LBA Hospitality

JP Morgan upgraded Choice Hotels to Neutral and shifted Host Hotels, Park Hotels, Ryman Hospitality, and Sunstone Hotels to Neutral, citing less downside in lodging REITs. CoStar forecasts U.S. hotel demand growth of 1.8% in 2024, with occupancy increasing by 1% and room rate growth aligning with inflation, leading to RevPAR growth of 4.8% this year and 4% in 2024. Barclays shifted to Equal Weight on Marriott Vacations, expressing uncertainty in company-specific execution and favoring Hilton Grand Vacations in the timeshare sector.

STR reported a 3.3% increase in U.S. Hotel RevPAR, led by a 4.5% rise in ADR and a 5.1% increase in Group RevPAR. Deutsche Bank provided a cautious 2024 outlook for the hotel industry, highlighting a balanced risk-reward scenario with potential bull and bear cases. Keybanc reduced their price target on Xenia Hotels & Resorts, while Truist offered a differing view on Airbnb compared to Barclays.

Somm Hotel and Spa in Woodinville, Washington, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is set to open in the summer of 2025 as part of a $700 million development. Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston/Katy in Texas completed renovations, featuring upgraded guestrooms and amenities. The Balbin Bros. Cigar Factory in Tampa, Florida, is undergoing transformation into a 70-room boutique hotel, aiming to open by March 2025 while preserving its historical value.

Choice Hotels and IHG saw new 52-week highs after reporting their earnings. Service Properties Trust also had a positive day with a 4% stock increase. IHG introduced a new conversion-focused brand in the mid-market. Marriott acquired and integrated the City Express brand. Hilton introduced a new hotel in Times Square. Several other hotel groups, including Charlestowne Hotels, 21c Museum Hotels, and Six Senses, announced new properties or renovations. Tru by Hilton opened in Mississauga, Ontario. TUI is actively expanding its hotel portfolio. Mandarin Oriental and Six Senses revealed new luxury resorts in Italy and Greece, respectively. Personnel news highlighted new appointments at LBA Hospitality and Barriere.

Choice Hotels International reported solid 1Q results, better than expectations. In the good old days, when stocks actually moved up and down based on fundamentals. Deutsche Bank upped their target price on Ryman Hospitality to $128 from $126 and reiterated their Buy rating. The Four Seasons Hotel Boston has reopened following the completion of a dramatic design update of its arrival area, lobby and port cochere.

Club Med said it was beginning a new chapter. Taking inspiration from the original Club Med philosophy, creating simple moments of happiness, the lifestyle brand will be providing a more premium, family-friendly and eco-conscious experience. Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts with a Buy rating and $79 price target. STR reported US lodging data for the week ended April 1. US hotel RevPAR was up 10.9% year over year.

Wells Fargo has cut price targets on lodging stocks under coverage due to concerns over regional banks and their impact on the hotel industry. The bank only downgraded two names - Park Hotels and Xenia Hotels - but reduced price targets on many others, including Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. STR's global "bubble chart" update shows growing momentum in the Asia Pacific region and more than half of markets globally with better than 20% growth in RevPAR versus 2019. Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, and New Zealand led in RevPAR on an actual basis. HEI Hotels & Resorts has taken over management of the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, which will undergo a comprehensive renovation in the planning stages with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2024.

The DJIA rose 701 points on Friday while Nasdaq was up 264, the S&P 500 rose 87 points and the 10 year treasury yield was down .15 to 3.57% Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. expects to report occupancy of approximately 64% for the fourth quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $469 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $301. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. expects to report occupancy of approximately 68% for the fourth quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $175 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $118.

Wyndham and Hilton kicked off the lodging earnings season, both with solid reports. It was an interesting day with the DJIA up 3 points but Nasdaq down 228. Don’t you love earnings season? Meanwhile, hotel RevPAR for the week ended 10/22 was up 27.8%, according to STR .