RLJ Lodging Trust has a significant shareholder, Donald Smith & Co., Inc., which, together with DSCO Value Fund, L.P., reports beneficial ownership of 12,311,807 common shares, representing 8.10% of the class as of June 30, 2026. Donald Smith & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and investment adviser based in New York, has sole voting power over 11,764,341 shares and sole dispositive power over 12,175,181 shares. DSCO Value Fund, L.P., also organized in Delaware, has sole voting and dispositive power over 136,626 shares. The filing explains that Donald Smith & Co., Inc.’s institutional clients retain the ultimate right to receive dividends and sale proceeds, and no single client holds more than 5% of RLJ Lodging Trust’s outstanding common stock.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Key Figures
Beneficial ownership:12,311,807 sharesPercent of class:8.10%Sole voting power - Donald Smith & Co.:11,764,341 shares+3 more
6 metrics
Beneficial ownership12,311,807 sharesCommon shares of RLJ Lodging Trust beneficially owned by reporting group
Percent of class8.10%Percentage of RLJ Lodging Trust common stock beneficially owned
Sole voting power - Donald Smith & Co.11,764,341 sharesShares with sole power to vote or direct the vote
Sole voting power - DSCO Value Fund136,626 sharesShares with sole power to vote or direct the vote
Sole dispositive power - Donald Smith & Co.12,175,181 sharesShares with sole power to dispose or direct disposition
Sole dispositive power - DSCO Value Fund136,626 sharesShares with sole power to dispose or direct disposition
Key Terms
beneficially owned, sole voting power, sole dispositive power, dispositive power, +2 more
6 terms
beneficially ownedfinancial
"Amount beneficially owned: 12,311,807"
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 voting powerfinancial
"Sole Voting Power 11,764,341.00"
Sole voting power is the exclusive right to cast votes attached to a shareholder’s stock without needing approval from anyone else. Like holding the only remote control for a TV, it lets that holder decide corporate matters such as board members, mergers, and policy changes, making it important to investors because it concentrates control and can strongly influence a company’s strategy and the value of its shares.
sole dispositive powerfinancial
"Sole Dispositive Power 12,175,181.00"
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.
dispositive powerfinancial
"power to dispose or to direct the disposition of"
Dispositive power is the authority to decide the final outcome of an asset, legal claim, contract, or corporate action — in effect the power to dispose of or resolve something. For investors it matters because whoever holds that authority can determine who gets paid, who controls an asset or vote, and how risks and returns are allocated; think of it like holding the key that lets you lock in the winner or loser in a deal.
investment advisorfinancial
"clients which Donald Smith & Co., Inc. serves as investment advisor"
An investment advisor is a person or firm that provides personalized guidance on buying, selling and managing investments and often oversees client portfolios for a fee. For investors this matters because the advisor shapes risk, costs and long-term returns, and is typically required by law to act in the client’s best interests — think of them as a financial coach or GPS that helps navigate choices and avoid costly detours.
Schedule 13Gregulatory
"With respect to all securities reported in this schedule"
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.
FAQ
What stake in RLJ (RLJ) does Donald Smith & Co., Inc. report?
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. reports beneficial ownership of 12,311,807 RLJ Lodging Trust common shares, representing 8.10% of the outstanding class as of June 30, 2026.
How many RLJ (RLJ) shares can Donald Smith & Co. vote and dispose of?
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. has sole voting power over 11,764,341 RLJ shares and sole dispositive power over 12,175,181 shares, reflecting its authority as investment adviser for its clients.
What is DSCO Value Fund, L.P.’s role in RLJ (RLJ) ownership?
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership in the reporting group, holding 136,626 RLJ shares with sole voting and dispositive power over that amount, as detailed in the Schedule 13G.
Do Donald Smith & Co.’s clients control RLJ (RLJ) dividends and sale proceeds?
Yes. The filing states clients or their custodians have the right to receive dividends and sale proceeds, while Donald Smith & Co., Inc. exercises delegated investment discretion that can be revoked at any time.
Does any single client of Donald Smith & Co. own over 5% of RLJ (RLJ)?
According to the disclosure, no single advisory client of Donald Smith & Co., Inc. owns more than 5% of RLJ Lodging Trust’s outstanding common stock reported in this Schedule 13G.
What percentage of RLJ (RLJ) common stock is held by the reporting group?
The reporting group led by Donald Smith & Co., Inc. reports beneficial ownership of 8.10% of RLJ Lodging Trust’s outstanding common stock, based on 12,311,807 shares held.
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)
06/30/2026
(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
11,764,341.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
12,175,181.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
12,311,807.00
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)
8.1 %
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
136,626.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
136,626.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
12,311,807.00
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)
8.1 %
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:
12,311,807
(b)
Percent of class:
8.10%
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
Donald Smith & Co., Inc. 11,764,341
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. 136,626
(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. 12,175,181
DSCO Value Fund, L.P. 136,626
(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.