Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Has $1.20 Million Stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) by 240.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,196 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,670 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC's holdings in Hilton Worldwide were worth $1,198,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. NewSquare Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. 95.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Hilton Worldwide Stock Up 1.3 %

HLT traded up $3.26 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $256.98. The company had a trading volume of 1,260,756 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,541,794. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $243.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $224.65. The company has a market capitalization of $62.65 billion, a PE ratio of 54.98, a PEG ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.30. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $175.80 and a one year high of $259.01.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $2.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.90 billion. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 60.85% and a net margin of 10.70%. Hilton Worldwide's quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.67 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 7 earnings per share for the current year.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Investors of record on Friday, November 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.23%. Hilton Worldwide's payout ratio is presently 12.88%.

Hilton Worldwide declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.50 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 5.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $230.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $247.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $265.00 to $256.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Melius cut shares of Hilton Worldwide from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hilton Worldwide presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $230.59.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Hilton Worldwide news, insider Laura Fuentes sold 4,919 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.00, for a total value of $1,067,423.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,949 shares in the company, valued at $3,460,933. This trade represents a 23.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Michael W. Duffy sold 14,357 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.73, for a total value of $3,384,375.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 22,833 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,382,423.09. This represents a 38.60 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.