RLJ Lodging Trust Amends Credit Facilities to Extend Maturities and Increase Acquisition Limits

Rhea-AI Summary

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ) has amended its corporate credit facilities to include a one-year extension option for approximately $225 million of its $319 million Term Loans maturing in January 2023. This extension will provide flexibility to acquire hotels, increasing the acquisition basket from $300 million to $450 million. With over $1.0 billion in liquidity, RLJ is positioned for growth, as stated by CEO Leslie D. Hale.

Positive

• Amended credit facilities enhance liquidity and acquisition flexibility.
• Increased acquisition basket from $300 million to $450 million.
• Over $1.0 billion in liquidity positioning for growth.

Negative

• None.

 

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RLJ Lodging Trust (the “Company”) (NYSE: RLJ) today announced that the Company has amended its corporate credit facilities to include a pre-approved, one-year extension option for approximately $225 million of its $319 million Term Loans that mature in January 2023. The exercise of the one-year extension option will be at the Company’s discretion, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, the amendments increase the Company’s flexibility to acquire hotels using existing balance sheet capacity during the covenant relief period. The basket for such acquisitions was increased from $300 million to $450 million, subject to certain conditions.

“On the heels of another successful bond offering, we are pleased to announce the amendments of our corporate credit facilities, further laddering our nearest debt maturity and increasing our flexibility to acquire high-quality assets with existing liquidity,” commented Leslie D. Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate the support of our lending partners and value these longstanding relationships. With over $1.0 billion of liquidity and a flexible balance sheet, RLJ is well-positioned to pursue its growth plan.”

About Us
RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 97 hotels with approximately 22,100 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms.

Forward-Looking Statements
This information contains certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results, measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the use of the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “will continue,” “intend,” “should,” or similar expressions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, such forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events or guarantees of future performance and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that might cause such a difference include the following: the current global economic uncertainty and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the demand for travel and on levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including limiting or banning travel; the impact of the pandemic on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity; the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and their deployment, including public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines and their effectiveness against emerging variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta variant; the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides; the effects of steps we and our third party management partners take to reduce operating costs; increased direct competition, changes in government regulations or accounting rules; changes in local, national and global real estate conditions; declines in the lodging industry, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; seasonality of the lodging industry; risks related to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; hostilities, including future terrorist attacks or fear of hostilities that affect travel and epidemics and/or pandemics, including COVID-19; the Company’s ability to obtain lines of credit or permanent financing on satisfactory terms; changes in interest rates; access to capital through offerings of the Company’s common and preferred shares of beneficial interest, or debt; the Company’s ability to identify suitable acquisitions; the Company’s ability to close on identified acquisitions and integrate those businesses; and inaccuracies of the Company’s accounting estimates. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements and urges investors to carefully review the disclosures the Company makes concerning risks and uncertainties in the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as well as risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For additional information or to receive press releases via email, please visit our website:
http://www.rljlodgingtrust.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210916005734/en/

Sean M. Mahoney, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer – (301) 280-7774

Source: RLJ Lodging Trust

FAQ

What changes did RLJ Lodging Trust make to its credit facilities?

RLJ Lodging Trust amended its credit facilities to include a one-year extension option for $225 million of its $319 million Term Loans, increasing acquisition capacity.

How much liquidity does RLJ Lodging Trust currently have?

RLJ Lodging Trust has over $1.0 billion in liquidity available.

What is the new acquisition limit for RLJ Lodging Trust?

The acquisition limit for RLJ Lodging Trust has been increased from $300 million to $450 million.

When do the Term Loans for RLJ Lodging Trust mature?

The Term Loans for RLJ Lodging Trust mature in January 2023.

What is the significance of RLJ Lodging Trust’s credit facility amendment?

The amendment provides RLJ Lodging Trust with increased flexibility to pursue hotel acquisitions and manage near-term debt.