Sotherly Hotels Inc.

Choice Hotels issued a press release urging Wyndham stockholders to tender their shares before the March 8 deadline. We would characterize the press release as of begging WH shareholders to threaten they will pull the plug.

Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World announced an exclusive strategic partnership that will welcome Hilton guests to hundreds of independently minded luxury hotels in the most sought-after destinations around the world.

Accor will open 100 luxury and lifestyle hotels by 2025, with plans to sign at least 50 more projects per year.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of a new build Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Arkansas, while Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Best Western Halito Inn in Oklahoma.

Citigroup downgraded Sonder Holdings from Buy to Neutral, with a new price target set at $4.Choice Hotels criticized Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for misrepresenting the lodging industry's competitive landscape. This criticism came after Wyndham's recommendation for shareholders to reject CHH's exchange offer and their discontinuation of discussions regarding a potential transaction with CHH. Hyatt announced plans to open over 35 luxury hotels and resorts globally through 2025, including new Park Hyatt locations in the UK, Mexico, and Malaysia, and expanding the Thompson Hotel brand in Europe.

Park Hotels & Resorts announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 and a special top-off dividend of $0.78, totaling nearly $635 million returned to shareholders in 2023. R New and renovated Holiday Inn properties opened in Mansfield, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. LuxUrban Hotels signed agreements to operate two New York City hotels.

Stock market rallied as treasury bond yields fell, with DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 gaining points, while lodging stocks like SOND, AHT, and others saw significant increases. Several hotel-related developments were announced, including renovations, new hotels, and property sales in various locations across the United States. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will introduce Rosewood Blue Palace in Greece in 2025, while the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, will reopen on December 12 after a $100 million renovation.

U.S. hotel industry saw positive growth in RevPAR and rates for the week ending September 30, with Group RevPAR showing significant improvement. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is expanding its branded residence portfolio especially in Europe. Various hotel projects and developments are underway in different locations, including downtown Springfield, Norfolk, San Antonio, Beaufort, and Las Vegas, with a range of amenities and timelines.

Stock markets experienced mixed performance, with DJIA and Nasdaq rising, while S&P 500 increased. Mortgage holders who didn't lock in rates may regret their decision as the 10-year treasury yield rose. Several lodging stocks had varied results, with SHCO and SLNA showing gains, while AINC rebounded and INN, AHT, and VAC hit new lows. SOND declined. B of A Securities raised the price target for Soho House, Argus Research initiated coverage on Choice Hotels, and Baird discussed Hersha Hospitality Trust's preliminary proxy statement.

Stifel reduced Hyatt Hotels' target price to $115/share while maintaining a Hold rating. Pebblebrook Hotels warned of 3Q impacts due to storms in California and Florida, affecting same property RevPAR. U.S. Travel Association reports a federal government shutdown could cost the travel economy up to $140 million/day, causing negative consequences for air travel and travelers' plans.