Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Grows Stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. $HLT

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) by 3.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 469,060 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 15,316 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Hilton Worldwide were worth $121,693,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HLT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. HSBC lifted their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $307.00 to $319.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $318.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $339.00 price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. TD Cowen upped their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $297.00 to $330.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $266.00 to $321.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $326.32.

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

Insider Transactions at Hilton Worldwide

In other news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,570,194.15. This represents a 75.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hilton Worldwide Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:HLT opened at $317.64 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $72.83 billion, a PE ratio of 51.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.13. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a 12-month low of $196.04 and a 12-month high of $333.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $302.34 and a 200 day moving average of $281.33.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last posted its quarterly 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 business had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 40.24% and a net margin of 12.10%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $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. Equities research analysts predict that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 7.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.80%.

Hilton Worldwide 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.