Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) Announces Earnings Results

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.06, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.99 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 41.88% and a net margin of 12.10%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.76 earnings per share. Hilton Worldwide updated its FY 2026 guidance to 8.490-8.610 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance to 1.910-1.970 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Hilton Worldwide’s conference call:

• Hilton guided 2026 system‑wide RevPAR growth of 1%–2% (Q1 also 1%–2%) and full‑year Adjusted EBITDA of $4.0–4.04 billion, saying 2026 should be stronger than 2025.
• Development momentum remains strong — Hilton added nearly 100,000 rooms in 2025 (net unit growth 6.7%), its pipeline topped 520,000 rooms, and it expects sustained net unit growth of 6%–7%.
• Financial and capital return strength — 2025 adjusted EBITDA was a record $3.7 billion (up 9%), Q4 adjusted EBITDA beat guidance at $946 million, and the company returned a record $3.3 billion to shareholders with ~$3.5 billion expected in 2026.
• Near‑term demand pressures — U.S. RevPAR declined 1.6% in Q4 largely due to the prolonged U.S. government shutdown and softer international inbound travel, and China RevPAR remained constrained, pressuring business transient.
• Technology, loyalty and fee diversification — Hilton emphasized a modern tech stack and multiple AI use cases to improve distribution and operations, and expects non‑RevPAR fees (including its credit‑card business) to continue growing above company algorithms.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:HLT opened at $321.37 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $295.28 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $277.90. Hilton Worldwide has a 52 week low of $196.04 and a 52 week high of $333.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.51, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.13.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.68%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hilton Worldwide

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. L2 Asset Management LLC raised its position in Hilton Worldwide by 3.6% during the third quarter. L2 Asset Management LLC now owns 1,084 shares of the company’s stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 2,555 shares of the company’s stock valued at $680,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Norinchukin Bank The raised its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Norinchukin Bank The now owns 11,275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,925,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 1,004 shares of the company’s stock valued at $260,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Financial LLC boosted its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 7.1% during the fourth quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 1,152 shares of the company’s stock worth $331,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. 95.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Hilton Worldwide News

Here are the key news stories impacting Hilton Worldwide this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat expectations and management highlighted strong unit growth and international/luxury strength — this supports the stock’s underlying growth thesis. Hilton beats Q4 expectations
• Positive Sentiment: Argus raised its price target to $380 and kept a Buy rating — one of the more bullish analyst moves, implying material upside. Argus raises PT to $380 TickerReport
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan lifted its target to $350 and maintained an Overweight rating, signaling continued institutional support. JPMorgan raises PT to $350
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays boosted its target to $350 and kept an Overweight rating — another large shop raising estimates, which can support near‑term buying interest. Barclays raises PT to $350
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its target to $373 and kept an Overweight rating — another sizable upside projection from a major analyst. Wells Fargo raises PT
• Neutral Sentiment: Evercore ISI nudged its target to $335 (small upside) but kept an In‑Line rating — modestly positive but not a strong catalyst. Evercore raises PT to $335
• Neutral Sentiment: Mizuho raised its target to $321 and kept a Neutral rating — essentially in line with the current share price, so little directional impact. Mizuho raises PT to $321
• Neutral Sentiment: Hilton declared a small quarterly dividend (ex‑dividend Feb 27) — income‑oriented but immaterial to valuation given low yield. Press release
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s FY‑2026 EPS guidance (8.49–8.61) was below consensus (~9.16), which is weighing on the stock despite the quarter’s EPS beat. Earnings & guidance details
• Negative Sentiment: Truist raised its target to $307 but kept a Hold rating — that target sits below the current price, implying downside and less bullish analyst conviction. Truist raises PT to $307
• Negative Sentiment: Pershing Square (Bill Ackman) disclosed an exit from Hilton — the loss of a high‑profile holder can prompt selling pressure or signal reduced activist support. Pershing Square exits Hilton

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on HLT shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $338.00 to $373.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $325.00 to $335.00 in a report on Thursday. HSBC upped their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $307.00 to $319.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $289.00 to $306.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $319.67.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and resorts. Its business spans full-service luxury and lifestyle properties, select- and focused-service hotels, and extended-stay accommodations. The company generates revenue through management and franchise fees, owned and leased real estate, and guest services, and supports customer retention and direct bookings through its Hilton Honors guest loyalty program.

Hilton’s brand portfolio includes internationally recognized names across the lodging spectrum, from luxury and upper-upscale brands to midscale and extended-stay offerings.