RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) Short Interest Up 21.0% in January

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) was the target of a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 12,871,779 shares, a growth of 21.0% from the January 15th total of 10,638,398 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,648,614 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 7.8 days. Currently, 8.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 8.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,648,614 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 7.8 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays initiated coverage on RLJ Lodging Trust in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $6.00 price target for the company. Raymond James Financial raised shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a “market perform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $9.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $8.64.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Robin Mcbride Zeigler sold 13,413 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.51, for a total transaction of $100,731.63. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 37,159 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $279,064.09. This represents a 26.52% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On RLJ Lodging Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 2,721.1% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,470 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 3,347 shares during the period. Daytona Street Capital LLC bought a new position in RLJ Lodging Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in RLJ Lodging Trust by 166.8% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,618 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,887 shares during the period. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in RLJ Lodging Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, KBC Group NV increased its position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 55.2% during the second quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 5,258 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 1,870 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.35% of the company’s stock.

RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Performance

RLJ traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $8.28. The stock had a trading volume of 383,922 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,547,497. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 1 year low of $6.16 and a 1 year high of $9.81. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $7.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.45. The stock has a market cap of $1.25 billion, a PE ratio of 165.50 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a quick ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

RLJ Lodging Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.3%. RLJ Lodging Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 1,200.00%.

RLJ Lodging Trust Company Profile

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-managed, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and operates premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The company’s portfolio is concentrated in major U.S. markets, targeting properties that benefit from strong corporate and leisure demand, limited new supply and established brand affiliations.

The trust’s hotels are affiliated with leading global lodging brands across the spectrum of service levels, including lifestyle and upscale segments.