Approximately $933 million of structured securities affected
New York, August 19, 2019 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") has
affirmed the ratings on seven classes in Ashford Hospitality Trust 2018-KEYS,
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2018-KEYS
as follows:
Cl. A, Affirmed Aaa (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned Aaa (sf)
Cl. B, Affirmed Aa3 (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned Aa3 (sf)
Cl. C, Affirmed A3 (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned A3 (sf)
Cl. D, Affirmed Baa3 (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned Baa3 (sf)
Cl. E, Affirmed Ba3 (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned Ba3 (sf)
Cl. F, Affirmed B3 (sf); previously on Jul 16,
2018 Definitive Rating Assigned B3 (sf)
Cl. X-CP*, Affirmed Ba2 (sf); previously
on Jul 16, 2018 Definitive Rating Assigned Ba2 (sf)
* Reflects interest-only classes
RATINGS RATIONALE
The ratings on the P&I classes were affirmed because the transaction's
key metrics, including Moody's loan-to-value (LTV)
ratio and Moody's stressed debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), are
within acceptable ranges. The rating on the IO class was affirmed
based on the credit quality of the referenced classes.
FACTORS THAT WOULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS:
The performance expectations for a given variable indicate Moody's forward-looking
view of the likely range of performance over the medium term. Performance
that falls outside the given range can indicate that the collateral's
credit quality is stronger or weaker than Moody's had previously expected.
Factors that could lead to an upgrade of the ratings include a significant
amount of loan paydowns or amortization, an increase in defeasance
or an improvement in loan performance.
Factors that could lead to a downgrade of the ratings include a decline
in the performance of the loan or interest shortfalls.
METHODOLOGY UNDERLYING THE RATING ACTION
The principal methodology used in rating all classes except interest-only
classes was "Moody's Approach to Rating Large Loan and Single Asset/Single
Borrower CMBS" published in July 2017. The methodologies used in
rating interest-only classes were "Moody's Approach to Rating Large
Loan and Single Asset/Single Borrower CMBS" published in July 2017 and
"Moody's Approach to Rating Structured Finance Interest-Only (IO)
Securities" published in February 2019. Please see the list of
ratings at the top of this announcement to identify which classes are
interest-only (indicated by the *). Please see the Rating
Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these
methodologies.
DEAL PERFORMANCE
As of the July 15, 2019 Distribution Date, the transaction's
aggregate certificate balance remains unchanged at $982 million
from securitization. The 7-year (including five one-year
extensions), interest only, floating rate loans are secured
by fee and leasehold interests in hotels totaling 7,270 guestrooms
located across 16 states and 22 MSAs. There is mezzanine debt of
approximately $288 million held outside of the trust.
The collateral under the mortgage loan is comprised of six pools (Pools
A through Pool F) totaling 34 hotel properties diversified across full-service
(19 hotels), select-service (10 hotels) and extended-stay
(5 hotels) segments. All but two properties (Lakeway Resort &
Spa and One Ocean Resort & Spa) are affiliated with nationally recognized
flags including Marriott International, Inc, Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, LLC, Hilton Worldwide Holdings,
Inc, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The portfolio's
Hotel Operating Profit (EBITDA) after FF&E Reserve for the trailing
twelve month period ending May 2019 was approximately $141 million,
up from approximately $127 million at securitization. Five
of the six pools showed increases in Hotel Operating Profit (EBITDA) after
FF&E Reserve during this period, while the EBITDA for Pool C
declined 2% as compared to securitization.
The first mortgage balance of $982 million represents a Moody's
stabilized LTV of 106%. Moody's Total Debt LTV (inclusive
of the mezzanine debt) is 137%. Moody's first mortgage stressed
debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) is 1.13X and Moody's total stressed
DSCR is 0.88X. There are no outstanding interest shortfalls
or losses as of the current Distribution Date.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity
analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity
to Assumptions of the disclosure form.
The analysis includes an assessment of collateral characteristics and
performance to determine the expected collateral loss or a range of expected
collateral losses or cash flows to the rated instruments. As a
second step, Moody's estimates expected collateral losses or cash
flows using a quantitative tool that takes into account credit enhancement,
loss allocation and other structural features, to derive the expected
loss for each rated instrument.
Moody's did not use any stress scenario simulations in its analysis.
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures
in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the
same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant
to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing
ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings
issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain
regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the
support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action
for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's
credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement
provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional
rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may
be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each
case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior
to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have
affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings
tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit
support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action,
and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action,
the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity.
Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures,
if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure
to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit
rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating
review.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to
the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued
the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com
for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
EunJee EJ Park
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Structured Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
Matthew Halpern
VP-Sr Credit Officer
Structured Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653