Short Interest in Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) Expands By 33.9%

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 20,263,260 shares, an increase of 33.9% from the January 15th total of 15,135,613 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,275,766 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.2 days. Currently, 9.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Currently, 9.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 3,275,766 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.2 days.

Apple Hospitality REIT Price Performance

Apple Hospitality REIT stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $12.31. 1,815,932 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,363,536. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $12.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.06. The company has a market capitalization of $2.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86 and a beta of 0.84. Apple Hospitality REIT has a 1 year low of $10.44 and a 1 year high of $15.44.

Apple Hospitality REIT Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.8%. Apple Hospitality REIT’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 131.51%.

Insider Activity at Apple Hospitality REIT

In related news, Chairman Glade M. Knight bought 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $11.91 per share, for a total transaction of $59,550.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chairman directly owned 710,344 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,460,197.04. This trade represents a 0.71% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 7.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,962,856 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $154,627,000 after buying an additional 68,794 shares during the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,107,802 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $84,227,000 after purchasing an additional 127,327 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 60.8% during the fourth quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 4,721,481 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $55,950,000 after buying an additional 1,786,018 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,714,872 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $55,871,000 after purchasing an additional 125,759 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Apple Hospitality REIT in the fourth quarter worth approximately $40,950,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.66% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

APLE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America lowered shares of Apple Hospitality REIT from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $11.50 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a research report on Friday, December 26th. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $14.00 target price for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Apple Hospitality REIT has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $12.92.

Apple Hospitality REIT Company Profile

Apple Hospitality REIT (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring, owning and operating high-quality, upscale, select-service hotels. The company’s portfolio primarily consists of properties operated under premium franchise agreements with leading lodging brands such as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. Apple Hospitality REIT is self-managed and internally advised, overseeing property management, revenue optimization and asset-level operations through its in-house team of hospitality professionals.

The company’s holdings encompass over 200 hotels featuring more than 30,000 guest rooms across a diverse array of markets in the United States.