Short Interest in Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (NYSE:AHT) Expands By 31.4%

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (NYSE:AHT) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 373,138 shares, a growth of 31.4% from the February 12th total of 283,884 shares. Approximately 5.9% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 65,083 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 65,083 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. Approximately 5.9% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Ashford Hospitality Trust Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of AHT opened at $3.09 on Tuesday. Ashford Hospitality Trust has a 12 month low of $2.74 and a 12 month high of $7.86. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $3.64 and its 200-day moving average is $4.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.83 million, a PE ratio of -0.09 and a beta of 1.69.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AHT. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Ashford Hospitality Trust from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Ashford Hospitality Trust by 41.8% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,360 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 6,300 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust during the third quarter valued at $103,000. Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust in the third quarter worth $157,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Ashford Hospitality Trust by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 64,309 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $274,000 after buying an additional 5,175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP boosted its holdings in Ashford Hospitality Trust by 49.2% in the third quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 54,574 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $322,000 after acquiring an additional 17,991 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 41.04% of the company’s stock.

About Ashford Hospitality Trust

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc (NYSE: AHT) is a real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and operates upscale and upper-upscale full-service hotels in the United States. The company’s portfolio spans a variety of urban, resort and convention-oriented markets and includes both well-known national brands and independent properties. Ashford Hospitality Trust seeks to generate long-term value through active asset management, strategic acquisitions, dispositions and selective joint venture partnerships.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ashford Hospitality Trust invests in properties affiliated with leading hospitality brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Starwood.