Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Wells Fargo & Company Analyst Says

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) had its price objective upped by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $232.00 to $240.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s price objective would indicate a potential downside of 6.80% from the stock’s current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $243.00 to $268.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Melius Research reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research note on Monday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $219.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $247.00 to $277.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hilton Worldwide presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $239.88.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

Shares of HLT opened at $257.51 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $249.78 and its 200 day moving average is $235.11. Hilton Worldwide has a fifty-two week low of $186.83 and a fifty-two week high of $260.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.78 billion, a PE ratio of 55.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.29.

Hilton Worldwide announced that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 5.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Hilton Worldwide

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

Institutional Trading of Hilton Worldwide

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter worth $25,000. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

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.