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InterContinental Hotels Group announced Keith Barr has informed the Board of his decision to step down from his role as Group Chief Executive Officer and from the IHG Board. Playa Hotels & Resorts reported a 1Q beat and repurchased 5 million shares for $42.6 million in 1Q as well as another 2.1 million shares for $20 million in April. During Q1 2023, RevPAR grew 13% compared to 2019 , fueled by higher ADR and growth in business and group demand as well as strong leisure travel, according to JLL’s latest U.S. Hotel Investment Trends report.

The earnings calendar accelerated in both the REIT and C-Corp section in the past 24 hours. Hyatt received the most attention with a clean beat but then some concerns creeping in. Host Hotels had a lousy two days to issue a great report with a clean and positive beat and raise. Summit Hotels came in just under consensus even with a strong top-line performance as higher hotel-level expenses hurt results.

RLJ Lodging Trust reported in-line results with some limited guidance they gave in January at ALIS. Summit Hotel Properties reported 4Q results ahead of estimates with strong earnings contributions from the recently acquired properties, including NewcrestImage. Argus Research upped their rating on Airbnb to Buy from Hold with a $144 price target.

Lodging stocks were mostly lower on Friday. PLYA bucked the trend with an 8% gain on stronger-than-expected earnings. SOND was down another -8%, VCSA fell -7% and SLNA traded down to yet another new all-time low. Besides Playa Hotels’ strong results, Ryman Hospitality Properties took part in the winding down of earnings season with results that were better than their December update. HRI Hospitality announced the topping out of its new hotel project, Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown .

JP Morgan said they see more compelling value and better risk-rewards in gaming versus lodging , given better values and differing sets of investors’ expectations for fundamentals. Barclays gave their US Gaming, Lodging & Leisure outlook, saying their preference is the Cruise Lines out of the sub-sectors. Highgate has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Viceroy Hotels & Resorts.

The equity indexes have really calmed down while treasuries get really volatile. Lodging stocks were higher. AINC was the big mover, up 11%. SMBC Nikko cut its rating on Park Hotels & Resorts to Neutral from Outperform. Its price target is $16. The CBRE Hotels Research State of the Union showcases current demand trends, as well as fundamentals by segment, location type and chain scale.