NEW YORK, June 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Argus Research, an independent research firm founded in 1934, has launched research coverage of Ashford, Inc. The report is available here. Ashford provides global asset management and related services to the real estate and hospitality sectors, and serves as advisor to two NYSE-listed real estate investment trusts: Ashford Hospitality Trust, which invests in upscale, full-service hotels, primarily in the U.S.; and Ashford Hospitality Prime, which invests in high RevPAR full-service luxury hotels and resorts. Combined, Ashford Trust and Ashford Prime have 135 hotels with about 29,000 rooms and about $6 billion in assets. Ashford also has an investment in OpenKey, a universal, industry-standard smartphone app for keyless entry in hotel guestrooms, and a controlling interest in Pure Rooms, a provider of hypo-allergenic hotel rooms in the U.S.
In launching this coverage, Argus noted Ashford’s stated focus on expanding its existing platforms and accelerating performance to earn incentive fees; starting new platforms for additional base and incentive fees; and investing in businesses that can grow by operating on its existing hotel platforms. Argus analyst Stephen Biggar said, “We think that Ashford shares are an interesting vehicle for investors seeking exposure to the lodging and hospitality industry, with a diversified fee revenue base, potential growth from new and existing platforms, and lower-than-average balance sheet risk. Based on comparable EBITDA and P/E valuation measures, we believe AINC shares are at least 20% undervalued.”
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ashford, Inc. (www.ashfordinc.com) provides global asset management, investment management and related services to the real estate and hospitality sectors.
Headquartered in NYC, Argus Research (www.argusresearch.com) provides fundamental and quantitative coverage of more than 1,500 companies, as well as macroeconomic and equity market forecasts, thematic research and model portfolios. Argus also offers sponsored research on select companies, including Ashford, for which it provides a fair value assessment and receives a flat fee unrelated to the content of this assessment. An Argus affiliate, Vickers Stock Research, provides analysis of institutional and insider ownership data on U.S. stocks. Argus Investors’ Counsel, a registered investment advisor since 1960, provides money management services to institutions and private investors. Please contact our sales group (sales@argusresearch.com) for additional information.