RLJ Lodging Trust reports a Schedule 13G filing showing Donald Smith & Co., Inc. and related adviser accounts beneficially own 15,000,624 shares of Common Stock, representing 9.87% of the class as reported.
The filing lists sole voting power of 14,289,241 shares and sole dispositive power of 14,862,881 shares attributed to Donald Smith & Co., Inc., with an affiliated DSCO Value Fund, L.P. holding 137,743 shares. The disclosure states these holdings are advisory client positions and that no single client holds more than 5% individually.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Insights
Significant passive stake disclosed by an investment adviser owning 9.87% of RLJ Lodging Trust.
The filing shows an aggregate beneficial ownership of 15,000,624 shares (9.87%) held by advisory clients through Donald Smith & Co., Inc. with voting and dispositive counts reported. The disclosure is consistent with passive Schedule 13G reporting.
Impact depends on whether holdings remain passive; the filing notes discretionary authority may be revoked and no single client exceeds 5% of the class. Subsequent filings would show any change in status or voting intent.
Key Figures
Beneficially owned:15,000,624 sharesPercent of class:9.87%Sole voting power (Donald Smith & Co.):14,289,241 shares+3 more
6 metrics
Beneficially owned15,000,624 sharesaggregate holdings reported on Schedule 13G
Percent of class9.87%percent of Common Stock reported
Sole voting power (Donald Smith & Co.)14,289,241 sharesvoting power reported in Item 4
Sole dispositive power (Donald Smith & Co.)14,862,881 sharesdispositive power reported in Item 4
DSCO Value Fund holdings137,743 sharesaffiliated fund holding reported
CUSIP74965L101security identifier for Common Stock
Key Terms
Schedule 13G, beneficially owned, sole dispositive power, investment adviser
4 terms
Schedule 13Gregulatory
"Item 1: Name of issuer: RLJ Lodging Trust"
A Schedule 13G is a formal document that investors file with the government when they acquire a large ownership stake in a company, usually for investment purposes rather than control. It helps keep the public informed about who owns significant parts of a company's shares, which can influence how the company is managed and how investors make decisions. Filing this schedule is important for transparency and understanding the ownership landscape of publicly traded companies.
beneficially ownedfinancial
"Item 4: Amount beneficially owned: 15,000,624"
Beneficially owned describes securities or assets where a person has the economic rights and control—such as the right to receive dividends and to direct voting—even if legal title is held in another name. Think of it like having the keys and using a car that’s registered to someone else: you get the benefits and make decisions. Investors care because beneficial ownership reveals who truly controls value and voting power, affecting corporate decisions and takeover dynamics.
sole dispositive powerfinancial
"Item 4: Sole power to dispose: 14,862,881"
Sole dispositive power is the exclusive legal authority to decide what happens to a security — for example, whether to sell, transfer, or retain shares — without needing anyone else’s permission. Investors care because it signals who truly controls the economic outcome of an investment: like holding the only key to a safe, the holder can realize gains or losses and may trigger regulatory reporting, insider rules, or influence over corporate ownership.
investment adviserregulatory
"Item 6: Donald Smith & Co., Inc. does not serve as custodian"
An investment adviser is a person or firm that professionally manages money and gives recommendations about buying, selling, or holding investments. Like a financial coach or guide, they have a legal duty to act in a client's best financial interest, so their advice, fees and potential conflicts can directly affect returns and risk — making their role important for investors who want informed, accountable help with portfolios.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
RLJ Lodging Trust
(Name of Issuer)
Common
(Title of Class of Securities)
74965L101
(CUSIP Number)
03/31/2026
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
Rule 13d-1(b)
Rule 13d-1(c)
Rule 13d-1(d)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
74965L101
1
Names of Reporting Persons
DONALD SMITH & CO., INC.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
DELAWARE
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
14,289,241.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
14,862,881.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
15,000,624.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
9.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IA
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
74965L101
1
Names of Reporting Persons
DSCO Value Fund, L.P.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
DELAWARE
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
137,743.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
137,743.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
15,000,624.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
9.9 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
PN
SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1.
(a)
Name of issuer:
RLJ Lodging Trust
(b)
Address of issuer's principal executive offices:
7373 WISCONSIN AVE, SUITE 1500, BETHESDA, MARYLAND, 20814.
Item 2.
(a)
Name of person filing:
Donald Smith & Co.,Inc.
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
152 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(c)
Citizenship:
A Delaware Corporation
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Common
(e)
CUSIP Number(s):
74965L101
Item 3.
If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)
Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)
Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)
Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)
Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)
An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)
An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)
A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)
A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)
A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)
A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
please specify the type of institution:
(k)
Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.
Ownership
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
15,000,624
(b)
Percent of class:
9.87%
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. 14,289,241
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. 137,743
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
SEE ITEM 6
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. 14,862,881
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. 137,743
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
SEE ITEM 6
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Not Applicable
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
1. Donald Smith & Co., Inc. does not serve as custodian of the assets of any of its clients; accordingly, in each instance only the client or the client?s custodian or trustee bank has the right to receive dividends paid with respect to, and proceeds from the sale of, such securities. The ultimate power to direct the receipt of dividends paid with respect to, and the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, is vested in the institutional clients which Donald Smith & Co., Inc. serves as investment advisor. Any and all discretionary authority which has been delegated to Donald Smith & Co., Inc. may be revoked in whole or in part at any time. To the knowledge of Donald Smith & Co., Inc., with respect to all securities reported in this schedule owned by advisory clients of Donald Smith & Co., Inc., not more than 5% of the class of such securities is owned by any one client. 2. With respect to the remaining securities owned, various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock of RLJ Lodging Trust. No one person?s interest in the Common Stock of RLJ Lodging Trust is more than five percent of the total outstanding Common Stock.
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
Not Applicable
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K), so indicate under Item 3(k) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item 3 classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to §240.13d-1(c) or §240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identity of each member of the group.
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. IA
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. PN
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable
Item 10.
Certifications:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
What stake does Donald Smith & Co., Inc. report in RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ)?
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. reports beneficial ownership of 15,000,624 shares, equal to 9.87% of the Common Stock. The filing attributes voting and dispositive powers to the adviser across client accounts.
How many shares does Donald Smith & Co., Inc. have sole voting power over?
The filing reports sole voting power of 14,289,241 shares held by Donald Smith & Co., Inc. This figure is disclosed as the adviser’s reported voting authority across its managed accounts.
Does any single client hold more than 5% of RLJ according to the filing?
No. The filing states that, to the adviser’s knowledge, no one client owns more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock among the advisory clients reported in this schedule.
What is the role of DSCO Value Fund, L.P. in this Schedule 13G?
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. is reported as an affiliated holder with 137,743 shares and sole voting and dispositive power over those shares, listed alongside Donald Smith & Co., Inc. in the schedule.
What CUSIP is associated with the reported securities?
The filing lists the CUSIP for RLJ Lodging Trust Common Stock as 74965L101, which identifies the class of securities referenced in this Schedule 13G disclosure.
