Funds from Operations

Abbreviation: FFO

Plain-English definition

A supplemental REIT performance measure that adjusts GAAP net income for real-estate depreciation and amortization and specified gains, losses, and impairments under Nareit's definition.

Why it matters

FFO is a performance measure, not a synonym for cash in the bank or cash available for dividends.

Example

In a simplified example, $50 of net income plus $30 of qualifying depreciation minus a $10 qualifying property-sale gain gives $70 of FFO.

How income investors use it

Read the reconciliation and distinguish Nareit FFO from a company's further-adjusted measures.

Fly High perspective

Fly High uses the earnings measure the company identifies as the source of its dividend and keeps that measure consistent across the coverage calculation.

This material is general education, not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.