BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) _ Medical Properties Trust Inc. (MPW) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results matched Wall Street expectations. The real estate investment trust, based in Birmingham, Alabama, said it had funds from operations of $282.5 million, or 47 cents per share, in the period. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of 47 cents per share. Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry.
