Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) Updates Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) issued an update on its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 1.910-1.970 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.950. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Hilton Worldwide also updated its FY 2026 guidance to 8.490-8.610 EPS.

Hilton Worldwide Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of HLT stock traded down $1.72 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $323.41. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,487,064 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,047,201. The stock has a market cap of $75.17 billion, a PE ratio of 46.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.13. Hilton Worldwide has a 12-month low of $196.04 and a 12-month high of $333.86. The company has a 50 day moving average of $294.32 and a 200 day moving average of $277.59.

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

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s payout ratio is 8.68%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HLT has been the topic of a number of research reports. Argus increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $338.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. HSBC boosted their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $307.00 to $319.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $253.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $319.67.

Hilton Worldwide News Summary

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hilton Worldwide

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,284 shares of the company’s stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 37.4% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,135 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,396,000 after purchasing an additional 1,669 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP grew its position in Hilton Worldwide by 38.8% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 20,327 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,625,000 after purchasing an additional 5,687 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 112.4% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 5,478 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,247,000 after buying an additional 2,899 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 182.2% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $76,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

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.