Expansion Plans To Boost La Salle Valuations (LHO)

Analysts at Janney Capital Markets have reiterated a Buy rating on La Salle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) and have increased its 12 month fair value estimate to $25.

La Salle has the highest operating margins in its peer group and this coupled with expansion plans indicate a potential total return of 15.1% over the next 12 months. Based in Bethesda, MD, LaSalle Hotel Properties is an equity REIT that owns full service upscale and luxury hotels in major U.S. metropolitan cities. As of September 30, 2009, LaSalle owned 31 hotel properties (8,494 rooms) in 14 urban, resort, and convention markets where barriers to entry are high.