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Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 1 lowered, 5 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income and EPS rose sharply: Diluted EPS was $2.37 against $1.78 a year earlier, and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.45 against $2.11. Net income reached $536 million compared with $421 million. Source
  • Comparable RevPAR up 5.8 percent: Occupancy rose 1.4 points to 75.8 percent and ADR rose 3.9 percent to $164.57 on a currency neutral basis. Management and franchise fee revenues rose 9.5 percent. Source
  • Middle East and Africa RevPAR declined: Middle East & Africa RevPAR fell 5.6 percent, with occupancy down 5.0 points to 64.8 percent. U.S. RevPAR rose 7.0 percent and Europe 6.5 percent, while Asia Pacific fell 0.5 percent. Source
  • Record quarter for organic openings: The company opened 182 hotels totaling 27,000 rooms, resulting in 23,000 net room additions. Management described it as its highest quarter ever for organic openings. Source
  • Margins widened year over year: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 77.0 percent against 75.2 percent a year earlier. Net income margin was 16.1 percent against 13.5 percent. Source
  • Buybacks and dividends in quarter: Repurchases were 2.6 million shares at an average $320.05, or $845 million. Total capital return was $879 million for the quarter and $2,902 million year to date through October. Source
  • Move to Nasdaq listing: The company will transfer its listing to Nasdaq under the existing HLT ticker, effective November 5, 2026. Management said the move aligns with its innovation and growth ambitions. Source

“Our results were driven by momentum across our system, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and into 2027.”

Christopher J. Nassetta, President & Chief Executive Officer of Hilton

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
System-wide comparable RevPAR (currency neutral) SourceFull year 2026between 4.0 percent and 4.5 percentRaised from between 3.0 percent and 3.5 percent
Diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026between $8.38 and $8.44Raised from between $8.22 and $8.35
Diluted EPS, adjusted for special items SourceFull year 2026between $9.07 and $9.13Raised from between $8.89 and $9.01
Net income SourceFull year 2026between $1,909 million and $1,923 millionRaised from between $1,883 million and $1,911 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026between $4,060 million and $4,080 millionLowered from between $4,040 million and $4,080 million
Contract acquisition costs and capital expenditures, excluding third-party reimbursements SourceFull year 2026between $350 million and $375 millionRaised from approximately $300 million
Capital return to shareholders SourceFull year 2026approximately $3.5 billionKept
General and administrative expenses SourceFull year 2026approximately $400 millionKept
Net unit growth SourceFull year 2026between 6.0 percent and 7.0 percent, with expectations around the midpointKept
System-wide comparable RevPAR (currency neutral) SourceFourth quarter 2026between 3.0 percent and 3.5 percentNew
Diluted EPS SourceFourth quarter 2026between $2.25 and $2.31New
Diluted EPS, adjusted for special items SourceFourth quarter 2026between $2.32 and $2.38New
Net income SourceFourth quarter 2026between $508 million and $522 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFourth quarter 2026between $1,047 million and $1,067 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year RevPAR, diluted EPS, adjusted diluted EPS and net income projections were raised compared with the second quarter release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA projection reflects lower expectations for Middle East performance and timeshare license fees compared with prior guidance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Projection for contract acquisition costs and capital expenditures moved from a single approximate figure to a range. Source
  • New guidance: The company gave fourth-quarter 2026 guidance for RevPAR, diluted EPS, adjusted diluted EPS, net income and Adjusted EBITDA. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year capital return and general and administrative expense projections were not changed from the second quarter release. Source
  • New: Stock listing transfers to Nasdaq under the existing HLT ticker, effective November 5, 2026, with no shareholder action required. Source
  • New: Jeff Moore was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income and EPS rose sharply: Diluted EPS was $2.37 against $1.78 a year earlier, and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.45 against $2.11. Net income reached $536 million compared with $421 million. Source
  • Comparable RevPAR up 5.8 percent: Occupancy rose 1.4 points to 75.8 percent and ADR rose 3.9 percent to $164.57 on a currency neutral basis. Management and franchise fee revenues rose 9.5 percent. Source
  • World Cup and calendar shifts helped: Management said the third quarter benefited from the World Cup and favorable calendar and holiday shifts. Nine-month comparable RevPAR rose 4.7 percent. Source

Segments and regions

  • Franchise and licensing fees increased: Franchise and licensing fees were $815 million against $739 million. Base and other management fees were $96 million against $93 million, and incentive management fees $71 million against $65 million. Source
  • Management and franchise and ownership RevPAR: Management and franchise RevPAR rose 5.8 percent with occupancy of 75.7 percent. Ownership hotels recorded occupancy of 84.1 percent, with RevPAR up 5.1 percent. Source
  • Middle East and Africa RevPAR declined: Middle East & Africa RevPAR fell 5.6 percent, with occupancy down 5.0 points to 64.8 percent. U.S. RevPAR rose 7.0 percent and Europe 6.5 percent, while Asia Pacific fell 0.5 percent. Source
  • Several brands posted double-digit gains: LXR RevPAR rose 14.3 percent and Waldorf Astoria 13.9 percent. Graduate rose 10.4 percent and Canopy 9.3 percent. Source

“We achieved our highest quarter ever for organic openings”

Christopher J. Nassetta, President & Chief Executive Officer of Hilton

Development and openings

  • Record quarter for organic openings: The company opened 182 hotels totaling 27,000 rooms, resulting in 23,000 net room additions. Management described it as its highest quarter ever for organic openings. Source
  • Debuts and milestones across regions: Openings included Curio Collection in Hawaii, LXR in India, and DoubleTree, Canopy and Spark debuts in Singapore, Thailand and Italy. Hilton Istanbul Airport was the 100th hotel in Türkiye. Source
  • Luxury signings added in quarter: New luxury signings included Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Mahe, Conrad Bengaluru Airport and Iona Galapagos, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Middle East & Africa had more than 20 signings in the quarter. Source
  • Select by Hilton first openings: The company opened its first Select by Hilton hotels during the quarter, after the brand launched earlier in 2026. Source

Demand and development pipeline

  • Pipeline weighted to construction and abroad: Nearly half of pipeline rooms were under construction, and more than half were located outside the U.S. Pipeline rooms are spread across the company's brand portfolio. Source
  • Approvals exceeded rooms added: Management approved 30,500 new rooms for development during the quarter, while 27,000 rooms were added to the system. Source
  • Net room additions rose sequentially: Net additional rooms for the quarter were 23,000, up 6.5 percent from the second quarter. Source

Costs, margins and expenses

  • Margins widened year over year: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 77.0 percent against 75.2 percent a year earlier. Net income margin was 16.1 percent against 13.5 percent. Source
  • Corporate and other expenses rose: General and administrative expenses were $110 million against $95 million, and other expenses $32 million against $23 million. Depreciation and amortization was $52 million against $46 million. Source
  • Interest and share-based pay increased: Interest expense was $184 million against $159 million. Share-based compensation expense was $59 million against $44 million. Source
  • Ownership revenue and expense declined: Ownership revenues were $304 million against $322 million, and ownership expenses were $271 million against $277 million. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Buybacks and dividends in quarter: Repurchases were 2.6 million shares at an average $320.05, or $845 million. Total capital return was $879 million for the quarter and $2,902 million year to date through October. Source
  • Share count continued to fall: Shares outstanding were 222.5 million as of October 22, 2026, compared with 225.1 million as of July 23, 2026. Source
  • Dividends paid year to date: A $0.15 quarterly dividend totaling $34 million was paid in September, bringing dividend payments for the year to $103 million. Source
  • Contract acquisition costs more than doubled: Contract acquisition costs were $78 million against $31 million. Total capital expenditures were $55 million against $50 million. Source

Balance sheet and debt

  • Net debt rose and leverage ratio stated: Net debt was $12,623 million against $11,489 million at December 31, 2025. The net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 3.2 on a trailing twelve-month basis. Source
  • Debt maturities and interest rate: Debt was $13.5 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.09 percent. Apart from $600 million of Senior Notes due April 2027, no material indebtedness matures before April 2029. Source
  • Revolving credit facility undrawn: No borrowings were outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility. Available borrowing capacity was $1,894 million after $106 million of letters of credit. Source
  • Cash balance at quarter end: Cash and cash equivalents were $830 million at September 30, 2026, including $56 million of restricted cash. Source

Strategy, technology and listing

  • Move to Nasdaq listing: The company will transfer its listing to Nasdaq under the existing HLT ticker, effective November 5, 2026. Management said the move aligns with its innovation and growth ambitions. Source
  • Technology leadership appointment: Jeff Moore joined as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, to build on the company's technology platform and its consumer-facing experience. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 October 2026

  • Nasdaq listing effective November 5: Stock listing transfers to Nasdaq under the HLT ticker on November 5, 2026. Source
  • Dividend payable December 29: The board authorized a $0.15 quarterly dividend in October, payable December 29, 2026 to holders of record on December 1. Source
  • April 2027 notes to be addressed: Management said it believes it has sufficient liquidity and debt financing access to address the notes at or before maturity. Source
  • Middle East and Africa expansion expected: Management said it expects continued expansion in the Middle East and Africa region. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Development pipeline rooms Source543,100 rooms as of September 30, 2026
Development pipeline hotels Source3,869 hotels
Rooms approved for development in quarter Source30,500 rooms
Rooms added to system in quarter Source27,000 rooms
Hotels opened in quarter Source182 hotels
Net unit growth from September 30, 2025 Source6.0 percent
System-wide comparable RevPAR change in quarter Source5.8 percent, currency neutral
Total system hotels and rooms Source9,620 hotels; 1,408,417 rooms

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management expects increased impact from the Middle East in the fourth quarter, and lowered expectations for performance there. Source
  • External: Management expects the fourth quarter to be affected by midterm elections. Source
  • Operational: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA projection reflects lower expectations for timeshare license fees. Source
  • Financial: The company has $600 million of Senior Notes due April 2027 and says it has access to financing to address them. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said third-quarter results exceeded its expectations. Prior guidance for the quarter was RevPAR growth of approximately 4.0 percent and diluted EPS of $2.20 to $2.26. Source
  • Not stated: Management said sequential increases give it confidence in net unit growth around the midpoint of the full-year range. 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.