Short Interest in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) Grows By 19.6%

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 6,069,617 shares, a growth of 19.6% from the February 12th total of 5,075,097 shares. Approximately 2.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,718,023 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,718,023 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Approximately 2.7% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the 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 owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,570,194.15. This represents a 75.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hilton Worldwide

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 95.90% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $300.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $320.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Barclays increased their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $309.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $304.00 to $322.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. One investment 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 company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $326.18.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

NYSE:HLT traded up $5.74 on Tuesday, reaching $301.74. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,872,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,933,475. The firm has a market cap of $69.19 billion, a PE ratio of 49.30, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.10. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $304.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $284.15. Hilton Worldwide has a 1-year low of $196.04 and a 1-year high of $333.86.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.06. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 40.24% and a net margin of 12.10%.The business had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.76 EPS. Hilton Worldwide’s revenue for the quarter 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. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Hilton Worldwide will post 7.89 EPS for the current year.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Hilton Worldwide’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.80%.

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.