Company Overview - Wyndham Hotels (WH) is headquartered in Parsippany and operates in the Consumer Discretionary sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price decline of 21.04% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - Wyndham Hotels currently pays a dividend of $0.41 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.06%, which is significantly higher than the Hotels and Motels industry's yield of 0.55% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.76% [3] - The annualized dividend of $1.64 represents a 7.9% increase from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 37.72% over the past five years [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 35%, indicating that it pays out 35% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Wyndham Hotels' earnings in 2025 is projected at $4.82 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 11.32% from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including tax advantages and risk reduction in portfolios [6] - WH is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend performance and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Core Points - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will report its first quarter 2025 results on April 30, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET [1] - A conference call with investors will be hosted on May 1, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET by the CEO and CFO to discuss the results and business outlook [1] Company Overview - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with around 9,300 hotels in over 95 countries [3] - The company operates approximately 903,000 rooms, primarily targeting the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry [3] - Wyndham's portfolio includes 25 hotel brands, such as Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, and La Quinta®, among others [3] - The Wyndham Rewards loyalty program has approximately 114 million enrolled members, allowing them to redeem points at various hotels and vacation rentals globally [3]

Regulations require truckers in the United States and Canada, of which there are nearly 4 million, to get 34 or 36 hours of rest, respectively, to reset their weekly driving limits. When it's time to rest, they need more than just a place to sleep—they need comfort, convenience and value. That's where Recharge with Wyndham comes in. Through the initiative, truckers can earn double Wyndham Rewards points on every qualified stay—enough for up to two free nights annually —along with Wyndham Rewards Gold level ...

Core Insights - Wyndham Travel Bundles allows travelers to customize their entire vacation experience, including flights, hotel stays, rental cars, excursions, and post-cruise getaways, all in one platform [1][6] - The partnership with Carnival Cruise Line enhances the travel experience by allowing members to earn Wyndham Rewards points on cruise bundle reservations, as well as on airfare and car rentals [2][3] Wyndham Travel Bundles - Members earn one Wyndham Rewards point per dollar spent on cruise bundle reservations, with additional points for airfare, car rentals, and hotel stays, including up to 10 points per dollar on qualifying hotel stays [3] - The platform was developed in collaboration with Snowstorm Technologies, and requires that cruise bundles include at least one night at a Wyndham hotel [6] Carnival Cruise Line - Carnival Cruise Line is recognized as the world's most popular cruise line, known for its extensive reach and variety of cruise options, including new exclusive destinations like Celebration Key [2][10] - The company operates a fleet of 27 ships and is set to expand with seven new ships by 2033, reflecting ongoing growth in the cruise industry [10] Wyndham Rewards Program - Wyndham Rewards is the largest hotel rewards program, with approximately 114 million members globally, offering generous point redemption options starting at 7,500 points for free nights [7] - Members can earn guaranteed points with every qualified stay, enhancing the overall value of the Wyndham Travel Bundles [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the best hotel credit cards for 2025, highlighting various options based on their rewards, fees, and benefits. Group 1: Hilton Honors American Express Card - The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a $0 annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months [3] - The card provides 7x points on eligible Hilton purchases, 5x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 3x points on other purchases [4][5] - Cardholders can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status after spending $20,000 in a calendar year, which includes additional perks like room upgrades and daily food credits [5] Group 2: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months [8] - It provides 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 3x points on dining and select streaming services [9] - The card is noted for its flexibility, allowing points to be transferred to various hotel loyalty programs and airline frequent flyer programs [10] Group 3: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - The Capital One Venture X card has a $395 annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months [12] - It provides 10x miles on hotel bookings through Capital One Travel and includes benefits like a $300 annual travel credit [17] - The card is designed for travelers who want to maximize bookings across various hotel brands [15] Group 4: American Express Platinum Card - The American Express Platinum Card has an $895 annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of up to 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months [20] - It provides up to $600 in hotel statement credits per calendar year for eligible bookings and offers elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors [22][23] - The card rewards 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel [24] Group 5: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card - The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card has a $95 annual fee and offers 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months [26] - It provides up to 17x points at Marriott properties and 3x points on grocery, gas, and dining purchases [27][28] - Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status and can earn additional benefits through spending [28] Group 6: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card - The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card has a $75 annual fee and offers 90,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days [30] - It provides 6x points at gas stations and Wyndham hotels, and 4x points on dining and grocery purchases [30][31] - The card includes automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, enhancing the value for frequent travelers [32]

With economic concerns once again front and center, hotel stocks have got off to a shaky start to 2025. Against that backdrop, shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH ) have been somewhereI like to take a long term, buy-and-hold approach to investing, with a bias toward stocks that can sustainably post high quality earnings. Mostly found in the dividend and income section. Blog about various US/Canadian stocks at 'The Compound Investor', and predominantly UK names on 'The UK Income Investor'.Analyst’s ...

World's largest hotel franchisor recognized for third consecutive year PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts was once again named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere, honoring companies that demonstrate business integrity through robust ethics, compliance and governance practices. This award marks the third consecutive year Wyndham has been recognized and fifth time overall. "At Wyndham, we believe that you do well by doing good. That's why our busine ...

Core Viewpoint - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has announced an 8% increase in its quarterly dividend payout, reflecting the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder returns through the utilization of free cash [1][2]. Dividend Increase Details - The quarterly dividend has been raised to 41 cents per share (or $1.64 annually) from the previous 38 cents (or $1.52 annually) [2]. - The new dividend will be paid on or around March 31, 2025, to shareholders on record as of March 17, 2025 [2]. - Based on the closing price of $104.37 per share, the stock now has a dividend yield of 1.6% [2]. Shareholder Return Focus - The increase in dividends underscores the company's focus on improving shareholder returns, as investors typically favor stocks that generate returns, particularly those with a history of consistent dividend payments [3]. Performance Metrics - Wyndham's shares have increased by 41.2% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Hotels and Motels industry's growth of 20.4% [4]. - In the fourth quarter of 2024, global RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) rose by 5% year over year in constant currency, with a 5% increase in the U.S. and 6% internationally [5]. - The company's retention rate improved by 10 basis points year over year, reaching a record 95.7% by the end of 2024 [5]. Expansion and Strategy - Wyndham is focused on expanding its geographic footprint and product offerings across all segments, leveraging a diversified brand portfolio [6]. - The company opened 68,700 rooms globally in 2024, marking a 4% year-over-year increase, including approximately 28,000 rooms in the U.S. [7]. - As of December 31, 2024, Wyndham's global development pipeline included around 2,100 hotels and 252,000 rooms, indicating a 5% year-over-year growth [7].

Group 1 - Wyndham Rewards members can earn 7,500 bonus points for staying two qualifying nights, with a maximum of 15,000 points available for two stays [1] - Members with a Wyndham Rewards Earner Visa card can earn an additional 7,500 points for the same stay conditions [1] - The promotion is part of a broader celebration of Member Month, highlighting the program's generosity and commitment to rewarding members [2] Group 2 - Every Wednesday, new exclusive offers will be available for members, allowing them to maximize their rewards throughout the month [3] - Previous Member Months have included discounts on points purchases, special partner offers, and access to trip sweepstakes [3] - Member Month provides opportunities for various types of getaways, catering to families, couples, and solo travelers [4] Group 3 - Wyndham Rewards is recognized as the 1 hotel rewards program, with approximately 114 million members globally [6] - Members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem free nights starting at just 7,500 points [6] - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates more than 60,000 hotels and vacation rentals worldwide, emphasizing the program's extensive reach and generosity [6]

Financial Performance - Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $767 million, up from $727 million in 2023, reflecting a growth of 5.5%[30] - The company reported a net income of $628 million for Hotel Franchising in 2024, compared to $606 million in 2023, indicating a year-over-year increase of 3.6%[30] Franchise Operations - The company licensed its brands to approximately 6,200 franchisees globally, with franchise agreements typically lasting 10 to 20 years, providing significant visibility into future cash flows[31] - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates approximately 9,300 hotels across 25 brands in more than 95 countries, making it the world's largest hotel franchisor by number of franchised properties[32] - The company operates approximately 6,200 franchisees, with one master franchisor in China accounting for 12% of its hotels, while no other franchisee exceeds 2%[66] Growth Strategy - The company aims to grow its direct franchising system by 3.6-4.6% in 2025, targeting high FeePAR growth through attractive RevPAR and royalty rates[36] - Wyndham plans to enhance franchisee profitability by optimizing top-line performance and lowering operating costs through continuous digital innovation[45] Sustainability Initiatives - The company is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability through its Wyndham Green Program, which includes best practices for energy and water conservation[62] - Wyndham Rewards members have donated over 200 million points to various non-profit organizations, supporting humanitarian causes and providing temporary safe housing for victims of human trafficking[55] Employee Information - As of December 31, 2024, Wyndham had approximately 2,200 employees, with around 1,000 employees located outside the United States[41] Financial Risks - The company has a total outstanding balance of variable-rate borrowings, net of swaps, amounting to $531 million as of December 31, 2024[222] - A hypothetical 10% change in the effective weighted average interest rate on variable-rate borrowings would result in a $2 million increase or decrease in annual long-term debt interest expense[222] - The company has foreign currency rate exposure, particularly with the Canadian Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Euro, Brazilian Real, British Pound, and Argentine Peso[224] - The absolute notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange hedging instruments was $186 million as of December 31, 2024[225] - Foreign currency exchange losses related to Argentina were immaterial, totaling $14 million and $4 million during 2024 and 2023, respectively[226] - The company uses interest swap contracts and foreign currency forwards to manage interest rate and currency exchange rate risks[220] - The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and accounts payable approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature[223] - The company assesses its interest rate exposure using sensitivity analysis, indicating potential impacts on earnings and cash flows based on hypothetical interest rate changes[222] Market Trends - The hotel industry experiences seasonal revenue fluctuations, with higher revenues typically occurring in the second and third quarters due to increased leisure travel[67]