Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Jefferies upgraded Park Hotels to Buy from Hold, reflecting positive changes like the removal of their San Francisco assets. Meanwhile, they downgraded Choice Hotels to Underperform from Hold due to concerns over its acquisition strategy, specifically regarding Wyndham Hotels. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Springhill Suites by Marriott Las Vegas Convention Center for approximately $75 million. Bradford Allen Hospitality acquired two hotel properties in Riverhead, New York, planning significant renovations for both. PEG Companies opened The Moxy in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Hawkeye Hotels commenced construction of a Fairfield Inn & Suites in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, targeting a spring 2025 opening.

JP Morgan upgraded Choice Hotels to Neutral and shifted Host Hotels, Park Hotels, Ryman Hospitality, and Sunstone Hotels to Neutral, citing less downside in lodging REITs. CoStar forecasts U.S. hotel demand growth of 1.8% in 2024, with occupancy increasing by 1% and room rate growth aligning with inflation, leading to RevPAR growth of 4.8% this year and 4% in 2024. Barclays shifted to Equal Weight on Marriott Vacations, expressing uncertainty in company-specific execution and favoring Hilton Grand Vacations in the timeshare sector.

Short of taking out a billboard or skywriting, we have no idea how much more  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts  can do to tell  Choice Hotels to go away on its bid. With the Fed expected to be done with its interest rate hike cycle, we expect the attention will turn to the Lodging REITs shortly. Marriott International’s Aloft Hotels  said  Aloft Lake Nona  announced its December opening in the Lake Nona community of Orlando, Florida.

Marriott International, Hyatt, CBRE, Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Airbnb, and others, experienced shifts in ratings, acquisitions, and expansions. Renovations & Openings: Numerous hotels underwent renovations, expansions, and rebranding across cities like Boca Raton, Key West, and Tempe. Ongoing projects in Virginia, Alabama, and Texas showcase substantial financial commitments, indicating growth and expansion in these regions.

HSBC initiates stock coverage in the leisure and travel sector, including Buy ratings for Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Host Hotels, along with Hold ratings for Park Hotels, Choice Hotels, and Service Properties Trust. Several hotel projects and acquisitions are highlighted, including the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Portland, a new property by Maverick Hotels and Restaurants in Rockford, and North American Properties’ approval for a Margaritaville hotel in Newport, Kentucky. Notable developments and changes in the international hotel industry, such as Adrian Messerli’s promotion at Four Seasons, Hilton’s plans to open Italy’s first LXR Hotels & Resorts property, and Riu Hotels and Resorts opening a new all-inclusive resort in Jamaica next year.

DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all experienced declines while the 10-year treasury yield rose to 4.32%. Lodging stocks had mixed performance. Truist updated price targets for lodging/hotel group stocks, with several adjustments both up and down. Various hotels announced renovations, expansions, and new locations, including the Westin Denver Downtown, Hyatt’s growth plans, and the EV Evolution Venue Hotel in Tampa and Washington, DC.

Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Hilton Grand Vacations with a Buy rating and a $59 price target, citing compelling stock levels. Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian observed a return to offices in big cities, indicating potential growth in business transient travel. Hilton plans to install up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors at 2,000 hotels in North America, creating the largest EV charging network in the hospitality industry.

DJIA gained 213 points, Nasdaq increased by 114 points, and S&P 500 rose 28 points; 10-year treasury yield decreased by 0.03 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks surged on Hersha Hospitality buyout news, particularly REITs: HT up 56%, BHR up 16%, AHT up 10%, others up 6% each, while AINC traded down -9%. Hersha Hospitality Trust and KSL Capital Partners will merge in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion, where common shareholders receive $10.00 per share and preferred shareholders receive varying amounts based on their holdings. The merger aims to close in Q4 2023, leading to a rally in hotel REIT stocks. Major US and Chinese hotel groups have strengthened post-pandemic, while Europe lags behind. Marriott, Jin Jiang, and Hilton lead the world hotel ranking, with only one European representative (Accor). US has six companies in top 10, China has three, and Spanish companies see shifts in their rankings.

-Stock market saw gains: DJIA up 247, Nasdaq up 127, S&P 500 up 29. Various hotel reopenings and renovations, including The Hadsten Solvang and The Woodlands Resort. New hotel projects and expansions, such as Deer Valley Resort and Canopy by Hilton Cannes.

Marriott Vacations had the worst earnings report, with a significant miss on analyst estimates and a reduced guide. Hyatt and Host Hotels also missed estimates, with Hyatt’s miss tied to leisure and resort exposure. The U.S. hotel construction pipeline is active in markets like Dallas , Atlanta , Phoenix , Nashville , and Los Angeles .