Hyatt Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

Hyatt Hotels Corporation ("Hyatt" or the "Company") (NYSE: H) today reported third quarter 2014 financial results as follows:

• Adjusted EBITDA was $179 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $159 million in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 12.6%.
• Adjusted for special items, net income attributable to Hyatt was $30 million, or $0.20 per share, during the third quarter of 2014 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $36 million, or $0.23 per share, during the third quarter of 2013.
• Net income attributable to Hyatt was $32 million, or $0.21 per share, during the third quarter of 2014 compared to net income attributable to Hyatt of $55 million, or $0.35 per share, in the third quarter of 2013.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 7.6% (7.3% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.
• Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 190 basis points in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 60 basis points in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.
• Comparable systemwide RevPAR increased 7.6% (8.0% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.
• Comparable U.S. full service hotel RevPAR increased 8.9% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Comparable U.S. select service hotel RevPAR increased 9.7% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.
• Eleven hotels were opened. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's executed contract base consisted of approximately 250 hotels or approximately 55,000 rooms.
• The Company repurchased 1,312,432 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $60.24 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $79 million.

Mark S. Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said, "The global economic environment continues to be healthy for travel demand, particularly in the U.S. Strong rate increases led to systemwide RevPAR growth of 8% in the third quarter. Comparable owned and leased margins increased 190 basis points and total fees increased more than 20%, each reflective of strong rate performance and improving food and beverage results, particularly at hotels in the Americas.

"We continue to open new hotels in important markets. We recently opened the flagship Park Hyatt New York and Hyatt Herald Square New York which brings our presence in Manhattan to nine hotels across five brands. In China, we recently opened Grand Hyatt Dalian and Hyatt Regency Suzhou bringing our presence in Greater China to nearly 30 hotels across six brands. Hyatt Place continues to grow in the U.S. and internationally, with seven recent openings, reflecting the brand’s appeal to guests and owners. We are on track to open approximately 40 hotels this year.

"On the transaction and asset recycling front, we recently received proceeds of more than $350 million from the sale of Hyatt Residential Group, Park Hyatt Washington and three joint venture hotels. We expect to close on the sale of 38 select service hotels for approximately $590 million next month. The transaction market continues to be active and we currently have seven full service hotels and six select service hotels listed for sale.

"As part of our balanced approach to capital allocation, we have returned capital to shareholders via share repurchases. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter through October 24, we repurchased $51 million of Class A common shares at a weighted average price of $57.60 per share. This brings our year-to-date total to approximately $280 million of repurchases of Class A common shares at a weighted average price of $56.82 per share.

"Looking ahead, group pace for 2015 is up approximately 8% providing further opportunity to grow rates and improve margins through higher rooms and food and beverage revenues. Combined with strong demand and limited new supply in many U.S. markets, the multiple earnings tools in our business model position us well for future years."

Owned and Leased Hotels Segment

Total segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.8% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Owned and leased hotels Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.1% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. See the table on page 17 of the accompanying schedules for a detailed list of portfolio changes and the year-over-year net impact to third quarter owned and leased hotels Adjusted EBITDA.

Pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality ventures Adjusted EBITDA increased 46.2% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to newly opened and converted hotels.

Revenue increased 6.5% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Owned and leased hotels expenses increased 5.8% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

RevPAR for comparable owned and leased hotels increased 7.6% (7.3% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Occupancy improved 130 basis points and ADR increased 5.8% (5.5% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2013.

Comparable owned and leased hotels revenue increased 6.3% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Excluding expenses related to benefit programs funded through rabbi trusts and non-comparable hotel expenses, expenses increased 3.6% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. See the table on page 11 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of comparable owned and leased hotels expenses to owned and leased hotels expenses.

Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins increased 190 basis points in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins for hotels in the Americas increased 240 basis points in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins in ASPAC and EAME/SW Asia decreased 10 basis points in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013.

The following hotel was added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Park Hyatt New York (owned, 210 rooms)

Management and Franchise Fees

Total fee revenue increased 22.1% to $94 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Base management fees increased 9.8% to $45 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to strong RevPAR growth and newly opened hotels. Incentive management fees increased 25.0% to $25 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to strong hotel performance in the Americas and ASPAC. Franchise fees increased 38.4% to $18 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to new hotels and hotels recently converted from managed to franchised. Other fee revenues increased 100.0% to $6 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to deferred gains resulting from the sales of hotels subject to management agreements.

Americas Management and Franchising Segment

Adjusted EBITDA increased 26.9% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

RevPAR for comparable Americas full service hotels increased 8.4% (8.8% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Occupancy increased 80 basis points and ADR increased 7.3% (7.7% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2013.

Group rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 9.3% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Group room nights increased 4.0% and group ADR increased 5.0% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Transient rooms revenue at comparable U.S. full service hotels increased 7.1% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Transient room nights decreased 1.9% and transient ADR increased 9.1% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

RevPAR for comparable Americas select service hotels increased 9.7% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Occupancy increased 80 basis points and ADR increased 8.6% compared to the same period in 2013.

Revenue from management, franchise and other fees increased 23.1% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

The following eight hotels were added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Park Hyatt New York (owned, 210 rooms)
• The Concourse Hotel at Los Angeles International Airport (franchised, 580 rooms): This property is expected to be rebranded Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Airport upon completion of a renovation.
• Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort / Convention Center (franchised, 178 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Bloomington (franchised, 172 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Durham / Southpoint (franchised, 164 rooms)
• Hyatt Place La Paz, Mexico (managed, 151 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Phoenix / Chandler-Fashion Center (franchised, 129 rooms)
• Hyatt Place Santiago / Vitacura, Chile (managed, 160 rooms)

One hotel was removed from the portfolio during the third quarter.

Southeast Asia, China, Australia, South Korea and Japan (ASPAC) Management and Franchising Segment

Adjusted EBITDA was flat in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

RevPAR for comparable ASPAC hotels increased 3.5% (4.1% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Occupancy increased 170 basis points and ADR increased 1.0% (1.6% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2013.

Revenue from management, franchise and other fees increased 29.4% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

The following two hotels were added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Grand Hyatt Dalian, China (managed, 370 rooms)
• Hyatt Regency Suzhou, China (managed, 355 rooms)

Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southwest Asia (EAME/SW Asia) Management Segment

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 18.2% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

RevPAR for comparable EAME/SW Asia hotels increased 7.2% (7.8% excluding the effect of currency) in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Occupancy increased 390 basis points and ADR increased 0.7% (1.3% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the same period in 2013.

Revenue from management and other fees decreased 5.3% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This is primarily because no incentive management fees were earned at four managed hotels in France in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to $3 million of incentive management fees booked from these hotels in the third quarter of 2013.

The following hotel was added to the portfolio during the third quarter:

• Hyatt Regency Sochi, Russia (managed, 198 rooms)

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were flat in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 16.2% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase in adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses was partially due to the timing of professional fees and development expenses in both 2013 and 2014. Refer to the table on page 10 of the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses to selling, general, and administrative expenses.

OPENINGS AND FUTURE EXPANSION

Eleven hotels were added in the third quarter of 2014, each of which is listed above.

The Company expects that a significant number of new hotels will be opened under all of the Company's brands in the future. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had executed management or franchise contracts for approximately 250 hotels (or approximately 55,000 rooms) across all brands. The executed contracts represent potential entry into several new countries and expansion into new markets or markets in which the Company is under-represented.

SHARE REPURCHASE

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased 1,312,432 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $60.24 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $79 million. From October 1 through October 24, 2014, the Company repurchased 881,605 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $57.60 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $51 million. As of October 24, 2014, the Company had approximately $209 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

CORPORATE FINANCE / ASSET RECYCLING

During the third quarter, the Company completed the following transactions:

• Acquired Park Hyatt New York (210 rooms) for approximately $390 million, inclusive of pre-opening and related costs.
• An unconsolidated hospitality venture sold Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport (811 rooms). The Company received approximately $19 million as its share of proceeds from the sale. As a result of this sale, the Company's pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality venture debt was reduced by approximately $24 million. The Company continues to manage the hotel.
• An unconsolidated hospitality venture sold Hyatt Place Houston / Sugar Land (214 rooms). The Company received approximately $12 million as its share of proceeds from the sale. As a result of this sale, the Company's pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality venture debt was reduced by approximately $10 million. The Company continues to manage the hotel.
• An unconsolidated hospitality venture sold Hyatt Place Coconut Point (108 rooms). The Company received approximately $5 million as its share of proceeds from the sale. The hotel continues to be Hyatt branded.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company completed the following transactions:

• Sold Hyatt Residential Group for approximately $220 million. The sale price included Hyatt’s interest in a joint venture that owns and is developing a shared ownership property in Maui, Hawaii. The properties will continue to be Hyatt branded.
• Sold Park Hyatt Washington (216 rooms) for approximately $100 million. The Company continues to manage the hotel.

BALANCE SHEET / OTHER ITEMS

On September 30, 2014, the Company reported the following:

• Total debt of approximately $1.4 billion.
• Pro rata share of non-recourse unconsolidated hospitality venture debt of approximately $668 million.
• Cash and cash equivalents, including investments in highly-rated money market funds and similar investments, of approximately $263 million and short-term investments of approximately $30 million.
• Undrawn borrowing availability of approximately $1.4 billion under its revolving credit facility.

2014 INFORMATION

The Company is providing the following information for the 2014 fiscal year:

• Adjusted SG&A expense is expected to be approximately $320 million.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $275 million, including approximately $100 million for investment in new properties.
• In addition to the capital expenditures described above, the Company intends to continue a strong level of investment spending. Investment spending includes acquisitions, equity investments in joint ventures, debt investments, contract acquisition costs or other investments.
• Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $360 million.
• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $70 million to $75 million.
• The Company expects to open approximately 40 hotels in 2014.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company will hold an investor conference call today, October 29, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. CT. All interested persons may listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call, which may be accessed through the Company’s website at www.hyatt.com by selecting the Investor Relations link located at the bottom of the page, or by dialing 617.213.8060, passcode #95150754, approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. CT on October 29, 2014 through October 30, 2014 at midnight by dialing 617.801.6888, passcode #41478331. Additionally, an archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 90 days.

DEFINITIONS

Adjusted EBITDA

We use the term Adjusted EBITDA throughout this earnings release. Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, is a non-GAAP measure. We define consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Hyatt Hotels Corporation plus our pro rata share of unconsolidated hospitality ventures Adjusted EBITDA based on our ownership percentage of each venture, adjusted to exclude the following items:

• equity earnings from unconsolidated hospitality ventures;
• asset impairments;
• gains on sales of real estate;
• other income (loss), net;
• net income attributable to noncontrolling interests;
• depreciation and amortization;
• interest expense; and
• provision for income taxes.

We calculate consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by adding the Adjusted EBITDA of each of our reportable segments to corporate and other Adjusted EBITDA.

Our Board of Directors and executive management team focus on Adjusted EBITDA as a key performance and compensation measure both on a segment and on a consolidated basis. Adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods on a consistent basis because it removes from our operating results the impact of items that do not reflect our core operating performance both on a segment and on a consolidated basis. Our president and chief executive officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, also evaluates the performance of each of our reportable segments and determines how to allocate resources to those segments, in significant part, by assessing the Adjusted EBITDA of each segment. In addition, the compensation committee of our Board of Directors determines the annual variable compensation for certain members of our management based in part on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA or some combination of both.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it provides investors the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our operating performance and making selected compensation decisions.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for net income attributable to Hyatt Hotels Corporation, net income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure prescribed by GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. Although we believe that Adjusted EBITDA can make an evaluation of our operating performance more consistent because it removes items that do not reflect our core operations, other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use Adjusted EBITDA or similarly named non-GAAP measures that other companies may use to compare the performance of those companies to our performance. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of the income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Our management compensates for these limitations by reference to our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA supplementally.

Adjusted Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses exclude the impact of expenses related to benefit programs funded through rabbi trusts.

Comparable Owned and Leased Hotels Operating Margin

We define Comparable Owned and Leased Hotels Operating Margin as the difference between comparable owned and leased hotels revenue and comparable owned and leased hotels expenses. Comparable owned and leased hotels revenue is calculated by removing non-comparable hotels revenue from owned and leased hotels revenue as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income. Comparable owned and leased hotels expenses is calculated by removing both non-comparable owned and leased hotels expenses and the impact of expenses funded through rabbi trusts from owned and leased hotels expenses as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income.

Comparable Hotels

Comparable systemwide hotels represents all properties we manage or franchise (including owned and leased properties) and that are operated for the entirety of the periods being compared and that have not sustained substantial damage, business interruption or undergone large scale renovations during the periods being compared or for which comparable results are not available. We may use variations of comparable systemwide hotels to specifically refer to comparable systemwide Americas full service or select service hotels for those properties that we manage or franchise within the Americas management and franchising segment, comparable systemwide ASPAC full service hotels for those properties that we manage or franchise within the ASPAC management and franchising segment, or comparable systemwide EAME/SW Asia full service hotels for those properties that we manage within the EAME/SW Asia management segment. Comparable operated hotels is defined the same as Comparable systemwide hotels with the exception that it is limited to only those hotels we manage or operate and excludes hotels we franchise. “Comparable owned and leased hotels” represents all properties we own or lease and that are operated and consolidated for the entirety of the periods being compared and have not sustained substantial damage, business interruption or undergone large scale renovations during the periods being compared or for which comparable results are not available. Comparable systemwide hotels and comparable owned and leased hotels are commonly used as a basis of measurement in the industry. Non-comparable systemwide hotels or Non-comparable owned and leased hotels represent all hotels that do not meet the respective definition of comparable as defined above.

Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR)

RevPAR is the product of the average daily rate and the average daily occupancy percentage. RevPAR does not include non-room revenues, which consist of ancillary revenues generated by a hotel property, such as food and beverage, parking, telephone and other guest service revenues. Our management uses RevPAR to identify trend information with respect to room revenues from comparable properties and to evaluate hotel performance on a regional and segment basis. RevPAR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry.

RevPAR changes that are driven predominantly by changes in occupancy have different implications for overall revenue levels and incremental profitability than do changes that are driven predominantly by changes in average room rates. For example, increases in occupancy at a hotel would lead to increases in room revenues and additional variable operating costs (including housekeeping services, utilities and room amenity costs), and could also result in increased ancillary revenues (including food and beverage). In contrast, changes in average room rates typically have a greater impact on margins and profitability as there is no substantial effect on variable costs.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

ADR represents hotel room revenues, divided by total number of rooms sold in a given period. ADR measures average room price attained by a hotel and ADR trends provide useful information concerning the pricing environment and the nature of the customer base of a hotel or group of hotels. ADR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry, and we use ADR to assess the pricing levels that we are able to generate by customer group, as changes in rates have a different effect on overall revenues and incremental profitability than changes in occupancy, as described above.

Occupancy

Occupancy represents the total number of rooms sold divided by the total number of rooms available at a hotel or group of hotels. Occupancy measures the utilization of our hotels' available capacity. Management uses occupancy to gauge demand at a specific hotel or group of hotels in a given period. Occupancy levels also help us determine achievable ADR levels as demand for hotel rooms increases or decreases.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements about our plans, strategies, occupancy and ADR trends, market share, margin trends, the number of properties we expect to open in the future, our expected adjusted SG&A expense, capital expenditures, investment spending, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense estimates, financial performance, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, general economic uncertainty in key global markets, the rate and pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; limited visibility with respect to future bookings; our ability to successfully achieve certain levels of operating profit at hotels that have performance guarantees with our third-party owners; the impact of hotel renovations; loss of key personnel; hostilities, or fear of hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, that affect travel; travel-related accidents; natural or man-made disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, oil spills, nuclear incidents and global outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the real estate and hospitality businesses; changes in distribution arrangements, such as through Internet travel intermediaries; our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; relationships with associates and labor unions and changes in labor laws; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees and hospitality venture partners; if our third-party owners, franchisees or development partners are unable to access the capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; risks associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions; failure to successfully complete proposed transactions (including the failure to satisfy closing conditions or obtain required approvals); unforeseen terminations of our management agreements; changes in federal, state, local or foreign tax law; increases in interest rates and operating costs; foreign exchange rate fluctuations or currency restructurings; lack of acceptance of new brands or innovation; general volatility of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; cyber risks and information technology failures; outcomes of legal proceedings; violation of regulations or laws related to our franchising business; and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Zilara™, Hyatt Ziva™,Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names and have locations on six continents. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 573 properties in 48 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

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