Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 8.490-8.610 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 9.160. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Hilton Worldwide also updated its Q1 2026 guidance to 1.910-1.970 EPS.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on HLT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $286.00 to $299.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $318.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $297.00 to $330.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $317.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Evercore lifted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $280.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $319.67.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

Shares of HLT stock traded down $2.12 on Thursday, hitting $323.01. The company had a trading volume of 1,278,017 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,039,967. The firm has a market cap of $75.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.13. Hilton Worldwide has a twelve month low of $196.04 and a twelve month high of $333.86. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $294.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $277.59.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.99 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 42.78% and a net margin of 14.19%.The firm’s revenue was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.76 earnings per share. 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. Equities research analysts predict that Hilton Worldwide will post 7.89 EPS for the current year.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.68%.

Key Stories Impacting Hilton Worldwide

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

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple major brokers raised price targets and maintained buy/overweight ratings — a near‑term tailwind for sentiment. Argus boosted its target to $380 and kept a buy rating. Argus raises HLT target to $380
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its target to $350 and kept an overweight rating, signaling institutional confidence in HLT’s outlook. JPMorgan raises HLT target to $350
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays and Wells Fargo also lifted targets (to $350 and $373, respectively) and retained overweight stances, adding to upward pressure on the stock. Barclays raises HLT target Wells Fargo note
• Positive Sentiment: Hilton beat Q4 EPS estimates (reported $2.08 vs. ~$2.02 consensus) and showed year‑over‑year revenue growth and pipeline expansion, supporting the stock’s premium multiple. Q4 results and call
• Neutral Sentiment: Evercore nudged its target to $335 (in‑line rating) and Mizuho adjusted to $321 while keeping a neutral stance — mixed analyst nuance that tempers uniform upside. Evercore note Mizuho note
• Neutral Sentiment: Hilton declared a small quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~0.2%), a modest incremental return of capital but not a major catalyst.
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s FY‑2026 EPS guidance came in below street expectations (company: $8.49–$8.61 vs. consensus ~$9.16), a clear drag on upside given HLT’s premium valuation. FY‑2026 guidance
• Negative Sentiment: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square exited Hilton, removing a notable activist holder and likely weighing on sentiment for some investors. Pershing Square exits HLT
• Negative Sentiment: Management signaled slower room‑revenue growth for 2026 and noted softness in budget/value travel — a potential headwind for U.S. RevPAR and margins. Revenue growth outlook

Institutional Trading of Hilton Worldwide

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HLT. Van ECK Associates Corp purchased a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 182.2% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 43.2% in the 4th quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 557 shares of the company’s stock worth $160,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 111.5% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 624 shares of the company’s stock valued at $162,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the second quarter valued at about $187,000. 95.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hilton Worldwide Company Profile

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.