Strategy Asset Managers LLC Purchases Shares of 2,777 Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)

Strategy Asset Managers LLC bought a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,777 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $640,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HLT. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. NewSquare Capital LLC purchased a new position in Hilton Worldwide in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the second quarter worth $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 currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hilton Worldwide Price Performance

NYSE:HLT opened at $250.14 on Thursday. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $235.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $219.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 53.68, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 1.30. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $165.25 and a one year high of $255.86.

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

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. Hilton Worldwide's payout ratio is currently 12.88%.

Hilton Worldwide announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 14th that permits the company to repurchase $3.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 5.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on HLT. Melius Research reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Hilton Worldwide in a report on Monday, October 21st. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $235.00 to $236.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Barclays decreased their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $244.00 to $243.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 24th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective 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, Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hilton Worldwide has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $228.71.

Insider Transactions at Hilton Worldwide

In related news, insider Michael W. Duffy sold 14,357 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.73, for a total transaction of $3,384,375.61. Following the sale, the insider now owns 22,833 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,382,423.09. This trade represents a 38.60 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Laura Fuentes sold 4,919 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 15,949 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,460,933. The trade was a 23.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.50% of the company's stock.

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.