RLJ Lodging Trust names Nikhil Bhalla as new CFO

BETHESDA, Md. - RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ), a hospitality REIT with a solid financial health score according to InvestingPro analysis, has appointed Nikhil Bhalla as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, according to a company press release.

Bhalla, who joined the hospitality real estate investment trust in 2015, previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer. During his tenure at RLJ, he has overseen corporate strategy, treasury, investor relations, and financial planning functions.

Leslie D. Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer of RLJ, cited Bhalla’s "strategic insight, financial acumen, and operational excellence" as factors in his promotion, noting his decade-long contributions to the company.

Prior to joining RLJ, Bhalla worked as Vice President of Equity Research at FBR Capital Markets & Co. and held positions at Host Hotels & Resorts and CB Richard Ellis. He holds a master’s degree in management from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

"I’m honored to assume this expanded role and excited about the opportunities ahead for RLJ," Bhalla said in the statement.

RLJ Lodging Trust owns 94 premium-branded hotels concentrated in major urban markets across the United States. The company focuses on rooms-oriented, high-margin properties in locations that attract business and leisure travelers. According to InvestingPro analysis, RLJ maintains strong liquidity with assets exceeding short-term obligations, though the stock has experienced a 22.5% decline year-to-date. Detailed valuation metrics and 12 additional ProTips are available through InvestingPro’s comprehensive research report.

In other recent news, RLJ Lodging Trust reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, surpassing earnings per share (EPS) expectations with an EPS of $0.15, which exceeded the forecasted $0.11. However, the company’s revenue slightly missed expectations, coming in at $363.1 million compared to the anticipated $364.62 million. Truist Securities has adjusted its price target for RLJ Lodging Trust to $8.00 from $7.00, maintaining a Hold rating, due to an improved outlook and a revised 2026 Adjusted EBITDA forecast of $340 million. Conversely, Oppenheimer has lowered its price target for RLJ Lodging Trust to $10.00 from $11.00, while still maintaining an Outperform rating. Oppenheimer cited recent negative impacts on the company’s revenue per available room, attributed to temporary factors such as renovations and the closure of the Austin convention center. These developments provide investors with a mixed perspective on RLJ Lodging Trust’s performance and future outlook.

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