Zacks Research Expects Higher Earnings for Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) – Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Hilton Worldwide in a report released on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.91 per share for the quarter, up from their previous 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.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.06. Hilton Worldwide had a net margin of 12.10% and a negative return on equity of 40.24%. The company had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.76 earnings per share. Hilton Worldwide’s 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.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on HLT. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $338.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Macquarie Infrastructure upped their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $267.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Evercore increased their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $325.00 to $335.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $255.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Hilton Worldwide currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $326.32.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Up 1.4%

NYSE:HLT opened at $317.64 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.90, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.13. Hilton Worldwide has a 52 week low of $196.04 and a 52 week high of $333.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $302.34 and a 200 day moving average of $281.33.

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 paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s payout ratio is currently 9.80%.

Insider Transactions at Hilton Worldwide

In related news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the firm’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 owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,570,194.15. This trade represents a 75.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Hilton Worldwide

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Stone Wealth Partners purchased a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $232,000. Kera Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the fourth quarter worth $244,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at about $43,000. Kinloch Capital LLC acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the fourth quarter worth about $201,000. Finally, Compound Planning Inc. grew its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 36.3% during the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 2,637 shares of the company’s stock valued at $757,000 after acquiring an additional 703 shares in the last quarter. 95.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hilton Worldwide News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised price targets — Sanford C. Bernstein moved its price target higher to $322, and another published note lifted a target to $360, providing near-term upside signals for HLT. Bernstein adjusts price target on Hilton Worldwide to $322 Hilton Worldwide Price Target Raised to $360
• Positive Sentiment: Industry commentary highlights structural growth drivers — Zacks notes that Hilton (with Marriott and Hyatt) is benefiting from loyalty, memberships and conversions even as industry headwinds persist, supporting confidence in franchise/loyalty-led revenue resilience. 3 Hotel Stocks to Watch for Now as Industry Headwinds Persist
• Positive Sentiment: Short interest fell meaningfully in February (down ~13% vs. Jan), reducing potential near-term selling pressure and making short‑squeeze risk lower; this technical change can support the share rally.
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed near-term estimate moves from Zacks Research — Zacks bumped some near-quarter estimates (e.g., Q1 2026 up slightly, and Q2/Q3 2027 raised), which partially offsets cuts elsewhere; these incremental estimate tweaks create mixed signals on earnings momentum.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research cut several quarterly and FY2026 EPS forecasts (FY2026 down to $8.77 from $9.04; cuts to Q3 & Q4 2026 and Q1 2027 among others), which could cap near-term upside and pressure valuation multiples if trends persist.
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concern — a Seeking Alpha piece argues Hilton’s valuation has extended beyond fundamentals at its one‑year high, highlighting potential downside risk if growth or margin improvements slow. Hilton Worldwide Holdings: Valuation Has Already Overstayed At Its One-Year High

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.