Hyatt Stock Falls as Election, Holidays Impact Q4 Results

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) shares fell on Tuesday as the company reported fourth-quarter results that were impacted by the U.S. election and Jewish holidays. The company's stock price dropped by 3.5% in early trading, reflecting investor concerns about the potential impact of these external factors on Hyatt's business.



Hyatt reported a net loss of $56 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a net income of $26 million in the same period last year. The company's earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst expectations, coming in at $(0.58) compared to the expected $0.79. Hyatt's revenue for the quarter was $1.602 billion, down from $1.660 billion in the same period last year.



The company attributed the decline in performance to the shift of Jewish holidays and the U.S. election in November, which impacted group demand during the fourth quarter. However, Hyatt's results were also driven by strong business and leisure transient travel, leading to a 5.0% RevPAR growth for the quarter.

Hyatt's full-year 2024 results were more positive, with net rooms growth of 7.8% and a net income of $1,296 million. The company's adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $1,096 million, and it returned $1,250 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Looking ahead, Hyatt projects RevPAR growth of 2.0% to 4.0% for the full year 2025, net rooms growth of 6.0% to 7.0%, and adjusted EBITDA between $1,100 million and $1,150 million. The company also announced plans to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately $2.6 billion, which could further boost its all-inclusive segment.



In conclusion, Hyatt's Q4 2024 results were impacted by the U.S. election and Jewish holidays, leading to a decline in group demand. However, the company's strong business and leisure transient travel helped offset this impact, resulting in a 5.0% RevPAR growth for the quarter. Hyatt's full-year 2024 results were positive, with net rooms growth of 7.8% and a net income of $1,296 million. Looking ahead, Hyatt projects steady growth for 2025, with a focus on expanding its all-inclusive segment through the acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts.