Best Western Hotels & Resorts

China hotel RevPAR increased by 30.7% YoY but was down by -6.8% compared to 2019. South Korea aims to attract 1.5 million Chinese tourists, lifting group visit bans with incentives. H World Group refines strategy for post-pandemic tourism in China, focusing on quality growth and lower-tier cities.

DJIA gained 213 points, Nasdaq increased by 114 points, and S&P 500 rose 28 points; 10-year treasury yield decreased by 0.03 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks surged on Hersha Hospitality buyout news, particularly REITs: HT up 56%, BHR up 16%, AHT up 10%, others up 6% each, while AINC traded down -9%. Hersha Hospitality Trust and KSL Capital Partners will merge in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion, where common shareholders receive $10.00 per share and preferred shareholders receive varying amounts based on their holdings. The merger aims to close in Q4 2023, leading to a rally in hotel REIT stocks. Major US and Chinese hotel groups have strengthened post-pandemic, while Europe lags behind. Marriott, Jin Jiang, and Hilton lead the world hotel ranking, with only one European representative (Accor). US has six companies in top 10, China has three, and Spanish companies see shifts in their rankings.

Stock Market Performance: DJIA fell by 291 points, Nasdaq decreased by 158 points, and S&P 500 dropped by 34 points. The 10-year treasury yield increased to 4.31%. Lodging Industry Trends: Lodging stocks, including SLNA and BHR, traded lower. Truist held a conference call on US lodging supply growth, with Marriott having the largest pipeline, and Hyatt showing the largest year-over-year increase. Hotel Performance Forecasts: CBRE Hotels revised down its 2023 RevPAR forecast due to weak summer demand, expecting a 4.6% YoY growth in RevPAR. Hotel supply growth is projected to be 1%, below the industry's historical average of 1.6% over the next five years.

Market Performance: DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 experienced declines while the 10-year treasury yield increased. Lodging stocks showed mixed to modestly lower results. BHR traded down to a new low. Hotel Investment Insights: Baird reported on meetings with Xenia Hotels & Resorts' management, highlighting patience required due to leisure trends and Scottsdale renovation disruption. S&P upgraded XHR's ratings based on improved RevPAR and EBITDA outlook. Industry Developments: Hilton plans automatic housekeeping, Courtyard Wichita completes renovation, District Hospitality Partners acquires Westin Annapolis, Cascade Hotel Kansas City to open, Aimbridge to manage Marriott properties, Hyatt introduces Hyatt Studios brand, IHG launches midscale brand Garner, various expansion and renovation projects noted.

Major indices, including DJIA, Nasdaq, and the S&P 500, experienced significant drops. BHR reached a new low, and Bernstein and B.Riley adjusted ratings and price targets for several key hotels. Hotel Transactions & Development**: Numerous hotel properties underwent ownership changes, refinancing, or development, with notable mentions like the Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square and the Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas nearing completion. Aimbridge Hospitality strengthened its team, Melia Hotels announced multiple openings in Mexico, and Selina Hospitality launched a new location in Evia, Greece.

Demolition of Tahoe Biltmore Lodge to make way for Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe. Several new hotel openings and renovations announced across the U.S., including projects in Palm Beach, Milwaukee, Crowley, and Southwest Mesa. STR and Tourism Economics adjusted their 2023-24 U.S. hotel forecast, with a noted global ADR increase in 2022. Truist revised its target price for VAC but retained its Buy rating. Truist reduced its target price for VAC to $190 from $219 due to Marriott Vacations' subpar quarterly outcomes and revised guidance, yet kept a Buy rating.

MAR and HLT lodging stocks hit new highs, while several stock targets and ratings were adjusted. Q2 2023 shows a total construction pipeline of 552 projects/88,477 rooms in Latin America. Mexico leads with 213 projects/33,853 rooms. Marriott International dominates the franchise scene with 116 projects/18,733 rooms. Project MidX Studios is renamed StudioRes by MAR for the US and Canada market.

Hilton and Marriott are expected to report strong 2Q23 results with international strength as a key driver. Various hotels in different regions are undergoing significant expansions, renovations, and acquisitions, with Hilton announcing a new property in Cancun and Scandic Hotels Group expanding its portfolio in Sweden . Accor is in exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Potel & Chabot, potentially becoming the sole shareholder of the company.

DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 experienced gains, while the 10-year treasury yield decreased. Spending by international visitors in the U.S. increased significantly compared to the previous year, leading to a trade surplus in travel and tourism. Several hotels underwent renovations or acquisitions, and new hotels were announced in various locations across the United States.

Stock market indices showed positive movement, with the DJIA rising 317 points and the Nasdaq up 75 points, while lodging stocks mostly saw gains. IHG Hotels & Resorts clarified that it did not experience a demand reversal for leisure bookings, refuting an earlier misleading report. Choice Hotels issued a business update reaffirming full-year guidance, highlighting a drop in share repurchases and a higher-than-expected 2024 EBITDA projection, possibly indicating upcoming announcements or unique circumstances in the industry.