Economic Overview - U.S. stocks have rebounded over the past month after a turbulent start to 2025, driven by concerns over tariffs and high inflation [1] - The recent market rebound has been volatile, influenced by ongoing uncertainties regarding tariffs and the Federal Reserve's rate cut plans [2] Tariff Impact - President Trump imposed significant tariffs in April, including a 145% duty on Chinese imports, which prompted China to retaliate with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods [3] - A recent trade truce between the U.S. and China has temporarily suspended tariffs for 90 days, but uncertainty remains regarding future trade agreements and their economic implications [4] Inflation and Federal Reserve - Inflation has shown signs of easing, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by only 0.2% in April, following a 0.1% decline in March [5] - The CPI increased by 2.3% year-over-year in April, marking the smallest annual gain since February 2021, indicating a gradual approach towards the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target [6] Dividend-Paying Stocks - In light of economic uncertainty, investing in dividend-paying stocks is recommended as they tend to be more stable and reliable during market fluctuations [7] Company Highlights The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) - TD announced a dividend of $0.75 per share, with a dividend yield of 4.31% and a payout ratio of 53% of earnings [9] - The bank has increased its dividend 12 times over the past five years [9] Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) - Marriott declared a dividend of $0.67 per share, with a dividend yield of 1.04% and a payout ratio of 26% of earnings [12] - The company has increased its dividend five times in the last five years [12] Lennox International Inc. (LII) - Lennox announced a dividend of $1.30 per share, with a dividend yield of 0.81% and a payout ratio of 20% of earnings [14] - The company has increased its dividend five times over the past five years [14] Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) - Ralph Lauren declared a dividend of $0.91 per share, with a dividend yield of 1.20% and a payout ratio of 27% of earnings [16] - The company has increased its dividend three times in the last five years [16]

Company Overview - DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns a diversified portfolio of hotels concentrated in leisure destinations and top gateway markets [4] - The Company currently owns 36 premium quality hotels and resorts with approximately 9,600 rooms [4] - The portfolio includes both leading global brand hotels and independent boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment [4] Financial Reporting - The Company will report financial results for the second quarter of 2025 after the market closes on Thursday, August 7, 2025 [1] - A conference call to discuss the financial results and business outlook will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1] Conference Call Details - The conference call will be accessible by telephone and through the internet, with registration required for participation [2] - A replay of the call will be available two hours after the live call for a limited time on the Company's website [3]

Core Viewpoint - InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) has shown strong investment performance, with a total return of 179% over the past 5 years, outperforming the S&P 500 index [1]. Group 1 - IHG shares have been a solid investment over the past few years [1]. - The total return of IHG over the last 5 years is 179% [1]. - In comparison, the S&P 500 has delivered a lower total return during the same period [1].

Core Insights - Marriott International celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first hotel in Europe, the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, which opened in 1975 and has since expanded to over 1,300 properties in 80 countries and territories by 2025 [1][2][5]. Company Growth - The company has grown significantly in the EMEA region, now boasting 29 distinct brands and a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts, residences, and lodges [2][6]. - As of Q1 2025, Marriott's development pipeline in the EMEA region includes 583 hotels, representing over 100,000 rooms [6]. Historical Milestones - The Amsterdam Marriott Hotel was the largest hotel in the city at the time of its opening, featuring 396 rooms [2]. - Key historical openings include the Riyadh Marriott Hotel in 1980, Cairo Marriott in 1981, and JW Marriott Hotel Dubai in 1993, marking Marriott's expansion into the Middle East and Africa [7]. Leadership and Legacy - David Marriott, Chairman of the Board, emphasized the significance of the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel in the company's history and its role in expanding beyond North America [5]. - The hotel has maintained its core values and has a dedicated team, with some staff members serving for up to 45 years [3]. Anniversary Celebration - The milestone anniversary was celebrated with an event themed "A Journey Through Time," attended by over 150 guests, including current and former associates [4].

Core Points - Days Inns - Canada has extended its partnership with Food Banks Canada for the third consecutive year to support the After the Bell program, which addresses childhood food insecurity during summer months [1][4] - The After the Bell program provides nutritious food packs to children who rely on school food programs during the academic year, highlighting Days Inns - Canada's commitment to community support [2][4] - Food insecurity is a significant issue in Canada, with many families struggling to provide consistent, nutritious meals for their children [4][8] Company Overview - Days Inns - Canada is part of Realstar Hospitality and operates over 105 independently owned properties with more than 8,515 rooms across Canada [7] - The brand is part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which is the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 8,900 hotels globally [7] Industry Context - Food Banks Canada is a leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada, with over 5,500 food banks and community organizations working to relieve hunger [8] - Since 2010, Food Banks Canada has shared over $829 million in food supports and over $245 million in funding to enhance local capacity and advocate for government action against hunger [8]

REIT Performance Overview - The REIT sector experienced a significant decline in April 2025, with an average total return of -6.45%, underperforming the broader market indices such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-3.1%), S&P 500 (-0.7%), and NASDAQ (+0.9%) [1] - Year-to-date, the average total return for REITs stands at -9.10%, which is worse than the -7.65% return for the same period in 2024 [12] Performance by Market Capitalization - Microcap REITs underperformed larger peers for the sixth consecutive month, with returns of -8.87% [3] - Large-cap REITs (-2.93%) outperformed mid-caps (-5.45%) and small caps (-8.69%) in April, with large-cap REITs outperforming small caps by 1081 basis points in the first four months of 2025 [3] Property Type Performance - Only 11.11% of REIT property types averaged a positive total return in April, with a 20.17% spread between the best (Data Centers +7.28%) and worst-performing property types (Timber -12.90%) [5][6] - Year-to-date, Office REITs (-24.06%) and Hotel REITs (-22.90%) significantly underperformed, while Health Care (+7.23%), Infrastructure (+6.88%), and Casinos (+6.00%) were the only property types with positive returns [7] Price/FFO Multiples - The average P/FFO for the REIT sector decreased from 13.9x to 13.4x in April, with 83.3% of property types experiencing multiple contraction [8] - Data Centers (26.9x), Multifamily (24.6x), and Infrastructure (18.7x) currently trade at the highest average multiples among REIT property types, while Hotels (5.9x) and Offices (8.2x) have the lowest [9] Individual REIT Performance - Digital Realty Trust (DLR) achieved a strong gain of +12.04% in April, despite a year-to-date return of -8.72% [11] - Wheeler REIT (WHLR) was the worst-performing REIT in April, with a staggering decline of -63.61% for the month and -98.29% year-to-date [11] Dividend Yield Insights - The high dividend yields of the REIT sector are a primary reason for investment, with many REITs trading below their NAV, resulting in attractive yields [15]

Core Insights - The rise of new business hotels is significantly impacting the luxury hotel market, necessitating a transformation in the latter [1][7] - A number of luxury hotels are being auctioned off due to financial difficulties, with many failing to attract buyers [2][4][5] Group 1: Market Trends - The auction of the Dali Hilton Hotel, the first high-end international brand hotel in Dali, is set for May 29, with an estimated value of approximately 1.093 billion RMB and a starting price of about 984 million RMB [3] - The Guangzhou R&F Airport Holiday Inn was auctioned twice, with the second starting price set at 222 million RMB, which is 56% of its assessed value of 396 million RMB, yet it still went unsold [4] - From January to July 2024, 342 high-end hotels were auctioned in China, with an alarming 85% remaining unsold [5] Group 2: Financial Challenges - The luxury hotel sector is facing a downturn due to decreased business travel expenses and long investment return cycles, with some hotels being auctioned at steep discounts [2][6] - The average return period for new mid-range business hotels is around 10 years, while luxury hotels often exceed 20 years, making them less attractive to investors [6][7] - The average daily rate (ADR) for hotels across all categories in 2024 is reported to be only 199.92 RMB, indicating a challenging revenue environment [6] Group 3: Industry Response - Experts suggest that luxury hotels must reassess their positioning and adapt to changing market demands, potentially by offering more personalized services and integrating with other industries [7] - There are still investment opportunities in luxury hotels, as some assets are being sold at significant discounts, and recent consumer stimulus policies may improve market conditions [7]

Core Viewpoint - Atour Lifestyle Holdings Limited (ATAT) reported mixed first-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing estimates while net revenues exceeded expectations, indicating a solid performance in a challenging market environment [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of 24 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 32 cents by 25%, and down from 26 cents in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Net revenues reached $263 million, surpassing the consensus mark of $259 million by 1.4%, and increased by 6.5% year over year [4]. - The Manachised hotels segment saw revenues increase by 23.5% year over year to $142 million, with the total number of hotels rising to 1,702 from 1,271 [5]. - Revenues from the Retail segment grew significantly by 66.5% year over year to $96 million, driven by effective product innovation [6]. - Total operating costs and expenses rose to $216 million from $160 million in the prior-year period, with hotel operating costs increasing to $101 million [7]. Operational Highlights - The company opened 121 new hotels during the quarter, expanding its operational portfolio to 1,727 properties [2]. - Atour Lifestyle introduced Atour 3.6 and launched Atour Light 3.3, aiming to reach 1,000 Atour Light hotels [2]. - Selling and marketing expenses increased to $39 million from $24 million, reflecting enhanced investment in brand recognition [8]. Cash Position and Outlook - As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $434 million, down from $496 million at the end of 2024, while total outstanding borrowings increased to $10 million from $8.5 million [9]. - The company expects net revenues to grow by 25-30% year over year in 2025 [11].

Core Insights - Marriott International has signed an agreement with Solana PA, S.R.L. to introduce the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts brand in Costa Rica, with development expected to start in July 2025 and a planned opening in early 2027 [1][2][6] Company Expansion - The St. Regis Papagayo will be the first St. Regis hotel and residences in Costa Rica, reflecting Marriott's commitment to expanding its luxury portfolio in key destinations across the Caribbean and Central America [2][6] - The project is strategically located between Panama Bay and Culebra Bay, just 25 minutes from Liberia International Airport, enhancing the luxury offerings in the Papagayo region [3] Project Details - The new St. Regis Papagayo will feature 120 hotel rooms and 143 residential units, along with six distinct culinary venues and various luxury amenities including multiple swimming pools, a spa, and extensive meeting spaces [2][3][5] - The design will be led by the esteemed Mexican architecture firm Sordo Madaleno, with Gensler Mexico City as the principal interior design firm [4][5] Market Potential - The project arrives at a time of increasing demand for high-end travel and residential offerings in Costa Rica, indicating a significant potential for luxury experiences in the region [4][6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's net revenues for Q1 2025 grew by 29.8% year over year but fell by 8.6% quarter over quarter [27] - Revenues from monetized hotels were RMB 1,032 million, up by 23.5% year over year but down 6.7% quarter over quarter [27] - Adjusted net income for Q1 2025 was RMB 345 million, representing a 32.3% increase year over year [33] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was up by 33.8% year over year [33] - Gross margin of hotel businesses expanded to 36.6% from 34.1% year over year [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - RevPAR reached RMB 304.4 in Q1 2025, representing 92.8% of the level in the same period of 2024 [7] - The hotel network expanded with 121 new hotels opened, a 24.7% year over year increase, totaling 1,727 hotels in operation [9] - Retail business GMV reached RMB 845 million, up 70.9% year over year [17] - Revenues from the retail business were up by 66.5% year over year [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market experienced volatility, affecting travel demand, with RevPAR decreasing by 7.2% year over year [38] - The retail business maintained strong growth momentum, driven by rising brand strength and customer loyalty [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to advancing the strategic initiative of establishing 2,000 premier hotels, enhancing brand awareness and product offerings [7] - Focus on product innovation and experiential upgrades to cater to younger consumers in the midscale segment [14] - The company aims to maintain quality standards while expanding its hotel network [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the domestic travel market is facing fluctuations amid a complex macro environment, presenting both challenges and opportunities [6] - There is uncertainty regarding RevPAR performance for the full year, but management anticipates easing pressure in Q2 compared to Q1 [39] - The company is raising its full year retail revenue growth forecast to 50% year over year [50] Other Important Information - The company declared its first cash dividend in 2025 of US$0.14 per ordinary share, totaling approximately US$58 million [34] - A three-year share repurchase program was announced, allowing for repurchases of up to US$400 million [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Performance of RevPAR since Q2 and outlook for the full year - Management indicated that RevPAR decreased by 7.2% year over year in Q1, with expectations of easing pressure in Q2, but considerable uncertainty remains for the full year [38][39] Question: New signings momentum and new hotel openings for 2025 - Management confirmed a positive signing momentum and maintained a full year opening guidance of 500 new hotels, aiming for 2,000 premier hotels by year-end [44][45] Question: Update on retail business revenue growth guidance - Management raised the full year retail revenue growth forecast to 50% year over year, driven by strong product performance and brand awareness [50] Question: Considerations behind dividend and share buyback program - Management emphasized a commitment to long-term value creation and rewarding shareholders through dividends and share repurchase initiatives [54][55] Question: Update on upscale brands and new product strategies - Management announced the upcoming opening of the Sahe flagship hotel and discussed strategies for the upper midscale and midscale segments, focusing on quality and diverse consumer needs [58][60]