Pittsburgh

U.S. hotel performance in February 2024 saw modest revenue gains driven largely by Las Vegas and major events, with luxury and upscale chains leading growth amidst varied demand across other segments.

As of November 11, 2023, 79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with leadership positions shifting from Europe to other regions as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter. New York City led U.S. hotel sales in the last three months with transactions totaling $1.35 billion, despite a significant decrease in overall disclosed hotel transaction volume in 2023 compared to 2022. Several key hotel developments and acquisitions include KSL Capital Partners acquiring Hersha Hospitality Trust, the opening of the avid hotel Chattanooga South - Ringgold, and proposed sales like the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh Airport hotel.

Stock market performance: DJIA was up 86 points, Nasdaq up 158 points, and S&P 500 rose 33 points, while lodging stocks mostly declined. Wells Fargo raised target prices on lodging stocks, including RHP, APLE, HST , and DHR , maintaining their ratings. Various hotels underwent renovations, including Courtyard Louisville Airport and Chancellor's House Hotel , while new hotels were announced, such as the Hampton Inn & Suites in Pittsburgh and Riversuites in Philadelphia.

Financial markets experienced declines with the DJIA falling 187 points and the S&P 500 down 13 points, while Nasdaq dropped 18 points. However, lodging stocks showed mixed to higher performance despite the overall market decline. Ashford Hospitality Trust (AHT) expects to return 19 hotels to lenders in various cities, including Las Vegas and Atlanta, due to missed repayment deadlines on a $982 million mortgage pool. AHT faced negative equity in the properties and opted not to pay for an extension, potentially impacting the hotel industry's debt situation. STR's global "bubble chart" update revealed that 85% of markets saw growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019. Occupancy rates played a significant role in driving RevPAR, with coastal countries along the Mediterranean Sea showing strong growth. However, Saudi Arabia experienced the largest decline in RevPAR at 51%.

Choice Hotels to integrate nearly 600 Radisson Americas hotels onto its reservation delivery engine and loyalty program. Dauntless Capital Partners purchases Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda Downtown for immediate renovation. Excel Hotel Group plans to build a 130-room SpringHill Suites Hotel in Grover Beach, California.

Club Med said it was beginning a new chapter. Taking inspiration from the original Club Med philosophy, creating simple moments of happiness, the lifestyle brand will be providing a more premium, family-friendly and eco-conscious experience. Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts with a Buy rating and $79 price target. STR reported US lodging data for the week ended April 1. US hotel RevPAR was up 10.9% year over year.

Lodging stocks were modestly lower. SOND fell -8%, the biggest mover in the group Friday. SLNA traded down to yet another new low. Both Hersha Hospitality Trust and Host Hotels announced special dividends. HT announced its board of trustees approved a special dividend of $0.50 per common share for the year 2022. Deutsche Ban k said 2022 was a year when the lodging recovery was swiftly realized.

The DJIA  fell 351 points while Nasdaq was down 225, the S&P 500 fell 58 points and the 10 year treasury yield was down .09 to 3.51%. What happened to the Santa Claus Rally? Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. reported preliminary portfolio occupancy of approximately 64% for November 2022 with an ADR of approximately $394 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $253. Marriott International, Inc . announced the completion of an $11 million dollar revitalization of its 395-room Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park , in Falls Church, Virginia .

Lodging stocks were higher again with MCG up 11%, HT up 8%, ABNB up 7%, SLNA up 6% and SVC up another 5%. Both Marriott International and Hilton announced an increase in their share buyback authorizations. Hilton announced its board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $2.5 billion of common stock under its existing stock repurchase program.

Lodging stocks had a good day, with Selina’s first day of trading leading the way, surging to a close of $40.90. Hersha Hospitality , Accor and Travel + Leisure reported results with TNL getting the worst reviews . Selina and BOA announced the closing of their business combination which was approved by BOA stockholders on October 21, 2022.