Analyst ratings are presented on a linear scale, where ratings close to 1 indicate "Strong Buy" while ratings close to 5 indicate "Strong Sell". All of the stocks in this list have seen their ratings move closer towards 1 over the last 3 months, i.e. improving analyst sentiment.

The list has been sorted by the change in analyst ratings over the last three months.

1. Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. (AHT): Hotel/Motel REIT. Market cap of $504.08M. Analyst rating has changed from 3 to 2.2 over the last three months. Short float at 9.35%, which implies a short ratio of 8.62 days. The stock has gained 64.11% over the last year.

2. Cousins Properties Inc. (CUZ): Diversified REIT. Market cap of $872.36M. Analyst rating has changed from 2.4 to 1.83 over the last three months. Short float at 4.08%, which implies a short ratio of 5.58 days. The stock has gained 10.68% over the last year.

3. Senior Housing Properties Trust (SNH): Residential REIT. Market cap of $2.78B. Analyst rating has changed from 2.78 to 2.22 over the last three months. Short float at 1.58%, which implies a short ratio of 1.42 days. The stock has gained 16.04% over the last year.

4. Kilroy Realty Corp. (KRC): Office REIT. Market cap of $1.96B. Analyst rating has changed from 2.5 to 2 over the last three months. Short float at 9.57%, which implies a short ratio of 8.52 days. The stock has gained 27.29% over the last year.

5. Nationwide Health Properties Inc. (NHP): Healthcare Facilities REIT. Market cap of $4.58B. Analyst rating has changed from 2.62 to 2.23 over the last three months. Short float at 2.28%, which implies a short ratio of 2.68 days. The stock has gained 14.72% over the last year.

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DALLAS-Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc. is experiencing increased demand from business travelers who are not part of a high-volume corporate contract. These people, known as “transient business travelers” pay higher rates than those with corporate rates.

The REIT’s CEO Monty Bennett made the announcement during the company’s first quarter 2011 earnings call. “While group demand is picking up, a big chunk of our business is transient corporate, maybe 25% of our overall businesses grew, but 75% is transient,” he explained. “And then most of that, a good majority of that is business transient, and that business coming back with their high associated rates is what we're very excited about, and what we think should move the needle across the industry going forward.”

The Blackstone Group, the giant investment firm, is buying the top 11 floors of the former New York Times Building, on West 43rd Street, for $160 million, just four years after the 15-story building sold for $525 million.

Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels, today announced that it was the successful bidder in two separate and distinct bankruptcy court auctions resulting in aggregate investments by Chatham of over $230 million, doubling Chatham's current investments.

About Chatham Lodging Trust

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised real estate investment trust that was organized to invest in upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels. The company currently owns 13 hotels with an aggregate of 1,650 rooms/suites in nine states and has six hotels comprising 938 rooms under contract to purchase. Additional information about Chatham may be found at www.chathamlodgingtrust.com.

DiamondRock Buys Under Development Highgate Hotel Times Square $445 Per Key

DiamondRock Hospitality Co. (DRH) said it agreed to purchase a hotel property in the Times Square section of New York City for $112.5 million to $178 million, depending on the amount of guest rooms the property will contain.

REIT's are Buying More Hotels in New York City

The real-estate investment trust, which targets under-performing properties for possible renovation or conversion, said upon completion by a third-party developer, the hotel on West 42nd Street is expected to contain about 250 to 300 guest rooms.

$445,000.00 Per Room

DiamondRock Buys Under Development Highgate Hotel Times Square $445 Per Key

DiamondRock Hospitality Co. (DRH) said it agreed to purchase a hotel property in the Times Square section of New York City for $112.5 million to $178 million, depending on the amount of guest rooms the property will contain.

REIT's are Buying More Hotels in New York City

The real-estate investment trust, which targets under-performing properties for possible renovation or conversion, said upon completion by a third-party developer, the hotel on West 42nd Street is expected to contain about 250 to 300 guest rooms.

$445,000.00 Per Room

During the first week of June, about 2,000 executives gathered for the New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. This knowledgeable group had good

news to offer about U.S. hotels. The gathering advised caution, however, concerning the future economy.

NYC Hospitality Conference

A cautious mood had been expected to infiltrate this event.

During the first week of June, about 2,000 executives gathered for the New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. This knowledgeable group had good

news to offer about U.S. hotels. The gathering advised caution, however, concerning the future economy.

NYC Hospitality Conference

A cautious mood had been expected to infiltrate this event.

During the first week of June, about 2,000 executives gathered for the New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. This knowledgeable group had good

news to offer about U.S. hotels. The gathering advised caution, however, concerning the future economy.

NYC Hospitality Conference

A cautious mood had been expected to infiltrate this event.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT), owner of select service and upscale hotels in major metropolitan markets, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

First Quarter 2011 Financial Results

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, net loss applicable to common shareholders improved $1.2 million to $(14.6) million, compared to a net loss of $(15.8) million for the comparable quarter of 2010.