They can lower depreciation rates, pay their employees with stock options or book nonrecurringgains from investments.
FORBES: Magazine Article
2.
This is defined as net income, plus depreciation, minus nonrecurringgains and losses.
FORBES: Shaky Dividends
3.
The average REIT trades at 17 times the real estate version of earnings, called funds from operations (net income plus depreciation, minus nonrecurringgains).