CHICAGO (February 18, 2016) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation ("Hyatt" or the "Company") (NYSE: H) today reported fourth quarter 2015 financial results.
Mark S. Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said, "Our business continues to perform well. We finished 2015 with solid fourth quarter results and anticipate another year of growth in 2016 based on expected comparable systemwide RevPAR growth of approximately 3.0% to 5.0%, excluding the impact of currency."
Fourth quarter 2015 financial results are as follows:
• Adjusted EBITDA was $176 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $146 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, an increase of 20.5%. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter 2015 was negatively impacted by $6 million due to net dispositions and $7 million due to net unfavorable currency impacts, compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Adjusted for special items, net income attributable to Hyatt was $30 million, or $0.21 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $47 million, or $0.31 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Net income attributable to Hyatt was $37 million, or $0.26 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $182 million, or $1.20 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 2.1% (4.4% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 150 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 120 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Comparable systemwide RevPAR increased 0.9% (3.8% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Comparable U.S. full service hotel RevPAR increased 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Comparable U.S. select service hotel RevPAR increased 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Twelve hotels were opened during the fourth quarter of 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Company's executed contract base consisted of approximately 260 hotels or approximately 56,000 rooms.
• The Company repurchased 3,585,348 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $49.11 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $176 million.
Fiscal year 2015 financial results are as follows:
• Adjusted EBITDA was $727 million in 2015 compared to $728 million in 2014. Excluding $66 million in net dispositions and $26 million of net unfavorable currency impacts, Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.5% in 2015 compared to 2014.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 2.4% (5.4% excluding the effect of currency) in 2015 compared to 2014.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 70 basis points in 2015 compared to 2014.
• Comparable U.S. full service hotel RevPAR increased 6.5% in 2015 compared to 2014.
• Comparable U.S. select service hotel RevPAR increased 7.6% in 2015 compared to 2014.
• Total fee revenue increased 10.3% (13.5% excluding the effect of currency) to $427 million in 2015 compared to 2014.
• The Company opened 49 hotels during 2015 compared to 43 hotels in 2014.
• Net hotel and net rooms growth was approximately 8% and 6% in 2015, respectively, compared to growth of approximately 7% and 5%, respectively, in 2014.
• As of December 31, 2015, the Company's executed contract base consisted of approximately 260 hotels or approximately 56,000 rooms. This compared to approximately 250 hotels or approximately 55,000 rooms as of December 31, 2014.
• The Company repurchased 13,199,811 shares of common stock for approximately $715 million in 2015 compared to 7,693,326 shares for approximately $445 million in 2014.
Mr. Hoplamazian continued, "Our fourth quarter results capped off another solid year during which we continued to execute consistent with our long-term strategy. The combination of higher RevPAR and increased margins as well as new hotel openings resulted in continued progress relative to our long-term goals.
"Over the last five years we have expanded our system of hotels by approximately 40%. Our expansion is a reflection of owner and guest preference for our brands. Virtually all of the hotels that we opened over the last five years were new or recently renovated, resulting in a current global system that we believe is unrivaled in product quality, innovation, and leading design. Our openings have provided more travel opportunities for our guests and more career opportunities for our colleagues. In 2016, we expect to open a record number of hotels as the momentum for our brands continues to build.
"Our healthy balance sheet has allowed us to make investments in our business, while at the same time returning capital to shareholders. Over the last five years we have decreased our shares outstanding by more than 20%. While we continue to focus on making investments in our business, we expect to continue repurchasing our stock, as reflected by a recent $250 million expansion of our share repurchase authorization.
"Looking forward, we are confident in our short-term outlook, in part due to our high mix of earnings in the U.S. Over the long term, we expect to create significant shareholder value, given our portfolio of strong brands, very high-quality owned and leased hotels, and significant liquidity for future investments."
Owned and Leased Hotels Segment
Total segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Owned and leased hotels Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.0% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Refer to the table on page 18 of the schedules for a detailed list of portfolio changes and the year-over-year net impact to fourth quarter owned and leased hotels Adjusted EBITDA.
Pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality ventures Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Revenue decreased 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Owned and leased hotels expenses decreased 5.2% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
RevPAR for comparable owned and leased hotels increased 2.1% (4.4% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Occupancy decreased 30 basis points and ADR increased 2.5% (4.9% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Comparable owned and leased hotels revenue increased 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Excluding expenses related to benefit programs funded through rabbi trusts and non-comparable hotel expenses, expenses increased 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Refer to the table on page 10 of the schedules for a reconciliation of comparable owned and leased hotels expenses to owned and leased hotels expenses.
Management and Franchise Fees
Total fee revenue increased 5.9% (8.8% excluding the effect of currency) to $107 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Base management fees increased 2.2% to $47 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Incentive management fees decreased 3.2% to $30 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange translation. Franchise fees increased 31.3% to $21 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to new hotels and hotels recently converted from managed to franchised. Other fee revenues increased 12.5% to $9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 as a result of increased amortization of deferred gains from hotels sold subject to long-term management agreements.
Americas Management and Franchising Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased 36.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
RevPAR for comparable Americas full service hotels increased 4.2% (5.4% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Occupancy increased 80 basis points and ADR increased 3.1% (4.2% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Group rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 8.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Group room nights increased 2.0% and group ADR increased 6.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Transient rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Transient room nights increased 1.6% and transient ADR increased 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
RevPAR for comparable Americas select service hotels increased 6.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Occupancy increased 180 basis points and ADR increased 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Revenue from management and franchise fees increased 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
The following nine hotels were added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
• Hyatt Regency Houston / Galleria (franchised, 325 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Cleveland / Westlake / Crocker Park (franchised, 110 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Denver / Downtown (franchised, 248 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Salt Lake City / Lehi (franchised, 131 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Miami Airport – East (franchised, 135 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Washington DC / National Mall (franchised, 214 rooms)
• Hyatt House Denver / Downtown (franchised, 113 rooms)
• Hyatt House New Orleans / Downtown (managed, 194 rooms)
• Hyatt Ziva Cancun, Mexico (franchised, 547 rooms)
One hotel was removed from the portfolio during the fourth quarter.
Southeast Asia, China, Australia, South Korea and Japan (ASPAC) Management and Franchising Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased 30.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower selling, general, and administrative expenses and increased incentive fees.
RevPAR for comparable ASPAC full service hotels decreased 4.0% (increased 2.1% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Occupancy increased 110 basis points and ADR decreased 5.4% (increased 0.6% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Revenue from management and franchise fees increased 4.0% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
The following two hotels were added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
• Park Hyatt Guangzhou, China (managed, 208 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Wuxi, China (managed, 358 rooms)
Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southwest Asia (EAME/SW Asia) Management Segment
Adjusted EBITDA was flat in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
RevPAR for comparable EAME/SW Asia full service hotels decreased 12.3% (4.0% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Occupancy decreased 240 basis points and ADR decreased 9.0% (0.5% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Revenue from management and franchise fees decreased 18.2% (9.1% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to decreased performance at certain properties in the Middle East and France.
The following hotel was added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
• Hyatt Place Goa Candolim, India (managed, 147 rooms)
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased 17.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased 21.6% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to a non-recurring $22 million stock-based compensation expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. This was partially offset by higher professional fees in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Refer to the table on page 9 of the schedules for a reconciliation of adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses to selling, general, and administrative expenses.
OPENINGS AND FUTURE EXPANSION
Twelve hotels were added in the fourth quarter of 2015, each of which is listed above. During the 2015 fiscal year, the Company opened 49 hotels, representing 9,627 rooms. Four hotels, representing 998 rooms, were removed from the portfolio during the 2015 fiscal year.
As of December 31, 2015 the Company had executed management or franchise contracts for approximately 260 hotels (or approximately 56,000 rooms). The executed contracts represent important potential entry into several new countries and expansion into new markets or markets in which the Company is under-represented. Refer to the table on page 17 of the schedules for a breakdown of the executed contract base.
SHARE REPURCHASE
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 3,585,348 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $49.11 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $176 million. During the 2015 fiscal year, the Company repurchased 13,199,811 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $54.17 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $715 million.
On February 11, 2016 the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $250 million of the Company's common stock. These repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, at prices that the Company deems appropriate and subject to market conditions, applicable law and other factors deemed relevant in the Company’s sole discretion. The Company may repurchase Class A and/or Class B shares pursuant the authorization. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any dollar amount or any number of shares of common stock, and repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company intends to pay for shares repurchased with cash from its balance sheet.
From January 1 through February 12, 2016, the Company repurchased 991,009 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $39.34 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $39 million. As of February 12, 2016, the Company had approximately $340 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
CORPORATE FINANCE / ASSET RECYCLING
During the fourth quarter, the Company completed the following transactions:
• In separate transactions, unconsolidated hospitality ventures sold Hyatt House Miami Airport (156 rooms) and Hyatt House Atlanta / Cobb Galleria (149 rooms). The Company received approximately $10 million and $6 million, respectively, as its share of net proceeds from the sales. The hotels continue to be Hyatt-branded.
BALANCE SHEET / OTHER ITEMS
As of December 31, 2015, the Company reported the following:
• Total debt of approximately $1.4 billion.
• Pro rata share of non-recourse unconsolidated hospitality venture debt of approximately $692 million compared with approximately $682 million as of September 30, 2015.
• Cash and cash equivalents, including investments in highly-rated money market funds and similar investments, of approximately $457 million, short-term investments of approximately $46 million and restricted cash of approximately $96 million.
• Undrawn borrowing availability of approximately $1.5 billion under its revolving credit facility.
2016 INFORMATION
The Company is providing the following information for the 2016 fiscal year:
• Comparable systemwide RevPAR is expected to increase approximately 3.0% to 5.0% excluding the effect of currency, as compared to fiscal year 2015.
• Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses are expected to be approximately $290 million. This excludes approximately $30 million of stock-based compensation expenses. As the Company announced previously, stock-based compensation expenses will be excluded from Adjusted EBITDA starting in 2016.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $275 million, including approximately $90 million for investment in new properties.
• In addition to the capital expenditures described above, the Company intends to continue a strong level of investment spending. Investment spending includes acquisitions, equity investments in joint ventures, debt investments, contract acquisition costs or other investments.
• Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $325 million.
• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $70 million.
• The Company expects to open more than 60 hotels in 2016.
Tables associated with this release are accessible via the PDF or by visiting:
http://s2.q4cdn.com/278413729/files/doc_financials/q4_2015/Q4-2015-Earnings-Release.pdf
