Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has InterContinental Hotels (IHG) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Discretionary peers, we might be able to answer that question. InterContinental Hotels is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 283 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #9 ...

Core Insights - IHG Hotels & Resorts is significantly expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with plans to more than double its presence in the region in the coming years [1][8] - The company has opened five properties in 2024 and has 32 more in the pipeline, indicating a strong strategic focus and investment in this segment [1][8] Group 1: Six Senses - Six Senses made its debut in the region with the opening of Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada, offering wellness and sustainability experiences [2] - The resort features unique experiences that connect guests with local heritage, including farm-to-table cooking and spa treatments utilizing local spices [2] - Future openings include Six Senses Grand Bahama and Six Senses Xala, expected by 2026 [2] Group 2: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts - InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has the largest presence in the luxury and lifestyle portfolio in MLAC, with 20 open properties [3] - The brand will open the 293-room InterContinental Presidente Monterrey in Mexico in the second half of 2024, featuring various amenities for leisure and business travelers [3] - The InterContinental Grenada Resort is projected to open in 2025 [3] Group 3: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants continues to grow in MLAC, with recent openings including Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa and Kimpton Virgilio in Mexico City [4] - Upcoming openings include Kimpton Las Mercedes in the Dominican Republic and Kimpton Tres Ríos Riviera Maya, the brand's first all-inclusive beachfront resort [4] Group 4: Vignette Collection - Vignette Collection, IHG's newest luxury brand, will open El Gran Encomendero in Valladolid, Mexico, in 2025, marking its first signing in the Americas [5] Group 5: Hotel Indigo - Hotel Indigo opened Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, featuring 282 water view guest rooms and various dining options [6] - The brand also opened Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés in January and plans to open Hotel Indigo Tijuana later this year [6] Group 6: Strategic Signings - IHG announced three milestone signings in Turks & Caicos for InterContinental, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo, all set to open by 2027 [7] Group 7: Overall Growth - IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio has transformed into one of the largest in the hospitality industry, with over 850 open and pipeline hotels globally [8]

The Consumer Discretionary group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has InterContinental Hotels (IHG) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Discretionary peers, we might be able to answer that question. InterContinental Hotels is one of 285 individual stocks in the Consumer Discretionary sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #9 in the Z ...

"Our IHG luxury and lifestyle hotels are known for their inspired and experiential programming that brings people together," said Kathleen Reidenbach, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Commercial, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts. "This summer, we are embracing the vibe and essence of the season to bring our vision of a summer oasis to life in our lobbies and beyond, inviting travelers to immerse in the unforgettable feelings of the season." Summer Soiree Pop-Ups In partnership with Barc ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global RevPAR increased by 2.6% year-on-year, driven by a 2.3% increase in ADR and a 0.2 percentage point increase in occupancy [4][43] - Business revenue remained flat due to the timing of Easter, which affected business travel [5] - Gross system growth was 0.7% year-to-date, with net system growth at 3.4% year-on-year [43] Performance by Business Line - Leisure demand remained strong, with global rooms revenue for comparable hotels up 7% year-on-year, while group performance improved with revenue up 5% [9] - The company opened over 6,200 rooms across 46 hotels in the quarter, leading to 5% gross growth year-on-year and 3.4% net growth [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas, RevPAR decreased by 0.3% year-on-year, with the U.S. down 1.9%, while Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean saw an increase of 11.3% [19] - EMEAA region experienced an impressive RevPAR increase of 8.9% year-on-year, with Japan up 17% and Australia up 10% [26] - Greater China saw a 2.5% increase in RevPAR, driven by a 0.7 percentage point improvement in occupancy [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on growing fee revenues through RevPAR expansion, system size growth, and ancillary fee streams, which will drive margin improvements [45] - A significant conversion deal with NOVUM Hospitality will double IHG's presence in Germany, adding up to 119 hotels or 17,700 rooms [13][15] - Changes to System Fund arrangements are expected to incrementally add $25 million to IHG's revenue and operating profit in 2024, doubling in 2025 [17][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for system growth, particularly with the recent NOVUM deal and strong demand in various markets [13][15] - Booking trends indicate a return to positive RevPAR for the second quarter, despite some adverse impacts in the first quarter [22] - The company anticipates continued growth in Greater China, supported by an increase in international travelers [30][114] Other Important Information - The company is currently 30% through an $800 million share buyback program, reducing the share count by 1.4% [32] - The System Fund revenues in 2023 totaled nearly $1.6 billion, reflecting a 27% increase over five years [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you explain the System Fund changes and their implications? - Management clarified that the System Fund has grown significantly, allowing for fee reductions without compromising marketing effectiveness. The changes are designed to benefit both IHG and its owners [50][52][88] Question: What is the cash impact of the System Fund changes? - The changes are expected to be cash accretive, contributing positively to operating cash and EBITDA margins [101] Question: How is the U.S. RevPAR performance compared to the Americas? - Management noted that while U.S. RevPAR was weaker, other regions like Latin America and Canada performed well, reflecting the benefits of regional diversification [82][84] Question: What are the current conditions for bank financing in the U.S.? - The financing environment is improving, with stable interest rates contributing to better visibility for construction costs and financing [125] Question: Are there plans to accelerate growth in Las Vegas? - While there are no specific announcements, management indicated ongoing efforts to grow distribution in key markets, including Las Vegas [129]

First hospitality company to go live with AirPlay, available at more than 60 locations NEW YORK, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global hospitality leader IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) launches AirPlay in the first phase of hotel rooms, giving guests the ability to stream content privately and securely from their iPhone or iPad to the TV in their guest rooms. AirPlay is available at more than 60 hotels in North America, including properties like InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, Hotel Indigo NYC Downtow ...

LONDON, April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and NOVUM Hospitality announce a long-term agreement that will double IHG's presence in Germany to more than 200 hotels in almost 100 cities through an exciting Holiday Inn – the niu brand collaboration and European debuts for IHG's Garner and Candlewood Suites brands.The agreement with NOVUM Hospitality, one of Germany's largest private hotel operators, owned by David Etmenan, will make IHG one of the leading players in midscale and upper mi ...

New trip planner will bring personalized travel recommendations to mobile app users ATLANTA, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '24, LAS VEGAS -- IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's leading hotel companies, and Google Cloud, today announced an expanded partnership that will fuel new customer experiences within the IHG One Rewards mobile app. With Google Cloud's technologies, IHG will launch a generative AI-powered travel planning capability that can help guests easily p ...

Recognition establishes IHG as one of the best places to work in the USATLANTA, April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has been named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® 2024 List by Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine, coming in at No. 28. Earning a spot means that IHG Hotels & Resorts has surpassed rigorous benchmarks, establishing itself as one of the country's best places to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts Named to Fortune 100 ...

Financial Performance - Global RevPAR increased by 16.1%, with total gross revenue reaching $31.6 billion, up from $25.8 billion in 2022[13] - Operating profit from reportable segments rose to $1,019 million, a 23% increase compared to $828 million in 2022[13] - Adjusted EPS grew by 33% to 375.7¢, up from 282.3¢ in 2022[13] - RevPAR for 2023 reached $92.9, a significant increase from $50.7 in 2022 and $33.7 in 2021[80] - The fee revenue for 2023 was $2,164 million from franchised hotels and $2,460 million from the System Fund and reimbursable revenues[96] Shareholder Returns - Total dividend proposed for 2023 is 152.3¢, compared to 138.4¢ in 2022, with a completed share buyback of $750 million[23][25] - The company returned $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and a $750 million share buyback program, with an additional $800 million share buyback approved for 2024[42][53] - The Board proposed a final dividend of 104.0¢ for 2023, representing a 10% increase from 2022, with a total proposed dividend of 152.3¢ for the year[120] - The Board expects to routinely return additional capital to shareholders through share buybacks, leveraging the asset-light model[113] Growth and Expansion - Signings increased by 26% year-over-year, with a total of 79,220 rooms signed[23] - IHG opened 275 hotels in 2023, an increase from 269 in 2022, with 38% of total openings and signings attributed to the Holiday Inn® Brand Family[48] - IHG signed 556 new hotels in 2023, with 22% of the pipeline now represented by Luxury & Lifestyle brands, indicating a strategic shift towards higher-fee segments[49][58] - The total development pipeline consists of 296,954 rooms, with a system size of 946,203 rooms[85] - The Luxury & Lifestyle segment currently represents 14% of the system size but comprises 22% of the future growth pipeline, indicating strategic expansion in higher-fee categories[90] Customer Engagement and Loyalty - Loyalty membership grew to over 130 million, with a 20% increase in Reward Nights compared to 2022[23] - The IHG One Rewards program grew to over 130 million members, with members booking more than 55% of room nights globally in 2023[60] - Loyalty enrolments increased by 50% year-on-year, marking a record rise[200] - Loyalty members now responsible for over 55% of room nights globally[200] Technology and Innovation - The company launched a new midscale conversion brand, Garner, and enhanced its Guest Reservation System to drive revenue[23] - IHG's mobile app revenue increased by 38% in 2023, with downloads growing by 60% year-on-year, enhancing the guest experience[60] - The introduction of AI technologies increased end-to-end AI-led customer self-service by 53% in 2023, enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency[180] - The company continues to invest in technology, including a next-generation mobile app and AI-driven personalized guest experiences[138] Sustainability and Community Support - IHG's commitment to sustainability and community support was highlighted by its recognition as a Kincentric Global Best Employer and ongoing environmental initiatives[61] - 75% of travelers are looking to choose sustainable travel options, with 92% of business travel professionals prioritizing sustainability[132] - Sustainability tools and expertise developed to help hotels reduce energy, waste, and water consumption[197] - IHG is progressing towards its Science-Based Target (SBT) to enhance energy efficiency and access to renewable energy across its hotels[140] Operational Efficiency - The company achieved a record operating profit exceeding $1 billion for the first time, driven by strong average daily rates and occupancy rates[52][53] - The company achieved a record level of enterprise contribution at approximately 80%, up from 72% three years earlier, indicating improved operational efficiency[174] - Approximately 80% of enterprise contribution from IHG-managed channels and sources, up from 72% three years ago[200] - The asset-light business model allows for high returns on invested capital and strong cash flow, with fee margins expanding by approximately 130bps annually from 2009 to 2019[103] Market Trends - The company anticipates a 4.0% annual growth rate in global hotel room nights from 2023 to 2033, driven by population growth and rising middle classes in emerging markets[62] - Global hotel revenues have outpaced GDP growth and are now ahead of pre-COVID-19 levels, indicating strong recovery[77] - US disposable personal income grew on average by 1.6% per annum between 2000 and 2023, contributing to the attractiveness of the hotel industry[74] - Global hotel room net new supply increased at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2013 to 2023, with forecasts indicating a similar growth rate for the next five years[69] Guest Experience - The Guest Satisfaction Index maintained a four-year high, demonstrating the effectiveness of service enhancements and guest experience improvements[183] - More than 6,000 hotels now feature attribute upsell, allowing guests to personalize their stays[200] - Investment in technology and systems to enhance guest experience and strengthen owner returns[197] - The company expanded its procurement solutions, covering over 100,000 items, to create more resilient supply chains and reduce costs for hotel owners[187]