RLJ Stock Recent News

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BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RLJ Lodging Trust (the “Company”) (NYSE: RLJ) today announced the 2024 tax classification of the dividend distributions made to the Company's holders of its common shares of beneficial interest and Series A Preferred Shares during the year ended December 31, 2024. The income tax classification as expected to be reported on Form 1099-DIV is as follows: Common Stock (CUSIP # 74965L101): RecordDate Payment Date Total DistributionPer Share Total DistributionAllocable.

The REIT sector took a beating in December with an average total return of -6.85% but still finished in the black for full year 2024 (+3.70%). Small cap (-5.98%) and mid cap REITs (-6.62%) outperformed large caps (-7.43%) and micro caps (-8.63%) in December. Only 9.68% of REIT securities had a positive total return in December. 55.63% had a positive total return for all of 2024.

When it comes to earning investment income, one of the most relevant investment vehicles is Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable earnings out as dividends.

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RLJ Lodging Trust (the “Company”) (NYSE: RLJ) today announced it will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, after the markets close on February 25, 2025. The Company will also host a conference call on February 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The Company recommends that you dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-3982 or (201) 493-6780 for in.

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 Trust's preferred stock offers a 7.5% yield, down from 8.1%, but remains attractive thanks to the safety of its dividend and potential Fed rate cuts. The REIT owns 96 premium-branded hotels, has recovered from the pandemic, and maintains a healthy balance sheet, ensuring the preferred dividend's safety. The preferred dividend is well-covered with a 9.3 coverage ratio, and the REIT is unlikely to eliminate its common dividend, even in a recession.

RLJ Lodging is a hotel REIT managing 96 premium-branded urban-centric hotels, with the largest markets being Los Angeles/Anaheim and Washington, DC. The REIT has substantially underperformed the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF so far in 2024, delivering a 19% loss. The Q2 2024 results were mixed as robust RevPAR growth was offset by elevated expense growth, ultimately resulting in lower Adjusted FFO.

The headline numbers for RLJ Lodging (RLJ) give insight into how the company performed in the quarter ended June 2024, but it may be worthwhile to compare some of its key metrics to Wall Street estimates and the year-ago actuals.