8 million at March 31, 2015.
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of March 31, 2015 (“Evaluation Date”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective (i) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms; and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

45


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
LitigationPalm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, et al. v. Nantucket Enterprises, Inc. This litigation involves a landlord tenant dispute from 2008 in which the landlord, Palm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Company, claimed that the tenant, Nantucket Enterprises, Inc., had violated various lease provisions of the lease agreement and was therefore in default. The tenant counterclaimed and asserted multiple claims including that it had been wrongfully evicted. The litigation was instituted by the plaintiff in November 2008 in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Palm Beach County, Florida and proceeded to a jury trial on June 30, 2014. The jury entered its verdict awarding the tenant total claims of $10.8 million and ruling against the landlord on its claim of breach of contract. The landlord is preparing various post trial motions. A final judgment was entered and the landlord has filed a notice of appeal. As a result of the jury verdict, we previously recorded pre-judgment interest of $707,000 and accrued a reasonable estimate of loss related to legal fees of $400,000 during 2014. As of the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded additional pre-judgment interest of $24,000. Including the 2014 judgment, pre-judgment interest and estimated loss of legal expenses, total expense was $11.9 million through March 31, 2015. The additional charges related to pre-judgment interest are included in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
We are engaged in other various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. The likelihood of loss from these legal proceedings, based on definitions within contingency accounting literature, ranges from remote to reasonably possible and to probable. Based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and if we fail to prevail in one or more of these legal matters, and the associated realized losses exceed our current estimates of the range of potential losses, our consolidated financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected in future periods.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The discussion of our business and operations and risk factors discussed in this report should be read together with the risk factors contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies, or prospects in a material and adverse manner.
Any business combinations, including those contemplated by the Ashford Select contribution and purchase and sale agreements, are subject to substantial risks that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Any business combinations, including those contemplated by the Ashford Select contribution and purchase and sale agreements, involve potential risks, including, among other things:
the validity of our assumptions about revenues, capital expenditures and operating costs of the acquired or contributed business or assets, as well as assumptions about achieving synergies with our existing business;
the validity of our assessment of environmental and other liabilities;
the costs associated with additional debt or equity capital, which may result in a significant increase in our interest expense and financial leverage resulting from any additional debt incurred to finance the business combination, or the issuance of additional shares on which we will make distributions, either of which could exacerbated by volatility in the equity or debt capital markets;
a failure to realize anticipated benefits, such as enhanced competitive position, revised investment guidelines or new customer relationships;
a decrease in our liquidity as a result of financing the business combination; and
the incurrence of other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.

46


The launch of the Ashford Select platform may not be completed on anticipated terms or consummated at all, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
The launch of the Ashford Select platform may not be completed on terms initially anticipated by us or may not be consummated at all. The launch of the Ashford Select platform requires the determination of final structuring and the negotiation of definitive agreements, and may be dependent on the ability of Ashford Select to obtain adequate financing to pay any cash portion of consideration due to us in exchange for select service properties.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully launch the Ashford Select platform with an external capital source or at all. Our failure to complete the Ashford Select launch could have an adverse impact on our operations, prospects and ability to make distributions to our stockholders and could negatively impact the price of our common stock.


47

Table of Contents

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table provides the information with respect to purchases of shares of our common stock during each of the months in the first quarter of 2015:
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
(1)
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
(2)
 
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares That
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plan
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 1 to January 31
 

 
$

 

 
$
200,000,000

February 1 to February 28
 

 

 

 
200,000,000

March 1 to March 31
 
42,943

 
10.40

 

 
200,000,000

Total
 
42,943

 
$
10.40

 

 
 
____________________
(1) 
Represents shares that were withheld to cover tax-withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted shares of our common stock to employees of our advisor pursuant to the Company’s stockholder approved stock incentive plan.
(2) 
In September 2011, our Board of Directors announced the reinstatement of our 2007 share repurchase program and authorized an increase in repurchase plan authorization from the remaining $58.4 million to $200.0 million. The plan provides for: (i) the repurchase of shares of our common stock, Series A preferred stock, Series D preferred stock and Series E preferred stock, and /or (ii) discounted purchases of outstanding debt obligations, including debt secured by hotel assets. No shares of common or preferred stock have been repurchased under this program since September 2011and none are authorized for purchase without further authorization from our Board of Directors.
ITEM 3.
DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
Effective May 8, 2015, Ashford Select entities terminated the two contribution agreements and the two purchase and sale agreements described in our Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2015. 


48


ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
 
Description
3.1
 
Articles of Amendment and Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form S-11/A, filed on July 31, 2003)
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on February 28, 2014)
 
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Contribution Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc., Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.1.1*
 
Termination Letter, dated May 8, 2015, of the Contribution Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc., Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.2*
 
Contribution Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc., Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership, Ashford Credit Holdings LLC and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.2.1*
 
Termination Letter, dated May 8, 2015, of the Contribution Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc., Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership, Ashford Credit Holdings LLC and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.3*
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford TRS VI Corporation, Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc. and Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.3.1*
 
Termination Letter, dated May 8, 2015, of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford TRS VI Corporation, Ashford Hospitality Select, Inc. and Ashford Hospitality Select Limited Partnership
 
 
 
 
10.4*
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford TRS Corporation, Ashford TRS VI Corporation and Ashford Select TRS Corporation
 
 
 
 
10.4.1*
 
Termination Letter, dated May 8, 2015, of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 18, 2015, by and between Ashford TRS Corporation, Ashford TRS VI Corporation and Ashford Select TRS Corporation
 
 
 
 
10.5
 
Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2015, between each of the Parties set forth on Schedule I, which are subsidiaries of the Company, collectively as Borrower, and Column Financial, Inc. as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2015, for the event dated March 6, 2015)
 
 
 
 
10.6
 
Mezzanine A Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2015, between HH Swap A LLC and HH Swap G LLC, collectively as Borrower, and Column Financial, Inc., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2015, for the event dated March 6, 2015)
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
Mezzanine B Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2015, between HH Mezz Borrower A-2 LLC and HH Mezz Borrower G-2 LLC, collectively as Borrower, and Column Financial, Inc., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2015, for the event dated March 6, 2015)
 
 
 
 
10.8
 
Mezzanine C Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2015, between HH Mezz Borrower A-3 LLC and HH Mezz Borrower G-3 LLC, collectively as Borrower, and Column Financial, Inc., as Lender(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2015, for the event dated March 6, 2015)
 
 
 
 
10.9
 
Mezzanine D Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2015, between HH Mezz Borrower A-4 LLC and HH Mezz Borrower G-4 LLC, collectively as Borrower, and Column Financial, Inc., as Lender(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K, filed on March 12, 2015, for the event dated March 6, 2015)
 
 
 
 
12*
 
Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
 
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 
 
 
 

49


Exhibit
 
Description
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
The following materials from the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 are formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) Consolidated Statement of of Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be part of any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
Submitted electronically with this report.
___________________________________
* Filed herewith.

50


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
Date:
May 11, 2015
By:
/s/ MONTY J. BENNETT
 
 
 
 
Monty J. Bennett
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 11, 2015
By:
/s/ DERIC S. EUBANKS
 
 
 
 
Deric S. Eubanks
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 

51