Starwood Property Trust: A Major Dive Into Net Lease

  • STWD is acquiring Fundamental Income for $2.2B, diversifying beyond commercial lending into net lease assets, with long-term, stable cash flows. This strategic shift is driven by ongoing distress in commercial real estate lending and the opportunity to lock in attractive cap rates in a stabilizing market. Risks include venturing outside core competencies and making an interest rate bet, but STWD's experienced management and retained Fundamental team mitigate concerns.