** Hilton Worldwide Holdings HLT.N beat fourth-quarter profit estimates, helped by strong demand for premium travel
** However, co forecasts 2026 room revenue growth below Wall Street expectations, reflecting lower spending by budget-conscious travelers
** Shares of HLT up 2.2% at $332.3
INCREASED ROOM DEMAND & POTENTIAL AI BENEFITS
** Truist notes that although HLT expects customer segment to be its top performer in 2026, ahead of leisure and individual business travel, the bank believes it will actually be the weakest of the three segments
** JP Morgan says HLT's experiential/physical-location based business is well positioned to benefit from AI
** Argus Research says recovery in business and leisure travel will lead to increased room demand, along with unit expansion and higher management fees; estimates FY26/27 earnings per share of $9.30/$10.70
Brokerage | New PT | Old PT |
Truist | $307 | $253 |
JP Morgan | $350 | $318 |
Argus Research | $380 | $350 |
TD Cowen | $350 | $330 |
Barclays | $350 | $309 |
$373 | $338 | |
Mizuho | $321 | $266 |
Deutsche Bank | $332 | $299 |
(Reporting by Megavarshini G. Somasundaram in Bengaluru)
((Megavarshini.SomasundaramGnanasundari@thomsonreuters.com))