WH Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc

Company Raises Full-Year 2024 EPS Outlook
Company Grows Development Pipeline by 7% and System Size by 4%

PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2024.  Highlights include:

• Global RevPAR grew 2% in constant currency.
• System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
• Opened over 18,000 rooms globally, including over 7,000 in the U.S., which represented a year-over-year increase of 16%, and the first ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham.
• Awarded 180 development contracts globally, including 96 contracts in the U.S., which represented an increase of 33% year-over-year.
• Development pipeline grew 1% sequentially and 7% year-over-year to a record 245,000 rooms.
• Ancillary revenues increased 6% compared to second quarter 2023.
• Diluted earnings per share increased 30%, to $1.07, and adjusted diluted EPS grew 22%, to $1.13, or 12% on a comparable basis.
• Net income was $86 million for the second quarter, a 23% increase over the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income was $91 million, a 14% increase over the prior-year quarter.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $178 million, or 6% on a comparable basis.
• Returned $162 million to shareholders through $131 million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share.
• Successfully completed the repricing of its Term Loan B Facility, reducing its interest rate by 60 basis points to SOFR plus 1.75%, and upsizing the facility by $400 million.

"The resilience and highly cash generative nature of our business model was once again on full display this quarter," said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. "Amid a normalizing domestic RevPAR environment, we delivered strong adjusted EBITDA driven by net room and ancillary fee growth. We awarded 33% more hotel contracts domestically which grew our development pipeline to a record 245,000 rooms, and drove significant increases in our U.S, international and global royalty rates. Year-to-date, we've returned over $250 million to shareholders, representing 4% of our beginning market capitalization this year."

System Size and Development

The Company's global system grew 4%, reflecting 1% growth in the U.S. and 8% internationally.  As expected, these increases included 3% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., as well as strong growth in the Company's two highest international RevPAR regions, EMEA and Latin America, which grew 12% and 11%, respectively.  The Company continued to improve its retention rate and remains solidly on track to achieve its net room growth outlook of 3 to 4% for the full year 2024. 

On June 30, 2024, the Company's global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,000 hotels and 245,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 7% year-over-year increase.  Key highlights include:

• 5% growth in the U.S. and 9% internationally
• 16^th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth
• Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 4% year-over-year
• Approximately 14% of the pipeline represents ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham.
• Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
• Approximately 79% of the pipeline is new construction, of which approximately 35% has broken ground
• During the second quarter of 2024, the Company awarded 180 new contracts, including 96 contracts in the U.S., which represented an increase of 33% year-over-year.

RevPAR

Second quarter global RevPAR increased 2% in constant currency compared to 2023, reflecting flat growth in the U.S. and 7% growth internationally.

In the U.S., the Company's midscale and above segments grew RevPAR 2% year-over-year while RevPAR for its economy segment declined 2%. Overall, U.S. RevPAR results were driven by growth of 90 basis points in occupancy, partially offset by a decline of 50 basis points in ADR.  Importantly, RevPAR growth in the U.S. accelerated during the second quarter, improving 520 basis points sequentially, including an improvement of 560 basis points for its U.S. economy brands.

Compared to 2019, which neutralizes the impact of COVID recovery timing, the Company grew RevPAR for its economy and midscale brands by 9% and 8%, respectively, while RevPAR for its upscale and above brands continued to lag 2019 by 2%.

Internationally, RevPAR for the Company's Latin America, EMEA and Canada regions collectively increased 15% due to both continued pricing power, with ADR up 13%, and occupancy growth of 2%. RevPAR for the Company's APAC region declined 12% primarily due to a difficult year-over-year comparison resulting from that region's COVID recovery timing in second quarter 2023. APAC occupancy declined 7% and ADR declined 5%.

Compared to 2019, which neutralizes the impact of COVID recovery timing, the Company more than doubled the RevPAR for its Latin America, EMEA and Canada regions, while RevPAR for its APAC region continued to lag 2019 by 11%.

Second Quarter Operating Results

• Fee-related and other revenues were $366 million compared to $358 million in second quarter 2023, reflecting global net room growth of 4% and a 6% increase in ancillary revenue streams, partially offset by a $3 million decline in management fees, in part due to the exit of the Company's U.S. management business.
• The Company generated net income of $86 million compared to $70 million in second quarter 2023. The increase was primarily reflective of higher adjusted EBITDA, a benefit in connection with the reversal of a spin-off related matter and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher interest expense and restructuring costs.
• Adjusted EBITDA grew 13% to $178 million compared to $158 million in second quarter 2023. This increase included a $10 million favorable impact from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 6% primarily reflecting higher fee-related and other revenues, disciplined cost management given the recent RevPAR environment as well as a benefit from insurance recoveries.
• Diluted earnings per share was $1.07 compared to $0.82 in second quarter 2023. This increase reflects higher net income and the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
• Adjusted diluted EPS grew 22% to $1.13 compared to $0.93 in second quarter 2023. This increase included $0.09 per share related to expected marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased 12% year-over-year reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth and the benefit of share repurchase activity partially offset by higher interest expense.
• During second quarter 2024, the Company's marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $5 million, in line with expectations; while in second quarter 2023, the Company's marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $15 million, resulting in $10 million of marketing fund variability. The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2024.

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 $1 million of net cash provided by operating activities (inclusive of $42 million of payments related to the Company's successful defense of a hostile takeover attempt) and generated adjusted free cash flow of $69 million in second quarter 2024.  The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $70 million and approximately $820 million in total liquidity. 

The Company's net debt leverage ratio was 3.5 times at June 30, 2024, the midpoint of the Company's 3 to 4 times stated target range.

In May 2024, the Company successfully repriced and upsized its outstanding Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility ("Prior Term Loan B"). The new Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility ("New Term Loan B") has an outstanding principal balance of $1.5 billion, which includes an upsize of $400 million. The facility has an interest rate of SOFR plus 1.75%, representing a 60 basis point reduction to the Prior Term Loan B.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

During the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of its common stock for $131 million. Year-to-date through June 30, the Company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares of its common stock for $188 million.

The Company paid common stock dividends of $31 million, or $0.38 per share, during the second quarter 2024 and $63 million, or $0.76 per share, year-to-date.

Full-Year 2024 Outlook

The Company is refining its outlook as follows: 

The reduction in RevPAR and fee-related and other revenues reflects a more moderated RevPAR acceleration than previously anticipated.  The reduction in adjusted net income represents an increase in interest expense due to the upsizing of the Company's term loan B.  This impact was more than offset in adjusted diluted EPS by second quarter share repurchase activity.

Year-over-year growth rates for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are not comparable due to full-year 2023 marketing fund revenues exceeding expenses by $9 million, which substantially completed the recovery of the $49 million support the Company provided to its owners during COVID.  The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2024 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, July 25, 2024 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 800 245-3047 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 July 25, 2024.  A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2024 at 800 757-4764. 

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 properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents.  Through its network of nearly 885,000 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®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®.  The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 110 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," "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; global or regional health crises or pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) 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; 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 between Israel and Hamas, respectively; 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.

In determining adjusted EBITDA, interest expense, net, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted 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, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales and foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries. 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.

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 the year-over-year variability of the Company's marketing funds.

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).

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.

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

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion Rate: Represents the percentage of adjusted EBITDA that is converted to adjusted 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.

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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