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ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INC - Quarter Report: 2017 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, 2017
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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
 
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
¨
    
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) if the Exchange Act. ¨
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
 
97,438,253
(Class)
 
Outstanding at May 5, 2017




ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

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 and per share amounts)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
 
Investments in hotel properties, net
$
4,152,741

 
$
4,160,563

Cash and cash equivalents
306,670

 
347,091

Restricted cash
165,262

 
144,014

Marketable securities
50,382

 
53,185

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $586 and $690, respectively
59,740

 
44,629

Inventories
4,494

 
4,530

Investment in unconsolidated entities
7,724

 
58,779

Deferred costs, net
2,834

 
2,846

Prepaid expenses
24,668

 
17,578

Derivative assets, net
1,884

 
3,614

Other assets
13,627

 
11,718

Intangible assets, net
10,032

 
10,061

Due from Ashford Prime OP, net
6

 

Due from AQUA U.S. Fund
2,579

 

Due from related party, net
1,392

 

Due from third-party hotel managers
18,583

 
13,348

Assets held for sale

 
19,588

Total assets
$
4,822,618

 
$
4,891,544

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Indebtedness, net
$
3,720,040

 
$
3,723,559

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
156,388

 
126,986

Dividends and distributions payable
25,786

 
24,765

Unfavorable management contract liabilities
1,035

 
1,380

Due to Ashford Inc., net
15,750

 
15,716

Due to Ashford Prime OP, net

 
488

Due to related party, net

 
1,001

Due to third-party hotel managers
2,667

 
2,714

Intangible liabilities, net
16,106

 
16,195

Derivative liabilities, net
198

 

Other liabilities
17,439

 
16,548

Liabilities related to assets held for sale

 
37,047

Total liabilities
3,955,409

 
3,966,399

Commitments and contingencies (note 13)


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
111,273

 
132,768

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, 2017 and December 31, 2016
17

 
17

Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, 9,468,706 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
95

 
95

Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock, 4,800,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
48

 
48

Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock, 6,200,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
62

 
62

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 97,019,295 and 96,376,827 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
970

 
964

Additional paid-in capital
1,763,675

 
1,764,450

Accumulated deficit
(1,009,656
)
 
(974,015
)
Total stockholders’ equity of the Company
755,211

 
791,621

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
725

 
756

Total equity
755,936

 
792,377

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,822,618

 
$
4,891,544

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,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenue
 
Rooms
$
276,705

 
$
290,615

Food and beverage
62,850

 
63,055

Other hotel revenue
13,766

 
13,709

Total hotel revenue
353,321

 
367,379

Other
388

 
393

Total revenue
353,709

 
367,772

Expenses
 
 
 
Hotel operating expenses:
 
 
 
Rooms
59,873

 
63,102

Food and beverage
42,170

 
43,101

Other expenses
111,733

 
113,137

Management fees
12,826

 
13,695

Total hotel expenses
226,602

 
233,035

Property taxes, insurance, and other
18,333

 
18,612

Depreciation and amortization
64,698

 
62,162

Impairment charges

 
(111
)
Transaction costs
3

 
95

Advisory services fee
10,641

 
10,903

Corporate, general, and administrative
5,170

 
1,673

Total expenses
325,447

 
326,369

Operating income (loss)
28,262

 
41,403

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities
(763
)
 
(3,585
)
Interest income
208

 
63

Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties
(83
)
 
(114
)
Other income (expense)
(3,120
)
 
(252
)
Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs
(55,305
)
 
(55,943
)
Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
(54
)
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(3,346
)
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
1,418

 
6,918

Income (loss) before income taxes
(32,783
)
 
(11,510
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
846

 
(629
)
Net income (loss)
(31,937
)
 
(12,139
)
(Income) loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
31

 
38

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
6,493

 
2,112

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
(25,413
)
 
(9,989
)
Preferred dividends
(10,956
)
 
(8,490
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(36,369
)
 
$
(18,479
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) per share - basic and diluted:
 
 
 
Basic:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(0.39
)
 
$
(0.20
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
94,840

 
94,136

Diluted:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(0.39
)
 
$
(0.20
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
94,840

 
94,136

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

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,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(31,937
)
 
$
(12,139
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss)
(31,937
)
 
(12,139
)
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated entities
31

 
38

Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
6,493

 
2,112

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
(25,413
)
 
$
(9,989
)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Preferred Stock
 
 
 
Additional
Paid In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Noncontrolling
Interests In
Consolidated
Entities
 
Total
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling
Interests in
Operating
Partnership
 
Series A
 
Series D
 
Series F
 
Series G
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2017
1,657

 
$
17

 
9,469

 
$
95

 
4,800

 
$
48

 
6,200

 
$
62

 
96,377

 
$
964

 
$
1,764,450

 
$
(974,015
)
 
$
756

 
$
792,377

 
$
132,768

Purchases of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(203
)
 
(2
)
 
(1,273
)
 

 

 
(1,275
)
 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
345

 

 

 
345

 
83

Forfeitures of restricted shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of restricted shares/units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
843

 
8

 
(8
)
 

 

 

 
88

Dividends declared - common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(11,741
)
 

 
(11,741
)
 

Dividends declared - preferred shares- Series A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(886
)
 

 
(886
)
 

Dividends declared - preferred shares- Series D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(5,000
)
 

 
(5,000
)
 

Dividends declared – preferred shares- Series F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,212
)
 

 
(2,212
)
 

Dividends declared – preferred shares- Series G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,858
)
 

 
(2,858
)
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2,543
)
Redemption/conversion of operating partnership units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
20

 

 
161

 

 

 
161

 
(161
)
Redemption value adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
12,469

 

 
12,469

 
(12,469
)
Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(25,413
)
 
(31
)
 
(25,444
)
 
(6,493
)
Balance at March 31, 2017
1,657

 
$
17

 
9,469

 
$
95

 
4,800

 
$
48

 
6,200

 
62

 
97,019

 
$
970

 
$
1,763,675

 
$
(1,009,656
)
 
$
725

 
$
755,936

 
$
111,273

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

Table of Contents

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
Net income (loss)
$
(31,937
)
 
$
(12,139
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
64,698

 
62,162

Impairment charges

 
(111
)
Amortization of intangibles
(60
)
 
(49
)
Amortization of deferred income
(114
)
 

Bad debt expense
183

 
183

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(1,134
)
 

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
763

 
3,585

(Gain) loss on sale of hotel properties, net
83

 
114

Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities
3,346

 

Purchases of marketable securities
(543
)
 

Net settlement of trading derivatives
323

 
(176
)
Payments for derivatives

 
(231
)
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives
1,885

 
(6,918
)
Amortization of loan costs and premiums, write-off of loan costs and exit fees
4,866

 
5,657

Equity-based compensation
428

 
984

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of effect of hotel acquisitions and dispositions of hotel properties:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable and inventories
(12,827
)
 
(13,709
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(7,273
)
 
(11,891
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
25,767

 
17,527

Due to/from related party
(2,551
)
 
(3,256
)
Due to/from third-party hotel managers
(5,282
)
 
5,137

Due to/from Ashford Prime OP, net
(494
)
 
515

Due to/from Ashford Inc., net
(1,247
)
 
484

Other liabilities
660

 
2,116

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
39,540

 
49,984

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
Investment in unconsolidated entity
(650
)
 
(2,000
)
Proceeds from payments on note receivable

 
60

Improvements and additions to hotel properties
(56,765
)
 
(40,688
)
Net proceeds from sales of assets/properties
17,325

 
2,484

Liquidation of AQUA U.S. Fund
48,363

 

Payments for initial franchise fees
(75
)
 
(30
)
Proceeds from property insurance
190

 
33

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
8,388

 
(40,141
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
Borrowings on indebtedness

 
37,500

Repayments of indebtedness
(43,441
)
 
(3,625
)
Payments for loan costs and exit fees
(623
)
 
(764
)
Payments for dividends and distributions
(24,219
)
 
(22,676
)
Purchases of common stock
6

 
(1
)
Payments for derivatives
(280
)
 
(73
)
Other
88

 
61

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(68,469
)
 
10,422

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(20,541
)
 
20,265

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
492,473

 
368,758

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and at end of period
$
471,932


$
389,023


6

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
50,110

 
$
48,809

Income taxes paid

 
305

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activity
 
 
 
Accrued but unpaid capital expenditures
$
13,313

 
$
7,026

Dividends and distributions declared but not paid
25,786

 
22,890

Common stock repurchase accrued but not paid
1,281

 
740

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
$
347,091

 
$
215,078

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period included in assets held for sale
976

 

Restricted cash at beginning of period
144,014

 
153,680

Restricted cash at beginning of period included in assets held for sale
392

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
$
492,473

 
$
368,758

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
306,670

 
$
226,877

Restricted cash at end of period
165,262

 
162,146

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
471,932

 
$
389,023


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 full-service hotels in the upscale and upper-upscale segments in domestic and international markets that have revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) generally less than twice the national average, and in all methods including direct real estate, 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.
We are advised by Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC (“Ashford LLC”), a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., through an advisory agreement. All of the hotel properties 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, 2017, we owned interests in the following assets:
121 consolidated hotel properties, including 119 directly owned and two owned through a majority-owned investment in a consolidated entity, which represent 25,553 total rooms (or 25,526 net rooms excluding those attributable to our partners);
86 hotel condominium units at WorldQuest Resort in Orlando, Florida;
a 29.7% ownership in Ashford Inc. common stock with a carrying value of $5.2 million; and
a 15.35% ownership in OpenKey with a carrying value of $2.6 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, 2017, our 121 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, 2017, Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, together with its affiliates (“Remington Lodging”), which is beneficially wholly owned by Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chairman, and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., our Chairman Emeritus, managed 82 of our 121 hotel properties and WorldQuest Resort. Third-party management companies managed the remaining hotel properties. On September 17, 2015, Remington Lodging and Ashford Inc. entered into an agreement pursuant to which Ashford Inc. will acquire all of the general partner interest and 80% of the limited partner interests in Remington Lodging. On April 12, 2016, Ashford Inc.’s stockholders approved the acquisition. On March 24, 2017, the agreement was terminated as Ashford Inc. was unsuccessful in receiving an acceptable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service. The receipt of the private letter ruling was a condition to the closing of the transaction.
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. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. We believe the disclosures made herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. However, the financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 16, 2017.
Ashford Trust OP is considered to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”), as defined by authoritative accounting guidance. A VIE must be consolidated by a reporting entity if the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary because it has (i) the power to direct

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

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. All major decisions related to Ashford Trust OP that most significantly impact its economic performance, including but not limited to operating procedures with respect to business affairs and any acquisitions, dispositions, financings, restructurings or other transactions with sellers, purchasers, lenders, brokers, agents and other applicable representatives, are subject to the approval of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Ashford Trust OP General Partner LLC, its general partner. As such, we consolidate Ashford Trust OP.
Historical seasonality patterns at some of our hotel properties cause fluctuations in our overall operating results. Consequently, operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.
The following acquisitions/dispositions affect reporting comparability of our consolidated financial statements:
Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Acquisition/Disposition
 
Acquisition/Disposition Date
5-hotel portfolio (1)
 
Various
 
Disposition
 
June 1, 2016
Hampton Inn & Suites
 
Gainesville, FL
 
Disposition
 
September 1, 2016
SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg
 
Gaithersburg, MD
 
Disposition
 
October 1, 2016
2-hotel portfolio (2)
 
Palm Desert, CA
 
Disposition
 
October 7, 2016
Renaissance
 
Portsmouth, Virginia
 
Disposition
 
February 1, 2017
Embassy Suites
 
Syracuse, New York
 
Disposition
 
March 6, 2017
(1) The 5-hotel portfolio is comprised of the Courtyard Edison in Edison, New Jersey; the Residence Inn Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia; the Courtyard Lake Buena Vista, the Fairfield Inn Lake Buena Vista and the SpringHill Suites Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida.
(2) The 2-hotel portfolio is comprised of the Courtyard and Residence Inn in Palm Desert, California.
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 4% to 6% of property revenue for certain hotels, as required by certain management or mortgage debt agreement restrictions and provisions. We early adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash effective January 1, 2017. See discussion in recently adopted accounting standards below.
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, 2017 and 2016.
Hotel DispositionsDiscontinued 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 believe that individual dispositions of hotel properties do 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.

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

Assets Held for Sale—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 that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and cash flows. Depreciation and amortization will cease as of the date assets have met the criteria to be deemed held for sale. See note 4.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities—Investments in entities in which we have ownership interests ranging from 15.4% to 29.7%, at March 31, 2017, 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 in earnings (loss) in unconsolidated entities. No such impairment was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Our investments in certain unconsolidated entities are considered to be variable interests in the underlying entities. VIE’s, 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.
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 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.
Equity-Based Compensation—Stock/unit-based compensation for non-employees is accounted for at fair value based on the market price of the shares at period end in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance that results in recording expense, included in “advisory services fee” and “management fees” equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period. Performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance-based Long-Term Incentive Plan (“Performance LTIP”) units granted to certain executive officers are accounted for at fair value at period end based on a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model that results in recording expense, included in “advisory services fee,” equal to the fair value of the award in proportion to the requisite service period satisfied during the period. Stock/unit grants to independent directors are recorded at fair value based on the market price of the shares at grant date, which amount is fully expensed as the grants of stock/units are fully vested on the date of grant.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-07, Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (“ASU 2016-07”), which simplifies the equity method of accounting by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method to an investment that subsequently qualifies for such accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. ASU 2016-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017, and the adoption of this standard did not have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statements of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-18 restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard resulted in the inclusion of restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows for all periods presented. As a result net cash provided by operating activities increased $5.3 million and net cash used in investing activities decreased $3.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our beginning-of-period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $144.4 million and $153.7 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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

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. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB has also issued additional updates that further clarify the requirements of Topic 606 and provide implementation guidance. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are in the initial stages of evaluating the effect of the standard on our consolidated financial statements, including as it pertains to accounting for real estate sales, and continue to evaluate the available transition methods. However, we have not yet selected a transition method. Based on our initial and ongoing assessment of ASU 2014-09, we do not currently believe there will be a material impact to the amount or timing of revenue recognition for rooms revenue, food and beverage revenue and other hotel revenue.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in OCI the changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of AFS debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 provides an election to subsequently measure certain nonmarketable equity investments at cost less any impairment and adjusted for certain observable price changes. It also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Certain provisions of ASU 2016-01 are eligible for early adoption. We do not expect that ASU 2016-01 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The accounting for leases under which we are the lessor remains largely unchanged. While we are currently in the initial stages of assessing the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements, we expect the primary impact to our consolidated financial statements upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of our future minimum rentals due under noncancelable leases on our consolidated balance sheets resulting in the recording of ROU assets and lease obligations.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The ASU sets forth an “expected credit loss” impairment model to replace the current “incurred loss” method of recognizing credit losses. The standard requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for most financial assets held. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments - a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU 2016-15”). The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. Certain issues addressed in this guidance include - Debt payments or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, distributions received from equity method investments and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-15 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of an asset or a business. ASU 2017-01 is

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. While we are currently evaluating the potential impact of the standard, we currently expect that certain future hotel acquisitions may be considered asset acquisitions rather than business combinations, which would affect capitalization of acquisitions costs (such costs are expensed for business combinations and capitalized for asset acquisitions).
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (ASU “2017-05”), which clarifies the scope of ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets and adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. An entity may elect to apply ASU 2017-05 under a retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the impact that ASU 2017-05 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
3. Investments in Hotel Properties, net
Investments in hotel properties, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Land
$
663,013

 
$
663,013

Buildings and improvements
3,933,063

 
3,913,377

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
428,784

 
434,091

Construction in progress
33,139

 
32,525

Condominium properties
11,612

 
11,558

Total cost
5,069,611

 
5,054,564

Accumulated depreciation
(916,870
)
 
(894,001
)
Investments in hotel properties, net
$
4,152,741

 
$
4,160,563

4. Hotel Dispositions and Assets Held For Sale
On June 1, 2016, the Company sold the Noble Five Hotels, a 5-hotel portfolio of select-service hotel properties for approximately $142.0 million in cash. The sale resulted in a gain of $22.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The portfolio is comprised of the Courtyard Edison in Edison, New Jersey; the Residence Inn Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia; the Courtyard Lake Buena Vista, the Fairfield Inn Lake Buena Vista and the SpringHill Suites Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida.
On September 1, 2016, the Company sold the Hampton Inn Gainesville for approximately $26.5 million in cash. The sale resulted in a gain of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
On October 1, 2016, the Company sold the SpringHill Suites in Gaithersburg, Maryland for approximately $13.2 million. The consideration received from the sale was a combination of cash and approximately 2.0 million Class B common units of the Company’s operating partnership. The Class B operating partnership units were redeemed at a price of $5.74 per unit, or a price of $6.05 per common share after taking into account the current conversion factor. The Company also paid off approximately $10.4 million of debt associated with the hotel property. The sale resulted in a loss of $223,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016.
On October 7, 2016, the Company sold the Courtyard and Residence Inn in Palm Desert, California for $36.0 million. The consideration received from the sale was a combination of cash and assumption of approximately $23.8 million of mortgage debt associated with the hotel properties. The sale resulted in a gain of $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
On February 1, 2017, the Company sold the Renaissance hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia (“Renaissance Portsmouth”) for approximately $9.2 million in cash. The sale resulted in a loss of $43,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and is included in “gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties” in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also paid off approximately $20.2 million of debt associated with the hotel property. See note 6.
On March 6, 2017, the Company sold the Embassy Suites in Syracuse, New York (“Embassy Suites Syracuse”) for approximately $8.8 million in cash. The sale resulted in a loss of $40,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and is included in “gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties” in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also paid off approximately $20.6 million of debt associated with the hotel property. See note 6.

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

We included the results of operations for these hotel properties through the date of disposition in net income (loss). The following table includes condensed financial information from these hotel properties in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Total hotel revenue
$
1,592

 
$
23,630

Total hotel operating expenses
(1,769
)
 
(14,732
)
Operating income (loss)
(177
)
 
8,898

Property taxes, insurance and other
(157
)
 
(1,020
)
Depreciation and amortization
(51
)
 
(3,792
)
Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties
(83
)
 
(114
)
Interest expense and amortization of loan costs
(483
)
 
(2,719
)
Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
(54
)
 

Net income (loss)
(1,005
)
 
1,253

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
155

 
(170
)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
(850
)
 
$
1,083

Assets Held For Sale
At December 31, 2016, the Renaissance Portsmouth and the Embassy Suites Syracuse were classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet based on methodologies discussed in note 2. Since the sale of the properties did not represent a strategic shift that had (or will have had) a major effect on our operations or financial results, their results of operation were not reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Depreciation and amortization were ceased as of the date the assets were deemed held for sale. On February 1, 2017, we completed the sale of the Renaissance Portsmouth for approximately $9.2 million. On March 6, 2017, we completed the sale of the Embassy Suites Syracuse for approximately $8.8 million.
The major classes of assets and liabilities related to the assets held for sale included in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
 
Investments in hotel properties, net
$
17,232

Cash and cash equivalents
976

Restricted cash
392

Accounts receivable
305

Inventories
96

Deferred costs, net
4

Prepaid expenses
309

Other assets
274

Assets held for sale
$
19,588

 
 
Liabilities
 
Indebtedness, net
$
35,679

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
1,323

Due to related party, net
45

Liabilities related to assets held for sale
$
37,047

5. Investment in Unconsolidated Entities
Ashford Inc.
We held approximately 598,000 shares of Ashford Inc. common stock, which represented an approximate 29.7% ownership interest in Ashford Inc. as of March 31, 2017, with a fair value of $35.3 million.

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

The following tables summarize the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations of Ashford Inc. and our equity in earnings (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
Ashford Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Total assets
$
91,154

 
$
129,797

Total liabilities
$
51,278

 
$
38,168

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
1,671

 
1,480

Total stockholders’ equity of Ashford Inc.
37,877

 
37,377

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
328

 
52,772

Total equity
38,205

 
90,149

Total liabilities and equity
$
91,154

 
$
129,797

Our ownership interest in Ashford Inc.
$
5,165

 
$
5,873

Ashford Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Total revenue
$
13,013

 
$
13,409

Total operating expenses
(15,149
)
 
(13,921
)
Operating income (loss)
(2,136
)
 
(512
)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment in unconsolidated entity, net

 
(1,460
)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net
(75
)
 
(5,684
)
Other income (expense)
118

 
(102
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(630
)
 
(640
)
Net income (loss)
(2,723
)
 
(8,398
)
(Income) loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests
(25
)
 
6,548

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
363

 
118

Net income (loss) attributable to Ashford Inc.
$
(2,385
)
 
$
(1,732
)
Our equity in earnings (loss) of Ashford Inc.
$
(708
)
 
$
(519
)
AQUA U.S. Fund
The AQUA U.S. Fund was managed by Ashford Investment Management, LLC (“AIM”), an indirect subsidiary of Ashford Inc. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the AQUA U.S. Fund was consolidated by Ashford Inc. The AQUA U.S. Fund invested substantially all of its assets in the Ashford Quantitative Alternatives Master Fund, LP (the “Master Fund”), previously named the AIM Real Estate Hedged Equity Master Fund, LP, and as a consequence of our investment in the AQUA U.S. Fund, we obtained an indirect interest in the Master Fund. Our maximum exposure of loss is limited to our investment in the AQUA U.S. Fund.
During the first quarter of 2017, we liquidated our investment in the AQUA U.S. Fund subject to a 5% hold back which is expected to be paid upon completion of the audit of the AQUA U.S. Fund’s financial statements, or sooner at the general partner’s discretion. As of March 31, 2017, we had a receivable from the AQUA U.S. Fund of $2.6 million.
The Master Fund generally invested in publicly traded equity securities and put and call options on publicly traded equity securities. The AQUA U.S. Fund recorded its investment in the Master Fund at its proportionate share of net assets. Income (loss)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

and distributions are allocated to the AQUA U.S. Fund’s partners based on their ownership percentage of the AQUA U.S. Fund. Our equity in loss in the AQUA U.S. Fund represented our share of the AQUA U.S. Fund’s loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. We were not obligated to pay any portion of the management fee or the performance allocation in favor of the AQUA U.S. Fund’s investment manager and general partner, respectively, but did share pro rata in all other applicable expenses of the AQUA U.S. Fund. As of December 31, 2016, we owned an approximate 96.6% ownership interest in the AQUA U.S. Fund.
The following tables summarize the balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 of the AQUA U.S. Fund (in thousands):
Ashford Quantitative Alternatives (U.S.), LP
Condensed Balance Sheet
(unaudited)
 
December 31, 2016
Total assets
$
55,022

Total liabilities
$
2,311

Partners’ capital
52,711

Total liabilities and partners’ capital
$
55,022

Our ownership interest in the AQUA U.S. Fund
$
50,890

Ashford Quantitative Alternatives (U.S.), LP
Condensed Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Total investment income
$
97

 
$
18

Net expenses
99

 
(189
)
Net investment income (loss)
196

 
(171
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments
50

 
1,118

Net realized gain (loss) on investments
(100
)
 
(6,801
)
Net income (loss) attributable to the AQUA U.S. Fund
$
146

 
$
(5,854
)
Our equity in earnings (loss) of the AQUA U.S. Fund
$
52

 
$
(3,066
)
OpenKey
In 2016, the Company made investments totaling $2.3 million in OpenKey, which is controlled and consolidated by Ashford Inc., for a 13.3% ownership interest. On March 2, 2017, we invested an additional $650,000. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has made investments totaling $3.0 million, for a 15.35% ownership interest. Our investment is recorded as a component of “investment in unconsolidated entities” in our consolidated balance sheet and is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we have been deemed to have significant influence over the entity under the applicable accounting guidance. As of March 31, 2017, our ownership interest had a carrying value of $2.6 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, our equity in earnings (loss) in the unconsolidated entity was a loss of $107,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, our equity in earnings (loss) in the unconsolidated entity was immaterial.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

6. Indebtedness
Indebtedness consisted of the following (in thousands):
Indebtedness
 
Collateral
 
Maturity
 
Interest Rate
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Mortgage loan (2)
 
1 hotel
 
April 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.95%
 
$
33,300

 
$
33,300

Mortgage loan (3) (4) (12)
 
23 hotels
 
April 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.39%
 
1,050,374

 
1,070,560

Mortgage loan (5)
 
1 hotel
 
May 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 5.10%
 
25,100

 
25,100

Mortgage loan (5)
 
1 hotel
 
June 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 5.10%
 
43,750

 
43,750

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
June 2017
 
5.98%
 
15,654

 
15,729

Mortgage loan (5)
 
8 hotels
 
July 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.09%
 
144,000

 
144,000

Mortgage loan (5)
 
1 hotel
 
July 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.15%
 
35,200

 
35,200

Mortgage loan (5)
 
1 hotel
 
July 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 5.10%
 
40,500

 
40,500

Mortgage loan (6) (7) (13)
 
6 hotels
 
August 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.35%
 
280,421

 
301,000

Mortgage loan (6)
 
4 hotels
 
August 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.38%
 
52,530

 
52,530

Mortgage loan (8)
 
17 hotels
 
December 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 5.52%
 
412,500

 
412,500

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2018
 
4.38%
 
95,677

 
96,169

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
January 2018
 
4.44%
 
104,511

 
105,047

Mortgage loan (9)
 
8 hotels
 
January 2018
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.95%
 
376,800

 
376,800

Mortgage loan (10)
 
5 hotels
 
February 2018
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.75%
 
200,000

 
200,000

Mortgage loan (11)
 
1 hotel
 
August 2018
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.95%
 
12,000

 
12,000

Mortgage loan (8)
 
18 hotels
 
October 2018
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.55%
 
450,000

 
450,000

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
July 2019
 
4.00%
 
5,411

 
5,436

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
November 2020
 
6.26%
 
96,446

 
96,873

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
May 2023
 
5.46%
 
54,455

 
54,685

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2024
 
5.49%
 
10,336

 
10,378

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
January 2024
 
5.49%
 
7,082

 
7,111

Mortgage loan
 
1 hotel
 
May 2024
 
4.99%
 
6,613

 
6,641

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
August 2024
 
5.20%
 
66,915

 
67,164

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
August 2024
 
4.85%
 
12,380

 
12,427

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
August 2024
 
4.90%
 
24,742

 
24,836

Mortgage loan
 
3 hotels
 
February 2025
 
4.45%
 
52,982

 
53,293

Mortgage loan
 
2 hotels
 
February 2025
 
4.45%
 
20,484

 
20,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,730,163

 
3,773,604

Premiums, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,989

 
3,523

Deferred loan costs, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(13,112
)

(17,889
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,720,040

 
$
3,759,238

 
 

 
 
 

 


 


Indebtedness related to assets held for sale (12)
 
1 hotel
 
April 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.39%
 

 
16,080

Indebtedness related to assets held for sale (13)
 
1 hotel
 
August 2017
 
LIBOR (1) + 4.35%
 

 
19,599

Indebtedness, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,720,040

 
$
3,723,559

____________________________________
(1) LIBOR rates were 0.983% and 0.772% at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(2) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The first one-year extension period began in April 2017.
(3) This mortgage loan has four one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The first one-year extension period began in April 2017.
(4) This mortgage loan had a $20.2 million pay down of principal related to the sale of the Renaissance Portsmouth that was sold on February 1, 2017.
(5) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
(6) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The first one-year extension period began in August 2016.
(7) This mortgage loan had a $20.6 million pay down of principal related to the sale of the Embassy Suites Syracuse that was sold on March 6, 2017.
(8) This mortgage loan has four one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
(9) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The first one-year extension period began in January 2017.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

(10) This mortgage loan has three one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and a LIBOR floor of 0.20%. The second one-year extension period began in February 2017.
(11) This mortgage loan has two one-year extension options, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
(12) A portion of this loan at December 31, 2016 relates to the Renaissance Portsmouth that was sold on February 1, 2017. See note 4.
(13) A portion of this loan at December 31, 2016 relates to the Embassy Suites Syracuse that was sold on March 6, 2017. See note 4.
On February 1, 2017, we repaid $20.2 million of principal on our mortgage loan partially secured by the Renaissance Portsmouth. This hotel property was sold on February 1, 2017.
On March 6, 2017, we repaid $20.6 million of principal on our mortgage loan partially secured by the Embassy Suites Syracuse. This hotel property was sold on March 6, 2017.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized premium amortization of $534,000 and $521,000, respectively. 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.
We are required to maintain certain financial ratios under various debt and related agreements. If we violate covenants in any debt or related 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. As of March 31, 2017, we were in compliance in all material respects with all covenants or other requirements set forth in our debt and related agreements as amended.
7. 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.
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,
 
2017
 
2016
Income (loss) allocated to common stockholders:
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
(25,413
)
 
$
(9,989
)
Less: Dividends on preferred stock
(10,956
)
 
(8,490
)
Less: Dividends on common stock
(11,438
)
 
(11,333
)
Less: Dividends on unvested performance stock units
(98
)
 
(40
)
Less: Dividends on unvested restricted shares
(205
)
 
(148
)
Undistributed income (loss)
(48,110
)
 
(30,000
)
Add back: Dividends on common stock
11,438

 
11,333

Distributed and undistributed income (loss) - basic and diluted
$
(36,672
)
 
$
(18,667
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
94,840

 
94,136

 
 
 
 
Basic income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders per share
$
(0.39
)
 
$
(0.20
)
 
 
 
 
Diluted income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders per share
$
(0.39
)
 
$
(0.20
)

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

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,
 
2017
 
2016
Income (loss) allocated to common stockholders is not adjusted for:
 
 
 
Income (loss) allocated to unvested restricted shares
$
205

 
$
148

Income (loss) allocated to unvested performance stock units
98

 
40

Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership units
(6,493
)
 
(2,112
)
Total
$
(6,190
)
 
$
(1,924
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares are not adjusted for:
 
 
 
Effect of unvested restricted shares
117

 
127

Effect of unvested performance stock units
40

 

Effect of assumed conversion of operating partnership units
17,265

 
19,043

Effect of incentive fee shares
300

 

Total
17,722

 
19,170

8. 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 and our cash flows. The interest rate derivatives currently include interest rate caps and interest rate floors. These derivatives are subject to master netting settlement arrangements. To mitigate the nonperformance risk, we routinely use 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.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we entered into interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $1.3 billion and strike rates ranging from 2.50% to 4.44%. These interest rate caps had effective dates from February 2017 to April 2017, maturity dates from January 2018 to April 2018, and a total cost of $280,000. These instruments were not designated as cash flow hedges. 
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we entered into interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $237.5 million and strike rates ranging from 2.25% to 4.50%. These interest rate caps had effective dates from February 2016 to March 2016, maturity dates from February 2017 to December 2017, and a total cost of $73,000. These instruments were not designated as cash flow hedges. 
As of March 31, 2017, we held interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $3.1 billion and strike rates ranging from 1.50% to 4.45%. These instruments had maturity dates ranging from April 2017 to October 2018. These instruments cap the interest rates on our mortgage loans with principal balances of $3.1 billion and maturity dates from April 2017 to February 2018. As of March 31, 2017, we held interest rate floors with notional amounts totaling $6.0 billion and strike rates ranging from (0.25)% to 0%. These instruments have maturity dates ranging from April 2020 to July 2020.
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 $7.7 million as of March 31, 2017. Cash collateral is posted by us as well as our counterparties. 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 counterparties when the change in market value is over $250,000.

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

Options on Futures Contracts—During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we purchased options on Eurodollar futures for a total cost of $250,000 and maturity date of June 2017. There were no purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
9. 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 interest rate floors are calculated using a third-party discounted cash flow model based on future cash flows that are expected to be received over the remaining life of the floor. These expected future cash flows are probability-weighted projections based on the contract terms, accounting for both the magnitude and likelihood of potential payments, which are both computed using the appropriate LIBOR forward curve and market implied volatilities as of the valuation date (Level 2 inputs). 
Fair value of options on futures contracts is determined based on the last reported settlement price as of the measurement date (Level 1 inputs). These exchange-traded options are centrally cleared, and a clearinghouse stands in between all trades to ensure that the obligations involved in the trades are satisfied.
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, 2017, the LIBOR interest rate forward curve (Level 2 inputs) assumed an uptrend from 0.983% to 1.904% 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.

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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(1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - floors
$

 
$
721

 
$

 
$

 
$
721

(2) 
 
Interest rate derivatives - caps

 
3

 

 

 
3

(2) 
 
Credit default swaps

 
1,645

 

 
(524
)
 
$
1,121

(2) 
 
Options on futures contracts
39

 

 

 

 
39

(2) 
 
 
39

 
2,369

 

 
(524
)
 
1,884

 
 
Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
50,382

 

 

 

 
50,382

(3) 
 
Total
$
50,421

 
$
2,369

 
$

 
$
(524
)
 
$
52,266

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps

 
1,352

 

 
(1,550
)
 
(198
)
(4) 
 
Net
$
50,421

 
$
3,721

 
$

 
$
(2,074
)
 
$
52,068

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - floors
$

 
$
2,358

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,358

(2) 
 
Interest rate derivatives - caps

 
24

 

 

 
24

(2) 
 
Credit default swaps

 
2,867

 

 
(1,751
)
 
1,116

(2) 
 
Options on futures contracts
116

 

 

 

 
116

(2) 
 
 
116

 
5,249

 

 
(1,751
)
 
3,614

 
 
Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
53,185

 

 

 

 
53,185

(3) 
 
Total
$
53,301

 
$
5,249

 
$

 
$
(1,751
)
 
$
56,799

 
____________________________________
(1) Represents net cash collateral posted between us and our counterparties.
(2) Reported net as “derivative assets, net” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Reported as “marketable securities” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(4) Reported net as “derivative liabilities, net” in the consolidated balance sheets.

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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, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
 Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - floors
$
(1,637
)
 
$
7,701

 
Interest rate derivatives - caps
(300
)
 
(337
)
 
Credit default swaps
82

(4) 
(485
)
(4) 
Options on futures contracts
(78
)
 
39

 
 
(1,933
)
 
6,918

 
Non-derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
Equity
(3,346
)
 

 
Total
(5,279
)
 
6,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps
48

(4) 

(4) 
Net
(5,231
)
 
6,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total combined
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives - floors
$
(1,637
)
 
$
7,701

 
Interest rate derivatives - caps
(300
)
 
(337
)
 
Credit default swaps
3,120

 
(485
)
 
Options on futures contracts
235

 
39

 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
1,418

(1) 
6,918

(1) 
Realized loss on credit default swaps
(2,990
)
(2) (4) 

 
Realized loss on options on futures contracts
(313
)
(2) 

 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(3,346
)
(3) 

 
Net
$
(5,231
)
 
$
6,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
____________________________________
(1) Reported as “unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Included in “other income (expense)” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Included in “unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities” in the consolidated statements of operations.
(4) Excludes costs of $253 and $190, included in “other income (expense)” for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with credit default swaps.

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

10. 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, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities
$
50,382

 
$
50,382

 
$
53,185

 
$
53,185

Derivative assets, net
1,884

 
1,884

 
3,614

 
3,614

Derivative liabilities, net
198

 
198

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets not measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$
306,670

 
$
306,670

 
$
348,067

 
$
348,067

Restricted cash (1)
165,262

 
165,262

 
144,406

 
144,406

Accounts receivable, net (1)
59,740

 
59,740

 
44,934

 
44,934

Due from Ashford Prime OP, net
6

 
6

 

 

Due from AQUA U.S. Fund
2,579

 
2,579

 

 

Due from related party, net
1,392

 
1,392

 

 

Due from third-party hotel managers
18,583

 
18,583

 
13,348

 
13,348

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indebtedness (1)
$
3,733,152

 
$3,543,119 to $3,916,077

 
$
3,777,127

 
$3,600,691 to $3,979,713

Accounts payable and accrued expenses (1)
156,388

 
156,388

 
128,309

 
128,309

Dividends and distributions payable
25,786

 
25,786

 
24,765

 
24,765

Due to Ashford Inc., net
15,750

 
15,750

 
15,716

 
15,716

Due to Ashford Prime OP, net

 

 
488

 
488

Due to related party, net (1)

 

 
1,046

 
1,046

Due to third-party hotel managers
2,667

 
2,667

 
2,714

 
2,714

____________________________________
(1) Includes balances associated with assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale as of December 31, 2016.
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. These financial assets have maturities of less than 90 days and most bear interest at market rates. 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 from AQUA U.S. Fund, due to/from related party, due to 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.
Derivative assets, net, and derivative liabilities, net. 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. Fair values of interest rate floors are calculated using a third-party discounted cash flow model based on future cash flows that are expected to be received over the remaining life of the floor. Fair values of options on futures contracts are valued at their last reported settlement price as of the measurement date. See notes 2, 8 and 9 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 94.9% to 104.9% of the carrying value of $3.7 billion at March 31, 2017 and approximately 95.3% to 105.4% of the carrying value of $3.8 billion at December 31, 2016. This is considered a Level 2 valuation technique.
11. 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 unitholders 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. Beginning one year after issuance, each common unit may be redeemed for either cash or, at our sole discretion, up to one share of our REIT common stock, which is either (i) issued pursuant to an effective registration statement; (ii) included in an effective registration statement providing for the resale of such common stock; or (iii) issued subject to a registration rights agreement. Ashford Trust 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. Each common unit and LTIP unit was worth approximately 95% and 96% of one share of our common stock at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as a result of the specific distribution characteristics to unitholders in the Ashford Inc. spin-off.
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.
The compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company approved Performance LTIP units to certain executive officers, which have a three year cliff vesting. The award agreements provide for the grant of a maximum number of Performance LTIP units that will be settled in LTIPs or common units of the Ashford Trust OP, if and when the applicable vesting criteria have been achieved following the end of the performance and service period. The actual number of units earned may be adjusted from 0% to 100% based on achievement of a specified relative total stockholder return and specified absolute total stockholder return, based on the formula determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee on the grant date. The performance criteria for the Performance LTIP units are based on market conditions under the relevant literature, and the Performance LTIP units were granted to non-employees. Compensation expense was a credit of $88,000 recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017. No compensation expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Performance LTIP units unamortized fair value of $6.3 million at March 31, 2017 will be expensed over a period of 3.0 years.
As of March 31, 2017, we have issued a total of 11.8 million LTIP and Performance LTIP units, all of which, other than approximately 1.8 million (1.2 million of which are Performance LTIP units) and 660,000 units, issued in March 2017 and March 2015, respectively, have reached full economic parity with, and are convertible into, common units. Expense of $171,000 and $348,000 was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which was associated with LTIP and Performance 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. The fair value of the unrecognized cost of LTIP units, which was $6.6 million at March 31, 2017, will be expensed over a period of 3.0 years.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, approximately 21,000 common units with an aggregate fair value of approximately $161,000 were redeemed by the holder and, at our election, we issued shares of our common stock to satisfy the redemption. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, no common units were redeemed.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, including vested LTIP units, in our operating partnership as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were $111.3 million and $132.8 million, respectively, which represent ownership of our operating partnership of 15.40% and 14.48%, respectively. The carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2017 and

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

December 31, 2016, included adjustments of $131.8 million and $144.3 million, respectively, to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the accumulated historical costs. Redeemable noncontrolling interests were allocated net loss of $6.5 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We declared aggregate cash distributions to holders of common units and holders of LTIP units of $2.5 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
12. Equity and Equity-Based Compensation
Common Stock Dividends—For each of the 2017 and 2016 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 2017.
Restricted Stock Units—Stock-based compensation expense of $415,000 and $636,000 was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in connection with equity awards granted to employees of Ashford LLC and certain employees of Remington Lodging and is included in “advisory services fee” and “management fees,” respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. At March 31, 2017, the unamortized cost of the unvested shares of restricted stock was $10.7 million which will be amortized over a period of 3.0 years, subject to future mark to market adjustments, and had vesting schedules between February 2018 and March 2020.
Performance Stock Units—The compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company approved PSUs to certain executive officers, which have a three year cliff vesting. The award agreements provide for the grant of a target number of PSUs that will be settled in shares of common stock of the Company, if and when the applicable vesting criteria have been achieved following the end of the performance and service period. The target number of PSUs may be adjusted from 0% to 200% based on achievement of a specified relative total stockholder return and specified absolute total stockholder return, based on the formula determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee on the grant date. The performance criteria for the PSUs are based on market conditions under the relevant literature, and the PSUs were granted to non-employees. Compensation expense was a credit of $71,000 recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017. No compensation expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The fair value of unrecognized cost of PSUs, which was $5.2 million at March 31, 2017, will be expensed over a period of approximately 3.0 years.
Preferred Dividends—During the three months ended March 31, 2017, 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, $0.4609 per share for our 7.375% Series F preferred stock and $0.4609 per share for our 7.375% Series G preferred stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 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 $725,000 and $756,000 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Our ownership interest is reported in equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities were allocated losses of $31,000 and $38,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Restricted Cash—Under certain management and debt agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2017, 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 4% to 6% of gross revenues for capital improvements.
Franchise Fees—Under franchise agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2017, we pay franchisor royalty fees between 1% and 6% of gross rooms revenue and, in some cases, food and beverage revenues. Additionally, we pay fees for marketing, reservations, and other related activities aggregating between 1% and 4% of gross rooms revenue and, in some cases, food and beverage revenues. These franchise agreements expire on varying dates between 2017 and 2040. 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.
We incurred franchise fees of $16.4 million and $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Franchise fees are included in “other” hotel expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

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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, 2017, 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 2% to 7% of gross revenues, as well as annual incentive management fees, if applicable, b) project management fees of up to 4% of project costs, c) market service fees including purchasing, design and construction management not to exceed 16.5% of project management budget cumulatively, including project management fees , and d) other general fees at current market rates as approved by our independent directors, if required. These management agreements expire from 2017 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— We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the federal jurisdiction and various states. Tax years 2012 through 2016 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities.
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, if any, 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 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. A final judgment was entered and the landlord filed an appeal with the 4th District Court of Appeals in Florida. The parties agreed to table any hearings to establish attorney's fees until after the Court of Appeals decision. As a result of the jury verdict, we recorded the $10.8 million judgment, pre- and post-judgment interest of $707,000 and accrued a reasonable estimate of $400,000 of loss related to legal fees for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded post-judgment interest of $95,000.
Oral argument for the appeal took place on May 31, 2016. In December 2016, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued a decision which affirmed the wrongful eviction judgment and reversed certain other judgments. The Court of Appeals also ruled that the plaintiff was entitled to pre-judgment interest on the wrongful eviction judgment. The decision reduced the original $10.8 million judgment to $8.8 million and added pre-judgment interest on the wrongful eviction judgment resulting in a total loss as of December 31, 2016, including the judgment and pre- and post-judgment interest, of $12.8 million, or $13.2 million including a reasonable estimate of $400,000 for legal fees, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on our consolidated balance sheet.
On January 11, 2017, we filed a motion for rehearing, rehearing en banc (meaning rehearing by the entire Appellate Court) as well as certification of the issues. On March 7, 2017, the Appellate Court denied our motions. On March 21, 2017, we filed our Notice to Invoke Discretionary Jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court and on April 10, 2017, we filed our Petitioners Brief on Jurisdiction. On April 18, 2017, Nantucket filed its Respondent’s Brief on Jurisdiction. The Florida Supreme Court review remains pending on jurisdictional briefs and, if discretionary jurisdiction is exercised, then full briefing and review on the merits will ensue.
On May 5, 2017, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued its Mandate, which resulted in an estimated final judgment of approximately $14.4 million, including pre-judgment interest. The Company estimates post-judgment interest to be approximately

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

$1.8 million and has increased its estimate of total loss related to reimbursement of the plaintiff’s legal fees to $800,000, bringing the total amount of the recorded loss to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2017. This resulted in an additional accrual in the three months ended March 31, 2017 of approximately $3.8 million.This matter remains under appeal, and there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not differ from the amount currently estimated by the Company.
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.
14. Segment Reporting
We operate in one business segment within the hotel lodging industry: direct hotel investments. Direct hotel investments refer to owning hotel properties 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, all of our hotel properties were domestically located.
15. Related Party Transactions
Ashford LLC, a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., acts as our advisor, and as a result, we pay advisory fees to Ashford LLC. We are required to pay Ashford LLC a quarterly base fee that is a percentage of our total market capitalization on a declining sliding scale plus the Key Money Asset Management Fee (defined in our advisory agreement as the aggregate gross asset value of all key money assets multiplied by 0.70%), subject to a minimum quarterly base fee, as payment for managing our day-to-day operations in accordance with our investment guidelines. Total market capitalization includes the aggregate principal amount of our consolidated indebtedness (including our proportionate share of debt of any entity that is not consolidated but excluding our joint venture partners’ proportionate share of consolidated debt). The range of base fees on the scale are between 0.70% and 0.50% per annum for total market capitalization that ranges from less than $6.0 billion to greater than $10.0 billion. At March 31, 2017, the quarterly base fee was 0.70% based on our current market capitalization. We are also required to pay Ashford LLC an incentive fee that is earned annually by Ashford LLC in each year that our annual total stockholder return exceeds the average annual total stockholder return for our peer group, subject to the FCCR Condition, as defined in the advisory agreement. We also reimburse Ashford LLC for certain reimbursable overhead and internal audit, insurance claims advisory and asset management services, as specified in the advisory agreement. We also record equity-based compensation expense for equity grants of common stock and LTIP units awarded to our officers and employees of Ashford LLC 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.
The following table summarizes the advisory services fees incurred (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Advisory services fee
 
 
 
Base advisory fee
$
8,716

 
$
8,540

Reimbursable expenses (1)
1,522

 
1,463

Equity-based compensation (2) 
403

 
900

Total advisory services fee
$
10,641

 
$
10,903

________
(1) 
Reimbursable expenses include overhead, internal audit, insurance claims advisory and asset management services.
(2)  
Equity-based compensation is associated with equity grants of Ashford Trust’s common stock, PSUs, LTIP units and Performance LTIP units awarded to officers and employees of Ashford LLC.
In 2016, the $4.0 million of key money consideration was invested in furniture, fixtures and equipment by Ashford Inc. to be used by Ashford Trust, which represented all of the key money consideration for Le Pavillon. The hotel advisory services and

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

the lease are considered a multiple element arrangement, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. As such, a portion of the base advisory fee is allocated to lease expense equal to the estimated fair value of the lease payments that would have been made. As a result, $164,000 of advisory expense was allocated to lease expense and was included in “other” hotel expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. No advisory expense was allocated to lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
On January 19, 2017, AHT SMA, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashford Trust entered into an Investment Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Ashford Investment Management, LLC (“AIM”), a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., to manage all or a portion of Ashford Trust’s excess cash (the “Account”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company retained and appointed AIM as the investment manager for us. The Agreement will govern the relationship between Ashford Trust and AIM, as well as grant AIM certain rights, powers and duties to act on behalf of the Company. AIM will not be compensated by us for its services under the Agreement. We bear all costs and expenses of the establishment and ongoing maintenance of the Account as well as all costs and expenses of AIM. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, investment management reimbursable expenses were $417,000 which are included in “corporate, general and administrative” expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had payables of $15.8 million and $15.7 million, respectively, included in due to Ashford Inc., net, associated with the advisory services fee discussed above. In addition, at March 31, 2017, we held a receivable from the AQUA U.S. Fund of $2.6 million, associated with the 5% hold back from the AQUA U.S. Fund.
Certain employees of Remington Lodging, who perform work on behalf of Ashford Trust, were granted approximately 173,000 shares of restricted stock under the Ashford Trust Stock Plan in 2016. These share grants were accounted for under the applicable accounting guidance related to share-based payments granted to non-employees and are recorded as a component of “management fees” in our consolidated statements of operations. Expense of $25,000 and $84,000 was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The unamortized fair value of these grants was $906,000 as of March 31, 2017, which will be amortized over a period of 2.0 years.

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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, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2017, 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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Earnings Release
Subsequent to the Company issuing its earnings press release for the three months ended March 31, 2017 on Form 8-K on May 4, 2017 (the “Earnings Release”), the 4th District Court of Appeals issued its Mandate on May 5, 2017 in the lawsuit captioned Palm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, et al. v. Nantucket Enterprises, Inc., which resulted in an estimated final judgment of approximately $14.4 million, including pre-judgment interest. The Company estimates post-judgment interest to be approximately $1.8 million and has increased its estimate of total loss related to reimbursement of the plaintiff’s legal fees to $800,000, bringing the total amount of the recorded loss to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2017. This resulted in an additional accrual in the three months ended March 31, 2017 of approximately $3.8 million. This matter remains under appeal, and there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not differ from the amount currently estimated by the Company.
This revised estimate results in an increase to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.1 million, or $0.04 per share (basic and diluted), and a decrease to EBITDA available to the Company and OP unitholders and funds from operations (“FFO”) available to the Company and OP unitholders of $3.7 million when compared to the results reported in the Earnings Release, and does not impact Adjusted EBITDA available to the Company and OP unitholders, Adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) available to common stockholders and OP unitholders or Hotel EBITDA.
Overview
We believe that industry fundamentals continue to show RevPAR growth through 2017, albeit at a slower pace. We will continue to seek ways to benefit from the cyclical nature of the hotel industry.
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 are consistent with our investment strategy;
disposition of non-core hotel properties;
pursuing capital market activities to enhance long-term stockholder value;
maintaining adequate liquidity;
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;
making other investments or divestitures that our board of directors deems appropriate; and
maximizing stockholder returns via capital appreciation and dividends.
Recent Developments
On January 19, 2017, AHT SMA, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashford Trust entered into an Investment Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Ashford Investment Management, LLC (“AIM”), a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., to manage all or a portion of Ashford Trust’s excess cash (the “Account”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company retained and appointed AIM as the investment manager for us. The Agreement will govern the relationship between Ashford Trust and AIM, as well as grant AIM certain rights, powers and duties to act on behalf of the Company. AIM will not be compensated by us for its services under the Agreement. We bear all costs and expenses of the establishment and ongoing maintenance of the Account as well as all costs and expenses of AIM.
On February 1, 2017, the Company sold the Renaissance hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia (“Renaissance Portsmouth”) for approximately $9.2 million in cash. The sale resulted in a loss of $43,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and is included in “gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties” in the consolidated statements of operations. We repaid $20.2 million of principal on our mortgage loan that was partially secured by the Renaissance Portsmouth.
On February 20, 2017, the board of directors of the Company appointed Mr. Douglas A. Kessler as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective February 21, 2017. Also on February 20, 2017, Mr. Monty J. Bennett ceased to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bennett remains the Chairman of the Board. In order to provide greater focus to the Company, on April 27, 2017, Mr. Kessler resigned from the Board of Directors of Ashford Prime and no longer is President of Ashford Prime.
In connection with the appointment of Mr. Kessler as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company and Mr. Kessler entered into a Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Kessler received 359,477 shares of Restricted Stock (as defined in the Award Agreement).

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On February 21, 2017, the Company announced a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (“FelCor”) comprised of a fixed exchange ratio of 1.192 shares of Ashford Trust common stock for one share of FelCor common stock, 400,000 shares of Ashford Inc. common stock and 100,000 warrants to purchase shares of Ashford Inc. common stock. It also announced that it is nominating a slate of seven highly-qualified, independent directors for election to FelCor's Board of Directors at FelCor’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On April 24, 2017, the Board of Directors of FelCor announced that FelCor had entered into a merger agreement with RLJ Lodging Trust providing for all-stock consideration for FelCor stockholders valued at $8.01 per share based on the April 24, 2017 closing share price of $22.12 per share. On April 25, 2017, the Company announced that it had submitted a revised offer to FelCor’s Board of Directors on April 20, 2017, comprised of 50% cash consideration and valued at $8.22 per share based on the April 24, 2017 closing share price of the Company’s common stock of $6.43 per share. On May 3, 2017, the Company announced it is abandoning its efforts to merge with FelCor and has withdrawn its preliminary proxy and proposed slate consisting of seven independent directors for election to FelCor’s Board of Directors.
On March 2, 2017, we invested an additional $650,000 in OpenKey, resulting in a 15.35% total ownership interest.
On March 6, 2017, the Company sold the Embassy Suites in Syracuse, New York (“Embassy Suites Syracuse”) for approximately $8.8 million in cash. The sale resulted in a loss of $40,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and is included in “gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties” in the consolidated statements of operations. We repaid $20.6 million of principal on our mortgage loan that was partially secured by the Embassy Suites Syracuse.
On March 7, 2017, AIM REHE Funds GP, LP (“AIM GP”), the general partner of the AQUA U.S. Fund, provided written notice to Ashford Trust of its election to dissolve the AQUA U.S. Fund pursuant to Section 6.1(a) of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the AQUA U.S. Fund as of March 31, 2017 (the “Dissolution Date”).
The balance of Ashford Trust’s capital account in the AQUA U.S. Fund, less an audit hold-back of 5%, will be distributed in cash on the Dissolution Date, and thereafter Ashford Trust will cease to be a limited partner of the AQUA U.S. Fund. The balance will be paid (without interest) promptly following the completion of the audits of the AQUA U.S. Fund’s and the Master Fund’s financial statements for the period January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017, which is expected to be on or before June 30, 2017.
On May 5, 2017, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued its Mandate in the lawsuit captioned Palm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, et al. v. Nantucket Enterprises, Inc., which resulted in an estimated final judgment of approximately $14.4 million, including pre-judgment interest. The Company estimates post-judgment interest to be approximately $1.8 million and has increased its estimate of total loss related to reimbursement of the plaintiff’s legal fees to $800,000, bringing the total amount of the recorded loss to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2017. This resulted in an additional accrual in the three months ended March 31, 2017 of approximately $3.8 million. This matter remains under appeal, and there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not differ from the amount currently estimated by the Company. See note 13 to our consolidated financial statements.
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 hotel properties decline. When these provisions are triggered, substantially all of the profit generated by our hotel properties 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 lease and maintenance reserves and the payment of debt service, insurance, taxes, operating expenses, and extraordinary capital expenditures and ground lease 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 joint ventures 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.

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In September 2011, we entered into an at-the-market (“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. A prospectus supplement will be required to be filed related to the ATM prior to our being able to issue additional shares under the ATM program. Through March 31, 2017, 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, 2017, no shares were issued under this ATM program.
In May 2015, we entered into an ATM program with an investment banking firm to offer for sale from time to time up to $150.0 million of our common stock at market prices. No shares have been sold under this ATM program since its inception. The ATM program will remain in effect until such time that either party elects to terminate the program or the $150.0 million cap is reached.
On February 1, 2017, we repaid $20.2 million of principal on our mortgage loan that was partially secured by the Renaissance Portsmouth. This hotel property was sold on February 1, 2017.
On March 6, 2017, we repaid $20.6 million of principal on our mortgage loan that was partially secured by the Embassy Suites Syracuse. This hotel property was sold on March 6, 2017.
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, dividends, new investments, and debt interest and principal payments. Items that impacted our cash flow and liquidity during the periods indicated are summarized as follows:
Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) 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 $39.5 million and $50.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash flows from operations were impacted by changes in hotel operations, our hotel dispositions in 2016 and 2017, 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, 2017, net cash flows provided by investing activities were $8.4 million. Cash inflows primarily consisted of $48.4 million of proceeds associated with the liquidation of our interest in the AQUA U.S. Fund, $17.3 million attributable to net cash proceeds received from the sales of the Renaissance Portsmouth and Embassy Suites Syracuse and $190,000 of proceeds from property insurance. Cash inflows were partially offset by cash outlays primarily consisting of $56.8 million for capital improvements made to various hotel properties and an additional $650,000 investment in OpenKey. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, investing activities used net cash flows of $40.1 million, which primarily consisted of cash outflows $40.7 million for capital improvements made to various hotel properties and an initial $2.0 million investment in OpenKey. These outflows were partially offset by $2.5 million attributable to cash proceeds received from the sale of a vacant lot associated with Le Pavillon and $33,000 of proceeds from property insurance.
Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash flows used in financing activities were $68.5 million. Cash outlays primarily consisted of $43.4 million for repayments of indebtedness, $24.2 million for dividend payments to common and preferred stockholders and unitholders, $0.0 million for the repurchase of common stock and $623,000 for payments of loan costs and exit fees. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash flows provided by financing activities were $10.4 million. Cash inflows consisted primarily of $37.5 million in borrowings on indebtedness. Cash inflows were partially offset by cash outlays primarily consisting of $22.7 million for dividend payments to common and preferred stockholders and unitholders, $3.6 million for repayments of indebtedness and $764,000 for payments of loan costs and exit fees.
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 leverage ratios and liquidity. As of March 31, 2017, we were in compliance in all material respects with all covenants or other requirements set forth in our debt and related agreements.
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

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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 debt maturities, we will continue to proactively address our 2017 and 2018 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 hotel properties are mostly located in developed areas with competing hotel properties. Future occupancy, ADR, and 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, 2017 and 2016, the board of directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.12 per share of outstanding common stock. In December 2016, the board of directors approved our 2017 dividend policy which anticipates a quarterly dividend payment of $0.12 per share for the remainder of 2017. 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.

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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 hotel properties between periods and to analyze results of our comparable hotel properties (comparable hotel properties represent hotel properties 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.
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
 
2017
 
2016
 
Total revenue
$
353,709

 
$
367,772

 
$
(14,063
)
Total hotel operating expenses
(226,602
)
 
(233,035
)
 
6,433

Property taxes, insurance, and other
(18,333
)
 
(18,612
)
 
279

Depreciation and amortization
(64,698
)
 
(62,162
)
 
(2,536
)
Impairment charges

 
111

 
(111
)
Transaction costs
(3
)
 
(95
)
 
92

Advisory services fee
(10,641
)
 
(10,903
)
 
262

Corporate general and administrative
(5,170
)
 
(1,673
)
 
(3,497
)
Operating income (loss)
28,262

 
41,403

 
(13,141
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities
(763
)
 
(3,585
)
 
2,822

Interest income
208

 
63

 
145

Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties
(83
)
 
(114
)
 
31

Other income (expense)
(3,120
)
 
(252
)
 
(2,868
)
Interest expense and amortization of loan costs
(55,305
)
 
(55,943
)
 
638

Write-off of premiums, loan costs and exit fees
(54
)
 

 
(54
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(3,346
)
 

 
(3,346
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
1,418

 
6,918

 
(5,500
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
846

 
(629
)
 
1,475

Net income (loss)
(31,937
)
 
(12,139
)
 
(19,798
)
(Income) loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests
31

 
38

 
(7
)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
6,493

 
2,112

 
4,381

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
$
(25,413
)
 
$
(9,989
)
 
$
(15,424
)

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All hotel properties owned during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 have been included in our results of operations during the respective periods in which they were owned. Based on when a hotel property was acquired or disposed, operating results for certain hotel properties are not comparable for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The hotel properties listed below are not comparable hotel properties for the periods indicated and all other hotel properties are considered comparable hotel properties. The following acquisitions and dispositions affect reporting comparability related to our consolidated financial statements:
Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Acquisition/Disposition
 
Acquisition/Disposition Date
5-hotel portfolio (1)
 
Various
 
Disposition
 
June 1, 2016
Hampton Inn & Suites (1)
 
Gainesville, FL
 
Disposition
 
September 1, 2016
SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg (1)
 
Gaithersburg, MD
 
Disposition
 
October 1, 2016
2-hotel portfolio (1)
 
Palm Desert, CA
 
Disposition
 
October 7, 2016
Renaissance (1)
 
Portsmouth, Virginia
 
Disposition
 
February 1, 2017
Embassy Suites (1)
 
Syracuse, New York
 
Disposition
 
March 6, 2017
____________________________________
(1) Collectively reported as “Hotel Dispositions”
The following table illustrates the key performance indicators of these hotel properties:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
RevPAR (revenue per available room)
$
118.24

 
$
113.55

Occupancy
74.59
%
 
74.38
%
ADR (average daily rate)
$
158.51

 
$
152.67

The following table illustrates the key performance indicators of the 121 comparable hotel properties that were included for the full three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
RevPAR (revenue per available room)
$
119.23

 
$
115.29

Occupancy
74.75
%
 
73.99
%
ADR (average daily rate)
$
159.50

 
$
155.82

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company. Net income (loss) attributable to the Company increased $15.4 million, from a net loss of $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (the “2016 quarter”) to a net loss of $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (the “2017 quarter”) as a result of the factors discussed below.
Revenue. Rooms revenue from our hotel properties decreased $13.9 million, or 4.8%, to $276.7 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower room revenues of $19.8 million related to our Hotel Dispositions. This decrease was partially offset by higher aggregate room revenue of $5.9 million from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest, which experienced an increase of 76 basis points in occupancy and an increase of 2.4% in room rates.
Food and beverage revenue experienced a decrease of $205,000, or 0.3%, to $62.9 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower food and beverage revenue of $1.6 million related to our Hotel Dispositions. This decrease was partially offset by higher aggregate food and beverage revenue of $1.4 million from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest.
Other hotel revenue, which consists mainly of Internet access, parking, and spa, experienced an increase of $57,000, or 0.4%, to $13.8 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. This increase is a result of $692,000 from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest, partially offset by lower other hotel revenue of $635,000 related to our Hotel Dispositions. Other non-hotel revenue decreased $5,000, or 1.3%, to $388,000.

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Hotel Operating Expenses. Hotel operating expenses decreased $6.4 million, or 2.8%, to $226.6 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. 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 a decrease in direct expenses of $4.5 million in the 2017 quarter as compared to the 2016 quarter, which was comprised of a decrease of $6.2 million related to our Hotel Dispositions, partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest. Direct expenses were 30.3% and 30.4% of hotel revenue in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively. We experienced a decrease in indirect expenses and management fees of $1.9 million in the 2017 quarter as compared to the 2016 quarter, which was comprised of a decrease of $6.8 million from our Hotel Dispositions, partially offset by an increase of $1.0 million from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest and $3.8 million associated with an additional accrual related to the final judgment in the lawsuit captioned Palm Beach Florida Hotel and Office Building Limited Partnership, et al. v. Nantucket Enterprises, Inc. See note 13 to our consolidated financial statements. The increase from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest are attributable to higher hotel revenue at those properties.
Property Taxes, Insurance, and Other. Property taxes, insurance, and other decreased $279,000 or 1.5%, to $18.3 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. The decrease was primarily due to $863,000 from our Hotel Dispositions, partially offset by an increase of $584,000 from our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.5 million or 4.1%, to $64.7 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. The increase was primarily due to $6.3 million of depreciation and amortization on capital expenditures at our comparable hotel properties and WorldQuest that have occurred since March 31, 2016. These increases were offset by a decrease of $3.7 million related to our Hotel Dispositions.
Impairment Charges. We recorded an impairment credit of $111,000 in the 2016 quarter. The impairment credit related to valuation adjustments on a previously impaired mezzanine loan.
Transaction Costs. Transaction costs were $3,000 in the 2017 quarter compared to $95,000 in the 2016 quarter.
Advisory Services Fee. Advisory services fee decreased $262,000 or 2.4%, to $10.6 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter, which represent fees paid in connection with the advisory agreement between Ashford Inc. and us. In the 2017 quarter, the advisory services fee was comprised of a base advisory fee of $8.7 million, reimbursable expenses of $1.5 million and equity-based compensation of $403,000 associated with equity grants of our common stock and LTIP units awarded to the officers and employees of Ashford Inc. In the 2016 quarter, the advisory services fee was comprised of a base advisory fee of $8.5 million, reimbursable expenses of $1.5 million and equity-based compensation of $900,000 associated with equity grants of our common stock and LTIP units awarded to the officers and employees of Ashford Inc.
Corporate, General, and Administrative. Corporate, general, and administrative expenses increased $3.5 million, or 209.0%, to $5.2 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to $2.6 million of transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs and higher public company costs, office expenses, professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses of $863,000 in the 2017 quarter.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Entities. We recorded equity in loss of unconsolidated entities of $763,000 and $3.6 million in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively. The 2017 quarter included equity in loss of $708,000 from Ashford Inc. and $106,000 from OpenKey, partially offset by equity in earnings of $52,000 from the AQUA U.S. Fund. The 2016 quarter includes equity in loss of $3.1 million from the AQUA U.S. Fund and $519,000 from Ashford Inc.
Interest Income. Interest income was $208,000 and $63,000 in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively.
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Hotel Properties. Loss on sale of hotel properties was a loss of $83,000 and $114,000 in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively. The loss in the 2017 quarter was related to the sale of the Renaissance Portsmouth and Embassy Suites Syracuse. The loss in the 2016 quarter primarily related to the sale of a vacant lot associated with the Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Other Income (Expense). Other expense increased $2.9 million, or 1,138.1%, from $252,000 in the 2016 quarter to $3.1 million in the 2017 quarter. In the 2017 quarter we recognized a realized loss of $3.0 million related to the termination of a CMBX tranche, $313,000 related to the maturity of options on futures contracts and $253,000 related to CMBX premiums and usage fees. These expenses were partially offset by dividend income of $432,000. In the 2016 quarter we incurred expense of $190,000 related to CMBX premiums and usage fees and other miscellaneous expense of $62,000.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Loan Costs. Interest expense and amortization of loan costs decreased $638,000 or 1.1%, to $55.3 million in the 2017 quarter compared to the 2016 quarter. The decrease is primarily due to lower interest expense and amortization of loan costs of $2.2 million resulting from our Hotel Dispositions, partially offset by an increase of $1.6 million

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as a result of higher interest expense and amortization of loan costs as a result of refinances and increases in LIBOR rates on our comparable hotels properties. The average LIBOR rates in the 2017 quarter and the 2016 quarter were 0.83% and 0.42%, respectively.
Write-off of Loan Costs and Exit Fees. Write-off of loan costs and exit fees was $54,000 in the 2017 quarter. In the 2017 quarter, we incurred defeasance and other exit fees of $54,000 related to the sale of Portsmouth Renaissance and Embassy Suites Syracuse.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities. Unrealized loss on marketable securities was $3.3 million in the 2017 quarter, which was based on changes in closing market prices during the quarter. There was no unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities in the 2016 quarter.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives. Unrealized gain on derivatives decreased $5.5 million or 79.5%, from $6.9 million in the 2016 quarter to $1.4 million in the 2017 quarter. The 2017 quarter consisted of unrealized gains of $3.0 million related to CMBX tranche terminations, $313,000 associated with the maturity of options on futures contracts and $130,000 on the outstanding CMBX tranches. These unrealized gains were partially offset by unrealized losses of $1.6 million, $300,000 and $78,000 associated with interest rate floors, interest rate caps and options on futures contracts, respectively. In the 2016 quarter, we had unrealized gain consisting of $7.7 million related to interest rate floors, offset by unrealized losses of $429,000, $337,000 and $17,000, on credit default swaps, interest rate derivatives and options on futures contracts, respectively. The fair values of interest rate floors and interest rate derivatives are primarily based on movements in the LIBOR forward curve and the passage of time. The fair value of options on futures contracts is determined based on the last reported settlement price as of the measurement date. The fair value of credit default swaps is based on the change in value of CMBX indices.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense). Income tax benefit (expense) changed by $1.5 million, or 234.5% from expense of $629,000 in the 2016 quarter to a benefit of $846,000 in the 2017 quarter. The change in income tax benefit (expense) is primarily due to a decrease in taxable income recognized by our TRS entities.
(Income) Loss from Consolidated Entities Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Our noncontrolling interest partner in consolidated entities was allocated losses of $31,000 and $38,000 in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively.
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership. Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership were allocated a net loss of $6.5 million and $2.1 million in the 2017 and 2016 quarters, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interests represented ownership interests of 15.40% and 13.55% in the operating partnership at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
SEASONALITY
Our properties’ operations historically have been seasonal as certain properties maintain higher occupancy rates during the summer months, while certain other properties maintain higher occupancy rates 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 and cash on hand will be sufficient to enable us to make quarterly distributions to maintain our REIT status. To the extent that cash flows from operations and cash on hand are insufficient during any quarter due to temporary or seasonal fluctuations in lease revenue, we expect to utilize 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 hotel properties. We evaluate each partnership and joint venture to determine whether the entity is a Variable Interest Entity (“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 5 to our consolidated financial statements.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
There have been no material changes since December 31, 2016, 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 2016 Form 10-K.

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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 2016 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in these critical accounting policies.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following non-GAAP presentations of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO and AFFO are made to assist our investors evaluate our operating performance.
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to the Company before interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs, net, 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 gain/loss on sale of hotel properties, impairment charges, write-off of loan costs and exit fees, other income/expense, transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs, legal judgment and related legal costs, dead deal costs, and non-cash items such as amortization of unfavorable contract liabilities, non-cash stock/unit-based compensation, unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities, derivative instruments and investment in securities investment fund, as well as our 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.
The following table reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(31,937
)
 
$
(12,139
)
(Income) loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
31

 
38

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
6,493

 
2,112

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company
(25,413
)
 
(9,989
)
Interest income
(208
)
 
(63
)
Interest expense and amortization of premiums and loan costs, net
55,276

 
55,913

Depreciation and amortization
64,635

 
62,101

Income tax (benefit) expense
(848
)
 
629

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(6,493
)
 
(2,112
)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
815

 
519

Company's portion of EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
(384
)
 
115

Company's portion of EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (OpenKey)
(124
)
 

EBITDA available to the Company and OP unitholders
87,256

 
107,113

Amortization of unfavorable contract liabilities
(384
)
 
(494
)
Impairment charges

 
(111
)
(Gain) loss on sale of hotel properties
83

 
114

Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
54

 

Other (income) expense
3,120

 
252

Transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs
2,676

 
218

Legal judgment and related legal costs
3,801

 
24

Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities
3,346

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives
(1,418
)
 
(6,918
)
Dead deal costs
4

 
(3
)
Non-cash stock/unit-based compensation
428

 
984

Company's portion of unrealized (gain) loss of AQUA U.S. Fund
(52
)
 
3,066

Company's portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
1,883

 
748

Company's portion of adjustments to EBITDA of unconsolidated entities (OpenKey)
1

 

Adjusted EBITDA available to the Company and OP unitholders
$
100,798

 
$
104,993


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We calculate FFO and AFFO in the following table. FFO is calculated on the basis defined by NAREIT, which is net income (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, impairment charges on 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, other impairment charges, other income/expense, transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs, legal judgment and related legal costs, dead deal costs, and non-cash items such as non-cash stock/unit-based compensation, unrealized gain/loss on marketable securities, derivative instruments and investment in securities investment fund, 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 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(31,937
)
 
$
(12,139
)
(Income) loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interest
31

 
38

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
6,493

 
2,112

Preferred dividends
(10,956
)
 
(8,490
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
(36,369
)
 
(18,479
)
Depreciation and amortization of real estate
64,635

 
62,101

(Gain) loss on sale of hotel properties
83

 
114

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in operating partnership
(6,493
)
 
(2,112
)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
815

 
519

Company's portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
(709
)
 
(155
)
Company's portion of FFO of unconsolidated entities (OpenKey)
(125
)
 

FFO available to common stockholders and OP unitholders
21,837

 
41,988

Write-off of loan costs and exit fees
54

 

Other impairment charges

 
(111
)
Other (income) expense
3,120

 
252

Transaction, acquisition and management conversion costs
2,676

 
218

 Legal judgment and related legal costs
3,801

 
24

Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities
3,346

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives
(1,418
)
 
(6,918
)
Dead deal costs
4

 
(3
)
Non-cash stock/unit-based compensation
428

 
984

Company's portion of unrealized (gain) loss of AQUA U.S. Fund
(52
)
 
3,066

Company's portion of adjustments to FFO of unconsolidated entities (Ashford Inc.)
1,883

 
748

Company's portion of adjustments to FFO of unconsolidated entities (OpenKey)
1

 

Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders and OP unitholders
$
35,680

 
$
40,248



39

Table of Contents

HOTEL PORTFOLIO
The following table presents certain information related to our hotel properties as of March 31, 2017:
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
 
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 Garden Inn
 
Wisconsin Dells, WI
 
Select service
 
128

 
100

 
128

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
 
Parsippany, 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
 
Parsippany, NJ
 
Select service
 
152

 
100

 
152

Hampton Inn
 
Buford, GA
 
Select service
 
92

 
100

 
92

Hampton Inn
 
Phoenix, AZ
 
Select service
 
106

 
100

 
106

Hampton Inn - Waterfront
 
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Select service
 
113

 
100

 
113

Hampton Inn - Washington
 
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Select service
 
103

 
100

 
103

Hampton Inn
 
Columbus, OH
 
Select service
 
145

 
100

 
145

Marriott
 
Beverly Hills, CA
 
Full service
 
260

 
100

 
260

Marriott
 
Durham, NC
 
Full service
 
225

 
100

 
225

Marriott
 
Arlington, VA
 
Full service
 
701

 
100

 
701

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


40

Table of Contents

Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Service Type
 
Total Rooms 
 
% Owned
 
Owned Rooms
Marriott
 
Sugarland, TX
 
Full service
 
300

 
100

 
300

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
 
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
 
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

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Bloomington, IN
 
Select service
 
117

 
100

 
117

Courtyard by Marriott - Tremont
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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

Courtyard by Marriott
 
Wichita, KS
 
Select service
 
128

 
100

 
128

Courtyard by Marriott - Billerica
 
Boston, MA
 
Select service
 
210

 
100

 
210

Homewood Suites
 
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Select service
 
148

 
100

 
148

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
 
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
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
Select service
 
120

 
100

 
120

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Stillwater, OK
 
Select service
 
101

 
100

 
101

Marriott Residence Inn
 
Tampa, FL
 
Select service
 
109

 
100

 
109

TownePlace Suites by Marriott
 
Manhattan Beach, CA
 
Select service
 
143

 
100

 
143

One Ocean
 
Atlantic Beach, FL
 
Full service
 
193

 
100

 
193


41

Table of Contents

Hotel Property 
 
Location 
 
Service Type
 
Total Rooms 
 
% Owned
 
Owned Rooms
Sheraton Hotel
 
Ann Arbor, MI
 
Full service
 
197

 
100

 
197

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
 
253

 
100

 
253

Hyatt Regency
 
Hauppauge, NY
 
Full service
 
358

 
100

 
358

Hyatt Regency
 
Savannah, GA
 
Full service
 
351

 
100

 
351

Renaissance
 
Nashville, TN
 
Full service
 
673

 
100

 
673

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

Le Pavillon
 
New Orleans, LA
 
Full service
 
226

 
100

 
226

The Ashton
 
Ft. Worth, TX
 
Full service
 
39

 
100

 
39

Westin
 
Princeton, NJ
 
Full service
 
296

 
100

 
296

W
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Full service
 
237

 
100

 
237

W
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
Full service
 
229

 
100

 
229

Le Meridien
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
Full service
 
60

 
100

 
60

Hotel Indigo
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Full service
 
140

 
100

 
140

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

 
100

 
160

Crown Plaza
 
Annapolis, MD
 
Full service
 
196

 
100

 
196

Hilton
 
Ft. Worth, TX
 
Full service
 
294

 
100

 
294

Renaissance
 
Palm Springs, CA
 
Full service
 
410

 
100

 
410

Ritz-Carlton
 
Atlanta, GA
 
Full service
 
444

 
100

 
444

Total
 
 
 
 
 
25,553

 
 
 
25,526



42

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.
At March 31, 2017, our total indebtedness of $3.7 billion included $3.2 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, 2017 would be approximately $7.9 million annually. Interest rate changes have no impact on the remaining $573.7 million of fixed-rate debt. At December 31, 2016, the total consolidated indebtedness of $3.8 billion included $3.2 billion 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, 2016 would be approximately $8.0 million per year. Interest rate changes will have no impact on the remaining $576.4 million 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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.
We have entered into credit default swap transactions, excluding those that have terminated, for notional amounts totaling $200.0 million, to hedge financial and capital market risk for upfront costs of $7.6 million, which was subsequently returned to us as collateral by our counterparties. 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 $7.7 million at March 31, 2017.
We have purchased options on Eurodollar futures, excluding those that have matured, to hedge our cash flow risk for total costs of $250,000. Eurodollar futures prices reflect market expectations for interest rates on three month Eurodollar deposits for specific dates in the future, and the final settlement price is determined by three month LIBOR on the last trading day. Options on Eurodollar futures provide the ability to limit losses while maintaining the possibility of profiting from favorable changes in the futures prices. As the purchaser, our maximum potential loss is limited to the initial premium paid for the Eurodollar option contracts, while our potential gain has no limit. These exchange-traded options are centrally cleared, and a clearinghouse stands in between all trades to ensure that the obligations involved in the trades are fulfilled.
We hold interest rate floors with notional amounts totaling $6.0 billion and strike rates ranging from (0.25)% to zero percent. Our total exposure is capped at our initial upfront costs totaling $9.4 million. These instruments have maturity dates ranging from April 2020 to July 2020.

43


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, 2017 (“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 except as it relates to the remedial actions that were implemented as described in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
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 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. A final judgment was entered and the landlord filed an appeal with the 4th District Court of Appeals in Florida. The parties agreed to table any hearings to establish attorney's fees until after the Court of Appeals decision. As a result of the jury verdict, we recorded the $10.8 million judgment, pre- and post-judgment interest of $707,000 and accrued a reasonable estimate of $400,000 of loss related to legal fees for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded post-judgment interest of $95,000.
Oral argument for the appeal took place on May 31, 2016. In December 2016, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued a decision which affirmed the wrongful eviction judgment and reversed certain other judgments. The Court of Appeals also ruled that the plaintiff was entitled to pre-judgment interest on the wrongful eviction judgment. The decision reduced the original $10.8 million judgment to $8.8 million and added pre-judgment interest on the wrongful eviction judgment resulting in a total loss as of December 31, 2016, including the judgment and pre- and post-judgment interest, of $12.8 million, or $13.2 million including a reasonable estimate of $400,000 for legal fees, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on our consolidated balance sheet.
On January 11, 2017, we filed a motion for rehearing, rehearing en banc (meaning rehearing by the entire Appellate Court) as well as certification of the issues. On March 7, 2017, the Appellate Court denied our motions. On March 21, 2017, we filed our Notice to Invoke Discretionary Jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court and on April 10, 2017, we filed our Petitioners Brief on Jurisdiction. On April 18, 2017, Nantucket filed its Respondent’s Brief on Jurisdiction. The Florida Supreme Court review remains pending on jurisdictional briefs and, if discretionary jurisdiction is exercised, then full briefing and review on the merits will ensue.
On May 5, 2017, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued its Mandate, which resulted in an estimated final judgment of approximately $14.4 million, including pre-judgment interest. The Company estimates post-judgment interest to be approximately $1.8 million and has increased its estimate of total loss related to reimbursement of the plaintiff’s legal fees to $800,000, bringing the total amount of the recorded loss to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2017. This resulted in an additional accrual in the three months ended March 31, 2017 of approximately $3.8 million. This matter remains under appeal, and there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not differ from the amount currently estimated by the Company.

44


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 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, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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. At March 31, 2017, there have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
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 2017:
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
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
 
10,408

 
$

(3) 

 
$
200,000,000

February 1 to February 28
 
31,364

(1) 
6.80

(3) 

 
200,000,000

March 1 to March 31
 
178,974

(1) 
6.22

(3) 

 
200,000,000

Total
 
220,746

 
$
6.30

 

 
 
____________________
(1) 
Includes 28,052 shares and 175,247 shares in February and March, respectively, that were purchased from employees of Ashford LLC to satisfy stock vesting tax withholdings.
(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 and Series D 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.
(3) 
There is no cost associated with the forfeiture of restricted shares of 10,408, 3,312 and 3,727 of our common stock in January, February and March, respectively.
ITEM 3.
DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.


45


ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
 
Description
3.1
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
 
 
 
 
 
12*
 
 
 
 
 
31.1*
 
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
 
 
 
 
32.1*
 
 
 
 
 
32.2*
 
 
 
 
 
The following materials from the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 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 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.

46


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 9, 2017
By:
/s/ DOUGLAS A. KESSLER
 
 
 
 
Douglas A. Kessler
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 9, 2017
By:
/s/ DERIC S. EUBANKS
 
 
 
 
Deric S. Eubanks
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 

47