Hilton reports 15% pipeline growth for Q2

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has reported its second-quarter results, including 15% growth in its room pipeline.

Highlights include:

  • Diluted EPS was $1.67 for the second quarter, and diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, was $1.91
  • Net income was $422 million for the second quarter
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $917 million for the second quarter
  • Systemwide comparable RevPAR increased 3.5%, on a currency neutral basis, for the second quarter compared to the same period in 2023
  • Approved 62,700 new rooms for development during the second quarter, bringing our development pipeline to a record 508,300 rooms as of June 30, 2024, representing growth of 15% from June 30, 2023
  • Added 22,400 rooms to system in the second quarter, resulting in 18,000 net additional rooms for the quarter, contributing to net unit growth of 6.2% from June 30, 2023
  • Completed the acquisition of the Graduate Hotels brand in May, which expands its lifestyle portfolio
  • Announced that nearly 400 hotels have agreed to join system under a strategic partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, beginning in July, adding an expected 18,000 rooms to portfolio
  • Full-year 2024 systemwide RevPAR is projected to increase between 2% and 3% on a comparable and currency neutral basis compared to 2023; full-year net income is projected to be between $1.532 billion and $1.555 billion; full-year adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $3.375 billion and $3.405 billion
  • Full-year 2024 capital return is projected to be approximately $3 billion

“We are pleased to report a solid second quarter, with an increase in RevPAR of 3.5%, driven by growth in all segments, with particularly strong group performance,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president/CEO, Hilton. “On the development side, we ended the quarter with a record development pipeline, up 15% from the prior year and up 8% sequentially from the first quarter, including strategic partner hotels. Looking forward to the rest of the year, with the continued growth of our existing brands, as well as the addition of our new brands and strategic partner hotels, we expect net unit growth of 7% to 7.5% for the full year.”

For the three months ended June 30, systemwide comparable RevPAR increased 3.5% compared to the same period in 2023 due to increases in both occupancy and ADR, and management and franchise fee revenues increased 10% percent compared to the same period in 2023.

For the six months ended June 30, systemwide comparable RevPAR increased 2.8% compared to the same period in 2023 due to increases in both occupancy and ADR, and management and franchise fee revenues increased 12% compared to the same period in 2023.

For the three months ended June 30%, diluted EPS was $1.67 and diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, was $1.91 compared to $1.55 and $1.63, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Net income and adjusted EBITDA were $422 million and $917 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $413 million and $811 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

For the six months ended June 30, diluted EPS was $2.71 and diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, was $3.44 compared to $2.31 and $2.86, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Net income and adjusted EBITDA were $690 million and $1.667 billion, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, compared to $622 million and $1.452 billion, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Development

In the second quarter of 2024, the company opened 165 hotels, totaling 22,400 rooms, resulting in 18,000 net room additions. During the quarter, it continued to expand its lifestyle portfolio through its acquisition of the Graduate brand and added 32 hotels to its system with another four hotels added to the pipeline. The first NoMad hotel joined the portfolio in the quarter, the NoMad London, which is ranked on the “World’s 50 Best Hotels” list. The company debuted three Portuguese properties, the DUO Hotel Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton, the DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa Azores and the Legacy Hotel Cascais, Curio Collection by Hilton. It opened 27 Spark by Hilton hotels during the quarter, including its first Spark hotel in the U.K., and expect this momentum will continue into the second half of the year.

In July, the company launched its partnership with SLH, enabling guests to book rooms at nearly 400 SLH hotels that are joining its system.

The company added 62,700 rooms to the development pipeline during the second quarter, and, as of June 30, the development pipeline totaled 3,870 hotels representing 508,300 rooms, growing 15% from June 30, 2023 and 8% from the prior quarter. These pipeline hotels were located in 136 countries and territories, including 39 countries and territories where we had no existing hotels, with 251,800 rooms under construction and 298,800 rooms located outside of the U.S.

Outlook

Full-year 2024

  • Systemwide comparable RevPAR, on a currency neutral basis, is projected to increase between 2% and 3% compared to 2023.
  • Diluted EPS is projected to be between $6.06 and $6.15.
  • Diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, is projected to be between $6.93 and $7.03.
  • Net income is projected to be between $1.532 billion and $1.555 billion.
  • Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $3.375 billion and $3.405 billion.
  • Contract acquisition costs and capital expenditures, excluding amounts reimbursed by third parties, are projected to be between $250 million and $300 million.
  • Capital return is projected to be approximately $3 billion.
  • General and administrative expenses are projected to be between $415 million and $430 million.
  • Net unit growth is projected to be between 7% and 7.5%.

Third-quarter 2024

  • Systemwide comparable RevPAR, on a currency neutral basis, is projected to increase between 2% and 3% compared to the third quarter of 2023.
  • Diluted EPS is projected to be between $1.74 and $1.79.
  • Diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, is projected to be between $1.80 and $1.85.
  • Net income is projected to be between $435 million and $448 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $875 million and $890 million.