RLJ Lodging Trust

NYSE:RLJ Stock Report

Market Cap: US$1.8b

RLJ Lodging Trust Management

Management criteria checks 1/4

We currently do not have sufficient information about the CEO.

Key information

Leslie Hale

Chief executive officer

US$9.5m

Total compensation

CEO salary percentage9.32%
CEO tenure8.4yrs
CEO ownership1.4%
Management average tenure9.1yrs
Board average tenureno data

Recent management updates

Recent updates

Narrative Update • Jun 26

RLJ: Recent Share Surge Will Face Risk As Earnings Catch Up

RLJ Lodging Trust's fair value estimate has shifted from $8.43 to $10.34 as analysts raise price targets into a $9 to $13 range, pointing to sector rerating, urban market exposure, financial flexibility, and steady demand drivers, while also flagging valuation caution after recent share outperformance. Analyst Commentary Recent research on RLJ Lodging Trust shows a mix of optimism and caution, with several firms revising price targets into a higher range while also highlighting valuation risk after the stock's recent outperformance versus the lodging sector.
Seeking Alpha • May 05

RLJ Lodging Trust: Cautious In The Short Term, Bullish In The Long Term

Summary RLJ Lodging Trust is off to a strong start in 2026, with the shares boosted by solid Q1 2026 results and an increased 2026 outlook. High energy prices present a near-term risk, arguably leading to management's more cautious guidance for the remainder of 2026. Even so, RLJ's valuation remains undemanding, supporting a Buy rating (down from Strong Buy) for long-term investors comfortable with risks in the investment case. These risks principally stem from RLJ's high leverage and potential underperformance during recessions. The good news is that RLJ has addressed all near-term maturities, although expiring favorable fixed-rate swaps could present a small interest rate headwind next year. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
New Narrative • Jan 22

Urban Event Demand And Brand Conversions Will Support A Stronger Future For This Hotel REIT

Catalysts About RLJ Lodging Trust RLJ Lodging Trust is a US-focused hotel real estate investment trust with a portfolio concentrated in urban, full service and upscale hotels across major business and tourism markets. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
Seeking Alpha • Mar 28

RLJ Lodging Trust: Extreme Pessimism Reflected In The Share Price (Rating Upgrade)

Summary 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. The REIT's preferred shares offer high current income with a substantial safety cushion for risk-averse investors. Key risks to consider include a potential U.S. recession and a high proportion of debt in the capital structure. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha • Jan 04

RLJ Lodging Trust: Preferred Shares Offer A Yield Close To 8%

Summary 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. I hold a long position in RLJ’s preferred shares and consider adding more below par for an 8% yield, while monitoring common shares. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha • Jun 11

RLJ Lodging Trust: I Don't Mind Locking In A 7.9% Yield

Summary RLJ Lodging Trust's preferred shares are attractive as they cannot be easily called by the issuer. The preferred dividends are well-covered, with a payout ratio of just over 10%. The balance sheet of RLJ Lodging Trust is strong, with a low LTV ratio and sufficient common equity. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha • Mar 28

RLJ Lodging Trust: I Like The 7.75% Yielding Preferred Shares

Summary RLJ Lodging Trust's Q4 results showed robust FFO and AFFO performance, with an increase in revenue per available room and occupancy. The company's net interest expenses decreased, resulting in a significant expansion of AFFO per share. RLJ Lodging Trust's 'busted' preferred shares offer an attractive fixed yield of 7.75% and have a strong margin of safety based on the balance sheet. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha

CEO Compensation Analysis

How has Leslie Hale's remuneration changed compared to RLJ Lodging Trust's earnings?
DateTotal CompensationSalaryCompany Earnings
Mar 31 2026n/an/a

-US$1m

Dec 31 2025US$9mUS$882k

US$2m

Sep 30 2025n/an/a

US$7m

Jun 30 2025n/an/a

US$32m

Mar 31 2025n/an/a

US$40m

Dec 31 2024US$9mUS$882k

US$42m

Sep 30 2024n/an/a

US$45m

Jun 30 2024n/an/a

US$41m

Mar 31 2024n/an/a

US$45m

Dec 31 2023US$9mUS$840k

US$50m

Sep 30 2023n/an/a

US$49m

Jun 30 2023n/an/a

US$50m

Mar 31 2023n/an/a

US$42m

Dec 31 2022US$8mUS$840k

US$17m

Sep 30 2022n/an/a

-US$18m

Jun 30 2022n/an/a

-US$183m

Mar 31 2022n/an/a

-US$268m

Dec 31 2021US$16mUS$840k

-US$330m

Sep 30 2021n/an/a

-US$390m

Jun 30 2021n/an/a

-US$415m

Mar 31 2021n/an/a

-US$478m

Dec 31 2020US$7mUS$840k

-US$430m

Sep 30 2020n/an/a

-US$308m

Jun 30 2020n/an/a

-US$103m

Mar 31 2020n/an/a

US$45m

Dec 31 2019US$6mUS$840k

US$101m

Compensation vs Market: Leslie's total compensation ($USD9.46M) is above average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD5.19M).

Compensation vs Earnings: Leslie's compensation has increased whilst the company is unprofitable.

CEO

Leslie Hale (54 yo)

8.4yrs
Tenure
US$9,460,014
Compensation

Ms. Leslie D. Hale is President, CEO & Board of Director of RLJ Lodging Trust. She joined the RLJ Lodging Trust in 2005. She was President, CEO, COO, Executive VP & Trustee of RLJ Lodging Trust from August...

Leadership Team

NamePositionTenureCompensationOwnership
Robert Johnson
Founder15.1yrsUS$2.79m1.06%
$ 19.2m
Leslie Hale
Presidentno dataUS$9.46m1.45%
$ 26.3m
Nikhil Bhalla
Chief Financial Officerno dataUS$1.29m0.13%
$ 2.4m
Thomas Bardenett
Executive VP & COO8.8yrsUS$2.98m0.34%
$ 6.1m
Frederick McKalip
Executive VP1.1yrsUS$920.79k0.19%
$ 3.4m
Kate Henriksen
Executive VP & Co-Chief Investment Officerno datano datano data
Jeffrey Dauray
Executive VP & Co-Chief Investment Officer9.4yrsno datano data
Christopher Gormsen
Senior VP & Chief Accounting Officerno datano data0.22%
$ 4.0m
John Paul Austin
Director of Investor Relationsno datano datano data
Craig Amos
Chief Development Officerno datano datano data
Susan Sloan
VP & Controller17.4yrsno datano data
9.1yrs
Average Tenure
54yo
Average Age

Experienced Management: RLJ's management team is seasoned and experienced (9.1 years average tenure).

Company Analysis and Financial Data Status

DataLast Updated (UTC time)
Company Analysis2026/06/28 06:24
End of Day Share Price 2026/06/26 00:00
Earnings2026/03/31
Annual Earnings2025/12/31

Data Sources

The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.

PackageDataTimeframeExample US Source *
Company Financials10 years
  • Income statement
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet
Analyst Consensus Estimates+3 years
  • Forecast financials
  • Analyst price targets
Market Prices30 years
  • Stock prices
  • Dividends, Splits and Actions
Ownership10 years
  • Top shareholders
  • Insider trading
Management10 years
  • Leadership team
  • Board of directors
Key Developments10 years
  • Company announcements

* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.

Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.

Analysis Model and Snowflake

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Industry and Sector Metrics

Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.

Analyst Sources

RLJ Lodging Trust is covered by 24 analysts. 10 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.

AnalystInstitution
Michael BellisarioBaird
Felicia Kantor HendrixBarclays
Richard HightowerBarclays