8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July 11, 2023

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	001-31775	86-1062192
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS employer identification number)
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1200
Dallas
Texas		75254
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriated box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company    ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	AHT	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock, Series D	AHT-PD	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock, Series F	AHT-PF	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock, Series G	AHT-PG	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock, Series H	AHT-PH	New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock, Series I	AHT-PI	New York Stock Exchange

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

On July 11, 2023, Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its board of directors:

a)    declared a dividend for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023, of $0.5281 per diluted share, for the Company’s 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023;

b)    declared a dividend for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023, of $0.4609 per diluted share, for the Company’s 7.375% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023;

c)    declared a dividend for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023, of $0.4609 per diluted share, for the Company’s 7.375% Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023;

d)    declared a dividend for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023, of $0.46875 per diluted share, for the Company’s 7.50% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023;

e)    declared a dividend for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023, of $0.46875 per diluted share, for the Company’s 7.50% Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock. This dividend is payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023;

f)    declared a monthly cash dividend for the Company's Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock equal to a quarterly rate of $0.50 per share, payable as follows: $0.16667 per share will be paid on August 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of July 31, 2023; $0.16667 per share will be paid on September 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023; and $0.16667 per share will be paid on October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023; and

g)    declared a monthly cash dividend for the Company's Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock equal to a quarterly rate of $0.5125 per share, payable as follows: $0.17083 per share will be paid on August 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of July 31, 2023; $0.17083 per share will be paid on September 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023; and $0.17083 per share will be paid on October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, there were 1,574,714 shares of the Company’s Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock and 71,719 shares of the Company’s Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

A copy of the Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The information in this Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

ITEM 9.01    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d)    Exhibits

Exhibit Number         Description

99.1    Press Release of the Company, dated July 11, 2023, furnished under Item 7.01, announcing the declaration of dividends.

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
Dated: July 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Alex Rose
		Alex Rose
		Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:	Deric Eubanks	Jordan Jennings	Joseph Calabrese
	Chief Financial Officer	Investor Relations	Financial Relations Board
	(972) 490-9600	(972) 778-9487	(212) 827-3772

ASHFORD TRUST DECLARES PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2023

DALLAS, July 11, 2023 -- Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) (“Ashford Trust” or the “Company”) announced today that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a dividend of $0.5281 per diluted share for the Company’s 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $2.1125 per share, is payable on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a dividend of $0.4609 per diluted share for the Company’s 7.375% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $1.8438 per share, is payable on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a dividend of $0.4609 per diluted share for the Company’s 7.375% Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $1.8438 per share, is payable on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a dividend of $0.46875 per diluted share for the Company’s 7.50% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $1.875 per share, is payable on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a dividend of $0.46875 per diluted share for the Company’s 7.50% Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023. The dividend, which equates to an annual rate of $1.875 per share, is payable on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a monthly cash dividend for the Company’s Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock equal to a quarterly rate of $0.50 per share, payable as follows: $0.16667 per share will be paid on August 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of July 31, 2023; $0.16667 per share will be paid on September 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023; and $0.16667 per share will be paid on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

The Board declared a monthly cash dividend for the Company’s Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock equal to a quarterly rate of $0.5125 per share, payable as follows: $0.17083 per share will be paid on August 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of July 31, 2023; $0.17083 per share will be paid on September 15, 2023 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023; and $0.17083 per share will be paid on October 16, 2023 to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, there were 1,574,714 shares of the Company’s Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock and 71,719 shares of the Company’s Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

*****

Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper upscale, full-service hotels.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon “forward-looking” information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the Company’s strategy and future plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. When we use the words “will likely result,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside Ashford Trust’s control.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation: our ability to repay, refinance, or restructure our debt and the debt of certain of our subsidiaries; anticipated or expected purchases or sales of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; our understanding of our competition; market trends; projected capital expenditures;

2

the impact of technology on our operations and business; general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock and preferred stock; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the markets in which we operate, interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Ashford Trust’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will be attained or that any deviation will not occur. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

3

XML

Document and Entity Information	Jul. 11, 2023
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 11, 2023
Entity Registrant Name	ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001232582
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity File Number	001-31775
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-1062192
Entity Address, Address Line One	14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1200
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75254
City Area Code	972
Local Phone Number	490-9600
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	AHT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock, Series D
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock, Series D
Trading Symbol	AHT-PD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock, Series F
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock, Series F
Trading Symbol	AHT-PF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock, Series G
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock, Series G
Trading Symbol	AHT-PG
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock, Series H
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock, Series H
Trading Symbol	AHT-PH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock, Series I
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock, Series I
Trading Symbol	AHT-PI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE