Principal Financial Group Inc. Lowers Position in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. $HLT

Key Points

• Principal Financial Group cut its stake in Hilton by 10.6% in Q4, selling 1,114,602 shares and now holds 9,371,706 shares (about 4.03% of Hilton), a position valued at roughly $2.692 billion and representing ~1.4% of Principal’s portfolio.
• Hilton beat Q1 EPS estimates with $2.01 per share (est. $1.98), issued FY2026 guidance of $8.28–$8.40 EPS, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 ($0.60 annual, ~0.2% yield).
• Insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares for about $36.3 million in February (reducing his stake ~75.8%); institutional investors own ~95.9% of Hilton and analysts have a consensus "Moderate Buy" target of $348.59.

Principal Financial Group Inc. cut its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) by 10.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,371,706 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,114,602 shares during the period. Hilton Worldwide comprises about 1.4% of Principal Financial Group Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 4.03% of Hilton Worldwide worth $2,692,038,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 10.9% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 42,287 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,971,000 after buying an additional 4,155 shares during the period. Railway Pension Investments Ltd grew its position in Hilton Worldwide by 15.0% in the third quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 38,400 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,962,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Candriam S.C.A. grew its position in Hilton Worldwide by 11.2% in the third quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 73,823 shares of the company's stock valued at $19,153,000 after purchasing an additional 7,441 shares in the last quarter. National Pension Service grew its position in Hilton Worldwide by 1.6% in the third quarter. National Pension Service now owns 623,180 shares of the company's stock valued at $161,678,000 after purchasing an additional 9,954 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Partners Capital Investment Group LLP bought a new position in Hilton Worldwide in the third quarter valued at $4,684,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.90% of the company's stock.

Hilton Worldwide Price Performance

Shares of HLT stock opened at $311.14 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $70.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $312.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $295.21. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $235.99 and a one year high of $344.75.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The company reported $2.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.95 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a net margin of 12.56% and a negative return on equity of 38.21%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.72 earnings per share. Hilton Worldwide has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.280-8.400 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 2.180-2.240 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 9.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 22nd will be paid 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 is Friday, May 22nd. Hilton Worldwide's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on HLT. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $363.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. HSBC raised their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $353.00 to $387.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Evercore increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $335.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $321.00 to $326.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $348.59.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 114,289 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $317.47, for a total transaction of $36,283,328.83. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 36,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,570,194.15. This trade represents a 75.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the company's stock.

Hilton Worldwide Profile

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and resorts. Its business spans full-service luxury and lifestyle properties, select- and focused-service hotels, and extended-stay accommodations. The company generates revenue through management and franchise fees, owned and leased real estate, and guest services, and supports customer retention and direct bookings through its Hilton Honors guest loyalty program.

Hilton's brand portfolio includes internationally recognized names across the lodging spectrum, from luxury and upper-upscale brands to midscale and extended-stay offerings.

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