Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. $HLT Stock: Axecap Investments LLC Decreases Stake

Key Points

• Axecap Investments cut its Hilton stake by 61.8% in the third quarter, selling 5,649 shares and retaining 3,485 shares valued at approximately $1.1 million. Institutional investors collectively own 95.9% of Hilton’s stock.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with Hilton carrying a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $355.13; several firms recently raised their targets.
• Hilton shares opened near a 12-month high at $359.30, but the stock’s elevated valuation—about 52.8 times earnings—could leave it vulnerable if upcoming results or guidance disappoint.

Axecap Investments LLC decreased its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) by 61.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,485 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,649 shares during the quarter. Axecap Investments LLC's holdings in Hilton Worldwide were worth $1,109,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of HLT. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. raised its holdings in Hilton Worldwide by 0.3% during the third quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 24,215 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,703,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 20.5% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 88,494 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,152,000 after acquiring an additional 15,041 shares in the last quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 32.3% in the third quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 982 shares of the company's stock worth $337,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the period. AA Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 10.0% in the third quarter. AA Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the company's stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Prairie Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 100.0% in the third quarter. Prairie Advisory LLC now owns 1,268 shares of the company's stock worth $403,000 after acquiring an additional 634 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.90% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Laura Fuentes sold 7,289 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.81, for a total value of $2,258,205.09. Following the sale, the insider owned 33,458 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,365,622.98. The trade was a 17.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Chris Carr sold 439 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.34, for a total transaction of $136,239.26. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,252 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,560,925.68. The trade was a 5.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 2.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Freedom Broker began coverage on Hilton Worldwide in a research report on Wednesday, October 14th. They set a "buy" rating and a $359.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $332.00 to $336.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 12th. CICC Research began coverage on Hilton Worldwide in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. TD Cowen upgraded Hilton Worldwide to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $312.00 to $316.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $355.13.

Hilton Worldwide News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Hilton Worldwide this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst price-target increases: Wells Fargo raised its target on Hilton to $383 from $382 and maintained an “overweight” rating. Robert W. Baird also issued a “buy” rating, while Evercore ISI recently lifted its target to $375 from $370. The actions reinforce bullish sentiment around Hilton’s growth and asset-light business model. Hilton Worldwide Stock Gets Price Target Boost from Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Nordic expansion supports long-term growth: Hilton and Scandic Hotels agreed to a multi-year development partnership that is expected to expand Hilton’s presence in the Nordic market. Additional hotels could increase fee income and strengthen the company’s global network without requiring heavy direct ownership of properties. Hilton and Scandic Hotels Agree to Multi-Year Development Deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Listing transfer to Nasdaq: Hilton plans to move its common-stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq on November 5, 2026, while retaining the HLT ticker. The change is largely administrative, though Hilton characterized it as supporting its technology-focused and growth-oriented profile. Hilton Announces Planned Transfer of Stock Listing to Nasdaq
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and earnings caution: GuruFocus estimated Hilton’s intrinsic value at $302.82, well below its recent price near $359, suggesting limited margin of safety. Separately, Zacks said Hilton lacks the typical combination of factors that would support a likely earnings beat ahead of next week’s report. With the stock trading at a high P/E multiple, any earnings or guidance disappointment could pressure shares. Hilton Earnings Expectations

Hilton Worldwide Trading Up 3.8%

Shares of HLT stock opened at $359.30 on Wednesday. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a 12-month low of $253.54 and a 12-month high of $360.40. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $320.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $325.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.10.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $2.29 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.27 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.32 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 35.24% and a net margin of 12.69%. The firm's revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.20 earnings per share. Hilton Worldwide has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.280-2.340 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 8.890-9.010 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 9.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 21st were given 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 was Friday, August 21st. Hilton Worldwide's dividend payout ratio is currently 8.81%.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages, franchises and licenses hotels, resorts and other lodging properties. Its portfolio includes brands such as Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites, Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton.

The company provides accommodations and related services for business and leisure travelers, including guest rooms, meeting and event facilities, food and beverage operations, resort amenities and loyalty program benefits through Hilton Honors.

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