Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, driven by rising demand, continued expansion across its global portfolio and a record development pipeline of 541,300 rooms.
The hotel group recorded a 3.9 per cent increase in system-wide comparable RevPAR, on a currency-neutral basis, compared with the second quarter of 2025. Net income rose to $482 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached $1.054 billion. Diluted earnings per share stood at $2.10, increasing to $2.29 when adjusted for special items.
Hilton approved 42,900 new rooms for development during the quarter, taking its development pipeline to 3,853 hotels and 541,300 rooms across 132 countries and territories as of June 30. The pipeline represents a six per cent increase from the same period last year and includes 26 countries and territories where Hilton currently has no operating hotels. Nearly half of the rooms in the pipeline are already under construction, while more than half are located outside the United States.
The company also expanded its operating portfolio during the quarter, opening 207 hotels with 24,100 rooms and adding 21,600 net rooms. Room openings increased by 50 per cent from the first quarter of 2026, contributing to Hilton’s net unit growth of 6.1 per cent year-on-year.
Among the notable openings was Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the debut of the Conrad brand in Greece, while Slohh by Roach Bengaluru, Curio Collection by Hilton, marked the lifestyle brand’s entry into India. Hilton also opened the first three properties under its Apartment Collection by Hilton brand in Salt Lake City, Austin and Atlanta.
The company continued to expand its luxury and lifestyle portfolios with the signing of Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach and Umfolozi River Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in South Africa.
Hilton’s expansion comes as the company continues to diversify its brand portfolio and target new segments. In June, it launched Undergraduate by Hilton, an upper-midscale lifestyle brand designed to strengthen its presence in college and university markets.
“We delivered strong top and bottom-line results for the second quarter, driven by the continuation of strengthening demand trends and broad-based momentum across our system, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and into 2027,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilton. “Our disciplined development strategy continues to drive strong results, with openings and approvals both increasing 50 percent sequentially from the first quarter and our pipeline ending the quarter at a record level.”
Nassetta said Hilton remains confident in achieving net unit growth of between six and seven per cent in 2026 and beyond.
Hilton’s financial position also remained strong during the quarter. The company issued $1 billion in senior notes due 2031 in May and used part of the proceeds to repay $450 million previously drawn under its revolving credit facility. As of June 30, Hilton had no borrowings outstanding under the facility and held $1.064 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
The company also returned significant capital to shareholders, repurchasing 2.9 million shares for $932 million during the quarter. Including dividends, Hilton returned $966 million to shareholders during the second quarter and $2.034 billion year-to-date through July.
Looking ahead, Hilton expects full-year 2026 comparable, currency-neutral RevPAR growth of between three and 3.5 per cent. Full-year net income is projected at between $1.883 billion and $1.911 billion, while adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $4.04 billion and $4.08 billion. The company also expects to return approximately $3.5 billion of capital to shareholders during the year.
With its expanding global footprint, record development pipeline and continued growth in demand, Hilton is positioning itself for further expansion through 2026 and into 2027.
