Madrid

Hilton announces plans to double its hotel portfolio in Puerto Rico by 2027, with the addition of seven new properties. The expansion will create around 2,100 new jobs and contribute to the island's economic recovery following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Hilton's investment in Puerto Rico's tourism industry is a sign of the company's confidence in the island's potential as a destination for both leisure and business travelers.

Lodging stocks were mixed but the biggest movers were to the upside. VCSA and SLNA both rose 6% on the day. The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index fell -10% in December. That put all of 2022 down -15% from 2021. The Hotel Brand sub-index was down -9.2% in December from November while the Hotel REIT sub-index was down -12.8% Sonesta International Hotels Corporation announced the expansion of its global development strategy to include The James brand as part of the Sonesta Franchise portfolio in the U.S. and in Latin America.

DiamondRock Hospitality reported 3Q results, beating the preliminary results they announced two weeks ago. Jefferies cut its rating on Xenia Hotels & Resorts to Hold from Buy. Lodging stocks were mixed. SLNA plunged another -20%, quickly becoming the biggest disaster in a long line of SPAC disappointments in the past year

The DJIA was up 338 points while Nasdaq was up 97, the S&P 500 was up 42 points, while the 10-year treasury yield was down nearly .02 to 4.00%. Evercore ISI Group upped its rating on DiamondRock Hospitality to Outperform from In-Line. US Travel’s latest Business Travel Tracker finds American companies increasingly paring back pandemic-era restrictions on business travel

The  DJIA was up 193, Nasdaq was up 70, the S&P 500 was up 26 points and the 10-year treasury yield was up .03 to 3.29%. According to the D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the hotel industry in Washington, D.C. , has largely returned to pre-pandemic business and most of that bounce back has come only in recent months. Accor and SHe Travel Club announced a partnership aiming to re-imagine the female travel and hospitality experience.

The DJIA fell 154 points but Nasdaq was flat while the S&P 500 fell 9 points and the 10-year Treasury yield was up .02 to 3.05%. Citigroup upped its price target on Sunstone Hotels to $12 from $10.50. Morgan Stanley upped its price target on Airbnb to $125 from $100.