Marshall Wace LLP Acquires 617,604 Shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)

Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) by 426.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 762,261 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 617,604 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP owned approximately 0.31% of Hilton Worldwide worth $188,400,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of HLT. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $765,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in Hilton Worldwide by 194.8% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,633 shares of the company's stock worth $651,000 after buying an additional 1,740 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 24.2% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 953,938 shares of the company's stock valued at $232,098,000 after buying an additional 185,765 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 225,661 shares of the company's stock valued at $55,774,000 after acquiring an additional 4,846 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,090,950 shares of the company's stock worth $1,012,069,000 after acquiring an additional 121,900 shares during the last quarter. 95.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hilton Worldwide Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE HLT traded up $1.34 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $210.43. 2,144,466 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,728,656. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $236.33 and a 200-day moving average of $243.38. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $193.86 and a one year high of $275.22. The stock has a market cap of $50.42 billion, a PE ratio of 34.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.19.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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, research analysts forecast that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 7.89 EPS for the current year.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Hilton Worldwide's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.76%.

Insider Activity at Hilton Worldwide

In other news, 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 77,383 shares of the company's stock, valued at $20,802,871.89. This trade represents a 34.44 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on HLT. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $265.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $270.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Mizuho restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $263.00 price target (up previously from $243.00) on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $250.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $277.00 to $228.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $248.88.

Hilton Worldwide 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.