CORRESP Filing
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.
Date: April 22, 2026 · CIK: 0001295810 · Accession: 0001193125-26-170529
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File numbers found in text: 001-32319
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CORRESP 1 filename1.htm CORRESP 355 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90071-1560 Tel: +1.213.485.1234 Fax: +1.213.891.8763 www.lw.com FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES Abu Dhabi Moscow Barcelona Munich Beijing New Jersey Boston New York Brussels Orange County April 22, 2026 Chicago Paris Doha Riyadh Dubai Rome Frankfurt San Diego Hamburg San Francisco Hong Kong Shanghai Houston Silicon Valley London Singapore Los Angeles Tokyo Madrid Washington, D.C. Milan VIA EDGAR Ameen Hamady Shannon Menjivar Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance Office of Real Estate & Construction 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 Filed on February 27, 2026 Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. Form 8-K Filed on February 27, 2026 File No. 001-32319 Dear Ameen Hamady and Shannon Menjivar, On behalf of Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (the “Company”), this letter sets forth the Company’s response to the comments of the Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), dated April 13, 2026, with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2026 (the “Form 8-K”). For your convenience, the Staff’s comments are set forth below in italics, followed by the Company’s responses. Comment Form 8-K: Exhibit 99.1 Unaudited Selected and Financial Data, page 2 1. We note your presentation of Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted share here and as part of your 2026 Outlook. In future periodic filings, please present with equal or greater prominence the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP for this non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Item 10(e)(1)(i)(A) of Regulation S-K and Question 102.10(a) of the Division’s Corporation Finance Interpretations on Non-GAAP Financial Measures. April 22, 2026 Page 2 Response The Company respectfully informs the Staff that in applicable future filings, it will revise its disclosures to present with equal or greater prominence Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share, which is the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Set forth in Exhibit A hereto is a copy of the earnings release that was included as an exhibit to the Form 8-K, which has been marked to show the Company’s proposed revisions in response to the Staff’s comment (additions appear in bold underline and deletions in strikethrough font). * * * * * If you have any questions or comments with regard to these responses or other matters, or would like any additional information, please call the undersigned at (213) 891-7421. Sincerely, /s/ Steven B. Stokdyk Steven B. Stokdyk of LATHAM & WATKINS LLP cc: Aaron R. Reyes, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. Brent T. Epstein, Latham & Watkins LLP April 22, 2026 Page 3 EXHIBIT A [Redline of earnings release attached] Exhibit 99.1 For Additional Information: Aaron Reyes Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (949) 382-3018 SUNSTONE HOTEL INVESTORS REPORTS RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2025 Returned Over $170 Million to Common Stockholders in 2025 Through Dividends and Share Repurchases Restores $500 Million Repurchase Authorization ALISO VIEJO, CA – February 27, 2026 – Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (the “Company” or “Sunstone”) (NYSE: SHO) today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. Fourth Quarter 2025 Operational Results (as compared to Fourth Quarter 2024): • Net Income: Net income attributable to common stockholders was $3.27.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $3.10.8 million, or a loss of $0.02 per diluted share. • Total Portfolio RevPAR: Total Portfolio RevPAR increased 9.6% to $220.12. The average daily rate was $319.01 and occupancy was 69.0%. • Adjusted EBITDAre: Adjusted EBITDAre increased 17.6% to $56.6 million. • Adjusted FFO: Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders per diluted share increased 25.0% to $0.20. Full Year 2025 Operational Results (as compared to Full Year 2024): • Net Income: Net income attributable to common stockholders was $24.68.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, as compared to $43.328.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. Excluding the loss on the sale of the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles in June 2025, net income attributable to common stockholders for the full year 2025 would have been $33.317.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. • Total Portfolio RevPAR: Total Portfolio RevPAR increased 3.8% to $225.12. The average daily rate was $317.07 and occupancy was 71.0%. • Adjusted EBITDAre: Adjusted EBITDAre increased 3.0% to $236.6 million. • Adjusted FFO: Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders per diluted share increased 7.5% to $0.86. Information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release is provided below in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure for each of the periods presented are included later in this release. Bryan A. Giglia, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our portfolio outperformed our expectations in the fourth quarter delivering impressive Total RevPAR growth of 12.5% as the benefit of our recent investment activity added to generally broad-based strength across our portfolio. We were particularly encouraged by stronger performance at Andaz Miami Beach and Wailea Beach Resort which saw robust demand over the festive period with the momentum continuing into 2026.” Mr. Giglia continued, “While macroeconomic uncertainty and other factors impeded industry growth in 2025, we nevertheless had a productive year at Sunstone. We recycled out of a lower growth hotel and used the proceeds to accretively repurchase our stock, debuted Andaz Miami Beach, completed other capital investments intended to drive future growth, and returned over $170 million to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. While we see reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead, we remain cautious and know the operating environment can be impacted, both positively and negatively, by events outside of our control. In 2026, we will continue to execute our strategy of recycling capital, investing in our portfolio, and returning capital to shareholders while working to address the valuation discount at which we trade. We have an exceptional portfolio with meaningful growth potential, a flexible balance sheet with optionality, a nimble size that allows us to pivot among the most accretive capital allocation opportunities, and a singular focus to realize the embedded value of our portfolio for our shareholders.” 1 Unaudited Selected Statistical and Financial Data ($ in millions, except RevPAR, ADR and per share amounts). Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, 2025 2024 Change 2025 2024 Change Net Income $ 7.2 $ 0.8 763.3 % $ 24.6 $ 43.3 (43.2 )% Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders $ 3.2 $ (3.1 ) 204.4 % $ 8.5 $ 28.0 (69.8 )% Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share $ 0.02 $ (0.02 ) 200.0 % $ 0.04 $ 0.14 (71.4 )% Total Portfolio Operating Statistics (1) RevPAR $ 220.12 $ 200.75 9.6 % $ 225.12 $ 216.86 3.8 % Occupancy 69.0 % 65.1 % 390 bps 71.0 % 68.7 % 230 bps Average Daily Rate $ 319.01 $ 308.37 3.5 % $ 317.07 $ 315.66 0.4 % Total Portfolio Operating Statistics, excluding Andaz Miami Beach (2) RevPAR $ 218.07 $ 209.38 4.2 % $ 229.94 $ 225.31 2.1 % Occupancy 69.1 % 67.9 % 120 bps 72.7 % 71.3 % 140 bps Average Daily Rate $ 315.59 $ 308.37 2.3 % $ 316.28 $ 316.00 0.1 % Total Portfolio Hotel Adjusted EBITDAre Margin, excluding Andaz Miami Beach (2) 25.5 % 23.3 % 220 bps 26.7 % 26.3 % 40 bps Adjusted EBITDAre $ 56.6 $ 48.1 17.6 % $ 236.6 $ 229.7 3.0 % Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders $ 38.9 $ 32.0 21.4 % $ 167.8 $ 163.0 3.0 % Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share $ 0.20 $ 0.16 25.0 % $ 0.86 $ 0.80 7.5 % (1) Includes the 14 hotels owned by the Company as of December 31, 2025, and includes prior ownership results for the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, acquired by the Company in April 2024. (2) Includes the 14 hotels owned by the Company as of December 31, 2025, with the exception of Andaz Miami Beach due to its renovation activity during 2025 and 2024. Includes prior ownership results for the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, acquired by the Company in April 2024. The Company’s actual results for 2025 compare to its guidance previously provided as follows: Metric ($ in millions, except per share data) Full Year 2025 Guidance (1) Full Year 2025 Actual Results Performance Relative to Prior Guidance Midpoint Net Income $14 to $28 $25 + $4 Total Portfolio RevPAR Growth (2) 3.0% to 5.0% 3.8% - 20 bps Total Portfolio RevPAR Growth, excluding Andaz Miami Beach (2) 1.0% to 3.0% 2.1% + 10 bps Adjusted EBITDAre $226 to $240 $237 + $4 Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders $156 to $170 $168 + $5 Adjusted FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share $0.80 to $0.87 $0.86 + $0.02 Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 195,000,000 194,452,000 - 548,000 (1) Reflects guidance presented on November 7, 2025. (2) RevPAR Growth reflects comparison to full year 2024. 2025 Highlights Andaz Miami Beach. In May 2025, the Company opened Andaz Miami Beach, following a complete transformation of the property. The fully renovated luxury resort had a strong finish in 2025 and is expected to generate meaningful earnings growth for the Company in 2026 during its first full year of operations. Later this year, the resort will introduce Olazul, a members only beach club and will also debut Bazaar Meat, a signature dining destination by José Andrés Group. In addition to substantial earnings growth in 2026, the Company expects Andaz Miami Beach will contribute further to earnings in 2027 and 2028 as it ramps up and stabilizes. 2 Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Disposition. In June 2025, the Company sold the 252-room Hilton New Orleans St. Charles for a gross sale price of $47.0 million. The sale price represented an 8.7% cap rate on the hotel’s prior year earnings or a 6.6% cap rate inclusive of the Company’s estimate of near-term capital expenditures. The Company utilized proceeds received from the sale to accretively repurchase shares of its common stock. Stock Repurchase Program. During 2025, the Company repurchased an aggregate amount of $103.6 million, before expenses, of its common and preferred stock. In addition, from the start of this year through February 26, 2026, the Company has allocated an additional $7.5 million, before expenses, into repurchases of its common and preferred stock. The Company believes this repurchase activity has been done on a discounted basis and generated significant value for its shareholders. • Common stock: During 2025, the Company repurchased 11,589,722 shares at an average purchase price per share of $8.83 for a total repurchase amount before expenses of $102.4 million. From the start of this year through February 26, 2026, the Company has repurchased 639,355 shares at an average purchase price per share of $8.88 for a total repurchase amount before expenses of $5.7 million. Since the beginning of 2022, the Company has deployed approximately $300 million and repurchased 31.2 million shares of its common stock, representing over 14% of shares outstanding at the start of the period, at an average purchase price of $9.60 per share. The average purchase price per share represents a substantial discount to consensus estimates of net asset value and implies a highly attractive valuation multiple on the Company’s stabilized cash flow. • Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock: During 2025, the Company repurchased 54,097 shares at an average purchase price per share of $20.28 for a total repurchase amount before expenses of $1.1 million. From the start of this year through February 26, 2026, the Company has repurchased 90,459 shares at an average purchase price per share of $20.69 for a total repurchase amount before expenses of $1.9 million. The 2025 and 2026 average repurchase price of $20.54 per share reflects an 18% discount to the preferred stock liquidation value. • Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock: During 2025, the Company repurchased 9,027 shares at an average purchase price per share of $19.25 for a total repurchase amount before expenses of $0.2 million. The average repurchase price per share reflects a 23.0% discount to the preferred stock liquidation value. Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In September 2025, the Company completed its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), which provides for an aggregate borrowing capacity of $1.35 billion, and allowed the Company to address all near term maturities, extend the duration of the remaining in-place loans, and further strengthen the Company’s balance sheet. Inclusive of extension options, loans under the Amended Credit Agreement mature at various points in 2030 and 2031 but are freely prepayable at any time. In connection with the new facilities, the Company entered into a series of interest rate swaps to lower its borrowing cost and better manage interest rate risk. Recent Developments Stock Repurchase Program Reauthorization. In February 2026, Sunstone’s Board of Directors reauthorized the Company’s stock repurchase program which allows the Company to acquire up to $500.0 million of its common and preferred stock. The authorization has no stated expiration and future repurchases under the program will depend on various factors including the Company’s capital needs, other capital allocation opportunities available to the Company, and the price of the Company’s common and preferred stock. Including repurchase activity completed subsequent to the reauthorization, the Company currently has nearly $500.0 million remaining under the new authorization. Delayed-Draw and Series A Senior Notes Repayment. In January 2026, the Company drew the remaining $90.0 million available under its $275.0 million delayed-draw term loan facility and used a majority of the proceeds received to repay the $65.0 million balance of the Series A Senior Notes at their scheduled maturity. Following this repayment, the Company has no debt maturities until 2028. Corporate Responsibility Report. In February 2026, the Company published its 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report. The report includes details on Sunstone’s progress related to its environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance initiatives during 2024, as well as details of the Company’s performance towards its 2035 environmental targets. A copy of the report can be found on the Corporate Responsibility page of the Company’s website at www.sunstonehotels.com. Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $185.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $76.5 million, total assets of $3.0 billion, including $2.8 billion of net investments in hotel properties, total debt of $930.0 million and stockholders’ equity of $1.9 billion. 3 Capital Investments Update The Company invested $29.4 million and $103.0 million into its portfolio during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, respectively. The majority