Hilton is raising its full-year room revenue forecast on World Cup boost

The McLean, Virginia-based hotel company now projects system-wide comparable RevPAR — an industry measure reflecting both occupancy levels and average daily rates — to increase 3% to 3.5% for fiscal 2026 on a currency-neutral basis, an upward revision from its earlier guidance of 2% to 3%, the company said. For the third quarter, Hilton projects RevPAR growth of approximately 4%, reflecting expected benefits from the World Cup held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

For the three months ended June 30, system-wide comparable RevPAR rose 3.9% on a currency-neutral basis compared with the same period in 2025, driven by increases in both occupancy and average daily rates. Net income for the quarter was $482 million, up from $442 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA was $1,054 million, compared with $1,008 million in the second quarter of 2025. Total revenue reached $3.34 billion, up from $3.14 billion a year earlier.

Diluted earnings per share came in at $2.10 for the quarter, up from $1.84 a year earlier. Adjusted diluted EPS reached $2.29 for the quarter, up from $2.20 in the second quarter of 2025.

"We delivered strong top and bottom-line results for the second quarter, driven by the continuation of strengthening demand trends and broad-based momentum across our system, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and into 2027," President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Nassetta said in a statement.

One drag on results came from the Middle East and Africa region, where RevPAR dropped 29.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period last year, reflecting the impact of ongoing regional conflicts on travel demand.

Looking to the fourth quarter, Hilton said its outlook is tempered by unfavorable calendar shifts and the U.S. midterm elections.

For the full year, the company projects net income between $1,883 million and $1,911 million, and adjusted EBITDA between $4,040 million and $4,080 million. Hilton also expects net unit growth of 6% to 7% in 2026, with the second half of the year expected to outperform the first half. The company's development pipeline stood at 541,300 rooms as of June 30, representing 6% growth from a year earlier.

Hilton repurchased 2.9 million shares of common stock during the second quarter at an average price of $326.99 per share, bringing total capital return including dividends to $966 million for the quarter. Full-year capital return is projected to be approximately $3.5 billion.