On the stock market since 2013, it operates in the world of consumer spending. It has 182,000 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
Average growth of 20% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $12.2B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
Clearly below the class average.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 11% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 8 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 54 buys and 12 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
The company’s market value is 50 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
Today’s price already includes part of tomorrow’s optimism. Report-card grade: 26/100.
On our five-subject report card, HLT sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: HLT is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.