RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) Information


A Brief History of RLJ Lodging Trust

RLJ Lodging Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT), has made significant strides in the hospitality sector. As of September 30, 2024, the company reported a net income attributable to common shareholders of $43.8 million, compared to $49.6 million in the same period of the previous year.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust generated total revenues of $1.039 billion, reflecting an increase of $33.6 million from $1.006 billion in 2023. This growth was driven by a $20.5 million rise in room revenue, alongside increases in food and beverage revenue of $7.9 million and other revenue of $5.2 million.

Metric 2024 (9 months) 2023 (9 months) Change
Total Revenues $1,039.5 million $1,005.9 million +$33.6 million
Room Revenue $853.9 million $833.4 million +$20.5 million
Food and Beverage Revenue $113.5 million $105.6 million +$7.9 million
Other Revenue $72.0 million $66.9 million +$5.2 million

Operational Highlights

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported a room revenue of $283.6 million, up from $277.1 million in the prior year. The increase in room revenue is attributed primarily to a rise in corporate and group travel. The occupancy rate for comparable properties was 75.1% in 2024, compared to 74.1% in 2023.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) also showed positive trends, with ADR reaching $193.07 and RevPAR at $144.97.

Debt and Financing

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust had total debt of approximately $1.018 billion, which includes a $500 million term loan maturing in 2027 and a $200 million term loan maturing in 2026. The interest rates on these loans were 4.82% and 6.55%, respectively.

Debt Type Amount Maturity Date Interest Rate
Term Loan Maturing 2027 $500 million September 2027 4.82%
Term Loan Maturing 2026 $200 million January 2026 6.55%
Revolver $100 million May 2027 6.59%

Shareholder Returns

In terms of shareholder returns, the company paid preferred dividends of $18.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding was approximately 153.2 million.

The net income per share attributable to common shareholders was $0.28 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Market Positioning

RLJ Lodging Trust has strategically positioned itself in the hospitality market by focusing on premium assets in urban and high-demand locations. The company continues to enhance its portfolio through acquisitions and renovations, aiming to improve operational efficiency and guest experiences.



A Who Owns RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ)

Ownership Structure

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust operates as a Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT). The company primarily owns hotel properties and is structured through its Operating Partnership, RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P.

The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and holds an ownership interest of 99.5% in the outstanding OP units. There are 154,400,488 units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership outstanding.

Shareholder Information

As of the latest reporting, the total number of common shares outstanding is 153,628,657. The breakdown of the equity as of September 30, 2024, is detailed in the table below:

Type of Equity Amount (in thousands)
Preferred Stock $12,879
Common Stock $366,936
Additional Paid-in Capital $2,990,553
Distributions in Excess of Net Earnings $(1,066,035)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income $8,835
Total Shareholders’ Equity $2,301,825
Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnership $6,258
Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Joint Ventures $7,453
Total Noncontrolling Interests $13,711
Total Equity $2,315,536

Major Shareholders

As of the latest data, the major shareholders of RLJ Lodging Trust include institutional investors and individual shareholders. The top institutional holders are as follows:

Institution Ownership Percentage
BlackRock, Inc. 8.5%
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 7.1%
State Street Corporation 5.4%
Wellington Management Group LLP 4.6%
Invesco Ltd. 4.2%

Shareholder Activities

In 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust has approved a new share repurchase program allowing for the acquisition of up to $250 million of common and preferred shares. The company also repurchased approximately 2.3 million common shares for approximately $22 million.

Recent Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust reported:

  • Total Revenues: $1,039,451 (in thousands)
  • Net Income: $62,680 (in thousands)
  • Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders: $43,809 (in thousands)
  • Weighted Average Number of Common Shares - Basic: 153,070,639

Conclusion of Ownership Analysis

The ownership of RLJ Lodging Trust reflects a diverse base of institutional investors, with a significant portion of shares held by the company itself through its repurchase programs. The ongoing strategic initiatives, such as acquisitions and share repurchases, highlight the company's focus on enhancing shareholder value while maintaining a strong equity position.



RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) Mission Statement

Mission Statement Overview

RLJ Lodging Trust is committed to acquiring and investing in premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The company aims to enhance shareholder value through disciplined growth, operational excellence, and a focus on providing superior guest experiences.

Core Values

  • Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of integrity in all actions.
  • Quality: Delivering exceptional service and quality in hotel operations.
  • Teamwork: Fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
  • Innovation: Embracing innovation to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency.

Financial Performance Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust has reported significant financial metrics that reflect its operational success.

Metric Value (2024) Value (2023) Change
Total Revenues $1,039.5 million $1,005.9 million $33.6 million
Net Income $62.68 million $68.58 million $(5.90) million
Room Revenue $853.9 million $833.4 million $20.5 million
Food and Beverage Revenue $113.5 million $105.6 million $7.9 million
Occupancy Rate 73.7% 72.6% 1.1%
Average Daily Rate (ADR) $199.43 $198.67 $0.76
Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) $147.04 $144.28 $2.76

Strategic Goals

RLJ Lodging Trust strives to achieve the following strategic goals:

  • Enhance portfolio quality through selective acquisitions and dispositions.
  • Increase operational efficiency to maximize profitability.
  • Expand market presence in key metropolitan areas.
  • Invest in property upgrades and renovations to improve guest satisfaction.

Recent Developments

In 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust has undertaken several strategic initiatives:

  • Approved a new share repurchase program to acquire up to $250 million of common and preferred shares.
  • Acquired the 110-room Hotel Teatro in Denver for $35.5 million.
  • Sold two hotel properties for a combined sales price of approximately $20.8 million, recording a net gain of approximately $8.3 million.

Operational Highlights

The company has reported key operational statistics for Q3 2024:

Operational Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Occupancy 75.1% 74.1%
ADR $193.07 $191.92
RevPAR $144.97 $142.20

Shareholder Returns

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust declared a cash dividend of $0.4875 per Series A Preferred Share. The company has consistently returned value to shareholders, with preferred dividends totaling $18.8 million in both 2024 and 2023.

Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust reported:

Liquidity Metric Value
Cash and Cash Equivalents $385.4 million
Restricted Cash Reserves $39.0 million
Total Assets $4,887.99 million
Total Debt $2,218.83 million

Conclusion

RLJ Lodging Trust remains focused on its mission to enhance shareholder value while providing exceptional service to its guests through strategic acquisitions, operational excellence, and a commitment to quality.



How RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) Works

Overview of Operations

RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on the acquisition, ownership, and operation of premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. As of September 30, 2024, RLJ owned 137 hotels with a total of approximately 19,000 rooms across various brands including Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, RLJ reported total revenues of $1,039.5 million, an increase of $33.6 million compared to $1,005.9 million for the same period in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by:

  • Room revenue: $853.9 million (up from $833.4 million)
  • Food and beverage revenue: $113.5 million (up from $105.6 million)
  • Other revenue: $72.0 million (up from $66.9 million)

Key Operating Metrics

The following table summarizes key hotel operating statistics for RLJ's comparable properties:

Metric 2024 2023
Occupancy Rate 73.7% 72.6%
Average Daily Rate (ADR) $199.43 $198.67
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) $147.04 $144.28

Revenue Breakdown

Revenue streams for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, are detailed below:

Revenue Source Amount (in millions) Change (in millions)
Room Revenue $853.9 $20.5
Food and Beverage Revenue $113.5 $7.9
Other Revenue $72.0 $5.2
Total Revenue $1,039.5 $33.6

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $918.8 million, an increase of $38.5 million from $880.4 million in 2023. Major components include:

  • Room expense: $217.9 million
  • Food and beverage expense: $88.3 million
  • Management and franchise fee expense: $82.8 million
  • Other operating expenses: $272.9 million

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, RLJ reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $43.8 million, compared to $49.6 million in 2023. Earnings per share (EPS) for common shareholders were:

  • Basic: $0.28
  • Diluted: $0.28

Debt and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ had total debt of $1.02 billion, which includes:

  • $500 million Term Loan maturing in 2027
  • $200 million Term Loan maturing in 2026
  • $225 million Term Loan maturing in 2026

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $385.4 million, down from $494.6 million at the end of 2023.

Cash Flow Analysis

The net cash flow provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $214.4 million. Cash flows from investing and financing activities were:

  • Investing activities: $(246.3) million
  • Financing activities: $(99.1) million

Capital Expenditures

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, capital expenditures totaled $107 million, primarily for renovations and improvements across hotel properties.

Market Position and Strategy

RLJ focuses on enhancing its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and renovations to improve operational efficiencies and guest experiences. The company aims to capitalize on the recovery of corporate and group travel demand as it continues to navigate the post-pandemic environment.



How RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

RLJ Lodging Trust primarily generates revenue through the operation of hotels, which include:

  • Room revenue
  • Food and beverage revenue
  • Other revenue (e.g., parking fees, resort fees, gift shop sales)

Room Revenue

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, room revenue totaled $853.9 million, an increase of $20.5 million from $833.4 million in the same period of 2023. The increase is attributed to a rise in corporate and group travel.

Metrics 2024 2023 Change
Occupancy Rate 73.7% 72.6% 1.1%
Average Daily Rate (ADR) $199.43 $198.67 $0.76
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) $147.04 $144.28 $2.76

Food and Beverage Revenue

Food and beverage revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $113.5 million, up $7.9 million from $105.6 million in 2023. This growth is attributed to increased outlet revenue and banquet and catering services.

Other Revenue

Other revenue sources increased to $72.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a growth of $5.2 million from $66.9 million in 2023, primarily due to increased parking and resort fees.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $918.8 million, an increase of $38.5 million from $880.4 million in 2023. The breakdown of operating expenses includes:

Expense Type 2024 2023 Change
Room Expense $217.9 million $207.7 million $10.2 million
Food and Beverage Expense $88.3 million $81.6 million $6.7 million
Management and Franchise Fee Expense $82.8 million $82.6 million $0.2 million
Other Operating Expenses $272.9 million $254.6 million $18.4 million

Net Income

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income attributable to common shareholders was $43.8 million, compared to $49.6 million for the same period in 2023, reflecting a decrease of $5.8 million.

Cash Flow

The cash flow provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $214.4 million, compared to $226.2 million in 2023.

Cash flows from investing activities totaled $(246.3 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to:

  • $122.8 million acquisition of a hotel property
  • $35.9 million acquisition of another hotel
  • $107.0 million in capital improvements

Debt and Interest Expense

As of September 30, 2024, interest expense was $83.2 million, up from $73.5 million in the prior year. The increase is attributed to higher interest rates and higher levels of unhedged debt.

Dividends

Preferred dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $18.8 million, consistent with the previous year.

Equity Structure

As of September 30, 2024, RLJ Lodging Trust had 153,628,657 common shares outstanding and $2.3 billion in total shareholders' equity.

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Resources:

  1. RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.