Choice Hotels International

CBRE forecasts 3.0% RevPAR growth in 2024, driven by improved international travel and economic factors. Lodging stocks were mixed today with SOND biggest mover, down -12%, SHCO and AHT both down -6%, VCSA fell -5%. Various hotel projects announced, including new developments in Las Vegas and North Carolina, renovations in Nashville and Pocono Mountains, and upcoming openings in Florida and Virginia.

U.S. hotel RevPAR rose by 4.9% for the week, with rates up by 4%. Group RevPAR also increased by 13.3%. Truist adjusted ratings and target prices: lowered ratings for some companies (e.g., Bluegreen Vacations), raised target price for Bluegreen Vacations, and decreased target prices for Hilton Grand Vacation, TNL, and VAC. A significant decline in deals across travel and tourism sectors globally during January-October 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, affecting various regions and deal types.

The DJIA jumped 490 points while Nasdaq surged 327. The S&P 500 rose 84 points and the 10-year treasury yield was down .19 to 4.44%, all on a low inflation report. HLT and HT hit new highs while…

The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index dropped by -2.4% in October, marking the third consecutive monthly decline. Wells Fargo adjusts price targets for Apple Hospitality and Ryman Hospitality, maintaining Overweight ratings. Trump Hotels and Irongate reach a buyout agreement for Trump International Hotel, Waikiki, transitioning to Hilton's LXR Hotels & Resorts in 2024.

Morgan Stanley favors C-Corps over hotel REITs for their growth potential and downside protection, while Barclays upgraded Park Hotels and Resorts due to its high dividend yield. Choice Hotels missed estimates, and the potential acquisition by Wyndham remains uncertain, with suggestions for possible negotiation tactics.   Various hotels reported earnings and developments, with openings, auctions, and construction plans in different regions, including California, Texas, and North Carolina.

Hilton Grand Vacations is acquiring Bluegreen Vacations for approximately $1.5 billion, expanding its membership base and resort portfolio. HEI Hotels & Resorts takes over management of the Renaissance Times Square hotel in New York. Hyatt is collaborating with Parks Hospitality Holdings to develop four new properties in Mexico, including the Park Hyatt Cancun and Grand Hyatt Mexico Santa Fe.

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.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc has entered into a partnership with Hallmark Channel to create Christmas-themed suites inspired by Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” movies. The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas has completed phase one of a multimillion-dollar property-wide transformation. This includes a redesign of all 389 guestrooms and suites and upgrades to meeting and event spaces. Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, located in South Lake Tahoe, California, has announced its December 14th opening date. The transformation of the former Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel into a Margaritaville property cost over $70 million.

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%.

Choice Hotels has urged Wyndham Hotels to consider a merger, but Wyndham has firmly declined any interest in the proposal. The chairman of Wyndham revealed they almost acquired Choice Hotels 20 years ago. The U.S. construction pipeline shows growth, with over 5,700 projects and 672,000 rooms, driven by a strong upper midscale chain scale presence. Renovation and conversion projects are on the rise, and new hotel openings are expected to increase in the coming years. Several hotel and resort projects are underway, including Westin Washington, DC Downtown, Opry Entertainment Group's renovation in Austin, Four Seasons expanding its Private Retreats collection, and Tommy Bahama's debut resort in California. Additionally, new developments in Florida, Rhode Island, and Indiana are on the horizon.