RLJ Lodging Trust

Previous wording

Our business strategy depends on achieving revenue and net income growth from demand for hotel rooms as part of a strong U.S. and global economy. Any economic slowdown or recession or weaker-than-anticipated growth could negatively impact demand for our hotel rooms, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows. Even if the U.S. and global economies remain stable or grow in 2025, we cannot provide any assurances that demand for hotel rooms will increase from current levels. If demand does not increase in the near future, or if demand weakens, our future results of operations and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.

Current wording

Our business strategy depends on achieving revenue and net income growth from demand for hotel rooms as part of a strong U.S. and global economy. Any economic slowdown or recession or weaker-than-anticipated growth or political actions and policies could negatively impact demand for our hotel rooms, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial performance and condition, operating results and cash flows. Even if the U.S. and global economies remain stable or grow in 2026, we cannot provide any assurances that demand for hotel rooms will increase from current levels. If demand does not increase in the near future, or if demand weakens, our future results of operations and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.

Previous wording

In addition to market volatility, any future increases in inflation would pose a risk to us due to the possibility of increases in interest rates, which would adversely impact our outstanding variable rate debt and may result in higher interest rates on any new fixed rate debt we may incur. We have entered into interest rate swaps to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations related to a portion of our variable rate debt. However, in a high interest rate environment, the fixed rates we can obtain with such replacement fixed rate swap agreements, and the fixed rate on any new debt we may incur, will also continue to be high. Inflation may also have an adverse effect on our operating expenses, including, but not limited to, labor, supplies, repairs and maintenance, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our revenues. Inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending, which could impact Occupancy levels at our hotel properties and, in turn, our own results of operations.

Current wording

In addition to market volatility, any future increases in inflation would pose a risk to us due to the possibility of increases in interest rates, which would adversely impact our outstanding variable rate debt and may result in higher interest rates on any new fixed rate debt we may incur. We have entered into interest rate swaps to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations related to a portion of our variable rate debt. However, in a high interest rate environment, the fixed rates we can obtain with such replacement fixed rate swap agreements, and the fixed rate on any new debt we may incur, will also continue to be high. Inflation may also have an adverse effect on our operating expenses, including, but not limited to, labor, supplies, repairs and maintenance, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our revenues. Additionally, proposed or enacted tariffs on imported goods, including construction materials, furniture, and equipment, may further exacerbate inflationary pressures on renovation costs and limit the availability of certain supplies, thereby increasing the cost and/or delaying the timing of planned capital projects. Inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending, which could impact demand at our hotel properties and, in turn, our results of operations.

Previous wording

Our hotels located in the Northern California, Southern California, South Florida, Chicago, Illinois, and Houston, Texas metropolitan areas accounted for approximately 13.2%, 11.0%, 9.0%, 6.6% and 5.8%, respectively, of our total number of rooms available for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. As a result, we are particularly susceptible to adverse market conditions in these areas, including industry downturns, relocation of businesses, constrained municipal budgets, any oversupply of hotel rooms, criminal activity, political and societal unrest, supply-chain issues and inflationary pressures, or a reduction in lodging demand. Additionally, our hotels located in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area, which accounted for

Current wording

Our hotels located in the Northern California, Southern California, South Florida, Chicago, Illinois, and Houston, Texas metropolitan areas accounted for approximately 13.4%, 11.1%, 9.1%, 6.5% and 5.8%, respectively, of our total number of rooms available for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. As a result, we are particularly susceptible to adverse market conditions in these areas, including industry downturns, relocation of businesses, constrained municipal budgets, any oversupply of hotel rooms, criminal activity, political and societal unrest, supply-chain issues, labor-related issues, and inflationary pressures, or a reduction in lodging demand. Additionally, our hotels may be impacted by periodic and prolonged closures, renovations and expansion of convention centers that are significant drivers of demand. Adverse economic developments in the markets in which we have a concentration of hotels, or in any of the other markets in which we operate, or any increase in hotel supply or decrease in lodging demand resulting from the local, regional or national business or political climate, could materially and adversely affect us.

Previous wording

We retain independent third-party hotel managers to operate our hotel properties pursuant to management agreements. As of December 31, 2024, all of our hotel properties had individual management agreements, 30 of which were with Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge") and 21 of which were with Hilton.

Current wording

We retain independent third-party hotel managers to operate our hotel properties pursuant to management agreements. As of December 31, 2025, all of our hotel properties had individual management agreements, 26 of which were with Aimbridge Hospitality ("Aimbridge") and 21 of which were with Hilton.

Previous wording

In the event that any of our management agreements are terminated, we can provide no assurances that we could find a replacement manager or that our franchisors will consent to a replacement manager in a timely manner, or at all, or that any replacement manager will be successful in operating our hotels. Furthermore, if Aimbridge and/or Hilton, as our largest providers of management services, are financially unable or unwilling to perform their obligations pursuant to our management agreements, our ability to find a replacement manager or managers for our Aimbridge- and/or Hilton-managed hotels could be challenging, costly and time consuming. Any adverse developments in Aimbridge's or Hilton’s business, financial strength or ability to operate our hotel properties efficiently and effectively could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Current wording

In the event that any of our management agreements are terminated, we can provide no assurances that we could find a replacement manager or that our franchisors will consent to a replacement manager in a timely manner, or at all, or that any replacement manager will be successful in operating our hotels. Furthermore, if any of our third-party managers, including Aimbridge and/or Hilton, are financially unable or unwilling to perform their obligations pursuant to our management agreements, our ability to find a replacement manager or managers for the impacted hotels could be challenging, costly and time consuming. Any adverse developments in any of our third-party managers' business, financial strength or ability to operate our hotel properties efficiently and effectively could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Previous wording

Our success depends in part upon our independent managers' ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees. Qualified individuals needed to fill these positions are in short supply in some areas. The inability to recruit and retain these individuals may adversely impact hotel operations and guest satisfaction, which could harm our business. Additionally, competition for qualified employees has required us to pay meaningfully higher wages to attract enough employees than has historically been the case, and continued tightness in labor markets could result in continued escalation of labor costs. In addition, we could face some challenges meeting workforce requirements resulting from changes in workforce dynamics, such as higher standards and working remotely or more flexibility, which could result in increased labor costs in the future.

Current wording

Our success depends in part upon our independent managers' ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees. Qualified individuals needed to fill these positions are in short supply in some areas. The inability to recruit and retain these individuals may adversely impact hotel operations and guest satisfaction, which could harm our business. Additionally, competition for qualified employees has required us to pay meaningfully higher wages to attract enough employees than has historically been the case, and continued tightness in labor markets could result in continued escalation of labor costs. Changes in U.S. policies that discourage immigration, restrict the number of immigrants permitted into the U.S., or negatively impact certain types of work visas, may put further inflationary pressures on labor costs if there is a material decrease in available and/or willing workers. In addition, we could face some challenges meeting workforce requirements resulting from changes in workforce dynamics, such as working remotely or needing more flexibility, which could result in increased labor costs in the future.

Previous wording

86 of the 96 hotel properties that we owned as of December 31, 2024 utilize brands owned by Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt. As a result, our success is dependent in part on the continued success of Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt and their respective brands. We believe that building brand value is critical to increasing demand and building customer loyalty. Consequently, if market recognition or the positive perception of Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt is reduced or compromised, the brand value associated with the Marriott-, Hilton-, or Hyatt-branded hotels in our portfolio may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if our relationship with Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt were to deteriorate or terminate as a result of disputes regarding the management of our hotels or for other reasons, Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt could, under certain circumstances, terminate our current franchise licenses with them or decline to provide franchise licenses for hotels that we may acquire in the future. If any of the foregoing were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on us.

Current wording

83 of the 93 hotel properties that we owned as of December 31, 2025 were affiliated with brands owned by Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt. As a result, our success is dependent in part on the continued success of Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt and their respective brands. We believe that building brand value is critical to increasing demand and building customer loyalty. Consequently, if market recognition or the positive perception of Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt is reduced or compromised, the brand value associated with the Marriott-, Hilton-, or Hyatt-branded hotels in our portfolio may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if our relationship with Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt were to deteriorate or terminate as a result of disputes regarding the management of our hotels or for other reasons, Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt could, under certain circumstances, terminate our current franchise licenses with them or decline to provide franchise licenses for hotels that we may acquire in the future. If any of the foregoing were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on us.

Previous wording

Our hotel properties have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements, including the replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E"), franchisor-required improvements, and renovation or redevelopment of acquisitions. Our lenders also generally require that we set aside annual amounts for capital improvements to our hotel properties. The costs of these capital improvements may increase due to ongoing supply-chain disruptions and increased construction costs, and could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, due to supply-chain constraints and disruptions, we could face difficulties sourcing the goods and services in a timely manner, which could adversely affect us.

Current wording

Our hotel properties have an ongoing need for renovations and other capital improvements, including the replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E"), franchisor-required improvements, and renovation or redevelopment of acquisitions. Our lenders also generally require that we set aside annual amounts for capital improvements to our hotel properties. The costs of these capital improvements may increase due to supply-chain disruptions, increased construction costs, and proposed or enacted tariffs on imported goods, including construction materials and FF&E, and could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, in the event of any supply-chain constraints and disruptions, we could face difficulties sourcing the goods and services in a timely manner, which could adversely affect us.

Previous wording

Required repayments of debt and related interest may materially and adversely affect our operating performance. At December 31, 2024, we had approximately $2.2 billion of outstanding debt. In addition, we may incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt, in the future. After taking into consideration the effect of interest rate swaps, 69.5% of our payments are fixed or effectively fixed. Interest rates could increase, and this would increase our interest expense on any future fixed and variable rate debt, as well as existing variable rate debt, which could adversely affect our cash flows and our ability to pay distributions to shareholders. We have entered into interest rate swaps to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations related to a portion of our variable rate debt. However, if our interest rate swaps expire in a high interest rate environment, the fixed rates we can obtain with new interest rate swap agreements would be higher than the interest rates of the expired swaps.

Current wording

Required repayments of debt and related interest may materially and adversely affect our operating performance. At December 31, 2025, we had approximately $2.2 billion of outstanding debt. In addition, we may incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt, in the future. After taking into consideration the effect of interest rate swaps, 69.2% of our payments are fixed or effectively fixed. Interest rates could increase, and this would increase our interest expense on any future fixed and variable rate debt, as well as existing variable rate debt, which could adversely affect our cash flows and our ability to pay distributions to shareholders. We have entered into interest rate swaps to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations related to a portion of our variable rate debt. However, if our interest rate swaps expire in a high interest rate environment, the fixed rates we can obtain with new interest rate swap agreements would be higher than the interest rates of the expired swaps.

Previous wording

Our existing indebtedness contains customary and financial covenants that may limit our ability to capitalize on business opportunities. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur liens on certain assets, engage in certain mergers, liquidations or consolidations, sell certain assets, make restricted payments (including the payment of dividends and other distributions), engage in certain transactions with affiliates, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, make investments and capital expenditures, and acquire real estate assets.

Current wording

Our existing indebtedness contains customary and financial covenants that may limit our ability to capitalize on business opportunities. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, incur liens on certain assets, engage in certain mergers, liquidations or consolidations, sell certain assets, make restricted payments (including the payment of dividends and other distributions), engage in certain transactions with affiliates, and make certain types of investments.

Previous wording

Technology is used in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of that technology could harm the business.

Current wording

Technology, potentially including artificial intelligence, is used in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of that technology could harm the business.

Previous wording

We, and our hotel managers and franchisors, rely on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes. These information technology networks and systems can be vulnerable to threats such as system, network or internet failures; computer hacking or business disruption; cyber-terrorism; viruses, worms or other malicious software programs; and employee error, negligence or fraud. Although we believe we and our hotel managers and franchisors have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the security of our systems, there can be no assurance that such security measures will prevent failures, inadequacies or interruptions in system services, or that system security will not be breached.

Current wording

We, and our hotel managers and franchisors, rely on information technology networks and systems, potentially including artificial intelligence ("AI"), to process, transmit and store electronic information, including personal or confidential information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes. These information technology networks and systems can be vulnerable to threats or risks arising from a cybersecurity incident, such as system, network or internet failures; cyber attacks (including malware attacks, unauthorized access attempts and denial of service and other unintentional intrusions or malicious cyber attacks); cyber-terrorism; social engineering (including phishing); cyber extortion (including ransomware) or other fraudulent schemes; and intentional or unintentional intrusions or interruptions. Such cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions may be caused by individuals within our organization (including by employee error, negligence or fraud), individuals outside our organization with authorized access or unauthorized individuals from outside our organization. Although we believe we and our hotel managers and franchisors have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the security of our systems, there can be no assurance that such security measures will prevent failures, inadequacies or interruptions in system services, or that system security will not be breached. Further, adoption of AI tools by us or by third parties may pose new cybersecurity challenges. Threat actors may use AI tools to automate and enhance cybersecurity attacks against us. We use software and platforms designed to detect such cybersecurity threats, including AI-based tools, but these threats could become more sophisticated and harder to detect and counteract, which may pose significant risks to our data security and systems.

Previous wording

Any failure to maintain proper function, security and availability of information technology networks and systems could interrupt our operations, our financial reporting and compliance, damage our reputation, and subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

Any failure to maintain proper function, security and availability of information technology networks and systems or any actual or perceived cybersecurity incident or disruption affecting our own or our hotel managers’ and franchisors’ information technology networks and systems or those upon which we rely could interrupt our operations, our financial reporting and compliance, significantly impact our financial condition, cash flows and the market price of our common shares, damage our reputation, result in significant remediation expenses and increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs and subject us to liability claims or regulatory scrutiny or penalties, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of our information technology networks and systems, and those upon which we and our hotel managers and franchisors rely, the process of upgrading or patching protective measures could itself create a risk of cybersecurity issues or system disruptions for the Company, as well as for our hotel managers, franchisors, and others who rely upon, or have exposure to, such information technology networks and systems. In addition, increased regulation of data collection, use and retention practices, including self-regulation and industry standards, changes in existing laws and regulations, enactment of new laws and regulations, increased enforcement activity, and changes in interpretation of laws, could increase our cost of compliance and operation, limit our ability to grow our business or otherwise harm the Company.

Previous wording

We maintain comprehensive property insurance on all of our hotel properties and we intend to maintain comprehensive property insurance on any hotels that we acquire in the future, including fire, terrorism, and extended coverage. Our comprehensive property insurance program has a $250,000 deductible per claim. In addition to the comprehensive property insurance, we maintain general liability insurance at all of our hotel properties. Our general liability insurance program has no deductible. Certain types of catastrophic losses, such as windstorms, earthquakes, floods, and losses from foreign and domestic terrorist activities may not be insurable or may not be economically insurable. Even when insurable, these policies may have high deductibles and/or high premiums. Certain of our coastal hotel properties each have a deductible of 5% of total insured value for a named storm, and our hotels located in areas susceptible to earthquakes have deductibles of up to 5% of total insured value. Our lenders may require such insurance and our failure to obtain such insurance could constitute a default under the loan agreements, which could have a material and adverse effect on us.

Current wording

We maintain comprehensive property insurance on all of our hotel properties and we intend to maintain comprehensive property insurance on any hotels that we acquire in the future, including fire, terrorism, and extended coverage. Our comprehensive property insurance program has a $250,000 self-insured retention per claim. Certain types of catastrophic losses, such as windstorms, earthquakes, floods, and losses from foreign and domestic terrorist activities may not be insurable or may not be economically insurable. Even when insurable, these policies may have high retentions and/or high premiums. Certain of our coastal hotel properties each have a retention of 5% of total insured value for a named storm, and our hotels located in areas susceptible to earthquakes have retentions of up to 5% of total insured value. Our lenders may require such insurance and our failure to obtain such insurance could constitute a default under the loan agreements, which could have a material and adverse effect on us.

Previous wording

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that we meet the gross income tests annually and that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, no more than 20% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are "nonqualified" (i.e., not secured by real property or interests in real property). If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio, or contribute to a TRS, otherwise attractive investments in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, and may be unable to pursue investments that would otherwise be advantageous to us. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make, and, in certain cases, maintain ownership of, certain attractive investments.

Current wording

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that we meet the gross income tests annually and that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, no more than 20% of the value of our total assets (25% of the value of our total assets for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025) can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are "nonqualified" (i.e., not secured by real property or interests in real property). If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio, or contribute to a TRS, otherwise attractive investments in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, and may be unable to pursue investments that would otherwise be advantageous to us. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make, and, in certain cases, maintain ownership of, certain attractive investments.

Previous wording

The IRS, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. In addition, according to publicly released statements, a top legislative priority of the current administration and Congress may be significant reform of the Code, including significant changes to taxation of business entities. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Further, from time to time, changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, which may result in an increase in our tax liability. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect our taxation or taxation of our shareholders.

Current wording

The IRS, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Further, from time to time, changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, which may result in an increase in our tax liability. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect our taxation or taxation of our shareholders.