RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) Hits New 12-Month High After Earnings Beat

Shares of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $8.72 and last traded at $8.7250, with a volume of 2987331 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.35.

The real estate investment trust reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.02. RLJ Lodging Trust had a net margin of 2.11% and a return on equity of 1.54%. The business had revenue of $339.98 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $323.51 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.31 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year.

RLJ Lodging Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. RLJ Lodging Trust’s payout ratio is 3,000.00%.

Key Stories Impacting RLJ Lodging Trust

Here are the key news stories impacting RLJ Lodging Trust this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat consensus: comparable RevPAR rose 4.8%, hotel revenue was ~$340M (above estimates), comparable hotel EBITDA increased ~7.2% and EPS slightly topped expectations — shows demand and margin improvement. Business Wire: Q1 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised FY‑2026 earnings guidance to $1.29–$1.45 vs. prior street estimate (~$1.22), signaling confidence in full‑year performance and supporting upside to consensus. MSN: Raises 2026 Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Company announced a new share buyback program and commentary on valuation — buybacks reduce float and can bolster EPS/stock support if executed. Yahoo Finance: Valuation & Buyback
• Positive Sentiment: FFO beat: Q1 FFO of $0.33 vs. Zacks consensus $0.27 — an operational cash‑flow metric that matters for REIT valuation and dividend coverage. Zacks: FFO & Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Management trimmed/updated RevPAR guidance to a modest growth range (1.5%–3.5%) and emphasized expanding non‑room revenue initiatives — indicates focus on diversifying revenue but modest top‑line growth expectations. MSN: RevPAR Forecast & Initiatives
• Negative Sentiment: Short‑term caution flagged by analysts/commentary: some writeups urge caution on near‑term headwinds and valuation sensitivity despite longer‑term optimism, which could limit multiple expansion. Seeking Alpha: Cautious Short‑Term
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation/leverage considerations: the stock’s trailing EPS and high P/E can amplify downside if RevPAR or demand softens; debt/equity is meaningful (background metrics) and warrants monitoring.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on RLJ shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Barclays began coverage on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They set an “underweight” rating and a $6.00 price target for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $8.50 price target for the company. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $8.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On RLJ Lodging Trust

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in RLJ Lodging Trust by 2,721.1% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,470 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 3,347 shares during the period. Daytona Street Capital LLC purchased a new stake in RLJ Lodging Trust during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in RLJ Lodging Trust by 166.8% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,618 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,887 shares during the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in RLJ Lodging Trust during the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in the third quarter worth about $50,000. Institutional investors own 92.35% of the company’s stock.

RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a PE ratio of 436.75 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 2.96 and a quick ratio of 2.96. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $7.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.62.

About RLJ Lodging Trust

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.