Are Wall Street Analysts Bullish on Host Hotels & Resorts Stock?

Company Overview - Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) is the largest lodging REIT in the U.S., with a market cap of $11 billion, focusing on luxury and upper-upscale hotels in prime U.S. markets [1] - The company aims to acquire, renovate, and operate premium hotel properties through partnerships with leading hotel brands, benefiting from strong travel demand [1] Performance Analysis - HST stock has declined by 8.6% year-to-date and 9.8% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 16.3% in 2025 and 17.7% over the past year [2] - The REIT has also lagged behind its peers, underperforming the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE), which saw a marginal increase in 2025 but a 7% drop over the past 52 weeks [3] Market Challenges - The hotel sector is facing secular challenges, including slower recovery in corporate travel and increased competition from alternative lodging, which has contributed to HST's lower growth profile and cautious guidance [4] Financial Outlook - For fiscal 2025, analysts expect HST to report a 1.5% year-over-year drop in AFFO to $2 per share, although the company has a solid earnings surprise history, matching or surpassing estimates in the past four quarters [5] - The consensus rating for HST is "Moderate Buy," with 18 analysts covering the stock, including eight "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and nine "Holds" [5] Analyst Ratings - On October 4, Wells Fargo analyst Dori Kesten reaffirmed a "Buy" rating on HST, maintaining a price target of $19, while the mean price target of $18.75 suggests a 17% upside potential [6] - The highest target from analysts is $22, indicating a notable 37.3% premium to current price levels [6]