Spark by Hilton

Investors are concerned as Travel + Leisure Co. and Red Rock Resorts reported modest or solid earnings but saw stock declines, reflecting nervousness and a shoot-first-ask-later mentality on Wall Street.

Hilton plans to exceed 300 hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America within three years, expanding its presence significantly in countries like Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil, while introducing new brands and entering new markets.

Archipelago International opened its first office in the Dominican Republic and signed multiple hotel management agreements in the DR and Mexico, adding numerous new properties.

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.

Lodging stocks and the broader market traded and closed higher on Friday, but Selina decided to go its own way and closed at a new all-time low.

Stock market performance: DJIA up 66 points, Nasdaq up 97, S&P 500 up 19 points, and 10-year treasury yield down to 4.60%. Lodging industry updates: US hotel RevPAR increased 5.2%, Group RevPAR was up 29.5%. Stifel lowered target price on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, while Exane BNP Paribas downgraded IHG Hotels & Resorts. International travel data: International visitors spent $19.0 billion on US travel in August 2023, with a trade surplus of $1.8 billion. Travel and tourism accounted for 7.4% of US exports of goods and services in August 2023.

STR reported a week ending September 23rd with a 1.2% increase in US hotel RevPAR and a 1.8% rise in Group RevPAR. Barclays lowered price targets for Travel + Leisure to $38 and Marriott Vacations to $118 while maintaining their respective ratings. Marriott International revealed a three-year growth plan, targeting the addition of 230,000 to 270,000 net rooms by 2025 and emphasizing global portfolio expansion and RevPAR growth.

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.

B of A Securities initiated coverage on Hilton Grand Vacations with a Neutral rating and $50 price target. OYO plans to expand its market presence in the U.S. with an addition of over 100 hotels in CY2023. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Park Hotels to $13 a share from $14 while maintaining their Equal Weight rating.

BofA Securities initiated coverage on Marriott Vacations with a Neutral rating and a $180 price target. The Wall Street Journal published an article on how hotel companies are stepping up efforts to lure competitors’ hotels to their own brands. The article referenced Hilton’s new Spark by Hilton brand. We had heard those concerns about upcoming maturities from Service Properties Trust when we were positive about their resumption of the previous dividend, giving them an 11% yield at the time.