Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for HLT Earnings

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Hilton Worldwide in a report issued on Thursday, January 30th. Zacks Research analyst H. Ray now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.60 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.62. The consensus estimate for Hilton Worldwide’s current full-year earnings is $7.00 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hilton Worldwide’s Q2 2025 earnings at $2.12 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.17 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $7.65 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.99 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.31 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.35 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $8.55 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Melius Research reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $243.00 to $268.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $247.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $230.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $238.24.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

Shares of HLT stock opened at $256.24 on Monday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $249.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $234.46. Hilton Worldwide has a twelve month low of $186.83 and a twelve month high of $259.01. The company has a market capitalization of $62.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.99, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.30.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 15.3% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,756,416 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,479,354,000 after purchasing an additional 1,429,537 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 33.2% during the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 3,234,809 shares of the company’s stock worth $745,624,000 after buying an additional 806,029 shares during the last quarter. Stockbridge Partners LLC grew its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 63.6% during the third quarter. Stockbridge Partners LLC now owns 1,544,399 shares of the company’s stock worth $355,984,000 after buying an additional 600,593 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 23,730.1% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 479,223 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,104,610,000 after acquiring an additional 477,212 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,215,391 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,585,148,000 after acquiring an additional 226,223 shares in the last quarter. 95.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Hilton Worldwide

In related news, insider Michael W. Duffy sold 23,366 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.66, for a total transaction of $5,880,287.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 22,833 shares in the company, valued at $5,746,152.78. This trade represents a 50.58 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hilton Worldwide announced that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 14th that allows the company to buyback $3.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 5.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Hilton Worldwide Company Profile

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, a hospitality company, engages in managing, franchising, owning, and leasing hotels and resorts. It operates through two segments, Management and Franchise, and Ownership. The company engages in the hotel management and licensing of its brands. It operates luxury hotels under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand; lifestyle hotels under the Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, and Motto by Hilton brand; full service hotels under the Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and DoubleTree by Hilton brand; service hotels under the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, and Tru by Hilton brand; all-suite hotels under the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton brand; and economy hotel under the Spark by Hilton brand, as well as Hilton Grand Vacations.