Winston Hotels Reports Second Quarter 2001 Results

Press Release: Winston Hotels, Inc.
August 8, 2001
RALEIGH, NC -- Winston Hotels, Inc., (NYSE: WXH ), a real estate investment trust and owner of premium limited-service, high-end extended-stay and full-service hotels, yesterday announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2001. FFO totaled $9.1 million for the second quarter of 2001 as compared to $9.3 million for the second quarter of 2000. On a per share basis, FFO for the second quarter of 2001 totaled $0.50 on 18.2 million weighted average shares outstanding compared to $0.51 on 18.2 million weighted average shares outstanding for the same quarter a year ago. Lease revenue prior to the adoption of SAB 101 totaled $16.0 million the second quarter of 2001 as compared to $17.4 million for the second quarter of 2000.

    Summary of Second Quarter and YTD 2001 Unaudited Financial Highlights
                  ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

            For the Quarter Ended June 30,   For the Six Months Ended June 30,
                    2001     2000     Change      2001       2000      Change

    Percentage
     Lease Revenue
     Pre-SAB 101 $16,021   $17,350    (7.7)%   $30,924    $32,269      (4.2)%
    Deferred
     Lease
     Revenue     $ 5,555   $ 6,776   (18.0)%   $10,763    $12,045     (10.6)%
    Percentage
     Lease
     Revenue     $10,466   $10,574    (1.0)%   $20,161    $20,224      (0.3)%
    Interest,
     Joint
     Venture
     and Other
     Income       $  856    $  191   348.2 %   $ 1,315    $   349     276.8 %
    FFO           $9,118    $9,262    (1.6)%   $16,108    $15,883       1.4 %
    FFO Per
     Diluted
     Common Share $ 0.50    $ 0.51    (2.0)%   $  0.88    $  0.87       1.1 %



Bob Winston, Chief Executive Officer, commented: ``Although we are not satisfied with our second quarter results, we are pleased that our portfolio has maintained steady results in these very difficult times and that year to date we have exceeded the prior year's comparable period FFO results. We also are pleased with the contribution to earnings from revenue sources other than percentage lease revenue, including earnings from joint ventures, interest from mezzanine loans and development services fee income.

``We are continuing to sell older hotels and using the proceeds to reduce debt and to invest in new, premium, upscale properties. We recently announced the sale of the Raleigh Comfort Inn and the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston, Illinois, which is owned and operated under a joint venture agreement with Regent Partners, Inc.''

Winston Hotels President & Chief Operating Officer, James D. Rosenberg commented on the second quarter highlights:

    * On a per share basis, FFO for the quarter totaled $0.50, which compares
      to $0.51 in the prior year, and consensus analysts' and Company
      expectations of $0.52.
    * RevPar decreased 2.4% for the quarter, compared to a 3.7% decrease for
      the industry.
    * Our core brands, including Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood
      Suites all experienced positive RevPar growth for the quarter and year
      to date.
    * Based on information provided by Smith Travel Research, the year to date
      RevPar yield for our entire portfolio exceeded 105%.
    * The decrease in percentage lease revenue, which resulted from the
      decrease in RevPar, was partially offset by earnings from development
      fees, joint ventures, and interest income on mezzanine loans.  In
      addition, through cost cutting efforts, the Company was able to reduce
      G&A expenses, and interest expense decreased as a result of falling
      interest rates.
    * Sold Comfort Inn hotel in Raleigh, NC.
    * We have now sold three hotels, and invested in three new, upscale,
      premium branded properties.
    * Closed the quarter with consolidated debt to total assets at cost at
      36%, down from 37% as of March 31, 2001.
    * Fixed rate debt at 7.37% totaled approximately 70% of our outstanding
      debt.
    * Weighted average interest rate for the quarter equaled 6.7%.
    * Generated an unleveraged return on assets of 12.3%.
    * Year to date return to common shareholders of 38.4% based on our stock
      price at the beginning of the year through August 6, 2001 and including
      our dividend payments.



Operating Statistics

For the 48 hotels that were open during the entire quarters ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000, lease revenues and related statistics are as follows (note that the Company does not exclude ``for sale'' or ``under renovation'' hotels when making these comparisons):

                                       Three Months Ended June 30,

                                      2001            2000        % Change
    Lease Revenues*                 $16,021         $17,086          (6.2)
    Average Daily Rate              $ 83.50         $ 79.44           5.1
    Occupancy                         70.12%          75.49%         (7.1)
    Rev PAR                         $ 58.55         $ 59.97          (2.4)
    (*Pre SAB 101, $ in thousands)



The Company's portfolio at June 30, 2001 included an aggregate total of 48 operating hotels with 6,574 rooms in 12 states, as well as a 49% ownership interest in 3 other operating hotels with 454 rooms. Additionally, the Company has provided mezzanine financing to a third party for the development and construction of a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Atlanta, which opened in April of this year, and a Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Tampa, which is scheduled to open in May, 2002.

Outlook for Remainder of 2001

We are adjusting our guidance on FFO per share to $1.64 to $1.71 for the year based upon our revised projected changes in RevPar of -3% to 0% for the remainder of the year. We also are revising our projected FFO per share for the third and fourth quarters of 2001 to $0.45 to $0.49 per share and $0.31 to $0.34 per share, respectively. At the low end of this range, our FFO payout ratio would be 68%. We feel comfortable with our current annual dividend of $1.12 per share.

Dividend Performance

During the second quarter, Winston Hotels declared a cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. The cash dividend was paid on July 16, 2001 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2001. The regular quarterly dividend is equivalent to $1.12 on an annualized basis. Also in the second quarter, the Company announced its regular quarterly cash dividend to preferred shareholders of record of $0.578125 per share. This dividend also was paid on July 16, 2001 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2001.

Winston Hotels' second quarter investor conference call was scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on August 7, 2001. This call also will be simulcast over the Internet via the Company's website at http://www.winstonhotels.com. The replay will be available on the Winston Hotels' website for 7 days, or via the telephone by dialing 800-475-6701, access code 595456.

About the Company

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Winston Hotels, Inc., is a real estate investment trust specializing in the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of premium limited-service, high-end extended-stay and full- service hotel properties, with a portfolio increasingly weighted toward the leading brands in the lodging industry's upscale segment. The Company currently owns 48 operating hotels with 6,574 rooms in 12 states, as well as a 49% ownership interest in 3 other operating hotels with 454 rooms. Additionally, the Company has provided mezzanine financing to a third party for the development and construction of a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Atlanta, which opened in April of this year, and a Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Tampa, which is scheduled to open in May, 2002.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains ``forward looking'' statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to, statements referring to estimated FFO per share in 2001 for the year and by quarter, and expected RevPar decline for 2001. You can identify these statements by use of words like ``guidance,'' ``may,'' ``will,'' ``expect,'' ``project,'' ``anticipate,'' ``estimate,'' or ``continue'' or similar expressions. These statements represent the Company's judgment and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual operating results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, lower occupancy rates, lower average daily rates, development risks including risk of construction delay, cost overruns, occupancy and other governmental permits, zoning, the increase of development costs in connection with projects that are not pursued to completion, and the risk of non-payment of mezzanine loans. Other risks are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its Form S-3 Registration Statement filed on September 2, 1999 as amended on September 29, 1999 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its other periodic reports.

For more information, call Patti Bell, Investor Relations Manager of Winston Hotels, Inc., at (919) 510-8003.

For more information on Winston Hotels visit the Winston Hotels page at www.winstonhotels.com

WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
CALCULATION OF FFO AND EBITDA
(in thousands, except per share data)
                           For the Quarter Ended     For the Six Months Ended
                                  June 30,                    June 30,
                             2001          2000         2001          2000
    Funds From
     Operations (FFO):   (unaudited)    (unaudited)  (unaudited)   (unaudited)

    Net loss                $ (612)     $  (856)    $ (2,309)     $ (3,658)
    Loss allocated to
     minority interest        (180)        (199)        (443)         (547)
    Preferred stock
     distribution           (1,734)      (1,734)      (3,469)       (3,469)
    Depreciation             5,244        5,275       10,535        10,536
    Deferred revenue         5,555        6,776       10,763        12,759
    Depreciation from
     joint ventures             95           --          212            --
    Deferred revenue
     from joint ventures        68           --          137            --
    Loss on sale of property   682           --          682           262
      Funds from operations $9,118      $ 9,262      $16,108       $15,883

    Weighted average
     common shares
     assuming dilution      18,249       18,194       18,237        18,181

    FFO per share           $ 0.50      $  0.51      $  0.88       $  0.87


    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
     and amortization (EBITDA):

    FFO                    $ 9,118       $ 9,262     $16,108       $15,883
    Interest expense         3,074         3,326       6,293         6,597
    Amortization               231           230         467           457
    Preferred stock
     distribution            1,734         1,734       3,469         3,469
      EBITDA               $14,157       $14,552     $26,337       $26,406



                             WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

                               ASSETS
                                          June 30, 2001     December 31, 2000
                                           (unaudited)

    Land                                    $ 41,012             $ 41,948
    Buildings and improvements               357,257              361,768
    Furniture and equipment                   41,824               40,539
      Operating properties                   440,093              444,255
    Less accumulated depreciation             86,258               77,609
                                             353,835              366,646
    Properties under development                 581                  236
      Net investment in hotel properties     354,416              366,882

    Corporate FF&E, net                        1,153                1,285
    Cash                                         706                  167
    Lease revenue receivable                   9,808                7,127
    Notes receivable                           3,516                1,080
    Investment in joint ventures               8,396                8,700
    Deferred expenses, net                     2,820                3,375
    Prepaid expenses and other assets          6,741                5,694
        Total assets                        $387,556             $394,310

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Long-term debt                          $ 68,289             $ 68,872
    Due to banks                             102,500              103,800
    Deferred percentage lease revenue         11,262                  499
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses      7,955                6,220
    Distributions payable                      6,837                6,829
    Minority interest in Partnership           8,121                9,374
        Total liabilities                   $204,964             $195,594

    Shareholders' equity:
      Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
       10,000,000 shares authorized,
       3,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
       (liquidation preference of $76,734)        30                   30
      Common stock, $.01 par value,
       50,000,000 shares authorized,
       16,925,928 and 16,897,028 shares
       issued and outstanding                    169                  169
      Additional paid-in capital             230,088              229,796
      Unearned compensation                     (750)                (771)
      Accumulated other comprehensive income  (1,180)                  --
      Distributions in excess of earnings    (45,765)             (30,508)
        Total shareholders' equity           182,592              198,716
        Total liabilities and
         shareholders' equity               $387,556             $394,310



                             WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
               UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                 Three Months     Three Months
                                                      Ended           Ended
                                                 June 30, 2001  June 30, 2000
    Revenue:
      Percentage lease revenue                       $10,466        $10,574
      Interest, joint venture and other income           856            191
        Total revenue                                 11,322         10,765
    Expenses:
      Real estate taxes and property and
       casualty insurance                              1,778          1,705
      General and administrative                       1,105          1,284
      Interest                                         3,074          3,326
      Depreciation                                     5,244          5,275
      Amortization                                       231            230
        Total expenses                                11,432         11,820
    Loss before loss on sale of property and
     allocation to minority interest                    (110)        (1,055)
    Loss on sale of property                            (682)            --
      Loss before allocation to minority interest       (792)        (1,055)
    Loss allocation to minority interest                (180)          (199)
      Net loss                                          (612)          (856)
    Preferred stock distribution                      (1,734)        (1,734)
      Net loss applicable to common shareholders     $(2,346)       $(2,590)

    Earnings per share:
      Net loss per common share                      $ (0.14)       $ (0.15)
      Net loss per common share assuming dilution    $ (0.14)       $ (0.15)
      Weighted average number of common shares        16,926         16,896
      Weighted average number of common shares
       assuming dilution                              18,249         18,194


                             WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
               UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                   Six Months      Six Months
                                                      Ended          Ended
                                                 June 30, 2001  June 30, 2000
    Revenue:
     Percentage lease revenue                         $20,161       $ 20,224
     Interest, joint venture and other income           1,315            349
      Total revenue                                    21,476         20,573
    Expenses:
     Real estate taxes and property and casualty
      insurance                                         3,754          3,788
     General and administrative                         2,497          2,419
     Interest                                           6,293          6,597
     Depreciation                                      10,535         10,536
     Amortization                                         467            457
      Total expenses                                   23,546         23,797
      Loss before loss on sale of property,
       allocation to minority interest, and
       cumulative effect of change in accounting
       principle                                       (2,070)        (3,224)
    Loss on sale of property                             (682)          (262)
      Loss before allocation to minority interest and
       cumulative effect of change in accounting
       principle                                       (2,752)        (3,486)
     Loss allocation to minority interest                (443)          (496)
      Loss before cumulative effect of change in
       accounting principle                            (2,309)        (2,990)
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting
     principle - gross                                     --           (720)
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -
     allocation to  minority interest                      --             52
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting
     principle - net                                       --           (668)
        Net loss                                       (2,309)        (3,658)
    Preferred stock distribution                       (3,469)        (3,469)
        Net loss applicable to common shareholders    $(5,778)       $(7,127)
    Earnings per share:
     Loss before cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principle per common share           $ (0.34)       $ (0.38)
     Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting
      principle per common share assuming dilution    $ (0.34)       $ (0.38)
     Net loss per common share                        $ (0.34)       $ (0.42)
     Net loss per common share assuming dilution      $ (0.34)       $ (0.42)
     Weighted average number of common shares          16,926         16,883
     Weighted average number of common shares
      assuming dilution                                18,237         18,181


                             WINSTON HOTELS, INC.
                         SECOND QUARTER AND YTD 2001
                        REVPAR STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                 (48 Hotels)

                                           Second Quarter
                         # of Properties    2001         2000        % Change

    Brand
    Comfort/QualityInn/Suites   10        $45.61       $49.70          -8.2%
    Hampton Inn/Suites          17         57.74        59.35           2.7
    Hilton Garden                3         71.90        70.69           1.7
    Holiday Inn/Express          5         67.76        68.96          -1.7
    Homewood                     7         69.04        66.23           4.2
    Marriott Products            6         58.08        59.81          -2.9

    Geographic
    East N/S Central             2        $68.28       $68.82          -0.8%
    Northeast/Middle Atlantic    3         45.79        47.13          -2.8
    Mountain                     5         90.74        86.25           5.2
    South Atlantic              35         54.50        56.80          -4.0
    West South Central           3         52.10        55.11          -5.5

    Segment
    Midscale w/f&b               3        $87.35       $88.82          -1.7%
    Midscale w/out f&b          28         51.91        53.95          -3.8
    Upscale                     17         62.60        63.09          -0.8

    Service
    Extended Stay                9        $63.58       $62.50           1.7%
    Full Service                11         68.79        70.48          -2.4
    Limited Service             28         51.91        53.95          -3.8




                                                    Year to Date
                                       2001             2000        % Change
    Brand
    Comfort/QualityInn/Suites        $41.80           $44.94          -7.0%
    Hampton Inn/Suites                54.69            54.23           0.8
    Hilton Garden                     70.34            68.90           2.1
    Holiday Inn/Express               64.32            64.51          -0.3
    Homewood                          71.64            68.08           5.2
    Marriott Products                 57.93            58.87          -1.6

    Geographic
    East N/S Central                 $63.08           $63.75          -1.1%
    Northeast/Middle Atlantic         58.81            58.16           1.1
    Mountain                          83.27            78.03           6.7
    South Atlantic                    51.90            52.90          -1.9
    West South Central                51.82            53.41          -3.0

    Segment
    Midscale w/f&b                   $78.44           $78.81          -0.5%
    Midscale w/out f&b                48.79            49.38          -1.2
    Upscale                           63.46            63.06           0.6

    Service
    Extended Stay                    $68.45           $66.07           3.6%
    Full Service                      64.56            65.55          -1.5
    Limited Service                   48.79            49.38          -1.2


SOURCE: Winston Hotels, Inc.