Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 6,069,617 shares, an increase of 19.6% from the February 12th total of 5,075,097 shares. Approximately 2.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,718,023 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,718,023 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days. Approximately 2.7% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insider Transactions at Hilton Worldwide

In related news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $317.47, for a total transaction of $36,283,328.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at $11,570,194.15. This represents a 75.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Hilton Worldwide

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HLT. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter worth $32,000. 95.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hilton Worldwide Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HLT traded down $1.52 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $299.79. 600,646 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,006,921. Hilton Worldwide has a fifty-two week low of $196.04 and a fifty-two week high of $333.86. The firm has a market cap of $68.74 billion, a PE ratio of 48.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $304.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $284.15.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.06. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 40.24% and a net margin of 12.10%.The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.76 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Hilton Worldwide has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.490-8.610 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.910-1.970 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Hilton Worldwide will post 7.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. Hilton Worldwide’s payout ratio is 9.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HLT has been the subject of several recent research reports. HSBC upped their price target 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. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $297.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $339.00 price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Barclays increased their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $309.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $253.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hilton Worldwide currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $326.18.

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.