After rising 75.8% in the third quarter of 2003, compared with the same quarter in 2002, funds from operations increased 162.4% to $26.3 million in the fourth quarter of last year, compared with $10 million for the same period in 2002. Funds from operations per diluted share for the quarter rose 31% from 29 cents in 2002 to 38 cents last year. Funds from operations are a standard measure of a REIT's operating performance.

For all of 2003, funds from operations also increased dramatically, 97.6% to $89.9 million from $45.5 million in 2002. The funds per diluted share grew 7.4% to $1.46 last year from $1.36 the year before.

In the 2003 fourth quarter, the REIT experienced more than a $10 million rise in net income, $7.3 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, in the 2002 fourth quarter to $17.7 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, last year. Net income also rose for the year. The REIT's 2003 net income was $63.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, up from $39.9 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, the year before. That's nearly a 59.4% increase. Revenue grew 92.1% from $98.9 million in 2002 to $190 million a year later.