HFF Announces Record Transaction Volume of $100 Billion During 2018

Business Wire 14-Jan-2019 4:36 PM

HFF, Inc. (NYSE:HF) announced today the year-end unaudited 2018 transaction volume of HFF, Inc.'s (the "Company's") operating partnerships (which consist of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. and HFF Real Estate Limited (collectively, "HFF"), HFF Securities, L.P. and HFF Securities Limited (collectively, "HFFS")).

The Company reported record results for its transaction volume, which it estimates at approximately $100 billion on 2,583 transactions across the Company's debt placement, investment advisory, equity placement and loan sales capital markets platforms. HFF's 2018 annual transaction volume represents a gain of approximately 3.8% over the $96 billion transaction volume closed in 2017. HFF closed approximately 2,583 transactions in 2018, which represents an increase of 225 transactions, or 9.5%, from the 2017 figure of 2,358.

HFF's debt placement volume in 2018 is estimated to be approximately $54.5 billion compared to $51.7 billion in 2017, which represents an approximate 5.3% increase.

HFF's combined investment advisory, equity placement, and loan sales volume is estimated to be approximately $45.2 billion compared to $44.3 billion in 2017, which represents an approximate 2.0% increase over 2017.

HFF's commercial loan servicing portfolio balance is estimated to be approximately $81.2 billion on 3,368 loans serviced as of December 31, 2018, which represents an approximate 16.2% increase from the year-end 2017 portfolio balance of $69.8 billion on 3,066 loans serviced.

This press release outlines the Company's production volume totals, which are calculated from an internal database and have not been audited. Note that these amounts may be adjusted as the Company completes its review and audit of its fourth quarter and year-end results for 2018. No inferences about the Company's fourth quarter 2018 earnings should be made from this announcement of transaction volume. The Company's earnings for fourth quarter 2018 are currently scheduled to be publicly released in late February 2019. The Company has elected to release its production volumes at this time in order for HFF and HFFS to participate in several industry surveys which are important to their respective businesses.

Business Comments

"The above results are a testament to the outstanding individuals who comprise the HFF Team," said Mark D. Gibson, the Company's chief executive officer. "Their remarkable work ethic, extraordinary proficiency in and knowledge of the real estate capital markets industry and unwavering dedication to be the very best in their chosen profession are why some of the largest owners of commercial real estate assets in the world turn to HFF for their transaction needs."

About HFF, Inc.

Through its subsidiaries, Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P., HFF Real Estate Limited, HFF Securities L.P. and HFF Securities Limited, HFF operates out of 26 offices and is one of the leading and largest full-service commercial real estate financial intermediaries, providing commercial real estate and capital markets services to both the consumers and providers of capital in the commercial real estate sector. The Company offers clients a fully-integrated capital markets platform including debt placement, investment advisory, equity placement, funds marketing, M&A and corporate advisory, loan sales and commercial loan servicing.

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements about our beliefs and expectations and statements containing the words "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project," "intend" and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested in forward-looking statements in this press release. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of them to reflect actual results, any changes in expectations or any change in events. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic conditions and commercial real estate market conditions, including the recent conditions in the global markets and, in particular, the U.S. debt markets; (2) the Company's ability to retain and attract transaction professionals; (3) the Company's ability to retain its business philosophy and partnership culture; (4) competitive pressures; (5) the Company's ability to integrate and sustain its growth; and (6) other factors discussed in the Company's public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Additional information concerning factors that may influence HFF, Inc.'s financial information is discussed under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in the Company's press releases and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such information and filings are available publicly and may be obtained from the Company's web site at www.hfflp.com or upon request from the HFF, Inc. Investor Relations Department at investorrelations@hfflp.com.

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