Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (NYSE:HLT) reported 1Q2015 earnings per share of $0.15 per share, up 25% from the same quarter in 2014. The earnings per share adjusted for special items came at $0.12. The net income to attributable to stockholders in 1Q was $150 million, up 22% from the same quarter in 2014.
The highlights
Hilton adjusted EBITDA for 1Q jumped 18% from 1Q2014 to $599 million while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 320 basis points. The management and franchise fee increased 18% to $391 million. It started over 8,000 rooms in the first quarter. It gave its nod for over 23,000 new rooms for development in 1Q, extending its pipeline to 1,431 hotels, comprising of 240,000 rooms. Hilton reported that it pared its long-term debt by as much as $225 million.
The measures
Hilton entered into a deal to sell Hilton Sydney in a deal valued at A$442 million Australian Dollars; upon closing, intends to use proceeds to further pare long-term debt. The next deal it finalized was to acquire Cypress Hotel in Cupertino for $112 million. It used a part of sale proceeds of the Waldorf Astoria for the acquisition.
The expert view
Hilton raised guidance range for FY2015 adjusted EBITDA to $2.810 billion – $2.870 billion. Christopher J. Nassetta, the President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, stated that the company started 2015 with a strong quarter. The top line growth came at the high end of the forecast, despite adverse weather conditions in the U.S.
The factors
There was strong fee growth and asset performance resulting in better than forecast adjusted EBITDA. The strong product portfolio continues to support the growth. The management and franchise fees came at $391 million, up 18% from the same period in 2014. The revenue and adjusted EBITDA from ownership division stood at $964 million and $190 million, respectively in 1Q2015.
