MetaCap

RLJ Lodging (RLJ) vs SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

RLJ Lodging (RLJ) has outperformed SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA) over the past year, gaining 58.8% versus a loss of 8.5%. SmartStop Self Storage REIT is the larger company by market cap ($1.88 billion vs $1.70 billion), about 1.1 times the size. On valuation, SmartStop Self Storage REIT trades at a lower forward P/E (50.6x vs 4452.0x for RLJ Lodging).

RLJ Lodging offers the higher dividend yield (5.39% vs 2.42%).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

RLJ+58.77%SMA-8.48%
+83%+30%-22%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
RLJ+63.44%SMA-0.24%
+86%+36%-14%
Mar 31, 20255 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

RLJ versus SMA key metrics
MetricRLJSMA
Share price$11.13$32.81
Market cap$1.70B$1.88B
1-day change-0.45%-0.97%
YTD return+49.40%+6.04%
1-year return+58.77%-8.48%
5-year return-25.25%—
P/E ratio (TTM)—61.91
Forward P/E—50.59
EPS (TTM)$0.00$0.53
Dividend yield5.39%2.42%
Annual dividend$0.60$0.793
52-week high$12.89$38.69
52-week low$6.54$29.41
Distance from 52-week high-13.65%-15.20%
Analyst consensusholdbuy
Avg. price target upside+5.57%+12.28%
Average volume1.76M745.08K
Shares outstanding152.38M55.37M
Employees751,000
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
IndustryReal Estate Investment TrustsReal Estate Investment Trusts

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • RLJ has outperformed SMA by 67.3 percentage points over the past year.
  • RLJ Lodging offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.39% vs 2.42%).

About RLJ Lodging

RLJ stock →

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns 91 premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within the heart of demand locations. We own a geographically diversified portfolio of hotels located in urban markets that exhibit multiple demand generators and attractive long-term growth prospects.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 75 employees

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT

SMA stock →

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 1,000 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,000 employees

RLJ vs SMA FAQ

Which is bigger, RLJ Lodging or SmartStop Self Storage REIT?

SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.88B compared with $1.70B for RLJ Lodging (RLJ).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, RLJ or SMA?

RLJ returned +58.77% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.48% for SMA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, RLJ Lodging or SmartStop Self Storage REIT?

RLJ Lodging has the higher yield at 5.39%, compared with 2.42% for SmartStop Self Storage REIT.

Are RLJ Lodging and SmartStop Self Storage REIT in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.

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