Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc WH

Company Delivers Record First Quarter Openings and Development Pipeline

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Highlights include:

• Global openings of 15,000 rooms increased 13% year-over-year, a record first quarter.
• System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
• Awarded 181 development contracts globally, an increase of 6% year-over-year.
• Development pipeline grew 1% sequentially and 5% year-over-year to a record 254,000 rooms. 
• Global RevPAR grew 2% in constant currency.
• Fee-related and other revenues increased 4% year-over-year.
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.78 compared to $0.19 in the prior-year quarter and adjusted diluted EPS grew 10% year-over-year to $0.86, or 20% on a comparable basis.
• Net income of $61 million compared to $16 million in the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income increased 5% year-over-year to $67 million, or 14% on a comparable basis.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 3% year-over-year to $145 million, or 9% on a comparable basis. 
• Returned $109 million to shareholders through $76 million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.41 per share.

"We delivered a solid start to the year with strong system growth, record first-quarter openings and continued expansion across every region," said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. "While the macro environment remains uncertain, we're staying focused on what we can control — investing in high-quality growth, executing with discipline and supporting our franchisees. Our asset-light, franchise-only business model has consistently outperformed during economic downturns and positions us well to deliver long-term value for our shareholders through all phases of any economic cycle."

System Size and Development

The Company's global system grew 4%.  Importantly, these results included 4% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., as well as strong growth in the Company's higher RevPAR EMEA and Latin America regions, which grew a combined 6%.  The Company remains on track to achieve its net room growth outlook of 3.6% to 4.6% for the full year 2025.

On March 31, 2025, the Company's global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,140 hotels and 254,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 5% year-over-year increase.  Key highlights include:

• 5% growth in the U.S. and 4% internationally
• 19^th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth 
• Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 7% year-over-year
• Approximately 17% of the pipeline is in the extended stay segment
• Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
• Approximately 77% of the pipeline is new construction and approximately 35% of these projects have broken ground
• During first quarter 2025, the Company awarded 181 new contracts, an increase of 6% year-over-year.

RevPAR

First quarter global RevPAR increased 2% in constant currency compared to 2024, reflecting 2% growth in the U.S. and 3% growth internationally.

In the U.S., RevPAR growth includes 100 basis points of benefit from hurricanes and the timing of the Easter holiday. Excluding those factors, the Company's U.S. RevPAR grew 60 basis points year-over-year as pricing strength was partially offset by softer demand with the pullback more pronounced during March.

Internationally, RevPAR growth was also driven by pricing power.  The Company continued to see strong performance in its EMEA and Latin America regions, with year-over-year growth of 6% and 25%, respectively, reflecting robust pricing power, partially offset by modest occupancy declines.  In China, demand remained steady but RevPAR declined 8% year-over-year reflecting continued pricing pressure.

First Quarter Operating Results

The comparability of the Company's first quarter results is impacted by marketing fund variability.  The Company's reported results and comparable-basis results (adjusted to neutralize these impacts) are presented below to enhance transparency and provide a better understanding of the results of the Company's ongoing operations.

• Fee-related and other revenues grew 4% to $316 million compared to $304 million in first quarter 2024, which reflects higher royalties and franchise fees and higher ancillary revenues.
• The Company generated net income of $61 million compared to $16 million in first quarter 2024. The increase primarily reflects lower transaction-related expenses in connection with defending an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt.  Other items primarily include the absence of impairment and restructuring costs recorded in first quarter 2024, partially offset by higher interest expense. Adjusted net income grew 5% to $67 million compared to $64 million in first quarter 2024.
• Adjusted EBITDA grew 3% to $145 million compared to $141 million in first quarter 2024. This increase included an $8 million unfavorable impact from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 9% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting higher fee-related revenues and margin expansion.
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.78 compared to $0.19 in first quarter 2024. This increase reflects higher net income and the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
• Adjusted diluted EPS grew 10% to $0.86 compared to $0.78 in first quarter 2024.  This increase included an unfavorable impact of $0.07 per share related to marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes).  On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 20% year-over-year, reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth, lower depreciation and amortization and the benefit of share repurchase activity, partially offset by higher interest expense.
• During first quarter 2025, the Company's marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $22 million; while in first quarter 2024, the Company's marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $14 million, resulting in $8 million of marketing fund variability. 

Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company's non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company generated $59 million of net cash provided by operating activities and $80 million of free cash flow in first quarter 2025.  The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $48 million and approximately $637 million in total liquidity. 

The Company's net debt leverage ratio was 3.5 times at March 31, 2025, at the midpoint of the Company's 3 to 4 times stated target range and in line with expectations.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

During the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 797,000 shares of its common stock for $76 million.

The Company paid common stock dividends of $33 million, or $0.41 per share, during the first quarter 2025.

Full-Year 2025 Outlook

The Company is refining its outlook to reflect a softer-than-expected RevPAR environment. The updated range reflects a variety of potential outcomes for the remainder of the year, from a more optimistic scenario in which the softness seen in March and April proves to be temporary, to a more cautious view that contemplates persistent pressure on demand throughout the remainder of the year.

The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to approximate expenses during full-year 2025 though seasonality of spend will affect the quarterly comparisons throughout the year.

More detailed projections are available in Table 8 of this press release.  The Company is providing certain financial metrics only on a non-GAAP basis because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all of the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted.  Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results. 

Conference Call Information

Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company's results and outlook on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET.  Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company's website at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com.  The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 800 343-4136 and providing the passcode "Wyndham".  Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time.  An archive of this webcast will be available on the website beginning at noon ET on May 1, 2025.  A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on May 1, 2025 at 800 688-9459.

Presentation of Financial Information

Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items.  These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company's ongoing operating performance.  The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions.  Exclusion of items in the Company's non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring.  Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents.  Through its network of approximately 907,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, ECHO Suites®, Registry Collection Hotels®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®.  The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 115 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally.  For more information, visit https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com.  The Company may use its website and social media channels as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company's website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com or on the Company's social media channels, including the Company's LinkedIn account which can currently be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyndhamhotels.  Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company's website and the Company's social media channels in addition to following the Company's press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham's current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends and restructuring charges. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," "anticipate," "predict," "intend," "goal," "future," "forward," "remain," "confident," "outlook," "guidance," "target," "objective," "estimate," "projection" and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures, which may impact decisions by consumers and businesses to use travel accommodations; global trade disputes, including with China; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham's relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; global or regional health crises or pandemics including the resulting impact on Wyndham's business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; Wyndham's ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham's ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham's ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

If a more significant pullback in demand were to materialize beyond the Company's current assumptions, actual results could fall below this range.  To assist with modeling, each 1% change in RevPAR equates to an approximate $10 million impact to fee-related and other revenues and $4 million to adjusted EBITDA.

In determining adjusted EBITDA, interest expense, net, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and free cash flow conversion rate, we exclude certain items which are otherwise included in determining the comparable GAAP financial measures. We are providing these measures on a non-GAAP basis only because, without unreasonable efforts, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results.

Table 9
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS
DEFINITIONS

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS: Represents net income and diluted earnings per share excluding acquisition-related amortization, impairment charges, significant accelerated depreciation, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries and special tax items. The Company calculates the income tax effect of the adjustments using an estimated effective tax rate applicable to each adjustment.

Adjusted EBITDA: Represents net income excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not recognized under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the Company's definition of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Represents free cash flow excluding payments related to the Company's defense of an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt.

Ancillary Revenues: Represents the summation of the license and other fees line item and other revenues line item per the income statement.

Average Daily Rate (ADR): Represents the average rate charged for renting a lodging room for one day.

Average Occupancy Rate: Represents the percentage of available rooms occupied during the period.

Comparable Basis: Represents a comparison eliminating Marketing Fund Variability.

Constant Currency: Represents a comparison eliminating the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations between periods (foreign currency translation) and the impact caused by any foreign exchange related activities (i.e., hedges, balance sheet remeasurements and/or adjustments).

FeePAR: Represents annual royalties per room and is calculated by dividing total annual royalty revenue of the Company's franchised hotels by the number of franchised rooms in its system size.

Free Cash Flow: Reflects net cash provided by operating activities excluding development advances, less capital expenditures. The Company believes free cash flow to be a useful operating performance measure to it and investors. This measure helps the Company and investors evaluate its ability to generate cash beyond what is needed to fund capital expenditures, debt service and other obligations. Notwithstanding cash on hand and incremental borrowing capacity, free cash flow reflects the Company's ability to grow its business through investments and acquisitions, as well as its ability to return cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases or even to delever. Free cash flow is not a representation of how the Company will use excess cash. A limitation of using free cash flow versus the GAAP measure of net cash provided by operating activities as a means for evaluating Wyndham Hotels is that free cash flow does not represent the total cash movement for the period as detailed in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Free Cash Flow Conversion Rate: Represents the percentage of adjusted EBITDA that is converted to free cash flow and provides insights into how efficiently the Company is able to turn profits into cash available for use, such as for investments (including development advance notes), debt reduction, dividends or share repurchases.

Marketing Fund Variability: Relates to the quarterly timing variances from the Company's marketing funds. The Company's franchise agreements require the payment of marketing and reservation fees, and in accordance with these franchise agreements, the Company is generally contractually obligated to expend such fees for the benefit of each of its brands over time.  Marketing and reservation fees earned are generally highest during the summer season when the franchised hotels have the highest occupancy and daily rates, while marketing and reservation expenses are generally highest during the first half of the year in an effort to drive higher occupancy in the summer months. Accordingly, the seasonality of the marketing and reservation revenues and expenses results in adjusted EBITDA variability during the quarters throughout the year but are designed such that on a full-year basis, the Company's marketing funds break even.

Net Debt Leverage Ratio: Calculated by dividing total debt less cash and cash equivalents by trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.

Number of Rooms: Represents the number of rooms at the end of the period which are (i) either under franchise and/or management agreements or Company-owned and (ii) properties under affiliation agreements for which the Company receives a fee for reservation and/or other services provided.

RevPAR: Represents revenue per available room and is calculated by multiplying average occupancy rate by ADR.

Royalty Rate: Represents the average royalty rate earned on the Company's franchised properties and is calculated by dividing total royalties, excluding the impact of amortization of development advance notes, by total room revenues.

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SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts