RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) Receives $13.90 Average PT from Brokerages

Shares of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the five brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $13.90.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on RLJ Lodging Trust in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $15.00 price target on the stock. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded RLJ Lodging Trust from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th.

RLJ Lodging Trust Price Performance

NYSE:RLJ opened at $11.04 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.71. The business’s 50-day moving average is $11.75 and its 200 day moving average is $11.16. The company has a current ratio of 3.46, a quick ratio of 3.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 12 month low of $9.06 and a 12 month high of $12.39.

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.04. RLJ Lodging Trust had a net margin of 5.76% and a return on equity of 3.79%. The company had revenue of $319.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $313.34 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.33 earnings per share. RLJ Lodging Trust’s quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that RLJ Lodging Trust will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RLJ Lodging Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th were issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. RLJ Lodging Trust’s payout ratio is 125.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ziegler Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $984,000. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 3rd quarter worth about $747,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. acquired a new stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,258,000. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 202.1% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 985,402 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $11,647,000 after purchasing an additional 659,261 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 126,244 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,480,000 after purchasing an additional 4,414 shares in the last quarter. 92.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About RLJ Lodging Trust

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms.