EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. Invests $2.20 Million in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)

EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 8,908 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,202,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in HLT. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Hilton Worldwide by 2,400.0% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 175 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. 95.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Michael W. Duffy sold 23,366 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.66, for a total transaction of $5,880,287.56. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 22,833 shares in the company, valued at $5,746,152.78. This represents a 50.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Christopher J. Nassetta sold 40,653 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.83, for a total transaction of $10,928,745.99. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 77,383 shares in the company, valued at $20,802,871.89. This represents a 34.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.50% of the company's stock.

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Hilton Worldwide Stock Performance

NYSE:HLT traded down $7.83 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $239.31. The stock had a trading volume of 1,230,118 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,513,342. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $255.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $243.54. The stock has a market cap of $57.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.96, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.29. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a twelve month low of $193.86 and a twelve month high of $275.22.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.09. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 54.47% and a net margin of 13.74%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 7.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Hilton Worldwide announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 14th that permits the company to repurchase $3.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 5.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. Hilton Worldwide's payout ratio is presently 9.76%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HLT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $232.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Macquarie lifted their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $248.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Mizuho reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $263.00 price objective (up previously from $243.00) on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $265.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $247.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hilton Worldwide has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $250.61.

Hilton Worldwide Company Profile

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, a hospitality company, engages in managing, franchising, owning, and leasing hotels and resorts. It operates through two segments, Management and Franchise, and Ownership. The company engages in the hotel management and licensing of its brands. It operates luxury hotels under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand; lifestyle hotels under the Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, and Motto by Hilton brand; full service hotels under the Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and DoubleTree by Hilton brand; service hotels under the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, and Tru by Hilton brand; all-suite hotels under the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton brand; and economy hotel under the Spark by Hilton brand, as well as Hilton Grand Vacations.