- Full Year FFO of $2.05, Including Restructuring and Impairment Charges

- Solid Portfolio Performance in 2008: 93.6% Average In-Service Occupancy; Same Store Net Operating Income Growth of 1.5%; Rental Rate Growth of 4.0%; Tenant Retention of 79%

- Further Organizational Restructuring and Reduction of G&A Expense; Annual G&A Expense Reduced by $47 Million

- Adjusts Common Stock Dividend Policy

-Declares Dividends for Series J and Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

-Provides 2009 Outlook

CHICAGO, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading provider of industrial real estate supply chain solutions, today announced results for fourth quarter and full year 2008. Diluted net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share (EPS) was $(1.66) in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.00 a year ago. Full year 2008 diluted net income available to common stockholders was $0.50 per share, compared to $2.99 per share in 2007.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040106/FRLOGO)

Under the Company's prior definition of funds from operations (FFO), First Industrial's fourth quarter FFO was $(0.89) per share/unit on a diluted basis, compared to $1.22 per share/unit last year. Full year 2008 FFO was $2.05 per share/unit on a diluted basis from $4.64 per share/unit in 2007. Please see the Company's prior disclosures regarding its historical definition of FFO. Under the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' (NAREIT) definition of FFO, which the Company has now adopted, First Industrial's fourth quarter FFO was $(0.96) per share/unit on a diluted basis compared to $0.44 per share/unit a year ago. Full year 2008 FFO under the NAREIT definition was $0.42 per share/unit versus $1.85 per share/unit in 2007.

Fourth quarter and full year results under both FFO measures included charges of $27 million ($17 million cash, $10 million non-cash), or $0.55 per share/unit, related to the Company's cost reduction and restructuring plan and non-cash impairment charges of $43 million, or $0.86 per share/unit, related to the Company's investments in joint ventures.

Excluding the impairment charges and restructuring charge, FFO per share/unit under the prior definition was $0.52 and $3.46 for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively, and $0.45 and $1.84, respectively, under the NAREIT definition.

"The First Industrial team delivered solid portfolio results in 2008, maintaining strong tenant retention and in-service occupancy levels throughout the year," said Bruce W. Duncan, First Industrial's president and CEO. "In this difficult economic climate, we are intensely focused on occupancy for our entire portfolio of existing and value-add properties. We are also restructuring our organization as part of our plan to improve our operational efficiency and right-size our cost structure."

Fourth Quarter Portfolio Performance for On Balance Sheet Properties

    --  0.8% growth in same property net operating income (NOI) on a cash basis.
        Excluding lease termination fees, same property cash basis NOI increased
        0.7%.
    --  In-service occupancy was 93.0% at quarter-end
    --  4.8% increase in rental rates
    --  Retained tenants in 76% of square footage up for renewal

Organizational Restructuring, Further Cost Reduction Actions and Related Charges

During the fourth quarter, the Company reduced its overhead to align expenses with the lower level of transaction activity and overall economic conditions. These measures included discontinuing its European operations, as well as reductions in corporate and regional office staffing, management changes and other overhead costs. As noted above, these measures resulted in a pre-tax charge of $27 million in the fourth quarter and are expected to result in an additional $6 million in charges in 2009, of which $3 million is non-cash.

As part of the restructuring, Johannson Yap will head the Company's West Region, David Harker will head the Central Region, and Peter Schultz will head the East Region. Each regional leader will be responsible for leasing, portfolio management, and investment for the local portfolios in their respective regions, and will report directly to Mr. Duncan.

"We are restructuring the organization to place responsibility for operations and profitability squarely on our three geographic regions - East, West and Central," said Mr. Duncan. "By driving responsibility to each region, we will get the best out of a talented team of local market experts that serve all aspects of our customers' industrial real estate needs. Also, with these changes, we have been able to further reduce staffing levels and other overhead, which is critical as we navigate through these difficult times."

In total, through its restructuring and cost reduction plan, the Company has reduced its annual general and administrative expenses by an estimated $47 million annually, which would be a 56% decrease compared to 2008.

Summary of Impairment Charges

In total, the Company recorded impairment charges related to its investments in joint ventures of approximately $43 million.

The non-cash impairment charges recognized in the fourth quarter are as follows:


    --  $25.8 million for our 2005 Development and Repositioning JV
    --  $10.1 million for our 2006 Strategic Land and Development JV
    --  $3.2 million for our 2005 Core JV
    --  $2.3 million for our 2006 Net Lease JV
    --  $1.2 million for our 2003 Net Lease JV

Financial Position (Balance Sheet Information)

    --  Less than $150 million of debt maturing through the end of 2010
    --  Fixed-charge coverage of 2.3 times and interest coverage of 2.7 times
        year-to-date
    --  96% of real estate assets are unencumbered by mortgages
    --  7.2 year weighted average maturity for permanent debt
    --  100% of senior debt is fixed rate

"With less than $150 million due through the end of 2010, we have a manageable debt maturity schedule, with a weighted average maturity of 7.2 years," said Scott Musil, acting chief financial officer. "In June 2009, we have $125 million of senior notes due that we expect to retire through a combination of mortgage financing, asset sales, and available cash."

Fourth Quarter Investment/Divestment

Balance Sheet


    --  Placed in-service two build-to-suit developments totaling $44.4 million
        with a weighted in-place cap rate of 7.9%
    --  Completed two acquisitions totaling $23.6 million with a weighted
        in-place cap rate of 9.1%
    --  Sold five properties for $24.3 million at a weighted average cap rate of
        6.8%

Joint Ventures


    --  Acquired one building and five land parcels totaling $19.4 million
    --  Sold two facilities and two land parcels totaling $32.9 million

"Given the continuing challenges the in capital markets and the commercial transaction environment, we do not expect to pursue additional investments for our balance sheet in 2009, and we will be very selective in our joint ventures," added Mr. Duncan.

Preferred Dividends

The board of directors declared a dividend of $0.45313 per depositary share of its 7.25% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (NYSE: FR-PrJ) for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 payable on March 31, 2009 to stockholders of record on March 13, 2009. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.8125 per depositary share.

Additionally, the board of directors declared a dividend of $0.45313 per depositary share of its 7.25% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (NYSE: FR-PrK) for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 payable on March 31, 2009 to stockholders of record on March 13, 2009. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.8125 per depositary share.

Common Dividend Policy

First Industrial plans to retain capital by adjusting its dividend policy to distribute the minimum amount required to maintain its REIT status. The Company will not pay a dividend in April 2009 and may not pay common dividends in future quarters in 2009, depending on its taxable income. If required to pay common stock dividends in 2009, the Company may elect to satisfy this obligation by distributing a combination of cash and common shares.

Outlook for 2009

Mr. Duncan stated, "Our portfolio diversification across markets, tenants, and industrial facility types is an important asset in the face of the current economic environment. Our focus is on portfolio occupancy, serving our customers' needs, aggressively managing costs, and financing our maturing debt in June."

As announced last year, beginning January 1, 2009, First Industrial will report its FFO using the NAREIT definition to provide the investment community with a more comparative measure to other REITs.

NAREIT recommends that REITs define FFO as net income, excluding gains (or losses) from the sale of previously depreciated property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.


                                               Low End of      High End of
                                              Guidance for     Guidance for
                                                  2009            2009
                                            (Per share/unit) (Per share/unit)
    Net Income (Loss) Available
     to Common Stockholders                       $(2.12)          $(2.02)
    Add: Real Estate Depreciation/Amortization      3.35             3.35
    FFO (NAREIT Definition)                        $1.23            $1.33

    FFO Excluding Restructuring Charges            $1.34            $1.44

The following assumptions were used:

    --  For 2009, First Industrial is modifying its definition of its in-service
        balance sheet portfolio to include all developments or redevelopments at
        the earlier of one year following shell completion or redevelopment
        construction completion, or achievement of 90% occupancy.  The
        in-service portfolio will also include any newly acquired properties
        with occupancy greater than 75% upon acquisition.  If an acquired
        building is less than 75% occupied, it will be placed in-service at the
        earlier of one year or achievement of 90% occupancy.  Average in-service
        occupancy for 2009 is projected to be 83% to 85%.  For comparison, First
        Industrial's average occupancy for 2008 was 90.4% under this
        measure.
    --  Same-store NOI of -3% to -4%
    --  JV FFO of $8 million to $10 million
    --  General and administrative expense of approximately $37 million
    --  Restructuring charges of $6 million ($3 million cash, $3 million
        non-cash) as discussed above
    --  The Company plans to sell properties in 2009, dependent upon market
        conditions.  Due to the volatility in the transaction markets, we are
        not providing specific sales volume guidance.  The Company is targeting
        sales of previously depreciated assets, the impact of which is not
        included in FFO under the NAREIT definition.  The impact of sales is
        also excluded from our EPS guidance above.

A number of factors could impact our ability to deliver results in line with our assumptions, such as interest rates, the economies of the United States and Canada, the supply and demand of industrial real estate, the availability and terms of financing to potential acquirers of real estate, the timing and yields for divestment and investment, and numerous other variables. There can be no assurance that First Industrial can achieve such results.

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) provides industrial real estate solutions for every stage of a customer's supply chain, no matter how large or complex. Across major markets in the United States and Canada, our local market experts buy, (re)develop, lease, manage and sell industrial properties, including all of the major facility types - bulk and regional distribution centers, light industrial, manufacturing, and R&D/flex. We continue to receive leading customer service scores from Kingsley Associates, an independent research firm, and in total, we own, manage and have under development 97 million square feet of industrial space. For more information, please visit us at www.firstindustrial.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a materially adverse affect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, changes in: national, international (including trade volume growth), regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically, legislation/regulation (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts), our ability to qualify and maintain our status as a real estate investment trust, availability and attractiveness of financing (including both public and private capital) to us and to our potential counterparties, interest rate levels, our ability to maintain our current credit agency ratings, competition, supply and demand for industrial properties (including land, the supply and demand for which is inherently more volatile than other types of industrial property) in the Company's current and proposed market areas, difficulties in consummating acquisitions and dispositions, risks related to our investments in properties through joint ventures, potential environmental liabilities, slippage in development or lease-up schedules, tenant credit risks, higher-than-expected costs, changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts, risks related to doing business internationally (including foreign currency exchange risks and risks related to integrating international properties and operations) and those additional factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our outlook only and speak only as of the date of this report or the dates indicated in the statements. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements. For further information on these and other factors that could impact the Company and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A schedule of selected financial information is attached.

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. will host a quarterly conference call at 11:00 a.m. CST, 12:00 p.m. EST, on March 3, 2009. The conference may be accessed by dialing (888) 823-7459 or (973) 935-8751 and the passcode is "First Industrial." The conference call will also be webcast live on First Industrial's website, www.firstindustrial.com, under the "Investor Relations" tab. The replay will also be available on the website.

The Company's fourth quarter and full year 2008 supplemental information can be viewed on First Industrial's website, www.firstindustrial.com, under the "Investor Relations" tab.



    First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
    311 South Wacker Drive
    Suite 4000
    Chicago, IL 60606
    312/344-4300
    Fax: 312/922-9851



                        FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
                              Selected Financial Data
                     (In thousands, except for per share/unit)
                                  (Unaudited)


                                       Three Months Ended      Year Ended
                                       December  December  December  December
                                       31 2008   31 2007   31 2008   31 2007

    Statement of Operations
     and Other Data:
      Total  Revenues (a)              $145,374  $100,708  $526,294  $380,262

      Property Expenses                 (29,233)  (28,193) (124,963) (110,438)
      Construction Expenses (a)         (42,911)  (14,275) (139,539)  (34,553)
      General & Administrative
       Expense                          (20,436)  (25,623)  (84,627)  (92,101)
      Restructuring Costs               (27,349)        -   (27,349)        -
      Depreciation of Corporate F,F&E      (744)     (436)   (2,257)   (1,837)
      Depreciation and Amortization
       of Real Estate                   (39,370)  (35,370) (158,770) (135,592)

      Total  Expenses                  (160,043) (103,897) (537,505) (374,521)

      Interest Income                       874       511     3,690     1,926
      Interest Expense                  (28,443)  (29,550) (111,559) (119,314)
      Amortization of Deferred
       Financing Costs                     (717)     (738)   (2,879)   (3,210)
      Mark-to-Market of Derivative       (3,073)        -    (3,073)        -
      Gain (Loss) from Early
       Retirement of Debt                     -         -     2,749      (393)

        Loss from Continuing
         Operations Before Equity
         in Net (Loss) Income
         of Joint Ventures, Income Tax
         Benefit and Minority Interest
         Allocable to Continuing
         Operations                     (46,028)  (32,966) (122,283) (115,250)

      Equity in Net (Loss) Income of
       Joint Ventures (b)               (40,473)    6,412   (33,178)   30,045
      Income Tax Benefit                  3,465     6,123    12,259    10,653
      Minority Interest Allocable to
       Continuing Operations             10,885     3,233    20,048    12,392

        Loss from Continuing
         Operations                     (72,151)  (17,198) (123,154)  (62,160)

      Income from Discontinued
       Operations (Including Gain
       on Sale of Real Estate
       of $5,744 and $70,526
       for the Three Months
       Ended December 31,
       2008 and 2007, respectively
       and $172,167 and $244,962 for
       the Twelve Months Ended
       December 31, 2008 and 2007,
       respectively) (c)                  5,523    77,049   183,561   280,422
      Provision for Income Taxes
       Allocable to Discontinued
       Operations (Including a
       Provision Allocable to Gain on
       Sale of Real Estate of $175 and
       $4,935 for the Three
       Months Ended December 31, 2008
       and 2007, respectively and
       $3,732 and $36,032 for the
       Twelve Months Ended December
       31, 2008 and 2007,
       respectively) (c)                   (164)   (4,956)   (4,188)  (38,126)
      Minority Interest Allocable to
       Discontinued Operations (c)         (643)   (9,199)  (22,242)  (30,626)

        (Loss) Income Before Gain
         on Sale of Real Estate         (67,435)   45,696    33,977   149,510

      Gain on Sale of Real Estate             -     4,918    12,008     9,425
      Provision for Income Taxes
      Allocable to Gain on Sale of Real
       Estate                                 -    (1,947)   (3,782)   (3,082)
      Minority Interest Allocable
       to Gain on Sale of Real
       Estate                                 -      (376)   (1,020)     (802)

        Net (Loss) Income               (67,435)   48,291    41,183   155,051

      Preferred Dividends                (4,857)   (4,857)  (19,428)  (21,320)
      Redemption of Preferred Stock           -         -         -    (2,017)

        Net (Loss) Income Available to
         Common Stockholders           $(72,292)  $43,434   $21,755  $131,714


        RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS)
         INCOME AVAILABLE TO
         COMMON STOCKHOLDERS TO FFO
         (d) AND FAD (d)

        Net (Loss) Income Available to
         Common Stockholders           $(72,292)  $43,434   $21,755  $131,714

      Add:  Depreciation and
       Amortization of Real
       Estate                            39,370    35,370   158,770   135,592
      Add:  Income Allocated to
       Minority Interest                (10,242)    6,342     3,214    19,036
      Add:  Depreciation and
       Amortization of Real
       Estate Included in
       Discontinued Operations              370     6,073     6,945    30,103
      Add:  Depreciation and
       Amortization of Real
       Estate -Joint Ventures (b)         2,040     1,849     7,727     8,953
      Less:  Accumulated Depreciation/
       Amortization on Real
       Estate Sold                       (3,091)  (31,258)  (95,393)  (85,163)
      Less:  Accumulated Depreciation/
       Amortization on Real Estate
       Sold - Joint Ventures (b)            (73)     (964)   (1,571)   (5,535)

        Funds From Operations
         "FFO")  (d)                   $(43,918)  $60,846  $101,447  $234,700

      Less:  Economic Gains on Sale of
       Depreciated Real Estate (f)       (3,483)  (39,195)  (80,546) (141,082)

        Funds From Operations (NAREIT
         Definition)                    $47,401  $21,651    $20,901   $93,618

        Funds From Operations
         ("FFO")  (d)                  $(43,918)  $60,846  $101,447  $234,700

      Add: (Gain) Loss from Early
       Retirement of Debt                     -         -    (2,749)      393
      Add:  Restricted Stock
       Amortization                      13,107     3,493    25,883    14,150
      Add: Amortization of Deferred
       Financing Costs                      717       738     2,879     3,210
      Add:  Depreciation of
       Corporate F,F&E                      744       436     2,257     1,837
      Add:  Mark-to-Market of
       Derivative                         3,073         -     3,073         -
      Add:  Joint Venture
       Impairment Charges                42,538         -    42,538         -
      Add:  Redemption of
       Preferred Stock                        -         -         -     2,017
      Less:  Non-Incremental Capital
       Expenditures                      (9,603)   (9,591)  (32,149)  (31,313)
      Less:  Straight-Line Rent          (2,562)   (1,736)   (7,251)   (9,711)

        Funds Available for
         Distribution ("FAD") (d)        $4,096   $54,186  $135,928  $215,283



                        FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC.
                             Selected Financial Data
                    (In thousands, except for per share/unit)
                                  (Unaudited)


                                       Three Months Ended      Year Ended
                                       December  December  December  December
                                       31 2008   31 2007   31 2008   31 2007

        RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS)
         INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON
         STOCKHOLDERS TO EBITDA
         (d) AND NOI (d)

        Net (Loss) Income Available to
         Common Stockholders           $(72,292)  $43,434   $21,755  $131,714

      Add:  Interest Expense             28,443    29,550   111,559   119,314
      Add:  Restructuring Costs          27,349         -    27,349         -
      Add:  Joint Venture
       Impairment Charges                42,538         -    42,538         -
      Add:  Depreciation and
       Amortization of Real Estate       39,370    35,370   158,770   135,592
      Add:  Preferred Dividends           4,857     4,857    19,428    21,320
      Add:  Mark-to-Market of
       Derivative                         3,073         -     3,073         -
      Add:  (Benefit) Provision for
       Income Taxes                      (3,301)      780    (4,289)   30,555
      Add:  Redemption of
       Preferred Stock                        -         -         -     2,017
      Add:  Income Allocated to
       Minority Interest                (10,242)    6,342     3,214    19,036
      Add:  Amortization of Deferred
       Financing Costs                      717       738     2,879     3,210
      Add:  Depreciation of
       Corporate F,F&E                      744       436     2,257     1,837
      Add:  Depreciation and
       Amortization of Real
       Estate Included in
       Discontinued Operations              370     6,073     6,945    30,103
      Add:  (Gain) Loss from Early
       Retirement of Debt                     -         -    (2,749)      393
      Add:  Depreciation and Amortization
       of Real Estate -
       Joint Ventures (b)                 2,040     1,849     7,727     8,953
      Less:  Accumulated Depreciation/
       Amortization on Real Estate Sold  (3,091)  (31,258)  (95,393)  (85,163)
      Less:  Accumulated Depreciation/
       Amortization on Real Estate
       Sold - Joint Ventures (b)            (73)     (964)   (1,571)   (5,535)

        EBITDA (d)                       $60,502  $97,207  $303,492  $413,346

      Add:  General and
       Administrative Expense             20,436   25,623    84,627    92,101
      Less:  Net Economic Gains, Net
       of Income Tax Provision (d)        (3,164) (43,641)  (90,729) (149,498)
      Less:  Joint Venture
       Impairment Charges                (42,538)       -   (42,538)        -
      Less:  Benefit (Provision) for
       Income Taxes                        3,301     (780)    4,289   (30,555)
       Less:  Equity in FFO of Joint
        Ventures, Net of Income Tax
        Provision (d)                    31,163   (12,256)    2,462   (52,989)

        Net Operating Income
         ("NOI") (d)                    $69,700   $66,153  $261,603  $272,405

        RECONCILIATION OF GAIN ON SALE
         OF REAL ESTATE TO NET
         ECONOMIC GAINS (d)

      Gain on Sale of Real Estate             -     4,918    12,008     9,425
      Gain on Sale of Real Estate
       included in Discontinued
        Operations                        5,774    70,526   172,167   244,962
      Less: Benefit (Provision) for
       Income Taxes                       3,301      (780)    4,289   (30,555)
      Less: Accumulated Depreciation/
       Amortization on Real
       Estate Sold                       (3,091)  (31,258)  (95,393)  (85,163)
      Add: Assignment Fees                    -         -     2,327     3,275
      Add: (Benefit) Provision for
       Income Tax Allocable to
       FFO from Joint Ventures           (2,820)      235    (4,669)    7,554

      Net Economic Gains (d)             $3,164   $43,641   $90,729  $149,498

    Weighted Avg. Number of Shares/
     Units Outstanding -
     Basic/Diluted (e)                   49,569    49,715    49,456    50,597
    Weighted Avg. Number of Shares
     Outstanding -
     Basic/Diluted (e)                   43,506    43,234    43,193    44,086

    Per Share/Unit Data:
      FFO:
       - Basic/Diluted (e)               $(0.89)    $1.22     $2.05     $4.64
      FFO (NAREIT Definition):
       - Basic/Diluted (e)               $(0.96)    $0.44     $0.42     $1.85
      Loss from Continuing Operations
       Less Preferred Dividends and
       Redemption of Preferred
       Stock Per Weighted Average
       Common Share Outstanding:
        - Basic/Diluted (e)              $(1.77)   $(0.45)   $(3.13)   $(1.81)
      Net (Loss) Income Available to
       Common Stockholders Per Weighted
       Average Common Share
       Outstanding:
        - Basic/Diluted (e)              $(1.66)    $1.00     $0.50     $2.99
      Dividends/Distributions             $0.25     $0.72     $2.41     $2.85

    FFO Payout Ratio                      (28.2)%    58.8%    117.5%     61.4%
    FAD Payout Ratio                      302.5%     66.1%     87.7%     67.0%

    Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
        Real Estate Before Accumulated
         Depreciation                $3,385,597  $3,326,268
        Real Estate and Other Held
         For Sale, Net                   21,117      37,875
        Total Assets                  3,223,876   3,258,033
        Debt                          2,036,978   1,946,670
        Total Liabilities             2,237,128   2,183,755
        Stockholders' Equity and
         Minority Interest             $986,748  $1,074,278

    a) Construction Revenues, included within Total Revenues, and
    Construction Expenses include revenues and expenses associated with the
    Company acting in the capacity of general contractor for certain third
    party development projects.  Additionally, for the year ended
    December 31, 2008, construction revenues and expenses include amounts
    relating to the sale of industrial units that the Company developed to
    sell and for the year ended December 31, 2007, construction revenues and
    expenses include amounts relating to the construction of a building for a
    third party, accounted for on a percentage of completion basis.

    b) Represents the Company's share of net income, depreciation and
    amortization on real estate and accumulated depreciation and amortization
    on real estate sold from the Company's joint ventures in which it owns
    minority equity interests. Additionally includes non-cash impairment
    losses aggregating approximately $42.5 million for the three months and
    year ended December 31, 2008 in accordance with APB Opinion No. 18, "The
    Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock" or Statement
    of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment
    or Disposal of Long Lived Assets" ("FAS 144").

    c) FAS 144 requires that the operations and gain (loss) on sale of
    qualifying properties sold and properties that are classified as held for
    sale be presented in discontinued operations.  FAS 144 also requires that
    prior periods be restated.

    d) Investors in and analysts following the real estate industry utilize
    FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, variously defined, as supplemental performance
    measures. While the Company believes net income available to common
    stockholders, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate measure, it
    considers FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, given their wide use by and relevance
    to investors and analysts, appropriate supplemental performance
    measures.  FFO, reflecting the assumption that real estate asset values
    rise or fall with market conditions, principally adjusts for the effects
    of GAAP depreciation and amortization of real estate assets.  NOI
    provides a measure of rental operations, and does not factor in
    depreciation and amortization and non-property specific expenses such as
    general and administrative expenses.  EBITDA provides a tool to further
    evaluate the ability to incur and service debt and to fund dividends and
    other cash needs.  FAD provides a tool to further evaluate the ability to
    fund dividends.  In addition, FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD are commonly used
    in various ratios, pricing multiples/yields and returns and valuation
    calculations used to measure financial position, performance and value.

    Using its prior definition, the Company calculates FFO to be equal to net income available to common stockholders, plus depreciation and amortization on real estate, minus accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold.  Accordingly, as calculated by the Company using its prior definition, FFO includes net economic gains (losses) resulting from all Company property sales as well as assignment fees.  Assignment fees are earned when the Company assigns its interest in a purchase contract to a third party for consideration.  Using NAREIT's definition, the Company calculates FFO to be equal to net income, excluding gains (or losses) from the sale of previously depreciated property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.

    NOI is defined as revenues of the Company, minus property expenses such
    as real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, property management,
    utilities, insurance and other expenses.  NOI includes NOI from
    discontinued operations.

    EBITDA is defined as NOI, plus the equity in FFO of the Company's joint
    ventures (excluding joint venture impairment charges), which are
    accounted for under the equity method of accounting, plus Net Economic
    Gains, minus general and administrative expenses.  EBITDA includes EBITDA
    from discontinued operations.

    FAD is defined as EBITDA, minus GAAP interest expense, minus
    restructuring costs, minus preferred stock dividends, minus straight-line
    rental income, minus provision for income taxes or plus benefit for
    income taxes, plus restricted stock amortization, minus non-incremental
    capital expenditures.  Non-incremental capital expenditures are building
    improvements and leasing costs required to maintain current revenues.

    FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD do not represent cash generated from operating
    activities in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily indicative of
    cash available to fund cash needs, including the repayment of principal
    on debt and payment of dividends and distributions.  FFO, NOI, EBITDA and
    FAD should not be considered as substitutes for net income available to
    common stockholders (calculated in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of
    results of operations, or cash flows (calculated in accordance with GAAP)
    as a measure of liquidity.  FFO, NOI, EBITDA and FAD, as currently
    calculated by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled, but
    variously calculated, measures of other REITs or to the definition of FFO
    published by NAREIT.

    The Company also reports Net Economic Gains, which, effectively, measure
    the value created in the Company's capital recycling activities. Net
    Economic Gains are calculated by subtracting from gain on sale of real
    estate (calculated in accordance with GAAP, including gains on sale of
    real estate classified as discontinued operations) the recapture of
    accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold (excluding
    the recapture of accumulated amortization related to above/below market
    leases and lease inducements as this amortization is included in revenues
    and FFO) and the provision for income taxes (excluding taxes associated
    with joint ventures). Net Economic Gains also includes assignment fees.

    In addition, the Company considers cash-basis same store NOI ("SS NOI")
    to be a useful supplemental measure of its operating performance.  The
    Company has adopted the following definition of its same store pool of
    properties:  Same store properties, for the period beginning January 1,
    2008, include all properties owned prior to January 1, 2007 and held as
    an operating property through the end of the current reporting period and
    developments and redevelopments that were placed in service or were
    substantially completed for 12 months prior to January 1, 2007 (the "Same
    Store Pool").  The Company defines SS NOI as NOI, less NOI of properties
    not in the Same Store Pool, less the impact of straight-line rent and the
    amortization of above/below market rent. For the quarters ended December
    31, 2008 and 2007, NOI was $69,700 and $66,153, respectively; NOI of
    properties not in the Same Store Pool was $19,743 and $18,190,
    respectively; the impact of straight-line rent and the amortization of
    above/below market rent was $1,037 and $1,079, respectively. The Company
    excludes straight-line rents and above/below market rent amortization in
    calculating SS NOI because the Company believes it provides a better
    measure of  actual cash basis rental growth for a year-over-year
    comparison.  In addition, the Company believes that SS NOI helps the
    investing public compare the operating performance of a company's real
    estate as compared to other companies.  While SS NOI is a relevant and
    widely used measure of operating performance of real estate investment
    trusts, it does not represent cash flow from operations or net income as
    defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to those
    measures in evaluating our liquidity or operating performance.  SS NOI
    also does not reflect general and administrative expenses, interest
    expenses, depreciation and amortization costs, capital expenditures and
    leasing costs, or trends in development and construction activities that
    could materially impact our results from operations. Further, the
    Company's computation of SS NOI may not be comparable to that of other
    real estate companies, as they may use different methodologies for
    calculating SS NOI.

    e) Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128,
    "Earnings Per Share", the diluted weighted average number of shares/units
    outstanding and the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
    are the same as the basic weighted average number of shares/units
    outstanding and the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding,
    respectively, for periods in which continuing operations is a loss, as
    the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock would be
    antidilutive to the loss from continuing operations per share.

    f) Includes economic gains of the Company and its share of economic gains
    from its joint ventures based on its ownership interest.

SOURCE First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.