What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for HLT FY2028 Earnings?

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research issued their FY2028 earnings estimates for shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research analyst Team anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $12.25 for the year. The consensus estimate for Hilton Worldwide’s current full-year earnings is $7.89 per share.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a net margin of 12.10% and a negative return on equity of 40.24%. Hilton Worldwide’s revenue was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $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.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on HLT. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $339.00 price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Evercore lifted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $325.00 to $335.00 in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $304.00 to $322.00 in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $309.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $326.32.

Hilton Worldwide Price Performance

Shares of HLT opened at $311.30 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $302.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $281.76. Hilton Worldwide has a 1-year low of $196.04 and a 1-year high of $333.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.38 billion, a PE ratio of 50.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.13.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hilton Worldwide

In related news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $317.47, for a total value of $36,283,328.83. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 (DPR) is presently 9.80%.

Hilton Worldwide News Summary

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.