Hilton(US:HLT) Benzinga·2026-02-11 17:03Core Viewpoint - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with a focus on steady demand trends and pipeline growth, despite a more measured outlook for the upcoming year [1] Quarterly Analysis - The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $2.08, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $2.02 [2] - Quarterly sales reached $3.087 billion, surpassing the expected $2.987 billion [2] - System-wide comparable RevPAR increased slightly year over year, driven by higher average daily rates, although occupancy saw modest declines [2] - Operating income for the quarter was $602 million, up from $489 million a year ago [3] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $946 million from $858 million in the previous year [3] - Hilton opened 190 hotels, adding a total of 26,000 rooms, resulting in 21,300 net room additions [3] Development Pipeline - The company added 37,400 rooms to its development pipeline in the fourth quarter, totaling 3,703 hotels as of December 31, 2025 [4] - Nearly half of the rooms in the development pipeline were under construction, with more than half located outside the U.S. [4] - Total cash and equivalents stood at $970 million as of December 31, 2025, including $52 million of restricted cash [4] Outlook - Hilton expects first-quarter GAAP EPS to be in the range of $1.87-$1.93, compared to the $1.78 estimate [5] - The company anticipates first-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.91-$1.97, against an estimate of $1.84 [5] - For fiscal year 2026, GAAP earnings per share are projected to be between $8.49 and $8.61, compared to the $8.76 analyst estimate [5] - Fiscal year 2026 adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $8.65 to $8.77, lower than the $9.17 analyst estimate [5]