Zacks Research Expects Higher Earnings for Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) – Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will earn $1.91 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.87. The consensus estimate for Hilton Worldwide’s current full-year earnings is $7.89 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hilton Worldwide’s Q2 2026 earnings at $2.37 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.29 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.20 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $8.77 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.09 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.87 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.78 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $2.48 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $255.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $289.00 to $306.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $297.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $312.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $253.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hilton Worldwide has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $326.32.

Hilton Worldwide Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of HLT opened at $313.51 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $301.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $281.07. The firm has a market cap of $71.88 billion, a PE ratio of 51.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.13. Hilton Worldwide has a 12-month low of $196.04 and a 12-month high of $333.86.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.06. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 40.24% and a net margin of 12.10%.The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.76 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Hilton Worldwide has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.490-8.610 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.910-1.970 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Hilton Worldwide

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HLT. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the second quarter worth $30,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter worth $32,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Hilton Worldwide

In other Hilton Worldwide news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $317.47, for a total transaction of $36,283,328.83. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,570,194.15. The trade was a 75.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.80%.

Key Headlines Impacting Hilton Worldwide

Here are the key news stories impacting Hilton Worldwide this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target to $360 and kept a Buy rating, providing a sizable upside anchor for the stock and likely helping push the shares higher. UBS raises HLT PT to $360
• Positive Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein increased its price target to $322, another fresh analyst boost that supports further upside momentum. Sanford C. Bernstein raises HLT PT to $322
• Positive Sentiment: Short interest fell ~13.1% in February (to ~5.08M shares), reducing immediate downside pressure from shorts and lowering the days-to-cover to ~2.0 — a bullish technical factor for near-term price stability.
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks also raised several quarterly estimates (for example, Q1 2026 to $1.91 and certain mid/late‑2027 quarters), indicating pockets of optimism for near-term cadence, but these increases are mixed with cuts elsewhere.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut its FY2026 estimate (to $8.77 from $9.04) and trimmed multiple quarterly estimates (notably Q3 & Q4 2026 and Q1 2027), which reduces forward earnings expectations and is a headwind for valuation-sensitive investors.
• Negative Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece warns that Hilton’s valuation is extended near its one‑year high, a narrative that can cap upside if investors re‑rate the P/E (~51x) or become more risk‑averse. Seeking Alpha: Valuation concerns

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and resorts. Its business spans full-service luxury and lifestyle properties, select- and focused-service hotels, and extended-stay accommodations. The company generates revenue through management and franchise fees, owned and leased real estate, and guest services, and supports customer retention and direct bookings through its Hilton Honors guest loyalty program.

Hilton’s brand portfolio includes internationally recognized names across the lodging spectrum, from luxury and upper-upscale brands to midscale and extended-stay offerings.