RLJ Lodging Trust is a hotel REIT focused on urban hotels in the Sunbelt region. Q4 2024 and early 2025 operating performance has been solid. Investors, however, are worried about the future, with recent warnings signs increasing the odds that RLJ cuts its 2025 outlook. This is more than reflected in the company's valuation and share price, which is trading at levels last seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the revenue and EPS for RLJ Lodging (RLJ) give a sense of how its business performed in the quarter ended December 2024, it might be worth considering how some key metrics compare with Wall Street estimates and the year-ago numbers.
RLJ Lodging (RLJ) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.33 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.29 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.34 per share a year ago.
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
RLJ Lodging Trust's preferred shares offer a 7.8% yield and are unlikely to be called due to the common stock trading below $10. The REIT's financials are strong, with AFFO covering preferred dividends by a wide margin, ensuring a safety cushion for investors. With $2B in common equity ranking junior to preferred shares, there's a significant buffer against potential losses.
RLJ Lodging (RLJ) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects. This might drive the stock higher in the near term.
Investors interested in stocks from the REIT and Equity Trust - Other sector have probably already heard of RLJ Lodging (RLJ) and National Health Investors (NHI). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
RLJ Lodging Trust and Chatham Lodging Trust are REITs focused on hotels in the Sun Belt region. Operating performance at RLJ Lodging is marginally stronger although its sustainability is in doubt given reliance on occupancy growth. Both REITs are attractively valued on a market-implied cap rate basis, with RLJ's higher leverage and interest rate hedging making it more attractive on an AFFO multiple basis.
RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ ) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call November 7, 2024 12:00 PM ET Company Participants Nikhil Bhalla - Senior Vice President Finance and Treasurer Leslie Hale - President and CEO Sean Mahoney - Executive Vice President and CFO Tom Bardenett - Chief Operating Officer Conference Call Participants Austin Wurschmidt - KeyBanc Capital Markets Michael Bellisario - Baird Jonathan Jenkins - Oppenheimer & Company Dori Kesten - Wells Fargo Chris Woronka - Deutsche Bank Gregory Miller - Truist Securities Floris van Dijkum - Compass Point Operator Welcome to the RLJ Lodging Trust Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. As a reminder, all participants are in listen-only mode and the conference is being recorded.
The headline numbers for RLJ Lodging (RLJ) give insight into how the company performed in the quarter ended September 2024, but it may be worthwhile to compare some of its key metrics to Wall Street estimates and the year-ago actuals.
RLJ Lodging (RLJ) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.40 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.35 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.40 per share a year ago.