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Fitch Rates Vornado Realty Trust's $175MM 6.875% Series J Preferred Stock 'BB+'; Outlook Stable

^{Published on 2011-04-14 15:05:16 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'BB+' rating to the new $175 million 6.875% Series J Preferred Stock issued by Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO). Proceeds from the offering will be contributed to Vornado Realty, L.P., the operating partnership of VNO, in exchange for preferred units of the operating partnership. The operating partnership will use the proceeds for general business purposes, which may include payment of the redemption or repurchase price for preferred stock and units.

Fitch currently rates Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty, L.P. as follows:

Vornado Realty Trust

--Issuer Default Rating (IDR) 'BBB';

--Preferred stock 'BB+'.

Vornado Realty, L.P.

--IDR 'BBB';

--Unsecured bank credit facilities 'BBB';

--Senior unsecured notes 'BBB'.

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

For additional information, please refer to the full rating report 'Vornado Realty Trust', dated March 3, 2010, which is available at '[ www.fitchratings.com ]'.

Vornado Realty Trust is an equity real estate investment trust (REIT) based in New York. As of Dec. 31, 2010, the company had total book assets of approximately $20.5 billion. The company has four primary business platforms aggregating more than 100 million square feet along with several other sizable investments related to real estate. They are the Manhattan office, Washington D.C. office, Retail, and Merchandise Mart. The company also manages real estate for third parties.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Criteria for Rating U.S. Equity REITs and REOCs', Mar. 15, 2011;

--'Corporate Rating Methodology', Aug. 13, 2010;

--'Rating Hybrid Securities', Dec. 29, 2009;

--'Equity Credit for Hybrids & Other Capital Securities - Amended', Dec. 29, 2009;

--'Recovery Rating and Notching Criteria for REITs', Dec. 23, 2009;

--'Vornado Realty Trust', March 3, 2010.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Vornado Realty Trust (Vornado Realty L.P.)

[ http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=502648 ]

Equity Credit for Hybrids & Other Capital Securities - Amended

[ http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=493112 ]

Rating Hybrid Securities

[ http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=493086 ]

Corporate Rating Methodology

[ http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=546646 ]

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