Canada

Wells Fargo adjusted ratings and price targets for several hotel stocks, upgrading some while cutting price targets for others.

The 2024 CBRE Global Hotel Investors Intentions Survey indicates U.S. hotel investors are optimistic, with plans to increase investments, despite challenges like debt servicing and rising costs, favoring urban and leisure markets such as New York City, Miami, Charleston, and Boston.

Canadian business travel is expected to grow robustly in 2024, outpacing global and U.S. rates, with increased spending and trip frequency despite financial challenges.

Hilton's expansion in Canada includes nearly 20 deals signed in 2023, with plans to introduce Spark by Hilton and Motto by Hilton in 2024 – aiming to surpass 200 hotels.

Earnings reports from various hotel and hospitality companies have mixed results, with Marriott International and Hyatt facing disappointment, while Park Hotels, Chatham Lodging Trust, Host Hotels, RLJ Lodging Trust, and Summit Hotel Properties pleased investors. Hyatt Hotels plans to double its brand footprint in Canada with 23 new hotels by 2026, including airport locations and Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House properties. Various hotel acquisitions, openings, and renovations are announced, including the launch of Pendry Tampa and Pendry Residences Tampa, and the renovation of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Selina Hospitality faces financial challenges and seeks to restructure its debt.

JP Morgan downgraded IHG Hotels & Resorts from Neutral to Underweight, favoring Premier Inn owner Whitbread in the European hotels sector. Canada has 275 hotel construction projects with 37,780 rooms in its pipeline, with 22 new projects announced in Q3. Ontario leads with 160 projects, and Toronto has the most projects with 61. A total of 16 new hotels opened in the first three quarters of 2023, with more expected in the last quarter and beyond. The latest GBTA Business Travel Outlook Poll reports that domestic business travel bookings have reached 75% of 2019 levels, while international bookings are at 70%. Spending on domestic business travel is at 77%, and international spend is at 74%.

The DJIA rose 205 points while Nasdaq was up 122, the S&P 500 rose 31 points and the 10 year treasury yield was flat at 4.84%. Lodging stocks were higher. We did see another new low…

Wedbush initiated coverage on lodging REITs, with Ryman Hospitality and Host Hotels receiving Outperform ratings and price targets of $94 and $19, respectively. Park Hotels and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust were initiated with Neutral ratings and price targets of $13 and $14, respectively. Keybanc downgraded Airbnb's rating to Sector Weight from Overweight. A report by Morning Consult indicates that the "revenge travel" trend may be declining, with travel intentions increasing in some countries but declining in others, particularly in Europe. China is experiencing a significant surge in travel, driven by pent-up demand.

Market Performance: DJIA fell 5 points, Nasdaq rose 128, and S&P 500 increased by 16 points; lodging stocks underperformed consumer and leisure stocks. Jefferies Nantucket Conference: Lodging companies report moderation in leisure demand, strength in group business, and mixed recovery of business transient; limited conviction impacting strategies and stock performance. Hotel Industry Updates: Canada's hotel industry shows improved performance; various hotels undergo renovations, acquisitions, and openings across different locations.