New York, February 12, 2026, 17:50 (ET) — After-hours
- HLT down about 0.9% after hours after swinging between $320.46 and $333.81 in Thursday’s session
- Hilton sees 2026 RevPAR up 1%-2%, keeping the focus on demand at budget and mid-scale hotels
- Next readouts: management appearances at investor forums on March 5-6 and March 11-12
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (HLT) shares slipped in after-hours trade on Thursday, after a choppy session that saw the stock trade between $320.46 and $333.81. The NYSE-listed hotel operator was down $3.03, or about 0.9%, at $322.17, versus Wednesday’s close of $325.21.
Investors are still picking through Hilton’s outlook for 2026 room revenue growth, after the stock climbed as much as 2.2% on Wednesday following its results. The McLean, Virginia-based company forecast systemwide revenue per available room, or RevPAR — a measure that blends room rates and occupancy — to rise 1% to 2% this year on a currency-neutral basis, below analysts’ 2.05% estimate, LSEG data showed; peer Marriott has pointed to a World Cup boost. CEO Christopher Nassetta said quarterly RevPAR rose 50 basis points on international and group demand, but weaker U.S. government and inbound travel offset it, and Raymond James analyst RJ Milligan said much of the upside was “baked into the stock.” (Reuters)
Hilton told investors it expects to return about $3.5 billion to shareholders in 2026 and keep net unit growth — room count growth net of removals — at 6% to 7%. It flagged a record development pipeline at year-end and pointed to new brands, including an apartment-style offering, as it tries to add rooms without taking on much balance-sheet risk. (Stories From Hilton)
A regulatory filing showed Hilton posted adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.08 for the December quarter, with net income of $298 million. Adjusted EBITDA, a measure of operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, was $946 million. Hilton projected 2026 diluted EPS of $8.49 to $8.61 and adjusted diluted EPS of $8.65 to $8.77, and said its board authorized a $0.15 quarterly dividend payable March 31 to shareholders of record Feb. 27. (SEC)
On the earnings call, Nassetta said “positive trends continued into early 2026,” with group demand leading, while leisure stayed solid and business travel improved. He cast group as the top-performing segment for 2026, provided the economy avoids another jolt. (The Motley Fool)
Hilton is also leaning harder on conversions — rebranding existing hotels onto its platforms — to speed growth. “Conversions remain integral to [Hilton’s] growth,” Nassetta said, pitching Apartment Collection by Hilton as a “clear white space in the market.” (Hoteldive)
Wall Street research desks followed with a round of target hikes. Goldman Sachs raised its price target on Hilton to $356 from $330 and maintained a buy rating, while Argus lifted its target to $380 from $350, according to MT Newswires. (MarketScreener)
Still, the bar is high. Hilton’s 1%-2% RevPAR view leaves little cushion if budget and mid-scale demand softens further, or if inbound and government travel stays weak and pins down occupancy.
Investors now look to management’s roadshow for fresh color on bookings and pricing. Hilton is due to appear at the Susquehanna Travel, Consumer Tech + Entertainment Forum on March 5-6 and the JP Morgan gaming, lodging and leisure forum on March 11-12. (Hilton)
