Hilton Worldwide (HLT) Q4 2025 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Achieved record adjusted EBITDA of $3.725 billion for 2025, up 9% year-over-year, driven by strong EMEA performance, group and leisure demand, and cost discipline.

• Returned $3.3 billion to shareholders in 2025, the highest in company history, reflecting a capital-light model.

• Expanded global portfolio to over 9,000 hotels, with net unit growth of 6.7% and 100,000 new rooms added in 2025.

• Launched new brands, including Apartment Collection and Outset Collection, and expanded partnerships in luxury and apartment-style lodging.

• Hilton Honors loyalty program neared a quarter billion members, with new tiers and partnerships enhancing engagement.

Financial highlights

• Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $946 million, up 10% year-over-year, exceeding guidance.

• Q4 diluted EPS adjusted for special items was $2.08; full year adjusted EPS was $8.11.

• Q4 net income was $298 million; full year net income was $1,461 million.

• System-wide comparable RevPAR increased 0.5% in Q4 and 0.4% for the year, driven by higher ADR.

• Management and franchise fees grew 7.4% year-over-year in Q4 and 6.4% for the year.

Outlook and guidance

• 2026 system-wide RevPAR growth expected at 1%-2%, with international outpacing U.S. performance.

• Full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $4.0-$4.04 billion; diluted EPS (adjusted) of $8.65-$8.77.

• 2026 net income expected between $1,982 million and $2,011 million.

• Plan to return approximately $3.5 billion to shareholders in 2026 via buybacks and dividends.

• Net unit growth expected between 6.0% and 7.0% in 2026.