Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, total revenue for the group increased 7.8% year-over-year to RMB6 billion, exceeding guidance [45] - For the full-year 2024, total revenue increased 9.2% year-over-year to RMB23.9 billion [45] - Adjusted net income was RMB321 million in Q4 2024, with full-year adjusted net income increasing 5.8% year-over-year to RMB3.7 billion [54] - The group generated operational cash inflow of RMB7.5 billion in 2024 [54] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Legacy-Huazhu's revenue increased 9.2% year-over-year to RMB4.8 billion in Q4 2024, with full-year revenue growing 9.1% to RMB19 billion [45] - Legacy-DH's revenue rose 2.9% year-over-year to RMB1.2 billion in Q4 and increased 9.6% year-over-year to RMB4.9 billion for the full-year [46] - Legacy-Huazhu's blended RevPAR decreased slightly by 3% to RMB235, while occupancy rate improved by 0.2 percentage points to 81.2% [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of domestic tourists in China reached 5.6 billion, up 14.8% year-over-year, with total domestic tourism spending increasing 17.1% to RMB5.8 trillion [10] - The hotel turnover for the full-year 2024 was RMB93 billion, a 15% year-over-year increase [44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reach 20,000 hotels in 2,000 cities in the near future, focusing on high-quality development and brand positioning [16][32] - The asset-light model strategy is expected to generate stronger and healthier cash flow, with over 50% of revenue contribution from asset-light business [13][47] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there are macro uncertainties, domestic travel demand continues to grow steadily, with leisure travel outpacing business travel [8][10] - For Q1 2025, management expects a low single-digit decline in RevPAR year-over-year, but remains confident about stabilization and potential growth for the full year [65] Other Important Information - The company revised its dividend payout policy to no less than 60% of net profit and announced a US$300 million final cash dividend for the second half of 2024 [56] - The company plans to open around 2,300 hotels in 2025 while closing around 600 hotels, representing a 15% year-over-year growth in hotel network [60] Q&A Session Summary Question: RevPAR outlook for Q1 and full-year - Management expects a low single-digit decline in Q1 RevPAR year-over-year but is confident about stabilization and potential growth for the full year [65] Question: Strategy change for Legacy-DH and earnings recovery - Management indicated that the focus for 2025 will be on stabilizing the business and performance while looking for growth opportunities through asset-light and organic growth [67][68] Question: Future dividend payout expectations - Management confirmed the commitment to the current shareholder return plan, aiming to return up to US$2 billion over three years, primarily through cash dividends [78]

Core Insights - H World Group Limited reported significant growth in its hotel network, achieving a milestone of 10,000 hotels and opening over 2,400 new hotels in 2024, surpassing its initial target of 1,800 hotels [2][5] - The company maintained a high occupancy rate of 81.2% despite a slight year-over-year decline in RevPAR, indicating strong operational performance amid rapid expansion [2] - The loyalty program, H Rewards, saw membership rise to 267 million, contributing to nearly two-thirds of all bookings, reflecting the effectiveness of the company's digital innovations [4] Financial Performance - Fourth quarter revenue increased by 7.8% year-over-year to RMB 6.0 billion (US$ 825 million) [5] - Full year revenue for 2024 rose by 9.2% year-over-year to RMB 23.9 billion (US$ 3.3 billion) [5] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter totaled RMB 1.2 billion (US$ 171 million), marking a 10.3% increase year-over-year, while full year adjusted EBITDA reached RMB 6.8 billion (US$ 935 million), an 8.8% increase year-over-year [5] Strategic Focus - The company is committed to an asset-light strategy, focusing on high-quality hotel network growth and enhancing brand positioning [2][5] - H World Group plans to continue improving hotel operations, cost reduction, and efficiency in its Legacy-DH business, which recorded a 5.9% year-over-year increase in RevPAR [2] - The company has a robust development pipeline with 3,013 hotels in the pipeline as of year-end 2024, indicating strong future growth potential [5][3]

Core Viewpoint - H World Group Limited reported its unaudited financial results for Q4 and the full year of 2024, highlighting significant growth in hotel turnover and revenue, despite a decline in net income due to foreign exchange losses and restructuring costs. Financial Performance - Hotel turnover increased by 16.5% year-over-year to RMB23.7 billion in Q4 2024 and by 15.5% for the full year to RMB23.9 billion (US$3.3 billion) [4][9] - Revenue for Q4 2024 was RMB6.0 billion (US$825 million), a 7.8% year-over-year increase, surpassing previous guidance [4][8] - Net income attributable to H World was RMB49 million (US$7 million) in Q4 2024, down from RMB743 million in Q4 2023 [36] - EBITDA (non-GAAP) for Q4 2024 was RMB974 million (US$134 million), compared to RMB1.4 billion in Q4 2023 [38] Operational Highlights - As of December 31, 2024, H World operated 11,147 hotels with 1,088,218 rooms, including 3,013 hotels in the pipeline [2] - Legacy-Huazhu opened 520 hotels in Q4 2024, exceeding its target of 1,800 for the year [7] - The occupancy rate for Legacy-Huazhu hotels was 80.0% in Q4 2024, slightly down from 80.5% in Q4 2023 [11] Segment Performance - Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in Q4 2024 was RMB4.8 billion, a 9.2% year-over-year increase [4][9] - Revenue from the Legacy-DH segment in Q4 2024 was RMB1.2 billion, a 2.9% year-over-year increase [4][9] - Adjusted EBITDA from Legacy-Huazhu was RMB1.5 billion in Q4 2024, compared to RMB1.1 billion in Q4 2023 [38] Shareholder Returns - The board declared a cash dividend of approximately US$300 million for the second half of 2024, with total shareholder returns reaching US$767 million for the year [43][45] - H World announced a three-year shareholder return plan with an aggregate amount of up to US$2 billion [44] Future Guidance - For Q1 2025, H World expects revenue growth of 0%-4%, with manachised and franchised revenue growth projected at 18%-22% [47] - For the full year 2025, revenue growth is expected to be in the range of 2%-6%, with manachised and franchised revenue growth projected at 17%-21% [48]

Core Viewpoint - H World Group Limited (HTHT) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 20, with expectations of mixed performance due to various market factors [1]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HTHT's earnings is 27 cents, reflecting an 18.2% decline from the previous year's actual earnings [3]. - Revenue expectations are pegged at $798.2 million, indicating a 1.6% increase from the year-ago figure [3]. - The company missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.6% in the last reported quarter [2]. Revenue Drivers - Fourth-quarter revenues are anticipated to increase year over year, driven by steady growth in domestic travel demand and ongoing expansion efforts [4]. - The company expects revenue growth of 1-5% year over year for the fourth quarter, supported by strong occupancy rates and brand recognition [5]. Challenges - Revenue per available room (RevPAR) and average daily rate (ADR) pressures are expected to negatively impact the top line, with a mid-single-digit year-over-year decline in RevPAR anticipated [6]. - The planned closure of leased and owned hotels as part of an asset-light strategy may also affect revenues [6]. - Rising operating costs, particularly in personnel and marketing, are likely to hurt the bottom line [7]. Earnings Prediction - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for HTHT, with an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - H World Group Limited, a significant player in the global hotel industry, is set to release its unaudited financial results for Q4 and the full year of 2024 on March 20, 2025, after Hong Kong trading hours and before the U.S. market opens [1]. Company Overview - H World Group Limited operates 10,845 hotels with a total of 1,062,546 rooms across 18 countries as of September 30, 2024 [5]. - The company’s hotel brands include Hi Inn, Elan Hotel, HanTing Hotel, JI Hotel, Starway Hotel, Orange Hotel, Crystal Orange Hotel, Manxin Hotel, Madison Hotel, Joya Hotel, Blossom House, Ni Hao Hotel, CitiGO Hotel, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, MAXX, Jaz in the City, IntercityHotel, Zleep Hotels, Steigenberger Icon, and Song Hotels [5]. - H World holds master franchise rights for Mercure, Ibis, and Ibis Styles, along with co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel in the pan-China region [5]. Business Model - H World employs a mix of leased and owned, manachised, and franchised hotel models [6]. - As of September 30, 2024, 9% of hotel rooms were operated under the lease and ownership model, while 91% were under the manachise and franchise models [6].