CHICAGO (February 14, 2014) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (“Hyatt” or the “Company”) (NYSE: H) today reported fourth quarter 2013 financial results as follows:
Mark S. Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said, "In the fourth quarter, we continued to see positive demand trends among both transient and group travelers, particularly in the Americas. This is leading to continued rate improvement across our brands.
"We continue to be focused on expanding our presence in key markets around the world. During the quarter, we opened 16 hotels, bringing our total hotel openings for the year to 51 hotels. The fourth quarter openings included our first all inclusive resorts, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos and Hyatt Zilara Cancun and the second resort for the Andaz brand, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo that opened to very positive guest feedback and joins the recently opened Andaz Maui at Wailea. We also continued to expand the Hyatt Place brand by opening hotels in urban markets such as Charlotte, Minneapolis, Nashville and Omaha. Our current base of executed contracts for new hotels is the largest it has ever been and represents approximately 40% of our current system size, reflecting healthy demand for our brands across all regions.
"Our asset recycling strategy continues to provide additional opportunities to fund growth in targeted areas. In 2013, we sold seven full service and three select service hotels at strong pricing while maintaining brand presence. Additionally, we realized more than $400 million in cash from the settlement of loans, and the sale of venture and preferred equity investments. During the fourth quarter, we acquired our partner’s interest in Grand Hyatt San Antonio, a leading hotel that is adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Consistent with our asset recycling strategy, we recently announced the expected sale of a portfolio of 10 hotels under the Hyatt Place, Hyatt House and Hyatt brands to a high quality owner for $313 million.
“Looking ahead, we expect healthy occupancy levels in the U.S. to support increasing strength in room prices. We expect to continue our asset recycling program and deploy proceeds into key growth priorities in order to drive guest and owner preference for our brands.”
Owned and Leased Hotels Segment
Total segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Owned and leased Adjusted EBITDA increased 14.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. See the table on page 17 of the accompanying schedules for a detailed list of portfolio changes and the year-over-year net impact to fourth quarter owned and leased Adjusted EBITDA.
Pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality ventures Adjusted EBITDA increased 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to results from the Company's investment in the all inclusive resort segment.
Revenue increased 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Owned and leased hotel expenses increased 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
RevPAR for comparable owned and leased hotels increased 6.2% (5.9% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Occupancy increased 110 basis points and ADR increased 4.7% (4.4% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2012.
Comparable hotel revenues increased 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Excluding expenses related to benefit programs funded through rabbi trusts and non-comparable hotel expenses, expenses increased 5.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. See the table on page 10 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of comparable owned and leased hotels expenses to owned and leased hotels expenses.
Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins increased 60 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins for hotels in the Americas increased 90 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins in the Americas were negatively impacted by rent increases at two hotels. Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins in ASPAC and EAME/SW Asia decreased 40 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. Comparable owned and leased hotel operating margins in ASPAC and EAME/SW Asia were negatively impacted by adverse market conditions at one hotel in each of these regions.
The following three hotels were added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
The following hotel was removed from the owned and leased portfolio as it was sold during the fourth quarter:
Management and Franchise Fees
Total fee revenue increased 17.5% to $94 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Base management fees increased 7.7% to $42 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Incentive management fees decreased 25.9% to $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 and were negatively impacted by the reversal of approximately $11 million of previously recognized incentive management fees from recently converted hotels in EAME/SW Asia. Franchise fees increased 44.4% to $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Other fee revenue increased 280.0% to $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to a $12 million termination fee related to one hotel in the Americas.
Americas Management and Franchising Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased 42.0% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
RevPAR for comparable Americas full service hotels increased 6.7% (7.3% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Occupancy increased 230 basis points and ADR increased 3.2% (3.8% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2012.
Group rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Group room nights increased 3.9% and group ADR increased 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Transient rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 7.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Transient room nights increased 3.3% and transient ADR increased 4.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
RevPAR for comparable Americas select service hotels increased 4.0% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Occupancy increased 70 basis points and ADR increased 2.8%
in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Revenue from management and franchise fees increased 37.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
The following 14 hotels were added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
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 20.0% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
RevPAR for comparable ASPAC hotels decreased 1.3% (increased 4.2% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Occupancy increased 240 basis points and ADR decreased 4.7% (increased 0.5% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2012.
Revenue from management and franchise fees increased 4.2% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
The following hotel was added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
One hotel was removed from the portfolio during the fourth quarter, as it was closed for extensive renovations.
Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southwest Asia (EAME/SW Asia) Management Segment
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 85.7% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
RevPAR for comparable EAME/SW Asia hotels increased 3.3% (5.0% excluding the effect of currency) in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Occupancy increased 100 basis points and ADR increased 1.7% (3.4% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2012.
Revenue from management and franchise fees decreased 44.4% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease was due to a reversal of approximately $11 million of previously recognized incentive management fees from recently converted hotels.
The following hotel was added to the portfolio during the fourth quarter:
One hotel was removed from the portfolio during the fourth quarter.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 11.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses were approximately $10 million lower than expected primarily due to bad debt recoveries and the timing of certain costs. See the table on page 9 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses to selling, general, and administrative expenses.
OPENINGS AND FUTURE EXPANSION
Sixteen hotels were added in the fourth quarter of 2013, each of which is listed above. During the 2013 full fiscal year, the Company opened 51 hotels, representing 13,111 rooms. Three hotels, representing 1,340 rooms, were removed from the portfolio during the 2013 full fiscal year.
The Company expects that a significant number of new properties will be opened under all of the Company's brands in the future. As of December 31, 2013 this effort was underscored by executed management or franchise contracts for approximately 240 hotels (or approximately 54,000 rooms) across all brands. The executed contracts represent potential entry into several new countries and expansion into many new markets or markets in which the Company is under-represented. See the table on page 16 of the accompanying schedules for a breakdown of the executed contract base.
SHARE REPURCHASE
During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 468,679 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $48.12 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $23 million. From January 1 through February 11, 2014, the Company repurchased 329,823 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $48.79 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $16 million. As of February 11, 2014, the Company had approximately $173 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
CORPORATE FINANCE / ASSET RECYCLING
During the quarter, the Company completed the following transactions:
BALANCE SHEET / OTHER ITEMS
On December 31, 2013, the Company reported the following:
2014 INFORMATION
The Company is providing the following information for the 2014 fiscal year:
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will hold an investor conference call today, February 14, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. CT. The Company requests that questions be submitted via email to earnings@hyatt.com by 9:00 a.m. CT. Hyatt management will read and respond to as many submitted questions as possible. 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 617.399.5128, passcode #94248669, 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 February 14, 2014 through midnight on February 21, 2014 by dialing 617.801.6888, passcode #97439848. 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:
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 House 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 adjusted SG&A expense, maintenance and enhancement to existing properties capital expenditures, investments in new properties 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; limited visibility with respect to short and medium-term group bookings; the impact of hotel renovations; our ability to successfully execute and implement our common stock repurchase program; loss of key personnel; 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; timing of acquisitions and dispositions; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; cyber risks and information technology failures; outcomes of legal proceedings; changes in federal, state, local or foreign tax law; foreign exchange rate fluctuations or currency restructurings; 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, 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.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Ziva™ brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club®. As of December 31, 2013, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 548 properties in 48 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.
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To download the fourth quarter 2013 earnings release with tables, please visit the Hyatt Investor Relations wesbite.
Investors:
Atish Shah
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
312.780.5427
atish.shah@hyatt.com
Media:
Farley Kern
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
312.780.5506
farley.kern@hyatt.com