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First Industrial Realty Shares Popped: What You Need to Know

By Matt Koppenheffer – Updated Apr 6, 2017 at 10:50AM

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Is this meaningful? Or just another movement?

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of REIT First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE: FR) jumped 11% in intraday trading following better-than-expected third-quarter results.

So What: For First Industrial, which owns, manages, and develops industrial properties, the recession was particularly challenging, as the industrial and manufacturing sectors took it on the chin. Excluding a non-cash impairment charge, First Industrial's funds from operations -- a cash flow measure used by REITs -- were $0.43 per share during the quarter, versus $0.57 last year. Potentially even more importantly, the company reiterated its announcement from earlier in the week that it had restructured one of its lending agreements, which will give the company more financial breathing room.

Now What: As the excitement over stocks like Chimera Investment (NYSE: CIM) and American Capital Agency (Nasdaq: AGNC) suggests, investors often flock to REITs for their healthy dividends, even if those payouts don't reach the nosebleed levels of Chimera and American Capital. As results deteriorated, First Industrial cut off its dividend payments; as a REIT, it will be required to start paying them again if its bottom line continues to improve. It appears the company is making necessary moves to stay in the game, but it will need a continued economic-recovery tailwind to keep up its comeback.

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Fool contributor Matt Koppenheffer does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. You can check out what Matt is keeping an eye on by visiting his CAPS portfolio, or you can follow Matt on Twitter @KoppTheFool or on his RSS feed. The Fool’s disclosure policy assures you no Wookiees were harmed in the making of this article.

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Stocks Mentioned

AGNC Investment Corp. Stock Quote
AGNC Investment Corp.
AGNC
$10.42 (-3.25%) $0.35
Chimera Investment Corporation Stock Quote
Chimera Investment Corporation
CIM
$6.56 (-4.09%) $0.28
First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. Stock Quote
First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.
FR
$47.89 (-0.91%) $0.44

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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