Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:HST) Short Interest Update

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:HST) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 28,894,294 shares, a drop of 21.8% from the January 15th total of 36,941,014 shares. Approximately 4.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,437,532 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,437,532 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days. Approximately 4.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Host Hotels & Resorts

In other news, EVP Nathan S. Tyrrell sold 11,954 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.15, for a total value of $216,965.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 668,927 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,141,025.05. This represents a 1.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Host Hotels & Resorts

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Host Hotels & Resorts in the 2nd quarter worth about $554,669,000. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec grew its holdings in shares of Host Hotels & Resorts by 475.8% in the third quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 7,061,055 shares of the company’s stock valued at $120,179,000 after acquiring an additional 5,834,750 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of Host Hotels & Resorts by 96.3% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 10,390,395 shares of the company’s stock valued at $176,845,000 after acquiring an additional 5,096,099 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in shares of Host Hotels & Resorts by 508.0% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 5,631,541 shares of the company’s stock valued at $95,849,000 after acquiring an additional 4,705,282 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in Host Hotels & Resorts by 204.0% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 5,943,106 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,371,000 after acquiring an additional 3,988,127 shares during the period. 98.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on HST. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Host Hotels & Resorts in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $18.00 price objective on Host Hotels & Resorts in a report on Friday, January 16th. UBS Group set a $21.00 target price on Host Hotels & Resorts in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Compass Point upgraded Host Hotels & Resorts from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the company from $18.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Host Hotels & Resorts in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $19.32.

Host Hotels & Resorts Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of NASDAQ:HST traded up $0.35 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $19.89. The company had a trading volume of 6,500,580 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,358,127. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 2.90 and a quick ratio of 2.90. Host Hotels & Resorts has a one year low of $12.22 and a one year high of $20.33. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $18.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.44. The company has a market capitalization of $13.68 billion, a PE ratio of 18.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.17.

Host Hotels & Resorts Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a yield of 85.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Host Hotels & Resorts’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.19%.

Host Hotels & Resorts Company Profile

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on owning and managing premium lodging properties. The company’s portfolio predominantly comprises luxury and upper-upscale hotels and resorts operated under leading global brands. Through strategic acquisitions, dispositions and capital investments, Host Hotels & Resorts seeks to enhance long-term value by aligning property-level operating performance with broader market trends in hospitality demand.

The company’s holdings span major urban, resort and conference destinations across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.