Core Viewpoint - The owner of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza chains reported increased profit and revenue for 2025, driven by expansion in key markets [1] Company Summary - The company is experiencing growth in profit and revenue, indicating a positive financial outlook for 2025 [1] - Expansion efforts in key markets are a significant factor contributing to this growth [1] Industry Summary - The hospitality industry is seeing a trend of recovery and expansion, particularly in major markets, which is beneficial for hotel chains like Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza [1]

Holiday Inn owner IHG bets on World Cup for US recovery as Europe, Asia drive Q4 beat | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]IHG logo and stock graph are seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Companies- Summary- IHG launches $950 million buyback, proposes 10% annual dividend rise- Europe and Asia growth offset US decline, boosts Q ...

The company explained that having reported in dollars since October 2023, the measure would align its share price trading currency with its reporting currency, "reducing FX volatility in the share price and simplifying the investment case for global investors."Last week's update, though, brought something more eyebrow-raising as Compass announced that, from April 1, it will change the currency in which its shares are traded from sterling to the U.S. dollar.Accordingly, its trading updates tend not to excite ...

Core Insights - IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Rajdeep Infra & Sales to develop a new voco hotel in Lucknow, India, which will feature 135 rooms and is expected to open in Q3 2029 [1][2][3] Group 1: Expansion Strategy - The new voco hotel will be IHG's third property in Lucknow, complementing existing Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels, and aligns with the company's strategy to enhance its presence in key urban locations across India [2][3] - IHG is actively pursuing growth in India, with a pipeline of 80 hotels under development and a goal to operate over 400 hotels in total within five years [5] Group 2: Market Potential - Lucknow, as the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is a significant hub for business, government, education, and tourism, attracting both domestic and international travelers [3][4] - The city’s dynamic growth makes it an ideal market for the voco brand, which aims to provide a premium and distinctive hospitality experience [4]

Core Insights - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has successfully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on expanding its Holiday Inn brand globally [1] - The hotel industry remains competitive, with rivals like Marriott and Hilton also aiming to capture market share in rapidly growing regions [2] Expansion Strategy - China is identified as a crucial market for InterContinental's growth, with over 1,400 existing or planned hotels across more than 200 cities [3][4] - The company plans to broaden its presence beyond tier-1 cities in China, enhancing its footprint in both mainland China and Taipei [4] Technological Advancements - InterContinental has appointed Wei Manfredi to lead its artificial intelligence strategy, aiming to improve IT architecture and form partnerships with tech companies [5] - AI will play a role in maximizing revenue for hotel property managers and enhancing the traveler experience through AI-powered applications [6] Market Position and Growth Potential - InterContinental's midmarket reputation in the Americas presents opportunities for improvement, particularly in luxury and premium segments [7] - Despite a recovery in travel stocks, InterContinental's performance has lagged behind competitors, indicating potential for growth initiatives to enhance shareholder returns [8]

Company Overview - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) operates nearly two dozen brands, including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, and Hualuxe, catering to various market segments [6]. Brand Evolution - The company has evolved significantly over the past fifty years, leveraging its well-known Holiday Inn brand to introduce new concepts such as Holiday Inn Express for business travelers and the Club Vacations resort chain [5][6]. Market Position - Despite having a strong brand presence, IHG has not received the same level of investor attention as some of its more prominent competitors, indicating a potential undervaluation in the market [2].

Group 1 - Aoris Investment Management's "Aoris International Fund" Q3 2025 investor letter reported a 6.5% rise in global equity markets, represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, in AUD for the September quarter [1] - The fund's Class A (Unhedged) returned -2.6% after fees, while Class C (Hedged) declined by 1.0%, both underperforming their respective benchmarks [1] - The letter highlighted InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) as a significant stock, with a one-month return of 6.51% and a 52-week gain of 13.24% [2] Group 2 - InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) operates 6,600 hotels under 20 brands, with Holiday Inn being the largest, contributing to approximately half of its revenue [3] - As of December 22, 2025, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) had a market capitalization of $21.46 billion, with shares closing at $143.42 [2] - The company was held by 14 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, a decrease from 16 in the previous quarter, indicating a decline in popularity among hedge funds [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global RevPAR grew by 0.1% in Q3 2025, consistent with Q2 performance, driven by strong trading in EMEA-A and improvement in Greater China [4] - Year-to-date global RevPAR increased by 1.4% [20] - In the Americas, RevPAR decreased by 0.9% in Q3, with the U.S. down 1.6% due to slower trading conditions [4][5] - EMEA-A saw RevPAR growth of 2.8% in Q3, with year-to-date growth at 3.8% [5] - Greater China experienced a 1.8% decline in RevPAR in Q3, an improvement from previous quarters [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rooms revenue for business days increased by 4% globally, while leisure and groups saw declines of 2% and 4% respectively [7] - System growth included the opening of 14,500 rooms across 99 hotels globally in Q3, marking a 17% year-on-year increase [8] - The Americas' gross system growth was 3.6% year-on-year, with 2,700 rooms opened in Q3 [9] - EMEA-A region achieved gross system growth of 10.4% year-on-year, with 4,200 rooms opened in Q3 [10] - Greater China reported gross system growth of 12.8% year-on-year, with 7,600 rooms opened in Q3 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In EMEA-A, RevPAR growth varied by market, with the U.K. up 2.8% and the Middle East up 9.5% [6] - Greater China showed strong growth in Tier one cities, while Tier two to four cities faced declines [7] - The U.S. market continues to experience challenges with government travel down 20% compared to the previous year [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to launch a new collection brand focused on the premium segment, initially targeting the EMEA-A region [17][18] - The new brand aims to expand the company's offerings and attract more owners to its enterprise platform [17] - The company is optimistic about long-term demand drivers, despite short-term challenges in the U.S. market [16][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the return to growth in the U.S. as economic uncertainty subsides [5] - The company remains on track to meet full-year profit and earnings expectations, with consensus for operating profits at $1.259 billion, implying 12% growth [14][15] - Management highlighted strong fundamentals in the U.S. economy, including low unemployment and resilient consumer spending [30][32] Other Important Information - The company is 78% through its $900 million share buyback program, reducing share count by 3.9% [12] - IHG plans to change the currency of its ordinary shares traded on the London Stock Exchange from British pounds to U.S. dollars starting January 2026 [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Net system growth for 2026 and RevPAR outlook - Management is comfortable with consensus expectations for net system growth at around 4% for 2026, supported by strong signings and conversions [24][26] - RevPAR is expected to remain flat in Q4, with management confident in achieving growth in 2026 based on economic fundamentals [28][30] Question: New brand launch and U.S. demand weakness - The new brand launch is focused on the EMEA region due to a larger addressable market of independent hotels [39] - Weakness in U.S. leisure demand is attributed to several factors, including lower international inbound travel and temporary market conditions [44][45] Question: Ruby brand performance and churn rates - Ruby is performing well with five signings and 20 open hotels, with plans for further expansion in the U.S. [59] - Management aims to reduce churn rates to 1.5% over time, with no immediate need for brand refreshes [63] Question: U.S. occupancy and industry dynamics - Management noted that improved revenue management strategies have led to higher rates, leaving room for occupancy growth [71] - The company is optimistic about returning to pre-COVID occupancy levels, despite current challenges in the U.S. market [73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global RevPAR grew by 0.1% in Q3 2025, consistent with Q2 performance, driven by strong trading in EMEA-A and improvement in Greater China [5][6] - Year-to-date global RevPAR increased by 1.4% [22] - In the Americas, RevPAR decreased by 0.9% in Q3, with the U.S. down 1.6% due to slower trading conditions [5][6] - EMEA-A RevPAR increased by 2.8% in Q3, with year-to-date growth at 3.8% [6][7] - Greater China saw a 1.8% decline in RevPAR in Q3, an improvement from previous quarters [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rooms revenue for business days increased by 4% globally, while leisure and groups decreased by 2% and 4% respectively [8] - System growth included the opening of 14,500 rooms across 99 hotels globally, marking a 17% year-on-year increase [9] - The Americas saw a gross system growth of 3.6% year-on-year, with 2,700 rooms opened in Q3 [10] - EMEA-A region experienced a gross system growth of 10.4% year-on-year, with 4,200 rooms opened [11] - Greater China achieved a gross system growth of 12.8% year-on-year, with 7,600 rooms opened [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In EMEA-A, RevPAR growth varied by market, with the UK up 2.8% and the Middle East up 9.5% [7] - Greater China showed strong growth in Tier 1 cities, while Tiers 2 to 4 faced declines [8] - U.S. government travel remained about 20% lower than the previous year, impacting overall demand [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to launch a new collection brand targeting the upscale to upper upscale segment, initially focusing on the EMEA-A region [19][20] - The new brand aims to complement existing brands like Voco and Vignette Collection, which have seen success in the market [19][20] - The company is optimistic about long-term demand drivers, despite short-term challenges in the U.S. market [18][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to growth in the U.S. as economic uncertainty subsides [6][18] - The outlook for 2025 includes expectations for 12% EBIT growth and 15% EPS growth [22] - Management highlighted strong fundamentals in the U.S. economy, including employment and consumer spending, as positive indicators for future performance [32][34] Other Important Information - The company is 78% through its $900 million share buyback program, reducing share count by 3.9% [14] - IHG plans to change the currency of its ordinary shares traded on the London Stock Exchange from British pounds to U.S. dollars starting January 2026 [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Net system growth for 2026 and RevPAR outlook - Management is comfortable with a consensus of around 4.5% net system growth for 2025, with strong signings and conversions expected to continue [25][27] - RevPAR for the fourth quarter is expected to be similar to Q3, with short booking windows impacting performance [30][31] Question: New brand launch and U.S. demand weakness - The new brand launch is focused on the EMEA region due to a higher proportion of independent hotels available for conversion [42][43] - Weakness in U.S. leisure demand is attributed to several factors, including lower international inbound travel and economic uncertainties [47][48] Question: Timing of new brand launch and performance in China - Details on the new brand launch will be provided in the coming months, with expectations for continued improvement in China [55][56] Question: Ruby brand performance and churn rates - The Ruby brand is performing well with multiple signings and openings planned [62] - Management aims to reduce churn rates to 1.5% over the long term, with no immediate need for brand refreshes [66][67] Question: Buyback completion - Management is confident in completing the buyback program by the end of the year [67]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global RevPAR grew by 0.1% in Q3, consistent with Q2 performance, driven by strong trading in EMEA-A and improvement in Greater China [4] - Year-to-date global RevPAR increased by 1.4% [21] - In the Americas, RevPAR decreased by 0.9% in Q3, with the U.S. down 1.6% due to slower trading conditions [5] - EMEA-A saw RevPAR growth of 2.8% in Q3, with year-to-date growth at 3.8% [5] - The company opened 14,500 rooms across 99 hotels globally in Q3, marking a 17% year-on-year increase [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rooms revenue for business days was up 4% globally, while leisure and groups were down by 2% and 4% respectively [7] - In the Americas, gross system growth was 3.6% year-on-year, with 2,700 rooms opened in Q3 [9] - EMEA-A gross system growth was 10.4% year-on-year, with 4,200 rooms opened in Q3 [10] - Greater China gross system growth reached 12.8% year-on-year, with 7,600 rooms opened in Q3 [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In EMEA-A, occupancy increased by 1.6 percentage points to 75.3%, while rate was up 0.6% [5] - Greater China experienced a 1.8% decline in RevPAR in Q3, but occupancy improved by 0.6 percentage points to 64.4% [6] - The Middle East saw a strong 9.5% growth in RevPAR, driven by the UAE [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to launch a new collection brand focused on the premium segment, initially targeting the EMEA-A region [18] - The new brand aims to complement existing brands like Voco and Vignette Collection, which have seen success in conversions [19] - The company is optimistic about long-term demand drivers, with a focus on expanding its portfolio of world-class brands [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to growth in the U.S. as economic uncertainty subsides [5] - The company remains on track to meet full-year profit and earnings expectations, with consensus for operating profits at $1.259 billion, implying a 12% growth [15] - Management highlighted strong fundamentals in the U.S. economy, including low unemployment and resilient consumer spending [31] Other Important Information - The company is 78% through its $900 million share buyback program, reducing share count by 3.9% [12] - IHG intends to change the currency of its ordinary shares traded on the London Stock Exchange from British pounds to U.S. dollars starting January 2026 [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for net system growth in 2026? - Management feels confident about the trajectory of net system growth, with consensus for 2025 at 4.5% excluding the Venetian [24] Question: What are the expectations for RevPAR in the U.S.? - Management indicated that they are comfortable with the consensus for RevPAR, which is around 1.3% for the full year [28] Question: Can you elaborate on the increase in credit card fees? - Management confirmed an increase of about $40 million in 2025, with a gradual increase over the next three years [35] Question: Why is the new brand launching in EMEA and not the U.S.? - The EMEA market has a larger proportion of independent hotels, making it a more attractive area for conversion and collection brands [39] Question: What factors are contributing to the weakness in leisure demand in the U.S.? - Management noted several factors, including lower international inbound travel and the impact of tariffs, but remains optimistic about long-term strength [45]