By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: See where Fitch stands with its outlook on equity REITs for 2015.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: Fitch Ratings expects U.S. equity REITs will continue to have strong access to capital and solid liquidity.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs for Fitch Ratings: U.S. equity REITs have deleveraged and strengthened their respective credit profiles over the past three years and have seen an increased amount of rating upgrades and upward Outlook revisions as a result. Those days may come to an end over time.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs for Fitch Ratings: U.S. equity REITs are primed for a stable outlook in 2014, though the likelihood of rising interest rates is an important factor that Fitch Ratings will be watching closely.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: The number of non-traditional real estate landlords that have converted to REIT tax status has increased over the past several years despite inherent risks not present with core property types.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: Given their reliance on reverse repurchase (repo) funding, residential agency mortgage REITs could face pressures to liquidate some of their MBS holdings if repo lenders were to tighten the terms and availability of funding.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: Accessing senior debt and preferred stock will continue to come very cheap for equity REITs, despite the recent increase in Treasury rates.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs, Fitch Ratings: U.S. equity REITs have enjoyed both strong capital access and liquidity coverage for the last few years and 2013 augurs well for more of the same.

By Steven Marks, Head of U.S. REITs at Fitch Ratings: Two recent developments have the potential to brighten the outlook for equity REITs in the U.S. and the EMEA region.