Hyatt Hotels insider sells over $249 million in stock

An insider at Hyatt Hotels Corp (NYSE:H), the Margot & Tom Pritzker Foundation, has recently sold a significant amount of the company’s stock. According to a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the foundation, which is a member of the 10% owner group, disposed of 1,642,251 shares of Class A common stock at a price of $152.23 per share. This transaction resulted in a total sale value of over $249 million.

The sale took place on September 22, 2024, and was part of a series of transactions involving both non-derivative and derivative securities. Notably, the same number of shares, 1,642,251, were automatically converted from Class B common stock to Class A common stock in connection with the sale. According to the footnotes in the SEC filing, this conversion was exempt from liability under Rule 16b-6(b) and was in accordance with the Issuer’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

The Margot & Tom Pritzker Foundation is associated with the Maroon Private Trust Company, LLC, which serves as the trustee and has investment power over the shares beneficially owned by the foundation. However, the beneficiaries of the foundation do not have investment power over the shares of Class B common stock held by the foundation. The foundation also noted that it may be deemed a member of a group due to certain voting agreements and limitations on transfers of shares of Class A and Class B common stock, but it disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.

This transaction has reduced the foundation’s holdings in Hyatt Hotels Corp to zero shares of Class A common stock, signaling a significant change in their investment in the company. The filing was signed by Derek Arend, President of the Trustee, on September 24, 2024.

In other recent news, Hyatt Hotels Corporation has made significant strides in its financial and strategic landscape. The company recently repurchased $250 million worth of Class B shares, a transaction that aligns with Hyatt’s ongoing capital management strategy. This move reflects Hyatt’s commitment to managing its share structure and capital allocation. Following the transaction, approximately $982 million remains under Hyatt’s current repurchase authorization.

Hyatt has also decided to implement the Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) OPERA Cloud platform across its global hotel portfolio, a move aimed at standardizing operations and enhancing data management. This is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and guest experiences.

In terms of analyst coverage, Goldman Sachs has initiated a Neutral rating on Hyatt with a price target of $151. Simultaneously, Jefferies, Stifel, and JPMorgan have raised their price targets to $152, $151, and $164 respectively, while Citi has reaffirmed its Neutral stance, maintaining its $165 price target.

As for earnings, Citi’s third-quarter 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimate for Hyatt is set at $0.95, and the full-year 2024 EPS estimate has been raised to $4.37. However, the fiscal year 2025 EPS estimate has been adjusted downwards to $4.04. These are the recent developments in Hyatt’s strategic and financial landscape.

InvestingPro Insights

Amid the news of the Margot & Tom Pritzker Foundation selling a substantial stake in Hyatt Hotels Corp, it’s worth examining some key financial metrics and expert insights that may provide a broader context for investors. Hyatt Hotels Corp, a leading hospitality company, has shown a robust gross profit margin of 68.06% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This indicates a strong ability to convert revenue into profit, which is a positive sign for potential investors and aligns with one of the InvestingPro Tips highlighting the company’s impressive gross profit margins.

Additionally, the company’s stock has experienced a significant return of 47.93% over the past year, demonstrating a strong performance in the market. This aligns with another InvestingPro Tip that points out Hyatt’s strong return over the last five years, suggesting a trend of sustained growth. However, the stock is currently trading at a high Price / Book multiple of 4.06, which might indicate that it is valued at a premium compared to its book value of assets.

For investors interested in real-time metrics and further analysis, Hyatt’s market capitalization stands at $15.61 billion, and the stock is trading close to its 52-week high at 96.0% of that value. The price at the previous close was $151.59. Investors may also find it valuable to note that the company operates with a moderate level of debt, an important consideration for assessing financial health and stability.

For those looking for more insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide further guidance on Hyatt Hotels Corp’s financial outlook. These tips can be accessed through the dedicated InvestingPro platform for Hyatt Hotels Corp at https://www.investing.com/pro/H.

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