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Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 13 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA re rose in both periods: Adjusted EBITDA re rose 17.6% to $56.6 million in the fourth quarter and 3.0% to $236.6 million for the full year. Source
  • Adjusted FFO per share up 25% in quarter: Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders per diluted share rose 25.0% to $0.20 in the quarter and 7.5% to $0.86 for the year. Full-year Adjusted FFO was $167.8 million. Source
  • Full-year results above prior guidance midpoints: Against guidance given November 7, 2025, full-year net income, Adjusted EBITDA re and Adjusted FFO were above the midpoints. Total RevPAR growth of 3.8% was 20 basis points below its midpoint. Source
  • Andaz and Wailea led fourth-quarter demand: Management said Andaz Miami Beach and Wailea Beach Resort showed stronger performance and robust festive-period demand, with momentum continuing into 2026. Source
  • 2026 net income guided at $21M to $46M: Net income guidance for 2026 is $21 million to $46 million. Adjusted FFO per diluted share is guided at $0.81 to $0.94 on 190,000,000 diluted shares. Source
  • $103.6 million repurchased in 2025: In 2025 the company repurchased $103.6 million of common and preferred stock before expenses, including 11,589,722 common shares at an average $8.83. Source
  • Recycling, investment and returns for 2026: The CEO said 2026 strategy continues capital recycling, portfolio investment and capital returns, while working to address the valuation discount at which the stock trades. Source

“Our portfolio outperformed our expectations in the fourth quarter delivering impressive Total RevPAR growth of 12.5% as the benefit of our recent investment activity added to generally broad-based strength across our portfolio.”

Bryan A. Giglia, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income SourceYear ended December 31, 2026$21 million to $46 millionNew
RevPAR growth SourceFull year 2026 compared with full year 2025, all 14 owned hotels4.0% to 7.0%New
Total RevPAR growth SourceFull year 2026 compared with full year 20253.5% to 6.5%New
Adjusted EBITDA re SourceFull year 2026$225 million to $250 millionNew
Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders SourceFull year 2026$153 million to $178 millionNew
Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders per diluted share SourceFull year 2026$0.81 to $0.94New
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding SourceFull year 2026190,000,000New
Andaz Miami Beach contribution to RevPAR growth SourceFull year 2026approximately 400 basis pointsNew
Interest and other income SourceFull year 2026$3 million to $4 millionNew
Corporate overhead expense (excluding deferred stock amortization) SourceFull year 2026$20 million to $21 millionNew
Interest expense SourceFull year 2026$53 million to $56 millionNew
Preferred stock dividends SourceFull year 2026$16 million to $17 millionNew
Capital investment in portfolio SourceFull year 2026$95 million to $115 millionNew
Quarterly common dividend Source2026$0.09 per share each quarterKept
Share repurchase authorization SourceNo stated expirationup to $500.0 million of common and preferred stockRaised from $326.9 million remaining under prior authorization

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Management issued full-year 2026 guidance covering net income, RevPAR growth, Adjusted EBITDA re, Adjusted FFO and related assumptions. The prior release contained no 2026 figures. Source
  • New guidance: Management set a 2026 capital investment range of $95 million to $115 million, against $80 million to $100 million for 2025 in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance kept: The quarterly common dividend remains $0.09 per share, the same amount declared in the prior quarter. Source
  • New: The Board reauthorized the stock repurchase program at up to $500.0 million, with no stated expiration. Source
  • New: In January 2026 the company drew the remaining delayed-draw term loan balance, following the delayed draw described in the prior release. Source

Fourth quarter and full year results

  • Quarterly net income rose to $7.2 million: Net income was $7.2 million in the fourth quarter, against $0.8 million a year earlier. Income attributable to common stockholders was $0.02 per diluted share, against $(0.02). Source
  • Full-year net income fell to $24.6 million: Full-year net income was $24.6 million, against $43.3 million. Excluding the loss on the June 2025 sale of Hilton New Orleans St. Charles, net income would have been $33.3 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA re rose in both periods: Adjusted EBITDA re rose 17.6% to $56.6 million in the fourth quarter and 3.0% to $236.6 million for the full year. Source
  • Adjusted FFO per share up 25% in quarter: Adjusted FFO attributable to common stockholders per diluted share rose 25.0% to $0.20 in the quarter and 7.5% to $0.86 for the year. Full-year Adjusted FFO was $167.8 million. Source
  • Full-year results above prior guidance midpoints: Against guidance given November 7, 2025, full-year net income, Adjusted EBITDA re and Adjusted FFO were above the midpoints. Total RevPAR growth of 3.8% was 20 basis points below its midpoint. Source

Hotel performance and demand

  • Andaz and Wailea led fourth-quarter demand: Management said Andaz Miami Beach and Wailea Beach Resort showed stronger performance and robust festive-period demand, with momentum continuing into 2026. Source
  • Occupancy and rate both rose in quarter: Quarterly occupancy rose 390 basis points, and average daily rate rose 3.5%, lifting RevPAR across the total portfolio. Source
  • Excluding Andaz, quarter RevPAR rose 4.2%: Excluding Andaz Miami Beach, fourth-quarter RevPAR rose 4.2% to $218.07, with occupancy up 120 basis points and average daily rate up 2.3%. Source
  • Full-year growth came from occupancy: Full-year occupancy rose 230 basis points while average daily rate rose 0.4%. Excluding Andaz Miami Beach, full-year RevPAR rose 2.1%. Source

“While macroeconomic uncertainty and other factors impeded industry growth in 2025, we nevertheless had a productive year at Sunstone.”

Bryan A. Giglia, Chief Executive Officer

Margins and costs

  • Quarterly hotel margin rose 220 basis points: Excluding Andaz Miami Beach, hotel Adjusted EBITDA re margin was 25.5% in the quarter, up 220 basis points. The total portfolio margin was 24.6%, against 23.0%. Source
  • Full-year margin excluding Andaz rose: Full-year hotel margin excluding Andaz Miami Beach was 26.7%, up 40 basis points. The total portfolio margin was 25.7%, against 26.0%. Source
  • Andaz results not comparable to prior period: Andaz Miami Beach was in renovation during 2025 and 2024, so its results are not comparable with the prior period. Andaz revenue was $11.1 million in the quarter and $18.8 million for the year. Source
  • Pre-opening costs tied to Andaz: Pre-opening costs were $6.5 million for 2025, against $2.6 million for 2024. The property-level adjustments are primarily pre-opening costs at Andaz Miami Beach. Source

2026 guidance and assumptions

  • 2026 net income guided at $21M to $46M: Net income guidance for 2026 is $21 million to $46 million. Adjusted FFO per diluted share is guided at $0.81 to $0.94 on 190,000,000 diluted shares. Source
  • Total RevPAR growth guided 3.5% to 6.5%: RevPAR growth for 2026 is guided at 4.0% to 7.0% and Total RevPAR growth at 3.5% to 6.5%, both compared with full year 2025. Source
  • Andaz expected to add about 400 basis points: Andaz Miami Beach is expected to contribute approximately 400 basis points of RevPAR and Total RevPAR growth in 2026. Source
  • Interest expense and overhead assumptions: The 2026 assumptions include interest expense of $53 million to $56 million, including about $4 million of deferred financing amortization, and corporate overhead of $20 million to $21 million. Source

“While we see reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead, we remain cautious and know the operating environment can be impacted, both positively and negatively, by events outside of our control.”

Bryan A. Giglia, Chief Executive Officer

Andaz Miami Beach and portfolio investment

  • Andaz Miami Beach opened in May 2025: Andaz Miami Beach opened in May 2025 after a full transformation of the property. 2026 is its first full year of operations. Source
  • Andaz expected to grow earnings in 2026: Management said the resort finished 2025 with momentum and is expected to generate meaningful earnings growth for the company in 2026. Source
  • 2025 investment reached $103.0 million: The company invested $29.4 million in the fourth quarter and $103.0 million for 2025, mainly to complete the Andaz Miami Beach transformation, the Wailea Beach Resort room renovation and meeting-space renovations. Source
  • Hilton San Diego renovation still under way: Most of the 2026 investment relates to the ongoing meeting-space renovation at Hilton San Diego Bayfront, along with renovation work at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. Source

Capital recycling and asset sales

  • Hilton New Orleans St. Charles sold in June: The company sold the 252-room hotel in June 2025 for a gross sale price of $47.0 million and recorded a loss on the sale. Source
  • Sale priced at 8.7% cap rate: The price represented an 8.7% cap rate on prior-year earnings, or 6.6% including the company's estimate of near-term capital expenditures. Source
  • Sale proceeds used for share buybacks: Management said proceeds were used to accretively repurchase common stock. Source

Share repurchases and dividends

  • $103.6 million repurchased in 2025: In 2025 the company repurchased $103.6 million of common and preferred stock before expenses, including 11,589,722 common shares at an average $8.83. Source
  • 2026 buybacks through February 26: From January 1 through February 26, 2026, the company repurchased 639,355 common shares at an average $8.88, for $5.7 million before expenses. Source
  • Preferred repurchased at discounts: Series H preferred repurchases averaged $20.54 across 2025 and 2026, an 18% discount to liquidation value. Series I repurchases averaged $19.25 in 2025, a 23.0% discount. Source
  • About $300 million returned since 2022: Since 2022 the company has deployed about $300 million and repurchased 31.2 million common shares, at an average price of $9.60, over 14% of shares outstanding at the start of the period. Source
  • Nearly $500 million left under authorization: Including repurchases after the February 2026 reauthorization, nearly $500.0 million remained under the new authorization. Source

Balance sheet and debt

  • Year-end cash and debt position: At December 31, 2025, cash and equivalents including restricted cash totalled $185.7 million, with total debt of $930.0 million and stockholders’ equity of $1.9 billion. Source
  • Credit facilities recast in September 2025: The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, completed in September 2025, provides $1.35 billion of borrowing capacity. Loans mature in 2030 and 2031, are freely prepayable, and carry interest rate swaps. Source
  • No debt maturities until 2028: After repaying the Series A Senior Notes at scheduled maturity, the company reports no debt maturities until 2028. Source

Strategy and valuation focus

  • Recycling, investment and returns for 2026: The CEO said 2026 strategy continues capital recycling, portfolio investment and capital returns, while working to address the valuation discount at which the stock trades. Source
  • Flexible balance sheet and nimble size: The CEO described an exceptional portfolio with growth potential, a flexible balance sheet and a nimble size that allows pivoting among capital allocation options. Source
  • 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report published: The company published its 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report in February 2026, covering environmental, social and governance initiatives and progress toward its 2035 environmental targets. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 February 2026

  • Olazul and Bazaar Meat launch later in 2026: The resort will introduce Olazul, a members-only beach club, and debut Bazaar Meat, a José Andrés Group dining destination, later this year. Source
  • Common and preferred dividends payable April 15: Common and preferred dividends are payable April 15, 2026 to holders of record on March 31, 2026. Source
  • Andaz earnings expected to rise in 2027 and 2028: Beyond 2026, management expects Andaz Miami Beach to add further earnings in 2027 and 2028 as it ramps up and stabilizes. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
RevPAR, fourth quarter Source$220.12, up 9.6%
Occupancy, fourth quarter Source69.0%
Average daily rate, fourth quarter Source$319.01
RevPAR, full year Source$225.12, up 3.8%
Occupancy, full year Source71.0%
Average daily rate, full year Source$317.07
Hotels and rooms owned Source14 hotels, approximately 7,000 rooms

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said the operating environment can be affected, positively or negatively, by events outside the company's control. Source
  • Demand: Management said macroeconomic uncertainty and other factors impeded industry growth in 2025. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The prior release said the delayed-draw loan would be drawn in January 2026 and mostly used to repay the Series A notes. The current release reports the draw and repayment were completed.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected 2025 investment of $80 million to $100 million. The current release reports $103.0 million invested for the year.
  • Not stated: The release compares full-year 2025 actual results with the guidance given in November 2025, showing each result within the prior range. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to work on the valuation discount at which the stock trades, a commitment the prior release also stated. 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.