Short Interest in Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) Increases By 33.9%

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 20,263,260 shares, a growth of 33.9% from the January 15th total of 15,135,613 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,275,766 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.2 days. Currently, 9.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 9.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 3,275,766 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.2 days.

Apple Hospitality REIT Price Performance

Shares of NYSE APLE traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $12.28. The company had a trading volume of 1,919,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,510,073. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82 and a beta of 0.84. Apple Hospitality REIT has a twelve month low of $10.44 and a twelve month high of $15.45. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

Apple Hospitality REIT Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.8%. Apple Hospitality REIT’s dividend payout ratio is currently 131.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

APLE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a report on Friday, December 26th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $14.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America cut Apple Hospitality REIT from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $11.50 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $12.92.

Insider Buying and Selling at Apple Hospitality REIT

In other news, Chairman Glade M. Knight acquired 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $11.91 per share, with a total value of $59,550.00. Following the purchase, the chairman owned 710,344 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,460,197.04. This represents a 0.71% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 7.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Apple Hospitality REIT

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 7.9% during the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 13,883 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $167,000 after buying an additional 1,022 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC raised its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.4% during the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 80,287 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $937,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its holdings in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 3.4% in the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 34,474 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $402,000 after purchasing an additional 1,143 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 16.2% in the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 8,316 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 1,160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 22.9% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 6,440 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 1,202 shares in the last quarter. 89.66% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Apple Hospitality REIT

Apple Hospitality REIT (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring, owning and operating high-quality, upscale, select-service hotels. The company’s portfolio primarily consists of properties operated under premium franchise agreements with leading lodging brands such as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. Apple Hospitality REIT is self-managed and internally advised, overseeing property management, revenue optimization and asset-level operations through its in-house team of hospitality professionals.

The company’s holdings encompass over 200 hotels featuring more than 30,000 guest rooms across a diverse array of markets in the United States.