News Releases

CHICAGO (November 2, 2011) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (“Hyatt” or the “Company”) (NYSE: H) today reported financial results as follows:

• Adjusted EBITDA was $135 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $111 million in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 21.6%.
• Net income attributable to Hyatt was $14 million, or $0.08 per share, during the third quarter of 2011 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $30 million, or $0.17 per share, in the third quarter of 2010. Adjusted for special items, net income attributable to Hyatt was $27 million, or $0.16 per share, during the third quarter of 2011 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $9 million, or $0.06 per share, during the third quarter of 2010. See the table on page 3 of the accompanying schedules for a summary of special items.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 9.2% (6.9% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
• Owned and leased hotel operating margins increased 600 basis points in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins increased 350 basis points in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. See the table on page 9 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of comparable owned and leased hotel operating margin to owned and leased hotel operating margin.
• Comparable North American full-service RevPAR increased 7.1% (6.8% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Comparable North American select-service RevPAR increased 8.8% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
• Comparable International RevPAR increased 9.6% (3.4% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
• The Company added 26 properties during the third quarter of 2011, including 19 properties acquired from LodgeWorks, L.P. and its private equity partners (“LodgeWorks”).

Mark S. Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said,    “I am very pleased that we completed the acquisition of 19 hotels from LodgeWorks during the quarter and welcomed a number of former LodgeWorks associates as new members of the Hyatt family. This acquisition immediately expands our extended-stay presence, expertise and development capabilities in North America, as well as adds several unique full-service hotels to Hyatt’s portfolio. While it is still early, we are pleased with the initial results. We are also looking forward to the re-branding of all our extended-stay properties to our newly announced Hyatt House brand, which is on track for early 2012."

“We saw strong RevPAR growth in the third quarter, especially at our owned hotels and those located in North America. In addition, performance at our comparable owned and leased hotels was strong, with margins expanding by 350 basis points. The significant renovations at five of our owned properties neared completion during the quarter and initial guest and meeting planner response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are enthusiastic about the anticipated long-term benefits of these renovations."

"We continue to generate strong interest in our brands and we are excited about opening managed hotels in India, China, and Tanzania during the quarter.  We believe we remain well poised for future opportunities as we have maintained significant liquidity following a bond offering and the amendment of our revolving line of credit during the quarter."

SEGMENT RESULTS & OTHER ITEMS

Owned and Leased Hotels Segment

Adjusted EBITDA increased 26.2% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

RevPAR for comparable owned and leased hotels increased 9.2% (6.9% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Occupancy improved 300 basis points, and ADR increased 5.0% (2.7% excluding the effect of currency). 

Revenues increased 3.3% (1.3% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Comparable hotel revenues increased 8.5% (6.5% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Owned and leased expenses decreased 4.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Excluding expenses related to benefit programs funded through Rabbi Trusts and non-comparable hotel expenses, expenses increased 3.9% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. See the table on page 9 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of comparable owned and leased hotels expenses to owned and leased hotels expenses.

As part of the acquisition of assets from LodgeWorks, 19 hotels were added to the owned and leased portfolio in the third quarter of 2011 (with an additional hotel acquisition closing during the fourth quarter of 2011):

• AVIA Long Beach (owned, 138 rooms)
• AVIA Napa (owned, 141 rooms)
• AVIA Savannah (owned, 151 rooms)
• AVIA The Woodlands (owned, 70 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Green Bay (owned, 241 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Branchburg (owned, 139 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Charlotte City Center (owned, 163 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Washington / Dulles (owned, 162 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Fishkill (owned, 135 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Morrisville / Raleigh (owned, 141 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Parsippany (owned, 140 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Rancho Cordova (owned, 158 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Richmond (owned, 134 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Santa Clara (owned, 150 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra San Jose (owned, 164 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra San Ramon (owned, 142 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Shelton (owned, 127 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Madison (owned, 151 rooms)¹
• Hyatt Summerfield Suites Plymouth Meeting (owned, 131 rooms)¹

¹Property was previously franchised and included in North American Management and Franchising segment

One hotel, Hyatt on Capitol Square, was removed from the owned and leased portfolio in the third quarter of 2011. The lessor of this hotel exercised a termination right.

North American Management and Franchising Segment

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 8.1% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

RevPAR for comparable North American full-service hotels increased 7.1% (6.8% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Occupancy increased 260 basis points and ADR increased 3.5% (3.2% excluding the effect of currency).

RevPAR for comparable North American select-service hotels increased 8.8% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Occupancy increased 410 basis points and ADR increased by 3.1%.

Revenue from management, franchise, and other fees increased 8.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

The following hotels were added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Hyatt 48Lex (franchised, 116 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Long Island / East End (franchised, 100 rooms)
• Hotel Sierra Bellevue (managed, 160 rooms) ^2,3
• Hotel Sierra Redmond (managed, 144 rooms) ^2,3
• AVIA Long Beach (owned, 138 rooms) ⁴
• AVIA Napa (owned, 141 rooms) ⁴
• AVIA Savannah (owned, 151 rooms) ⁴
• AVIA The Woodlands (owned, 70 rooms) ⁴
• Hotel Sierra Green Bay (owned, 241 rooms) ⁴
• Hotel Sierra Branchburg (owned, 139 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Charlotte City Center (owned, 163 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Washington / Dulles (owned, 162 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Fishkill (owned, 135 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Morrisville / Raleigh (owned, 141 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Parsippany (owned, 140 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Rancho Cordova (owned, 158 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Richmond (owned, 134 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Santa Clara (owned, 150 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra San Jose (owned, 164 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra San Ramon (owned, 142 rooms) ²
• Hotel Sierra Shelton (owned, 127 rooms) ²

²Properties to be rebranded to a Hyatt select-service brand

³The Company acquired the management rights, but not the real estate as part of LodgeWorks transaction

⁴Properties to be rebranded to a Hyatt full-service brand

Two hotels were removed from the portfolio in the third quarter of 2011.

International Management and Franchising Segment

Adjusted EBITDA was flat in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

RevPAR for comparable international hotels increased 9.6% (3.4% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Occupancy increased 60 basis points and ADR increased 8.6% (2.4% excluding the effect of currency). 

Revenue from management, franchise and other fees increased 9.7% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.   

The following hotels were added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Grand Hyatt Goa (managed, 313 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Guiyang (managed, 366 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Chennai (managed, 327 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam (managed, 180 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Jinan (managed, 210 rooms)

Two properties were removed from the portfolio in the third quarter of 2011, including the recently added Park Hyatt Ningbo due to unexpected delays in the full opening.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by 14.7% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by 14.8% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. See the table on page 8 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses to selling, general, and administrative expenses.

OPENINGS AND FUTURE EXPANSION

Hyatt added 26 hotels in the third quarter of 2011, each of which is listed above.

The Company expects to open a significant number of new properties in the future. As of September 30, 2011, this effort was underscored by executed management or franchise contracts for more than 150 hotels (or more than 36,000 rooms) across all brands. The executed contracts represent potential entry into several new countries and expansion into many new markets in which the Company is under-represented. Approximately 70% of the projected new hotels will be located outside North America.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures during the third quarter of 2011 totaled $98 million, categorized as follows:

• Maintenance: $22 million
• Enhancements to existing properties: $72 million
• Investment in new facilities: $4 million

CORPORATE FINANCE

During the third quarter, the Company acquired a portfolio of assets from LodgeWorks for a total purchase price of approximately $661 million, including 19 hotels that closed during the third quarter, one hotel closing in the fourth quarter, and the management and/or franchise rights to an additional four hotels.

During the third quarter, the Company issued and sold $250 million of 3.875% senior notes due 2016 at a public offering price of 99.571% and $250 million of 5.375% senior notes due 2021 at a public offering price of 99.846%.

On September 30, 2011, the Company had total debt of approximately $1.23 billion, cash and cash equivalents, including investments in highly-rated money market funds and similar investments, of approximately $690 million, short-term investments of approximately $500 million and undrawn borrowing availability of approximately $1.4 billion under its amended and restated revolving credit facility.

2011 INFORMATION

The Company is providing the following information for the 2011 fiscal year:

• Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $390 to $400 million, inclusive of significant renovation projects at five owned properties.
• Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $300 million.
• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $60 million.
• The Company expects to open over 35 hotels in total in 2011, including openings related to acquisitions completed in 2011.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company will hold an investor conference call today, November 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. CT. All interested persons may listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call, which may be accessed through the Company's website at http://www.hyatt.com and selecting the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page, or by dialing 617.213.8837, passcode #27145891, approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. CT on November 2, 2011 through midnight on November 9, 2011 by dialing 617.801.6888, passcode #16544728. Additionally, an archive of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations website for approximately 90 days.

DEFINITIONS

Adjusted EBITDA

We use the term Adjusted EBITDA throughout this earnings release. Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, is a non-GAAP measure. We define consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Hyatt Hotels Corporation plus our pro-rata share of unconsolidated hospitality ventures Adjusted EBITDA based on our ownership percentage of each venture, adjusted to exclude the following items:

• equity earnings (losses) from unconsolidated hospitality ventures;
• asset impairments;
• other income (loss), net;
• discontinued operations, net of tax;
• net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests;
• depreciation and amortization;
• interest expense; and
• (provision) benefit for income taxes.

We calculate consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by adding the Adjusted EBITDA of each of our reportable segments to corporate and other Adjusted EBITDA.

Our board of directors and executive management team focus on Adjusted EBITDA as a key performance and compensation measure both on a segment and on a consolidated basis. Adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods on a consistent basis because it removes from our operating results the impact of items that do not reflect our core operating performance both on a segment and on a consolidated basis. Our president and chief executive officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, also evaluates the performance of each of our reportable segments and determines how to allocate resources to those segments, in significant part, by assessing the Adjusted EBITDA of each segment. In addition, the compensation committee of our board of directors determines the annual variable compensation for certain members of our management based in part on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA or some combination of both.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it provides investors the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our operating performance and making compensation decisions.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for net income attributable to Hyatt Hotels Corporation, income from continuing operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure prescribed by GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA can make an evaluation of our operating performance more consistent because it removes items that do not reflect our core operations, other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use Adjusted EBITDA or similarly named non-GAAP measures that other companies may use to compare the performance of those companies to our performance. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Our management compensates for these limitations by reference to our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA supplementally.

Adjusted Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses exclude the impact of expenses related to benefit programs funded through Rabbi Trusts.

Comparable Owned and Leased Hotel Operating Margin

We define Comparable Owned and Leased Hotel Operating Margin as the difference between comparable owned and leased hotels revenue and comparable owned and leased hotels expenses. Comparable owned and leased hotels revenue is calculated by removing noncomparable hotels revenue from owned and leased hotels revenue as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income. Comparable owned and leased hotel expenses is calculated by removing both noncomparable hotels expenses and the impact of expenses funded through Rabbi Trusts from owned and leased hotel expenses as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income.

Comparable Hotels

“Comparable systemwide hotels” represents all properties we manage or franchise (including owned and leased properties) and that are operated for the entirety of the periods being compared and that have not sustained substantial damage, business interruption or undergone large scale <>renovations during the periods being compared or for which comparable results are not available. We may use variations of comparable systemwide hotels to specifically refer to comparable systemwide North American full service or select service hotels or comparable systemwide international full service hotels for those properties that we manage or franchise within the North American and international management and franchising segments, respectively.<> “Comparable operated hotels” is defined the same as “Comparable systemwide hotels” with the exception that it is limited to only those hotels we manage or operate and excludes hotels we franchise. <>“Comparable owned and leased hotels” represents all properties we own or lease and that are operated and consolidated for the entirety of the periods being compared and have not sustained substantial damage, business interruption or undergone large scale renovations<> <>during the periods being compared or for which comparable results are not available. Comparable systemwide hotels and comparable owned and leased hotels are commonly used as a basis of measurement in the industry. “Non-comparable systemwide hotels” or “Non-comparable owned and leased hotels” represent all hotels that do not meet the respective definition of “comparable” as defined above.<>

Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR)

RevPAR is the product of the average daily rate and the average daily occupancy percentage. RevPAR does not include non-room revenues, which consist of ancillary revenues generated by a hotel property, such as food and beverage, parking, telephone and other guest service revenues. Our management uses RevPAR to identify trend information with respect to room revenues from comparable properties and to evaluate hotel performance on a regional and segment basis. RevPAR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry.

RevPAR changes that are driven predominately by changes in occupancy have different implications for overall revenue levels and incremental profitability than do changes that are driven predominately by changes in average room rates. For example, increases in occupancy at a hotel would lead to increases in room revenues and additional variable operating costs (including housekeeping services, utilities and room amenity costs), and could also result in increased ancillary revenues (including food and beverage). In contrast, changes in average room rates typically have a greater impact on margins and profitability as there is no substantial effect on variable costs.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

ADR represents hotel room revenues, divided by total number of rooms sold in a given period. ADR measures average room price attained by a hotel and ADR trends provide useful information concerning the pricing environment and the nature of the customer base of a hotel or group of hotels. ADR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry, and we use ADR to assess the pricing levels that we are able to generate by customer group, as changes in rates have a different effect on overall revenues and incremental profitability than changes in occupancy, as described above.

Occupancy

Occupancy represents the total number of rooms sold divided by the total number of rooms available at a hotel or group of hotels. Occupancy measures the utilization of our hotels’ available <>capacity. Management uses occupancy to gauge demand at a specific hotel or group of hotels in a given period. Occupancy levels also help us determine achievable ADR levels as demand for hotel rooms increases or decreases.

Select Service

The term “select service” includes our Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites brands. These properties have limited food and beverage outlets and do not offer comprehensive business or banquet facilities but rather are suited to serve smaller business meetings.    

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements about our plans, strategies, occupancy and ADR trends, market share, the number of properties we expect to open in the future, our expected capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense, estimates, financial performance, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, general economic uncertainty in key global markets, the rate and pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, or fear of hostilities that affect travel; travel-related accidents; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; relationships with associates and labor unions and changes in labor law; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees and hospitality venture partners; if our third-party owners, franchisees or development partners are unable to access the capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; risk associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; outcomes of legal proceedings; changes in federal, state, local or foreign tax law; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; general volatility of the capital markets; our ability to access the capital markets; and other risks discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which filings are available from the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.