Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for HLT Earnings

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) – Research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Hilton Worldwide in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.91 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate 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.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $299.00 to $332.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $318.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $309.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore boosted their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $325.00 to $335.00 in a report on Thursday, February 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $326.32.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

NYSE HLT opened at $311.30 on Thursday. Hilton Worldwide has a 52-week low of $196.04 and a 52-week high of $333.86. The company has a fifty day moving average of $302.72 and a 200-day moving average of $281.67. The company has a market capitalization of $71.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.13.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.76 earnings per share. Hilton Worldwide’s quarterly revenue was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. 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.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hilton Worldwide

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 10.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 42,287 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,971,000 after buying an additional 4,155 shares during the last quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd grew its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 15.0% in the third quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 38,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,962,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Candriam S.C.A. increased its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 11.2% during the third quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 73,823 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,153,000 after purchasing an additional 7,441 shares in the last quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 3rd quarter valued at $4,684,000. Finally, National Pension Service boosted its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. National Pension Service now owns 623,180 shares of the company’s stock worth $161,678,000 after purchasing an additional 9,954 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of Hilton Worldwide stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $317.47, for a total transaction of $36,283,328.83. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at $11,570,194.15. The trade was a 75.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio is 9.80%.

Key Headlines Impacting Hilton Worldwide

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research issued a very bullish FY2028 EPS projection of $12.25 per share (vs. the current consensus ~$7.89), which could support a higher long-term valuation and optimism among growth-focused investors.
• Positive Sentiment: Two firms raised targets this week — one report cites a new $360 price target and another named Sanford C. Bernstein set a $322 target — signaling some analysts see more upside. Article Title Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Short interest fell ~13% in February to ~5.08M shares (≈2.3% of float), reducing potential bearish squeeze pressure and signaling fewer traders are betting against the name.
• Positive Sentiment: Industry commentary highlights Hilton alongside Marriott and Hyatt as driving growth via loyalty, conversions and memberships — supportive for revenue and fee-based growth prospects. 3 Hotel Stocks to Watch
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks also tweaked several near-term quarter forecasts — lifting some quarters (e.g., Q2/Q3 2027, Q1 2026) while trimming others — producing a mixed short-term earnings picture that could increase volatility as numbers are repriced.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut FY2026 guidance from $9.04 to $8.77 and trimmed multiple 2026/early‑2027 quarterly estimates (notably Q3/Q4 2026 and Q1 2027), which is a negative near-term earnings signal and likely pressured the share price.
• Negative Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece argues Hilton’s valuation is stretched after recent highs, which may have prompted some profit-taking among momentum investors. Article Title

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.