CHICAGO, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading provider of industrial real estate supply chain solutions, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Diluted net income available to common stockholders per share (EPS) was $0.09, compared to $0.66 a year ago.

First Industrial's third quarter funds from operations (FFO) per share/unit was $0.66 per share/unit on a diluted basis, compared to $1.13 per share/unit last year.

"Our portfolio operations, our primary income source, delivered solid results during the quarter with improved occupancy, near record tenant retention and solid same store NOI growth," said Ed Tyler, interim chief executive officer. "Our balance sheet remains strong, with little debt maturing through the end of 2010. To adjust to the continuing difficulty in the capital markets, we have undertaken a significant cost reduction plan and have reduced the dividend to be aligned with more predictable income streams."



     Strong Portfolio Performance for On Balance Sheet Properties
     *    3.2% growth in same property net operating income (NOI) on a cash
          basis. Excluding lease termination fees, same property cash basis
          NOI increased 4.3%.
     *    Occupancy rose to 93.7% from 93.5% at the end of second quarter
          2008.
     *    3.2% increase in rental rates and leasing costs improved to $1.53
          per square foot.
     *    Retained tenants in 87% of square footage up for renewal.


     Solid Financial Position (Balance Sheet Information)
     *    No debt maturing in 2008
     *    Less than $135 million of debt maturing through the end of 2010
     *    Fixed-charge coverage of 2.4 times and interest coverage of 2.9
          times year-to-date
     *    96% of real estate assets are unencumbered by mortgages
     *    7.5 year weighted average maturity for permanent debt
     *    100% of permanent debt is fixed rate

"Our balance sheet capital position remains solid, with less than $135 million of debt maturing through the end of 2010, and we have one of the longest debt maturity schedules in our industry," said Mike Havala, chief financial officer. "Additionally, the recent extension through 2018 of our joint ventures with CalSTRS provides on-going capital capacity for value-added investment opportunities."

Cost Reduction Actions and Related Charge

The Company has reduced its overhead to align expenses with the lower level of transactions anticipated in the real estate market and the more challenging general economic environment. Overall general and administrative expenses have been reduced by an estimated $33 million annually, or 34%, through reduction in corporate and regional office staffing and other overhead costs.

The Company will report a one-time pre-tax charge estimated between $11.8 million and $12.4 million (consisting of between $6.9 million and $7.3 million cash and between $4.9 million and $5.1 million non-cash) in the fourth quarter associated with the recent management change, and for severance and other costs associated with the staff reductions. This one-time charge has been included in the Company's earnings guidance for 2008 provided below.

"As we look ahead into 2009, we expect the transaction markets in the U.S. to continue to be challenging and real estate fundamentals will continue to be impacted by the general state of the economy," said Mr. Havala. "We are reducing staffing levels and other expenses to position ourselves for the current economic realities, while maintaining our strong service levels for our customers and our institutional partners."

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock for the quarter ending December 31, 2008, payable on January 21, 2009 to stockholders of record on December 31, 2008. In addition to the regular dividend, the Company expects to declare and pay a special dividend of at least $0.20 per share of common stock related to the fourth quarter and payable in January 2009. The Company paid a dividend of $0.72 per share of common stock for the third quarter 2008.

Given the recent changes in the capital markets and economic environment, the Company is linking its regular dividend to more predictable income streams, such as property rental operations, and may pay special dividends, as appropriate, when capital recycling is consummated.





    Investment Performance

    Balance Sheet Investment/       3rd Quarter  (in    Nine Months   (in
     Disposition Activity               2008   millions)   2008     millions)

    Property Acquisitions                         $117.7               $282.1
      Square Feet                    0.9 million          3.1 million
      Stabilized Weighted Average
       Capitalization Rate                  8.4%                 8.2%
    Developments Placed in Service                  $5.1                $57.1
      Square Feet                    0.1 million          1.2 million
      Stabilized Weighted Average
       Capitalization Rate                  9.2%                 9.0%
    Land Acquisitions                              $19.4                $34.6
              Total Investments                   $142.2               $373.8

    Property Sales                                 $63.9               $546.2
      Square Feet                    1.1 million          8.8 million
      Weighted Average
       Capitalization Rate                  7.3%                 7.6%
    Land Sales                                      $0.0                $14.7
              Total Dispositions                   $63.9               $560.9

    Joint Venture Investment/Disposition
     Activity

        Investments
          2005 Development/
           Redevelopment JV -
           Acquisitions                            $49.2               $158.7
          2005 Development/
           Redevelopment JV - Placed
           in Service                              $23.6                $67.3
          2006 Strategic Land and
           Development JV                           $0.6                $56.3
          2007 Canada JV                            $0.0                $38.1
             Total Joint Venture
              Investments                          $73.4               $320.4

         Dispositions
           2005 Development/
            Redevelopment JV                       $49.3               $234.3
           2005 Core JV                            $36.1                $55.9
           2007 Canada JV                           $7.4                 $7.4
              Total Joint Venture
               Dispositions                        $92.8               $297.6


"We will be highly selective with our deployment of capital in the current environment, emphasizing income-oriented properties in strong markets and built-to-suit development for our balance sheet, and value-added opportunities at significant discounts in our joint ventures," said Johannson Yap, chief investment officer. "The Company also has $60 million available under its existing share repurchase authorization as an investment alternative."

"We recently announced our first investment transaction in Europe at First Park Maritime Logistics for our $475 million FirstCal Europe joint venture. This two building, 1.3 million square foot business park in the heart of Belgium's 'Golden Triangle' offers customers access to multiple modes of transportation through the country's canal system," added Mr. Yap.

Land and Development

Developable land now totals 5,563 acres, including 4,911 acres in joint ventures and 652 acres on balance sheet. Total land positions can now accommodate approximately 91 million square feet of additional development.

Developments in process have an estimated investment of $287 million in the joint ventures and $256 million on balance sheet, of which the Company's remaining funding obligations are only $3 million and $31 million, respectively. These developments in process do not include fee developments where First Industrial acts as a developer and receives remuneration but has no equity interest in the properties.

New FFO Definition Adopted (Supplemental Reporting Measure)

Beginning January 1, 2009, First Industrial will report its FFO using the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) definition to provide the investment community with a more comparative measure to other REITs. The Company will report quarterly and full year 2008 FFO under both its current definition and under the NAREIT definition. First Industrial will report subsequent results and guidance under the NAREIT definition.

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. See the Company's prior disclosures regarding its historical definition of FFO.

Outlook for 2008 and 2009

Mr. Tyler stated, "We expect the general uncertainty in the economy to delay or change some customers' supply chain decisions. As a result, we expect a more difficult leasing environment as we head into 2009, and we have sharpened our focus on occupancy and tenant retention."

Mr. Tyler added, "First Industrial is updating its guidance range for 2008 FFO per share/unit to $3.17 to $3.37 ($1.50 to $1.60 under the NAREIT definition) and $1.68 to $1.88 for EPS.

"On balance sheet investment volume assumptions for 2008, which include both developments placed in service and acquisitions, have been reduced to a range of $400 million to $450 million. Average cap rate assumptions for investments in 2008 are for the range of 8.0% to 9.0%. On balance sheet sales volume guidance in 2008 has been reduced to $600 million to $650 million with a 7.0% to 8.0% average cap rate range on dispositions.

"Book gains from property sales and fees are now estimated to be from $187 million to $197 million. Our revised assumption for net economic gains for on balance sheet transactions in 2008 is between $89 million and $99 million.


    "Our estimate for First Industrial's FFO from joint ventures in 2008 is
now between $36 million and $42 million.  Joint venture investment volume
assumptions for 2008, which include both developments placed in service and
acquisitions, range from $300 million to $400 million.  Joint venture sales
volume in 2008 is now assumed to be approximately $300 million to $400
million."



                           Low End of    High End of      Low         High
                           Guidance      Guidance       End of       End of
                              for           for        Guidance     Guidance
                            4Q 2008       4Q 2008      for 2008     for 2008
                         (Per share    (Per share     (Per share   (Per share
                            /unit)        /unit)         /unit)       /unit)
    Net Income (Loss)
     Available to Common
     Stockholders           $(0.50)        $(0.30)       $1.68        $1.88
    Add: Real Estate
     Depreciation/
     Amortization             0.87           0.87         3.52         3.52
    Less: Accumulated
     Depreciation/
     Amortization on
     Real Estate Sold        (0.14)         (0.14)       (2.03)       (2.03)
    FFO (Current Definition) $0.23          $0.43        $3.17        $3.37

    Less: Economic Gains
     Excluded Under NAREIT
     FFO Definition          (0.12)         (0.22)       (1.67)       (1.77)
    FFO (NAREIT Definition)  $0.11          $0.21        $1.50        $1.60



    2009 Guidance Under NAREIT Definition

                                       Low End of           High End of
                                   Guidance for 2009     Guidance for 2009
                                    (Per share/unit)      (Per share/unit)

    Net Income (Loss) Available to
     Common Stockholders                 $(1.08)              $(0.88)
    Add: Real Estate Depreciation/
     Amortization                          3.40                 3.40
    Less: Gains on Sales of
     Depreciated Real Estate              (0.92)               (0.92)
    FFO (NAREIT Definition)               $1.40                $1.60


Mr. Tyler concluded, "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, Canada and Europe, 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 more than 30 markets in the United States, Canada, The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, 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 nearly 100 million square feet of industrial space. For more information, please visit us at http://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, 2007 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. CDT, 12:00 p.m. EDT, on Thursday, October 30, 2008. The call-in number is (888) 823-7459 and the passcode is "First Industrial." The conference call will also be webcast live on First Industrial's website, http://www.firstindustrial.com, under the "Investor Relations" tab. The replay will also be available on the website.

The Company's third quarter supplemental information can be viewed on First Industrial's website, http://www.firstindustrial.com, under the "Investor Relations" tab.





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

                           Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                       September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
                            2008        2007           2008          2007

    Statement of Operations
     and Other Data:
        Total
         Revenues (a)    $136,602     $90,537        $375,171      $275,076

        Property Expenses (30,587)    (27,584)        (94,469)      (81,203)
        Construction
         Expenses(a)      (41,895)     (5,188)        (96,628)      (20,278)
        General &
         Administrative
         Expense          (18,066)    (21,307)        (64,191)      (66,478)
        Depreciation of
         Corporate F,F&E     (539)       (439)         (1,513)       (1,401)
        Depreciation and
         Amortization of
         Real Estate      (38,611)    (34,580)       (118,134)      (99,063)

        Total Expenses   (129,698)    (89,098)       (374,935)     (268,423)

        Interest Income     1,054         930           2,816         1,415
        Interest Expense  (26,644)    (30,196)        (83,116)      (89,764)
        Amortization of
         Deferred Financing
         Costs               (717)       (828)         (2,162)       (2,472)
        Gain (Loss) from
         Early Retirement of
         Debt               1,260        (139)          2,749          (393)

           Loss from
            Continuing
            Operations Before
            Equity in Net
            Income of
            Joint Ventures,
            Income Tax
            Benefit and
            Minority
            Interest
            Allocable to
            Continuing
            Operations    (18,143)    (28,794)        (79,477)      (84,561)

        Equity in Net Income
         of Joint Ventures
         (b)                  725       6,376           7,295        23,633
        Income Tax Benefit  2,064       2,521           7,240         4,451
        Minority Interest
         Allocable to
         Continuing
         Operations         2,559       3,105           9,977         9,455

           Loss from
            Continuing
            Operations    (12,795)    (16,792)        (54,965)      (47,022)

        Income from
         Discontinued
         Operations
         (Including Gain on
         Sale of Real Estate
         of $22,548 and
         $59,637 for
         the Three
         Months Ended
         September 30,
         2008 and
         2007, respectively
         and $166,393
         and $174,436
         for the Nine
         Months Ended
         September 30,
         2008 and 2007,
         respectively) (c) 24,739      68,369         181,260       205,650
        Provision for Income
         Taxes Allocable to
         Discontinued
         Operations
         (Including a
         (Benefit)
         Provision
         Allocable to
         Gain on Sale of
         Real Estate of
         $(26) and $9,894
         for the Three Months
         Ended September
         30, 2008 and
         2007, respectively
         and $2,748
         and $31,015 for
         the Nine Months
         Ended September
         30, 2008 and 2007,
         respectively) (c)    (65)    (10,155)         (3,343)      (33,081)
        Minority Interest
         Allocable to
         Discontinued
         Operations (c)    (3,062)     (7,317)        (22,293)      (21,726)

          Income Before Gain
           on Sale of Real
           Estate           8,817      34,105         100,659       103,821

        Gain on Sale of Real
         Estate                 -         103          12,008         4,507
        Provision for Income
         Taxes Allocable to
         Gain on Sale of Real
         Estate                 -         (40)         (2,909)       (1,145)
        Minority Interest
         Allocable to Gain on
         Sale of Real Estate    -          (8)         (1,140)         (423)

          Net Income        8,817      34,160         108,618       106,760

        Preferred
         Dividends         (4,857)     (4,857)        (14,571)      (16,463)
        Redemption of
         Preferred Stock        -           -               -        (2,017)

           Net Income
            Available to
            Common
            Stockholders   $3,960     $29,303         $94,047       $88,280


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

           Net Income
            Available to
            Common
            Stockholders   $3,960     $29,303         $94,047       $88,280

        Add:  Depreciation
         and Amortization of
         Real Estate       38,611      34,580         118,134        99,063
        Add:  Income
         Allocated to
         Minority Interest    503       4,220          13,456        12,694
        Add:  Depreciation
         and Amortization of
         Real Estate
         Included in
         Discontinued
         Operations         1,217       7,557           7,841        25,189
        Add:  Depreciation
         and Amortization of
         Real Estate - Joint
         Ventures (b)       1,965       2,142           5,688         7,104
        Less:  Accumulated
         Depreciation/
         Amortization on
         Real Estate
         Sold             (12,804)    (19,194)        (92,302)      (53,905)
        Less:  Accumulated
         Depreciation/
         Amortization on
         Real Estate
         Sold - Joint
         Ventures (b)        (632)     (1,413)         (1,499)       (4,571)

           Funds From
            Operations
            ("FFO") (d)   $32,820     $57,195        $145,365      $173,854
        Less: Economic
         Gains on
         Sale of
         Depreciated
         Real Estate (f)  (10,071)    (35,723)        (77,064)     (101,877)

         Funds From
          Operations
          (NAREIT
          Definiton):     $22,749     $21,472         $68,301       $71,967

           Funds From
            Operations
            ("FFO") (d)   $32,820     $57,195        $145,365      $173,854
        Add: (Gain) Loss
         from Early
         Retirement of
         Debt              (1,260)        139          (2,749)          393
        Add:  Restricted
         Stock Amortization 4,592       3,403          12,776        10,657
        Add: Amortization of
         Deferred Financing
         Costs                717         828           2,162         2,472
        Add:  Depreciation of
         Corporate F,F&E      539         439           1,513         1,401
        Add:  Redemption of
         Preferred Stock        -           -               -         2,017
        Less:  Non-
         Incremental
         Capital
         Expenditures      (7,367)     (9,349)        (22,546)      (21,722)
        Less:  Straight-Line
         Rent                (756)     (2,470)         (4,689)       (7,975)

          Funds Available
           for Distribution
           ("FAD") (d)    $29,285     $50,185        $131,832      $161,097



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

                           Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                       September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
                            2008        2007           2008          2007
         RECONCILIATION OF
          NET INCOME
          AVAILABLE
          TO COMMON
          STOCKHOLDERS
          TO EBITDA (d)
          AND NOI (d)

         Net Income
          Available
          to Common
          Stockholders     $3,960     $29,303         $94,047       $88,280

        Add:  Interest
         Expense           26,644      30,196          83,116        89,764
        Add:
         Depreciation
         and Amortization
         of Real Estate    38,611      34,580         118,134        99,063
        Add:
         Preferred
         Dividends          4,857       4,857          14,571        16,463
        Add:
         (Benefit)
         Provision for
         Income Taxes      (1,999)      7,674            (988)       29,775
        Add:
         Redemption of
         Preferred
         Stock                  -           -               -         2,017
        Add:  Income
         Allocated to
         Minority
         Interest             503       4,220          13,456        12,694
        Add:
         Amortization
         of Deferred
         Financing
         Costs                717         828           2,162         2,472
        Add:
         Depreciation
         of Corporate
         F,F&E                539         439           1,513         1,401
        Add:
         Depreciation
         and
         Amortization
         of Real
         Estate
         Included in
         Discontinued
         Operations         1,217       7,557           7,841        25,189
        Add:  (Gain)
         Loss from
         Early
         Retirement of
         Debt              (1,260)        139          (2,749)          393
        Add:
         Depreciation
         and
         Amortization
         of Real
         Estate -
         Joint
         Ventures (b)       1,965       2,142           5,688         7,104
        Less:
         Accumulated
         Depreciation/
         Amortization
         on Real
         Estate Sold      (12,804)    (19,194)        (92,302)      (53,905)
        Less:
         Accumulated
         Depreciation/
         Amortization
         on Real
         Estate
         Sold -
         Joint
         Ventures (b)        (632)     (1,413)         (1,499)       (4,571)

           EBITDA (d)     $62,318    $101,328        $242,990      $316,139

        Add:  General
         and Administrative
         Expense           18,066      21,307          64,191        66,478
        Less:  Net
         Economic
         Gains, Net of
         Income Tax
         Provision (d)     (9,744)    (34,842)        (87,565)     (105,857)
        Less:  Benefit
         (Provision)
         for Income
         Taxes              1,999      (7,674)            988       (29,775)
        Less:  Equity
         in FFO of
         Joint
         Ventures, Net
         of Income Tax
         Provision (d)    (10,084)    (12,454)        (28,701)      (40,733)

           Net Operating
            Income
            ("NOI") (d)   $62,555     $67,665        $191,903      $206,252

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

        Gain on Sale
         of Real
         Estate                 -         103          12,008         4,507
        Gain on Sale
         of Real
         Estate
         included in
         Discontinued
         Operations        22,548      59,637         166,393       174,436
        Less: Benefit
         (Provision)
         for Income
         Taxes              1,999      (7,674)            988       (29,775)
        Less:
         Accumulated
         Depreciation/
         Amortization
         on Real
         Estate Sold      (12,804)    (19,194)        (92,302)      (53,905)
        Add:
         Assignment
         Fees                   -           -           2,327         3,275
        Add: (Benefit)
         Provision for
         Income Tax
         Provision
         Allocable to
         FFO from
         Joint
         Ventures          (1,999)      1,970          (1,849)        7,319

           Net
            Economic
            Gains (d)      $9,744     $34,842         $87,565      $105,857

    Weighted Avg.
     Number of
     Shares/Units
     Outstanding -
     Basic/Diluted (e)     49,431      50,735          49,418        50,894
    Weighted Avg.
     Number of Shares
     Outstanding -
     Basic/Diluted (e)     43,151      44,240          43,088        44,373

    Per Share/Unit
     Data:
     FFO:
     - Basic/Diluted (e)    $0.66       $1.13           $2.94         $3.42
     FFO (NAREIT
      Definition):
     - Basic/Diluted (e)    $0.46       $0.42           $1.38         $1.41
     Loss from
      Continuing
      Operations Less
      Preferred
      Dividends and
      Redemption
      of Preferred
      Stock Per
      Weighted
      Average
      Common Share
      Outstanding:
     - Basic/Diluted
      (e)                  $(0.41)     $(0.49)         $(1.43)       $(1.41)
     Net Income
      Available to
      Common
      Stockholders Per
      Weighted Average
      Common Share
      Outstanding:
     - Basic/Diluted
      (e)                   $0.09       $0.66           $2.18         $1.99
     Dividends/
      Distributions         $0.72       $0.71           $2.16         $2.13

    FFO Payout Ratio        108.4%       63.0%           73.4%         62.4%
    FAD Payout Ratio        121.5%       71.8%           81.0%         67.3%

    Balance Sheet Data
     (end of period):
        Real Estate
         Before
         Accumulated
         Depreciation  $3,307,713  $3,335,231
        Real Estate
         and Other
         Held For
         Sale, Net         70,220      55,325
        Total Assets    3,314,386   3,255,281
        Debt            1,990,562   1,932,863
        Total
         Liabilities    2,231,725   2,157,770
        Stockholders'
         Equity
         and
         Minority
         Interest      $1,082,661  $1,097,511

     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 nine months
          ended September 30, 2008, construction revenues and expenses include
          amounts relating to the sale of industrial units that the Company
          developed to sell and for the nine months ended September 30, 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.

     c)   In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
          Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 "Accounting for
          the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("FAS 144").  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.

          The Company currently 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 currently calculated by the
          Company, 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.  Investors should note,
          however, that, beginning with the first quarter of 2009, the Company
          intends to report FFO in accordance with the definition of FFO
          published by NAREIT.

          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, 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
          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.  Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company
          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 September 30, 2008
          and 2007, NOI was $62,555 and $67,665, respectively; NOI of
          properties not in the Same Store Pool was $12,862 and $18,564,
          respectively; the impact of straight-line rent and the amortization
          of above/below market rent was $1,233 and $2,162, 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.