RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) Short Interest Update

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 15,447,430 shares, a decline of 16.2% from the November 30th total of 18,435,338 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,475,848 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.2 days. Currently, 10.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 10.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,475,848 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.2 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on RLJ shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised RLJ Lodging Trust to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Truist Financial raised their price target on RLJ Lodging Trust from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $7.50 price objective (down previously from $9.00) on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Baird R W cut shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, RLJ Lodging Trust has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $9.08.

RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Performance

NYSE RLJ opened at $7.72 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 2.55 and a quick ratio of 2.55. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 1-year low of $6.16 and a 1-year high of $10.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 154.30 and a beta of 1.16. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $7.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.40.

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $330.05 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $326.13 million. RLJ Lodging Trust had a return on equity of 1.78% and a net margin of 2.48%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.40 EPS. Equities analysts predict that RLJ Lodging Trust will post 1.37 EPS for the current year.

RLJ Lodging Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. RLJ Lodging Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 1,200.00%.

Insider Transactions at RLJ Lodging Trust

In other RLJ Lodging Trust news, Director Robin Mcbride Zeigler sold 13,413 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.51, for a total transaction of $100,731.63. Following the sale, the director directly owned 37,159 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $279,064.09. This trade represents a 26.52% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of RLJ Lodging Trust

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its position in RLJ Lodging Trust by 28.3% in the second quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 7,423,055 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $54,040,000 after purchasing an additional 1,637,942 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,204,026 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $37,469,000 after buying an additional 226,335 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in RLJ Lodging Trust by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,042,014 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $21,903,000 after acquiring an additional 759,913 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 192.4% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 2,782,181 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $21,951,000 after purchasing an additional 1,830,803 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management increased its stake in RLJ Lodging Trust by 42.2% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 2,363,749 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $17,208,000 after buying an additional 701,535 shares during the period. 92.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

RLJ Lodging Trust Company Profile

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-managed, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and operates premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The company’s portfolio is concentrated in major U.S. markets, targeting properties that benefit from strong corporate and leisure demand, limited new supply and established brand affiliations.

The trust’s hotels are affiliated with leading global lodging brands across the spectrum of service levels, including lifestyle and upscale segments.