Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT)

Over the past six months, Hilton's stock has increased by 9.13%, reaching a 52-week high of $303.40 on January 9, 2026. In Q3 2025, Hilton reported adjusted EPS of $2.11, surpassing estimates, with revenue up 8.8% year-over-year and provided positive full-year 2025 EPS guidance of $7.97 to $8.06. In early January 2026, the stock was impacted positively by an analyst upgrade from Sanford C. Bernstein, which raised its price target to $304.00.

Demand for Hilton's products and services exhibits seasonality, with the first quarter typically being a slower period for the hotel industry. Despite this, Hilton reported strong financial performance in Q1 FY24. Seasonal demand is expected to increase during the summer months. The hospitality industry is cyclical and sensitive to overall travel demand, occupancy rates, and broader economic conditions.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. is a global hospitality company managing, franchising, owning, and leasing hotels, resorts, and timeshare properties. Operating in the Consumer Discretionary sector, specifically the Lodging industry, Hilton has 25 world-class brands across various categories, including luxury, lifestyle, and economy. Revenue is generated through management and franchise fees, as well as from owned and leased hotels.

Hilton has a significant global presence with over 9,000 properties and more than 1.3 million rooms across 141 countries and territories, with the Americas accounting for 72% of its rooms. The company is expanding in high-growth markets like Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, with plans to open its first hotels in Paraguay, Nepal, and Laos in 2024.

Hilton's brand reputation remains strong, as evidenced by its recognition as the #1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune in 2026. However, in January 2026, the company faced a reputational challenge when it removed and ended a franchise relationship with a Minneapolis property following reports of canceled reservations for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, drawing scrutiny from the DHS.

Hilton has a diverse ownership structure, with institutional investors holding a significant majority of the company's stock, ranging from approximately 60.41% to 98.71%. Major institutional owners include The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and Fmr Llc. Individual investors hold around 2.11% to 13.42% of the stock, while insiders own approximately 1.79%.