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DiamondRock Hospitality Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • RevPAR grows 7 percent on volume and rate: Comparable RevPAR increased 7.0% to $240.79, driven by 4.6% growth in ADR to $308.50 and occupancy improvement of 180 basis points to 78.1%. Total RevPAR including ancillary revenues grew 5.6% to $370.06. Source
  • EBITDA margin expands 457 basis points: Comparable hotel adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 35.76% from 31.19%, a 457 basis point increase. Excluding $6.9 million property tax settlement benefit from Chicago appeals, organic margin expanded 239 basis points reflecting operational leverage. Source
  • Net income surges 136 percent: Net income attributable to common stockholders reached $90.5 million or $0.44 per diluted share, up 135.7% and 144.4% respectively from second quarter 2025. Adjusted EBITDA grew 19.2% to $107.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted FFO per share up 26 percent: Adjusted FFO per diluted share increased 25.7% to $0.44 from $0.35. Total adjusted FFO grew 27.0% to $91.8 million, demonstrating strong operational leverage and earnings growth. Source
  • Free cash flow up 30 percent annually: Free cash flow per share increased 30% over the trailing twelve months, providing evidence that operational execution and capital allocation strategy are delivering results. Source
  • Dividend raised 22 percent: Board declared Q3 dividend of $0.11 per share, up 22% from Q2 dividend of $0.09. Company expects to maintain $0.11 quarterly rate for remainder of 2026 with potential stub dividend in Q4. Source

“Our second quarter demonstrated the earnings power of the DiamondRock portfolio. We delivered 7% RevPAR growth and held overall hotel expense growth to just 1.8%, driving exceptional margin expansion and earnings growth.”

Jeffrey J. Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Comparable RevPAR Growth SourceFull year 20262.5% to 4.0%Raised from 1.5% to 3.5%
Adjusted FFO SourceFull year 2026$245.5 million to $255.5 millionRaised from $228.4 million to $240.4 million
Adjusted FFO per share SourceFull year 2026$1.18 to $1.23Raised from $1.10 to $1.16
Cash interest expense SourceFull year 2026$58.5 million to $59.5 millionKept
Cash corporate expenses SourceFull year 2026$27.0 million
Capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$75 million to $85 million
Quarterly dividend per share SourceThird quarter 2026 onwards$0.11 per shareRaised from $0.09 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Comparable RevPAR growth guidance raised to 2.5%-4.0% from 1.5%-3.5% based on Q2 outperformance and improved booking pace. Source
  • New: Quarterly dividend increased 22% to $0.11 per share from $0.09 per share for Q3 2026. Source
  • New: Sold Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue leasehold hotel for $33.0 million on May 1, 2026. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $310-320 million from $290.2-302.2 million at $18.8 million midpoint increase. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted FFO per share raised to $1.18-1.23 from $1.10-1.16 at $0.075 midpoint increase. Source

RevPAR Growth and Margin Expansion

  • RevPAR grows 7 percent on volume and rate: Comparable RevPAR increased 7.0% to $240.79, driven by 4.6% growth in ADR to $308.50 and occupancy improvement of 180 basis points to 78.1%. Total RevPAR including ancillary revenues grew 5.6% to $370.06. Source
  • EBITDA margin expands 457 basis points: Comparable hotel adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 35.76% from 31.19%, a 457 basis point increase. Excluding $6.9 million property tax settlement benefit from Chicago appeals, organic margin expanded 239 basis points reflecting operational leverage. Source
  • Expense growth limited despite revenue growth: Comparable hotel operating expenses declined 1.5% to $203.3 million despite 5.5% revenue growth. Hotel expense growth held to just 1.8% excluding property tax benefit, demonstrating cost discipline. Source

Earnings Per Share and Cash Generation

  • Net income surges 136 percent: Net income attributable to common stockholders reached $90.5 million or $0.44 per diluted share, up 135.7% and 144.4% respectively from second quarter 2025. Adjusted EBITDA grew 19.2% to $107.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted FFO per share up 26 percent: Adjusted FFO per diluted share increased 25.7% to $0.44 from $0.35. Total adjusted FFO grew 27.0% to $91.8 million, demonstrating strong operational leverage and earnings growth. Source
  • Free cash flow up 30 percent annually: Free cash flow per share increased 30% over the trailing twelve months, providing evidence that operational execution and capital allocation strategy are delivering results. Source

“Over the past twelve months, our free cash flow has increased 30%, providing further evidence that the DiamondRock 2.0 strategy is delivering results. Our focus remains on growing free cash flow through operational excellence, disciplined investment, and thoughtful capital allocation, which we believe is the clearest path to creating long-term shareholder value.”

Jeffrey J. Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer

Operating Performance and Demand Trends

  • Broad-based strength across customer segments: Both group and transient demand demonstrated strength during the quarter. While the World Cup event provided a beneficial tailwind in several markets, results reflected underlying portfolio quality and effectiveness of operating strategy. Source

Capital Allocation and Asset Management

  • Hotel disposition completed at favorable valuation: Courtyard New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue sold May 1, 2026 for $33.0 million. Sale price represents 6.3x multiple on 2025 adjusted EBITDA and 13.3% cap rate on net operating income. Source
  • Capital expenditure plan on track: Company invested $40.3 million in capital improvements in first half 2026 and expects full-year investment of $75-85 million. Major 2026 projects include Westin San Diego Bayview lobby renovation and Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta guestroom renovation. Source
  • Share repurchases continue opportunistically: Company repurchased 0.2 million shares in Q2 at $9.79 average price for $1.9 million. New $300 million repurchase program authorized in April 2026 with $299.4 million remaining capacity. Source

Dividend Increase and Capital Returns

  • Dividend raised 22 percent: Board declared Q3 dividend of $0.11 per share, up 22% from Q2 dividend of $0.09. Company expects to maintain $0.11 quarterly rate for remainder of 2026 with potential stub dividend in Q4. Source

Balance Sheet and Leverage

  • Debt stable with favorable rates: Total debt outstanding remained at $1.1 billion with weighted average interest rate of 4.9%. Company maintains 39% fixed-rate debt through swaps and has $400 million available on undrawn revolving credit facility. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • San Diego renovation to commence Q3: Westin San Diego Bayview expects to commence renovation of entrance and lobby including lobby bar in third quarter 2026. Source
  • Atlanta hotel renovation planned Q4: Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta expects to commence guestroom renovation in fourth quarter 2026. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Completed: Hotel sale completed May 1, 2026 for $33 million as previously announced under contract in first quarter. Source
  • Completed: Guestroom renovation completed in first quarter 2026 as planned. Source
  • Completed: Guestroom and bathroom renovation completed in first quarter 2026 as planned. Source
  • Completed: Quarterly dividend increased 22% to $0.11 per share from $0.09, with expectation to maintain rate for remainder of 2026. Source
  • On track: Company invested $40.3 million in first half 2026 and expects full-year capex of $75-85 million as communicated. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.