HWORLD(HTHT) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-17 13:02

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The group revenue grew 8.1% year-over-year to RMB 7 billion in Q3 2025, surpassing previous guidance [19][64] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 18.9% year-over-year to RMB 2.5 billion, with a margin improvement of 3.3 percentage points to 36.1% [19][64] - The monetized and franchised business revenue increased by 27.2% year-over-year to RMB 3.3 billion, with gross operating profit rising by 28.6% to RMB 2.2 billion [12][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of rooms in operation increased by 17.3% year-over-year, contributing to a group hotel GMV growth of 17.5% to RMB 30.6 billion [11][53] - Membership base exceeded 300 million, up 17.3% year-over-year, with room nights sold to members rising 19.7% [11][53] - The upper-midscale segment saw a 25.3% year-over-year increase in the number of hotels in operation and pipeline, exceeding 1,600 [14][58] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic travel demand continues to grow steadily, particularly during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festivals [8][49] - Supply growth has stabilized, with year-over-year growth rates moderating [8][50] - The demand for leisure travel is shifting from discretionary to necessity, driven by improved infrastructure and changing consumer preferences [6][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen its roots in the China market, focusing on high-quality growth and service excellence [7][47] - Strategic focus remains on the economy and midscale segments to serve the mass market, with plans to achieve 20,000 hotels in 2,000 cities [13][56] - The launch of the new upper-midscale brand, Ji Icons, aims to meet growing consumer demand for quality living and unique experiences [14][58] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of China's hotel industry, citing a shortage of high-quality supply [4][47] - The company anticipates a flattish to slightly positive RevPAR for Q4 2025, with uncertainties in business demand but strong leisure demand [25][72] - Future growth will focus on enhancing membership benefits and exploring cross-industry partnerships to strengthen member engagement [17][61] Other Important Information - The company generated RMB 1.7 billion in operating cash flow, with RMB 13.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter [20][66] - Guidance for Q4 2025 expects group revenue growth of 2%-6% and monetized and franchised revenue growth of 17%-21% [21][67] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the implied RevPAR assumption for Q4 2025? - Management indicated that RevPAR is stabilizing, driven by leisure travel demand, with a flattish to slightly positive outlook for Q4 [69][72] Question: What are the reasons behind the recent ADR performance? - The increase in ADR is attributed to enhanced revenue management, product upgrades, and service excellence, leading to improved pricing power [75][76] Question: What are the plans for the newly launched Ji Icons brand? - The Ji Icons brand aims to penetrate the upper midscale segment, with plans for store openings and a focus on cultural preferences [31][78] Question: What is the outlook on cost control and margins? - Management highlighted ongoing efforts in cost control and margin improvement through supply chain optimization and strategic investments [35][38]