PARSIPPANY, N.J. (February 10, 2021) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020. Highlights include:
Diluted loss per share for the quarter was $0.08 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.07; diluted loss per share for the full-year was $1.42 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.03.
Net loss for the quarter was $7 million and adjusted net income was $7 million; net loss for the full-year was $132 million and adjusted net income was $96 million.
Adjusted EBITDA was $56 million for the quarter and $327 million for the full-year.
Global comparable RevPAR for the quarter declined 33% year-over-year; global comparable RevPAR for the year declined 35% year-over-year.
System-wide rooms declined 4% year-over-year.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the full-year was $67 million and free cash flow was $34 million.
Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share in fourth quarter, and Board of Directors recently authorized a 100% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per share beginning with the dividend expected to be declared in first quarter 2021.
Repaid all remaining revolver credit facility borrowings.
“We generated strong adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow in the worst year our industry has ever experienced. At the same time, we strengthened our portfolio with the completion of our strategic termination plan and drove sequential growth in hotel openings and our development pipeline,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “Our non-urban, drive-to economy and midscale hotels, combined with our ongoing investment in sales and marketing, captured rising pent-up leisure travel demand, which continued to produce sequential RevPAR improvements and domestic market share gains for our franchisees over the course of 2020.”
Fourth Quarter 2020 Operating Results Revenues declined from $492 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 to $296 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $70 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $126 million primarily reflecting a 33% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, as well as a $15 million decline in license and other fees also reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally.
The Company generated a net loss of $7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $64 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease of $71 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, was primarily due to the RevPAR and license fee declines, as well as excess marketing fund spend, which were partially offset by cost containment initiatives, lower volume-related expenses and the absence of transaction-related expenses. 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.
Fourth Quarter 2020 Business Segment Discussion The following discussion of fourth quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
Hotel Franchising
The Company’s franchised system declined 3% primarily reflecting the Company’s previously announced removal of approximately 18,500 non-compliant and brand detracting rooms. In addition, net franchised rooms includes approximately 7,800 rooms that were transferred from the hotel management segment primarily related to the CorePoint Lodging asset sales, which were partially offset by the deletion of approximately 5,300 low-royalty rooms in connection with the sale of certain hotels by a strategic partner.
RevPAR declined 33% globally reflecting a 28% decline in the U.S. and a 43% decline internationally. On a comparable basis, which is in constant currency and excludes hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, global RevPAR declined 31% reflecting a 28% decline in the U.S. and a 40% decline internationally.
Revenues decreased $98 million compared to fourth quarter 2019 reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally, while a decline in adjusted EBITDA of $76 million further reflected excess marketing fund spend, partially mitigated by cost containment initiatives and lower volume-related expenses.
Hotel Management
The Company’s managed system declined 19% primarily reflecting approximately 7,800 rooms that were transferred to the hotel franchising segment primarily as a result of CorePoint Lodging asset sales. Excluding the transfer of these rooms, the Company’s managed system decreased 7% primarily reflecting the Company’s previously announced removal of approximately 2,900 unprofitable management guarantee hotel rooms.
RevPAR declined 44% globally, domestically and internationally. On a comparable basis, which excludes hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, global RevPAR declined 43%, including a 44% decline in the U.S. and a 42% decline internationally.
Revenues decreased $96 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues decreased $26 million due to the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally. Adjusted EBITDA declined $22 million as the RevPAR impacts were partially mitigated by lower volume-related expenses.
Full-Year 2020 Operating Results Revenues declined from $2,053 million in 2019 to $1,300 million in 2020. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $273 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $480 million primarily reflecting a 35% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, as well as a $47 million decline in license and other fees also reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally.
The Company generated a net loss of $132 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, in 2020 compared to net income of $157 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in 2019. The decline of $289 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, was primarily due to the revenue decline, impact of the non-cash impairment charges and excess marketing fund spend, which were partially offset by cost containment initiatives, lower volume-related, separation-related and transaction-related expenses and the absence of contract termination expenses. 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.
Development As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s hotel system of over 8,900 properties and approximately 796,000 rooms declined 4% year-over-year primarily reflecting unusual termination events resulting in the deletion of approximately 26,700 rooms, comprised of 18,500 non-compliant, brand detracting rooms, 5,300 rooms in connection with the strategic partner hotel sales and 2,900 unprofitable management guarantee rooms. As a result, the Company’s global retention rate declined 330 basis points year-over-year to 91.5%.
The Company awarded over 580 new contracts this year and its development pipeline at year-end consisted of approximately 1,400 hotels and approximately 185,000 rooms, growing sequentially by 120 basis points domestically and 20 basis points globally. Approximately 64% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 75% is new construction, of which 34% have broken ground.
Cash and Liquidity During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company repaid all remaining borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Accordingly, the Company’s cash balance decreased $242 million since September 30, 2020 to $493 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company had over $1.2 billion in total liquidity available as of December 31, 2020.
The Company generated $67 million of net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 and $34 million of free cash flow in 2020. Excluding $66 million of special-item cash outlays, primarily relating to the Company’s restructuring initiatives, as well as transaction-related and separation-related cash payments, adjusted free cash flow in 2020 was $100 million.
Dividends The Company paid common stock dividends of $7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full-year, the Company paid $53 million, or $0.56 per share, in common stock dividends.
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a 100% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per share from $0.08 per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared in the first quarter of 2021.
2021 Projections The Company is not providing a complete outlook for full-year 2021 given the RevPAR uncertainties ahead; however, provided below is the Company’s best view of certain operating statistics and financial metrics for full-year 2021:
Net rooms growth of 1% to 2%.
Every point of RevPAR change versus 2020 is expected to generate approximately $2.5 million of adjusted EBITDA change versus 2020. This estimate does not include impacts from license fees or the marketing funds.
License fees are expected to be $70 million reflecting the minimum levels outlined in the underlying agreements.
Marketing, reservation and loyalty expenses are not expected to exceed marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues. As such, the Company expects no meaningful impact to full-year 2021 adjusted EBITDA from the marketing, reservation and loyalty funds.
The Company does not expect any meaningful special-item cash outlays in 2021.
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, February 11, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9173 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 February 11, 2021. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 11, 2021 at 800 723-7372.
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 over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 796,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 86 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a 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 www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website 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 Hotels’ current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures and dividends, restructuring charges and statements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels 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; the continuation or worsening of the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, its scope, duration and impact on the Company’s business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on the Company’s franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for travel; the success of the Company’s mitigation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s performance in any recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; the Company’s relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife; concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resurgence or mutations of the virus and actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives and other travel restrictions; risks related to restructuring or strategic initiatives; risks related to the Company’s relationship with CorePoint Lodging; the Company’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 the Company’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital as a result of COVID-19; and the Company’s limitations related to share repurchases and ability to pay dividends under its credit facility and the timing and amount of any future dividends, as well as the risks described in the Company’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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., October 28, 2020 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Highlights include:
Diluted earnings per share was $0.29, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.36.
Net income was $27 million for the third quarter and adjusted net income was $34
Adjusted EBITDA was $101 million.
Generated $97 million of net cash provided by operating activities and $92 million of free cash flow.
Global comparable RevPAR declined 35% year-over-year.
System-wide rooms declined 2% year-over-year.
Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share.
Issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior unsecured notes in August 2020, due 2028, the net proceeds of which were used in full to repay then-outstanding revolver borrowings.
“In the face of continued industry uncertainty, our leisure-oriented, drive-to franchise business model generated $101 million of adjusted EBITDA and $92 million of free cash flow,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “Over 99% of our domestic and over 97% of our global portfolio are open today. RevPAR improved sequentially across the globe, and in the U.S., our economy and midscale brands continued to gain market share. Third quarter room openings also improved sequentially both in the U.S. and internationally and we grew our pipeline by 3% to 185,000 rooms globally. Importantly, we executed 152 hotel agreements, including 23% more domestic conversion signings than the third quarter of 2019. As always, we remain dedicated to supporting our owners around the world during these very challenging times.”
Revenues declined from $560 million in the third quarter of 2019 to $337 million in the third quarter of 2020. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $79 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $144 million primarily reflecting a 35% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
The Company generated net income of $27 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to $45 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019. The decline in net income of $18 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, was primarily due to the revenue declines, which were partially offset by cost containment initiatives, lower volume-related expenses and the absence of contract termination and transaction-related expenses. 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.
Business Segment Discussion The following discussion of third quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
The Company’s franchised system, which included 8,500 rooms transferred from the hotel management segment related to the CorePoint Lodging asset sales, declined 1% globally. Excluding the transfer, franchised net rooms declined 2% globally, reflecting the Company’s previously announced removal of non-compliant and brand detracting rooms, of which approximately 9,000 were removed during the second quarter and approximately 7,900 were removed during the third quarter.
RevPAR declined 36% globally, reflecting a 31% decline in the U.S. and a 50% decline internationally. On a comparable basis, which is in constant currency and excludes hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, global RevPAR declined 33%, reflecting a 30% decline in the U.S. and a 43% decline internationally.
Revenues decreased $143 million compared to third quarter 2019 reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally, while a decline in adjusted EBITDA of $78 million was partially mitigated by cost containment initiatives and lower volume-related expenses.
The Company’s managed system globally decreased 12%, primarily reflecting the transfer of 8,500 rooms to the hotel franchising segment as a result of CorePoint Lodging asset sales. Excluding the transfer of rooms to the hotel franchising segment, the Company’s managed system increased 2% primarily reflecting growth internationally, partially offset by the Company’s previously announced removal of approximately 1,300 unprofitable management guarantee hotel rooms during the third quarter.
RevPAR declined 48% globally, including a 45% decline in the U.S. and a 56% decline internationally. On a comparable basis, which excludes hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, global RevPAR declined 46%, including a 43% decline in the U.S. and a 51% decline internationally.
Revenues decreased $79 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues were unchanged as the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally was offset by the absence of a $20 million fee credit recorded as a reduction to hotel-management revenues in the third quarter of 2019, which was considered transaction-related and therefore did not impact Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA declined $11 million as the RevPAR impacts were partially mitigated by cost containment initiatives and lower volume-related expenses.
Development As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s hotel system of approximately 9,000 properties and 804,000 rooms declined 2% year-over-year. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company opened 76 hotels totaling 9,600 rooms, a year-over-year decline of 34% due to delays resulting from the pandemic.
As expected, the Company’s global retention rate over the last twelve months declined to 92.6% compared to 94.9% during the same period last year due to the Company’s removal of approximately 9,000 non-compliant master franchise rooms in China during the second quarter; and the Company’s removal of approximately 9,200 additional non-compliant, unprofitable and brand detracting rooms in the third quarter.
The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,400 hotels and approximately 185,000 rooms, a 3% decline year-over-year, or a 3% increase sequentially. Approximately 64% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 76% is new construction, of which 33% have broken ground.
Cash and Liquidity During the third quarter of 2020, the Company’s cash balance increased $71 million to $735 million, including the issuance of $500 million of senior unsecured notes bearing interest at 4.375%, the net proceeds of which were used in full to repay then-outstanding revolver borrowings. In addition, the Company made $10 million of special-item cash outlays, primarily reflecting COVID-19 related restructuring payments, during the third quarter. As of September 30, 2020, the total capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility was $501 million and the Company had approximately $1.2 billion in total liquidity.
Dividends The Company paid common stock dividends of $7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the third quarter of 2020.
Conference Call Information Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9173 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2020 at 800 753-9197.
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 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of 804,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 85 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a 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 www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website 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 federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures and dividends, restructuring charges and statements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward- looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels 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; the continuation or worsening of the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, its scope, duration and impact on the Company’s business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on the Company’s franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for travel; the success of the Company’s mitigation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s performance in any recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; the performance of financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; the Company’s relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife; concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resurgence of the virus and actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives and other travel restrictions; risks related to the acquisition of La Quinta and the Company’s relationship with CorePoint Lodging; the Company’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 the Company’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital as a result of COVID-19; and the Company’s limitations related to share repurchases and ability to pay dividends under its credit facility and the timing and amount of any future dividends, as well as the risks described in the Company’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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 28, 2020 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Highlights include:
Diluted loss per share was $1.86, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.10.
Net loss was $174 million for the second quarter and adjusted net income was $9 million.
Adjusted EBITDA was $63 million.
System-wide rooms remained flat year-over-year.
Global comparable RevPAR declined 54% year-over-year.
Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share.
“We generated positive adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter, driven by our drive-to and leisure-oriented franchise business model, along with our immediate and concerted cost savings initiatives,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “We were pleased to see a steady improvement in Average Daily Rate, Occupancy and RevPAR over the past three months. Our select-service, small business owners are uniquely positioned to both remain open and capture emerging travel demand, whatever the shape of the recovery may be. Approximately 85% of our hotels have remained open globally throughout the pandemic, and over 99% of our domestic hotels are open today. Importantly, our economy and midscale brands continue to outperform versus their local markets. We remain committed to supporting our owners during this difficult period, while showing our guests and team members that they can “Count on Us” to put their safety first.”
Revenues declined to $258 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared with $533 million in the second quarter of 2019. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $94 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost- reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $181 million reflecting a 54% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
The Company generated a net loss of $174 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting $1.71 per diluted share in non-cash impairment charges related to certain intangible assets and $0.18 per diluted share in restructuring and transaction-related costs. Net income in the second quarter of 2019 was $26 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $0.34 per diluted share and $0.16 per diluted share in transaction-related, separation-related and contract termination expenses. The decline in net income of $200 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, was primarily due to the impact of the non-cash impairment charges and the revenue declines, which were partially offset by lower volume-related expenses as well as cost containment initiatives, including restructuring actions. 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.
Business Segment Discussion
The following discussion of second quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
The Company’s franchised system, which included 7,500 rooms transferred from the hotel management segment related to the CorePoint Lodging asset sales, remained flat globally. Excluding the transfer, franchised net rooms declined 50 basis points globally, reflecting the Company’s removal of approximately 9,000 non-compliant master franchise rooms in China.
RevPAR declined 59% globally, or 53% on a comparable basis, due to the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand. In the U.S., RevPAR declined 52%, or 49% on a comparable basis, and internationally RevPAR declined 76%, or 66% on a comparable basis.
Revenues decreased $149 million compared to second quarter 2019 reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally, while a decline in adjusted EBITDA of $79 million was partially mitigated by lower volume-related expenses as well as cost containment initiatives.
The Company’s managed system decreased 11% globally primarily reflecting the transfer of 7,500 rooms to the hotel franchising segment as a result of CorePoint Lodging asset sales. Excluding the transfer of rooms to the hotel franchising segment, the Company’s managed system grew 1%, reflecting 13% growth internationally, partially offset by a 3% decline in the U.S. primarily due to the loss of rooms that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel management guarantees.
RevPAR declined 69% globally, or 63% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting a 68% decline in the U.S., or 63% on a comparable basis, and a 72% decline internationally, or 60% on a comparable basis.
Revenues decreased $125 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to $94 million of lower cost- reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues declined $31 million due to the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally, while adjusted EBITDA declined $20 million as the RevPAR impacts were partially mitigated by lower volume-related expenses as well as cost containment initiatives.
Development
As of June 30, 2020, the Company’s hotel system of over 9,000 properties and 813,000 rooms remained flat year-over-year. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company opened 62 new hotels totaling 5,700 rooms, a year-over-year decline of 65% as new construction openings were delayed and conversion volumes were lower.
As expected, the Company’s global retention rate over the last twelve months declined to 93.7% compared to 95.2% during the same period last year due to the Company’s removal of approximately 9,000 non-compliant master franchise rooms in China, as previously disclosed.
The Company’s development pipeline consisted of over 1,300 hotels and approximately 180,000 rooms, a 4% year-over-year room decline, or a 5% decline sequentially, as a result of softer sales activity in the second quarter due to travel restrictions, increased hurdle rates and a more conservative probability factor applied to projects in the pipeline which have not yet secured financing. Approximately 64% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 76% is new construction, of which 34% have broken ground.
Impairment Charge
The continued disruption to the travel industry resulting from COVID-19 prompted the Company to perform an evaluation and comparison of the carrying value of its assets to their fair value. As a result of this evaluation, the Company recorded a net impairment charge of $206 million ($159 million, net of tax) during the second quarter of 2020 primarily related to the La Quinta tradename. The future cash flows expected to be generated from the La Quinta tradename have not changed materially; rather, the impairment charge was principally attributable to a higher discount rate primarily resulting from increased share price volatility, consistent with the lodging sector and broader equity markets.
Restructuring Charge
In an effort to mitigate the revenue declines resulting from COVID-19 and to further position itself for growth during the recovery period, the Company undertook various restructuring actions that resulted in a charge of $16 million ($13 million, net of tax) during the second quarter. This charge is comprised of $11 million for severance and related benefit costs resulting from the elimination of approximately 180 positions and $5 million of lease-related costs. In combination with the Company’s first quarter COVID-19 related restructuring charge, the Company has now reduced approximately 440 positions and expects to realize $50 million to $55 million of annual savings as a result of these actions.
Cash
During the second quarter of 2020, the Company’s cash balance decreased $85 million to $664 million. The impact of the Company’s franchisee fee deferral program was approximately $67 million during the second quarter. In addition, the Company made $28 million of special-item cash outlays, including restructuring payments, during the second quarter.
Dividends
The Company paid common stock dividends of $8 million, or $0.08 per share, in the second quarter of 2020.
Outlook
The Company’s ability to assess the impact of COVID-19 on its full-year financial results continues to be limited due to the uncertainty in travel demand during the remainder of 2020.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 866
342-8591 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on July 29, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on July 29, 2020 at 800 839-5484.
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 over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of 813,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 84 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a 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 www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website 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 federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures and dividends, restructuring charges and statements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward- looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels 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; the continuation or worsening of the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, its scope, duration and impact on the Company’s business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on the Company’s franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for travel; the success of the Company’s mitigation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s performance in any recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; the performance of financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; the Company’s relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife; concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resurgence of the virus and actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives and other travel restrictions; risks related to the acquisition of La Quinta and the Company’s relationship with CorePoint Lodging; the Company’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with covenants thereunder; risks related to the Company’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital as a result of COVID-19; and the restrictions on share repurchases or the Company’s ability and plans to pay dividends including the timing and amount of any future dividends, as well as the risks described in the Company’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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 4, 2020 -Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Highlights include:
Diluted earnings per share increased 5% to $0.23, and adjusted diluted EPS decreased 4% to $0.50.
Net income was $22 million for the first quarter, a 5% increase over the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income was $47 million, an 8% decrease over the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $107 million.
System-wide rooms grew 2% year-over-year.
The Company’s development pipeline grew 4% year-over-year to 189,000 rooms.
Global RevPAR declined 23% year-over-year in constant currency.
“During the most challenging crisis the hotel industry has ever endured, our highest priority has remained the well-being and safety of our guests, owners and team members. We have taken the difficult but prudent measures to reduce our costs and bolster our liquidity while providing support and relief for our franchisees to help them weather this downturn,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, chief executive officer. “Nearly 5,900 of our 6,300 hotels in the U.S. remain open, and with nearly 90% of those properties located outside of major cities in drive-to destinations that cater to a leisure customer base, we believe that our asset-light business is well positioned for a quick recovery when travel demand returns.”
Revenues decreased 12% to $410 million, compared with $468 million in the first quarter of 2019. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues, which have little to no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $29 million or 9%, reflecting a 23% decline in constant-currency RevPAR, as well as lower license fees which were adversely impacted by declining travel demand.
Net income increased 5% to $22 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $21 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2019 due to lower separation-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off and a decline in overall expenses due to cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by the decline in revenue (excluding cost-reimbursement revenues). 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.
Business Segment Discussion
The following discussion of first quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
The Company’s franchised system increased 3% globally, which included the transfer of 7,100 rooms from the hotel management segment related to the CorePoint Lodging asset sales. Excluding the transfer, franchised net rooms grew 2% globally, including 40 basis point growth in the U.S. and 5% growth internationally.
RevPAR declined 23% globally due to travel restrictions related to COVID-19. In the U.S., RevPAR declined 17%, and internationally RevPAR declined 37% primarily due to a 70% decline in China.
Revenues decreased $26 million, or 10%, compared to first quarter 2019 reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally, while a decline in Adjusted EBITDA of $5 million, or 4%, was partially mitigated by cost savings initiatives.
The Company’s managed system decreased 11% globally primarily reflecting the transfer of 7,100 rooms to the hotel franchising segment as a result of CorePoint Lodging asset sales. Excluding the transfer of rooms to the hotel franchising segment, the Company’s managed system decreased 1% primarily due to the loss of rooms in the U.S. that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel management guarantees.
RevPAR declined 21% globally, primarily reflecting a 17% decline in the U.S. and a 31% decline internationally.
Revenues decreased $30 million compared to the prior-year period due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have little to no impact on adjusted EBITDA. The decline in cost-reimbursement revenues is due to the loss of management properties resulting from the CorePoint Lodging asset sales and the termination of unprofitable hotel-management guarantees. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues and adjusted EBITDA were unchanged as the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on our owned and managed properties was offset by $5 million of management contract termination fees received from CorePoint Lodging asset sales.
Development
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company opened 58 new hotels totaling 6,200 rooms, a year-over-year decline of 47% as new construction openings were delayed in China and conversion volumes were materially lower in the U.S. during March. The Company retained 94.8% of its hotel system over the last twelve months compared to 94.7% during the same period last year. As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s hotel system consisted of approximately 9,300 properties and over 828,000 rooms, a 2% year-over-year increase.
The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,500 hotels and approximately 189,000 rooms, a 4% year- over-year room increase, or 2% decline sequentially. Approximately 58% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 72% is new construction, of which nearly 40% have broken ground.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $749 million of cash on hand and $2.9 billion of debt outstanding, of which $2.4 billion was first lien debt. The Company’s first lien leverage ratio was 2.6x as of March 31, 2020, within the 5.0x limitation of its quarterly tested leverage covenant under its credit agreement. In April, the Company amended its credit agreement and obtained a waiver of the quarterly tested leverage covenant through and including the first quarter of 2021 (unless earlier terminated by the Company, subject to certain conditions). The Company is not required to test this covenant until June 30, 2021. The covenant calculation was also modified for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2021 to use annualized EBITDA rather than the last-twelve-months EBITDA, as previously required. In return for the amendment, among other modifications, the Company agreed to maintain minimum liquidity of $200 million, pay 25 basis points of higher interest on outstanding borrowings and restrict share repurchases. The Company has the ability to make future quarterly dividend payments up to the amount of $0.16 per share, so long as liquidity is greater than $300 million. In addition, the Company has the right to elect out of the waiver period at its discretion, at which time the restrictions on dividends and share repurchases would be lifted.
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net cash provided by operating activities was $17 million, compared to $7 million in the prior year period. The increase was driven by lower separation and transaction cash outlays.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased approximately 878,000 shares of its common stock for $45 million at an average price of $51.57 per share. The Company suspended its share repurchase activities in March.
The Company paid common stock dividends of $30 million, or $0.32 per share, in the first quarter of 2020.
Due to the material adverse impact on the global economy and travel demand resulting from COVID-19, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly cash dividend policy from $0.32 per share to $0.08 per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared, at the Board’s discretion, in the second quarter of 2020.
Other Items
In response to the effects on travel demand as a result of COVID-19, the Company identified approximately $255 million of cash savings. In connection with these initiatives, the Company has eliminated approximately 440 positions, reduced capital spend to focus only on the highest priority projects, eliminated all non-essential spend, consolidated certain facilities and indefinitely suspended Mr. Ballotti’s salary and the Company’s Board of Directors’ cash compensation. As a result, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $13 million during the first quarter of 2020 and expects to incur an additional charge of $18 million during the second quarter of 2020.
The first quarter charge primarily represents future cash expenditures for the payment of severance and related benefits costs resulting from the elimination of approximately 260 positions. The Company expects this initiative to be substantially complete in the second quarter of 2020 and that annual savings realized will be approximately $30 million.
The second quarter charge will represent future cash expenditures of approximately $13 million for the payment of severance and related benefit costs resulting from the elimination of approximately 180 positions and approximately $5 million of lease-related costs. The Company expects this initiative to be substantially complete in the second quarter of 2020 and that annual savings realized will be approximately $21 million to $25 million.
Outlook
The Company’s ability to assess the impact of COVID-19 on its full-year financial results continues to be limited due to the rapidly evolving circumstances and uncertainty in travel demand. As a result, the Company remains unable, at this time, to accurately predict and provide 2020 outlook.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9173 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on May 5, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on May 5, 2020 at 800 839-1162.
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 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 828,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 83 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a 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 www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com.
Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website 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 federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ 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, restructuring charges and statements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels 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; the continuation or worsening of the effects from the
COVID-19 pandemic, its scope, duration and impact on the Company’s business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on the Company’s franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for travel; the success of the Company’s mitigation efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s performance in any recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic; the performance of financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; the Company’s relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife; concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives and other travel restrictions; risks related to the acquisition of La Quinta and the Company’s relationship with CorePoint Lodging; the Company’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with covenants thereunder; risks related to the Company’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital as a result of COVID-19; and the Company’s ability and plans to pay dividends and to repurchase shares including the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and dividends, as well as the risks described in the Company’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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report first quarter 2020 results on Monday, May 4, 2020 at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET. Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, and Michele Allen, chief financial officer, will host a call with investors on May 5, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9173 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on May 5, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on May 5, 2020 at 800 839-1162.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 831,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with approximately 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 81 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., February 13, 2020 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019. Highlights include:
Diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased 58% to $0.68 and was unchanged for the full-year at $1.62; adjusted diluted EPS grew 40% to $0.81 for the quarter and 21% to $3.28 for the full-year.
Net income increased 49% to $64 million for the quarter, and decreased 3% to $157 million for the full-year; adjusted net income increased 35% to $77 million for the quarter, and 17% to $317 million for the full-year.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to $153 million for the quarter, and 21% to $613 million for the full-year.
System-wide rooms grew 3% year-over-year, including S. rooms growth of 1% and international rooms growth of 6%.
The Company’s development pipeline grew 7% year-over-year to 193,000
S. RevPAR declined 3% compared to the prior-year quarter, and international RevPAR remained unchanged compared to the prior-year quarter in constant currency.
Returned over $100 million to shareholders in the quarter, through share repurchases and dividends, and over $350 million for the full-year 2019.
“We finished 2019 with another solid quarter, capping off a year in which we delivered rooms growth, earnings growth and free cash flow that were in line with our expectations despite headwinds from a soft RevPAR environment. We achieved these results through consistent execution, careful expense management and disciplined capital allocation,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, chief executive officer. “As we enter 2020, we are confident in the strength and resilience of our business and remain focused on executing every day to deliver exceptional value for our hotel owners, hotel guests and shareholders.”
Fourth Quarter 2019 Operating Results
Revenues decreased 7% to $492 million, compared to $527 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decline reflects lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues, which are inconsequential to adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursements, revenue grew 2% reflecting growth in royalties and franchise fees, higher license fees, and an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees, partially offset by lower other revenues.
Net income increased 49% to $64 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to $43 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fourth quarter 2019 results include costs primarily related to a restructuring charge focused on enhancing the Company’s organizational efficiency and rationalizing its operations, transaction-related expenses associated with the integration of La Quinta and separation-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off. Fourth quarter 2018 results include costs primarily related to separation-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off.
Adjusted net income increased 35% to $77 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $57 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fourth quarter adjusted net income benefited from the growth in revenues (excluding cost-reimbursement revenues), as well as lower marketing expenses due to timing and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta. 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.
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was $153 million, compared to $125 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 22%. The increase in adjusted EBITDA primarily reflects the growth in revenues (excluding cost-reimbursement revenues), as well as, lower marketing expenses due to timing and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta.
Full-Year 2019 Operating Results
Revenues increased 10% to $2,053 million, compared to $1,868 million in 2018. Results reflect $267 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta and $115 million of lower cost-reimbursement revenues in the Company’s hotel management business, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Excluding the impact of these items, revenues increased 3% primarily due to higher license fees, an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees and higher other revenues, partially offset by a $20 million reduction to revenues related to the Company’s agreement with CorePoint Lodging.
Net income was $157 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, compared to $162 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in 2018. Full-year 2019 results reflect separation-related, transaction-related, impairment, contract-termination and restructuring expenses. Prior-year results included separation-related and transaction-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off and acquisition of La Quinta.
Adjusted net income was $317 million, or $3.28 per diluted share, compared to $270 million, or $2.71 per diluted share, in 2018. Full-year adjusted net income benefited from revenue growth, as well as incremental adjusted net income and increased synergies from the acquisition and integration of La Quinta, partially offset by higher interest expense. 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.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 21% to $613 million, compared to $507 million in 2018. Results are consistent with the Company’s recent projection of adjusted EBITDA of $610 million to $615 million for the full year. Excluding $63 million of incremental EBITDA from La Quinta and $17 million of incremental synergies, adjusted EBITDA increased 6%, primarily reflecting the growth in revenues.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s hotel system consisted of approximately 9,300 properties and over 831,000 rooms, a 3% year-over-year increase. The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,500 hotels and approximately 193,000 rooms, a 7% year-over-year room increase or 2% sequentially. Approximately 57% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 70% is new construction.
Fourth Quarter 2019 Business Segment Information
The following discussion of fourth quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
Revenues increased 2% compared to fourth quarter 2018, due to growth in royalties and franchise fees, higher license fees, and an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees, partially offset by lower other revenues. Adjusted EBITDA grew 24% to $151 million, reflecting the growth in revenues, lower marketing expenses and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta.
Revenues decreased $39 million compared to the prior-year period, due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. The decline in cost-reimbursement revenues is primarily due to a change in the way the Company is required to account for certain costs at a portion of its managed hotels. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues increased $3 million primarily related to management contract termination fees. Adjusted EBITDA increased $3 million compared to the prior-year quarter primarily reflecting the management contract termination fees.
Other Items
Share Repurchases and Dividend Payments – The Company repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter. The Company paid common stock dividends of $27 million, or $0.29 per share, in the fourth quarter. For the full-year, the Company repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares of stock, or 5% of shares outstanding, for $244 million and paid $112 million, or $1.16 per share in dividends.
Dividend Increase – The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a 10% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to 32 cents from 29 cents per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared in the first quarter of 2020.
Restructuring Charge – The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $8 million during the fourth quarter for actions focused on enhancing organizational efficiency and rationalizing its operations.
Outlook
The Company provided the following outlook for full-year 2020, excluding any potential impact from the Coronavirus:
Revenues of $1.89 billion to $1.93 billion driven by lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, the Company expects revenues of $1.46 billion to $1.49 billion.
Adjusted net income of $329 million to $339 million.
Adjusted EBITDA of $635 million to $645 million, as illustrated below.
Adjusted diluted EPS of $3.48 to $3.58, based on an adjusted diluted share count of 94.6 million that excludes future share repurchases.
Rooms growth of 2% to 4%, including an expected (0.7%) adverse impact from the loss of rooms that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel-management guarantees.
RevPAR of flat to down (2%) in constant currency, including an expected (0.7%) adverse impact from the loss of rooms that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel-management guarantees.
The Company views its year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA as follows (in millions):
More detailed projections are available in Table 6 of this press release. The Company is providing outlook for net income and EPS only on a non-GAAP basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of potential adjustments that may arise in the future. Details regarding potential impacts from the Coronavirus will be provided on the Company’s conference call.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9173 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020 at 800 839-4012.
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 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 831,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with approximately 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 81 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a 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 www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website 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 federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ 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. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels 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, the performance of financial and credit markets, the economic environment for the hospitality industry, operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses, the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife, concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, risks related to the acquisition of La Quinta and our relationship with CorePoint Lodging, risks related to our ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing and the timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham Hotels’ 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. Except as required by law, Wyndham Hotels undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Will Host Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report fourth quarter and full-year 2019 results on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, and Michele Allen, chief financial officer, will host a call with investors at 8:30 a.m. ET that morning to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9173 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020 at 800 839-4012.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with over 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 822,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 79 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – December 3, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced that David B. Wyshner has decided to step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, and move into a senior advisory role reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Ballotti until March 1, 2020.
“As the CFO of Wyndham Worldwide and later Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, David was absolutely instrumental in the divestiture of our European Vacation Rentals Business, the acquisition of La Quinta Holdings, our spin-off from our parent company, establishing a new Finance leadership team and setting us up for the future. We are sincerely grateful for all that David has done to transition our new company for success,” said Mr. Ballotti.
“I thank my colleagues at Wyndham. It has been a pleasure to work with one of the best leadership teams in the industry,” said Mr. Wyshner. “I have enjoyed our teamwork, our culture and our many successes and see this as the right time for me personally to make this transition from the job I was brought in to do back in 2017.”
The Company also today announced the promotion of its Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Michele Allen, to succeed Mr. Wyshner as CFO, effective immediately. Ms. Allen, who began her career at Deloitte & Touche, is a 20-year veteran of Wyndham Hotels, Wyndham Worldwide and Cendant Corporation – having been the global Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller for the former Wyndham Hotel Group, and Senior Vice President of Finance for Wyndham Worldwide. Since the spin-off, she has played a critical role in developing the leadership talent of our Finance organization, while helping to drive our first six quarters of consistent execution as a new public company.
Mr. Ballotti commented, “Michele is an exceptional leader whom I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside for over a decade. Her readiness to assume this role was part of our Board’s ongoing succession planning process. She personally knows our leadership teams around the world and understands this business inside-out. I am confident she will hit the ground running with the full support of our team here in New Jersey and around the world.”
The Company further announced the appointment of its Deputy Treasurer, Barry Goldschmidt, to Treasurer.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with over 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 822,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveller, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 79 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Will Host Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 7, 2019 — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report third quarter 2019 results on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, and David Wyshner, chief financial officer, will host a call with investors at 8:30 a.m. ET that morning to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9174 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2019. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2019 at 800 283-4799.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 25, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Highlights include:
Revenues increased 23% compared with second quarter 2018, to $533 million.
Net income was $26 million for the second quarter, a 24% increase over the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income was $82 million, a 12% increase over the prior-year quarter.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.27 and adjusted diluted EPS were $0.84.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 27% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $159 million.
Global RevPAR increased 5% year-over-year in constant currency, and increased 40 basis points in constant currency and excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures.
U.S. RevPAR increased 5% year-over-year, and increased 30 basis points excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures.
System-wide rooms grew 3% year-over-year.
Company updates its full-year 2019 outlook.
“We continued to deliver solid results in the second quarter, highlighted by continued organic expansion of our system size and significant growth in adjusted EBITDA,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, chief executive officer. “We remain enthusiastic about our domestic and international growth prospects, driven by the strength of our brands and our award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program.”
Revenues were $533 million, compared with $435 million in the second quarter of 2018. Results reflect $98 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta, which the Company acquired in May 2018. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, revenues increased 1% in constant currency, primarily due to higher license, royalty and other fee revenues, partially offset by lower cost-reimbursement revenues as well as the timing of the Company’s global franchisee conference, which was in April last year but will be in September this year.
Net income was $26 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $21 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018. 2019 results reflect $40 million of primarily non-cash after-tax expense due to the Company’s intention to exit a legacy hotel-management arrangement that has been unprofitable for it. Prior- year results were impacted by the Company’s spin-off and the acquisition of La Quinta and therefore included substantially higher interest, separation-related and transaction-related expenses.
Adjusted net income was $82 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, compared with $73 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018. Second quarter earnings comparisons were impacted by the acquisition of La Quinta, higher interest expense and the timing of marketing expenses. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to our non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Second quarter adjusted EBITDA was $159 million, compared with $125 million in the second quarter of 2018. Management estimates that second quarter results reflect approximately $30 million of incremental adjusted EBITDA from La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, adjusted EBITDA increased 5% in constant currency primarily reflecting the growth in license, royalty and other fee revenues, partially offset by the timing of marketing expenses, which suppressed growth by $14 million, or thirteen percentage points. Consistent with the Company’s expectations, second quarter adjusted EBITDA represented 26% of the Company’s projected full-year adjusted EBITDA.
U.S. RevPAR and constant-currency global RevPAR increased a fraction of a point in second quarter 2019 compared to the prior-year period excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures through their anniversary dates, as second quarter 2018 U.S. and global RevPAR benefited by approximately 150 and 80 basis points, respectively, from incremental post-hurricane demand.
As of June 30, 2019, the Company’s hotel system consisted of approximately 9,200 properties and approximately 817,000 rooms, a 3% increase compared with the second quarter of 2018. The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,400 hotels and approximately 188,000 rooms, a 10% year-over-year room increase. The Company also increased its pipeline sequentially by 4% compared to first quarter 2019.
Approximately 55% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 74% is new construction.
Business Segment Discussion
The following discussion of second quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
Hotel Franchising
Revenues increased 15% compared to second quarter 2018, including $36 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, revenues increased 3% in constant currency due to higher license, royalty and other fees, partially offset by the timing of the Company’s global franchisee conference, which was in April last year but will be in September this year. Adjusted EBITDA grew 26% to $162 million, including an estimate of approximately $24 million of incremental adjusted EBITDA from the acquisition of La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, adjusted EBITDA grew 9% in constant currency reflecting the growth in revenues and the impact of reorganizing certain functions and related expenses into our Corporate segment as a result of our spin-off, partially offset by the timing of marketing expenses, which reduced adjusted EBITDA by $14 million.
Hotel Management
Revenues increased $55 million compared to the prior-year period, reflecting $62 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta (including $55 million of cost-reimbursement revenues). Excluding the impact from the acquisition of La Quinta, revenues declined $7 million primarily due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA increased $8 million compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting an estimated $6 million of incremental adjusted EBITDA from La Quinta.
Other Items
Share Repurchases and Dividends – The Company repurchased approximately 909,000 shares of its common stock for $50 million in the second quarter. The Company also paid common stock dividends of $28 million, or $0.29 per share, in the second quarter.
Hotel Management Contract Terminations – The Company expects to exit two unprofitable hotel- management arrangements that were initiated in 2012 and 2013. In conjunction with one arrangement that covers 22 hotels and 3,600 U.S. rooms, the Company’s guaranty obligations have been exhausted. The Company expects that this will result in the arrangement, including the Company’s ability to recapture out-of- pocket payments it had made to the hotels’ owner, being terminated. The Company recorded a non-cash impairment expense of $45 million and a $9 million contract termination charge in the second quarter, which were primarily related to the anticipated loss of the recapture opportunity.
In order to terminate the other arrangement, which covers eight hotel properties and 2,500 U.S. rooms, the Company has signed a non-binding letter of intent to make payments representing a significant discount to its remaining potential guarantee exposure, which is currently approximately $70 million. The Company expects to record a contract termination expense in the third quarter related to these future payments.
With the termination of these two arrangements, the Company’s future maximum annual hotel-management guaranty obligations will be reduced from $26 million to $5 million.
Outlook
The Company is updating its outlook for full-year 2019 as follows:
The reduction in forecasted revenue relative to the Company’s earlier outlook is almost entirely due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. The forecast for Adjusted EBITDA reflects the substantial progress the Company has made in integrating La Quinta and favorable results at the Company’s owned hotel in Puerto Rico, as well as a modestly softer RevPAR environment than the Company had anticipated. The forecast for adjusted diluted EPS assumes an effective tax rate of 26%, one percentage point lower than previously estimated. The Company is providing an outlook for EBITDA, net income and EPS only on a non-GAAP, adjusted basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of potential adjustments that may arise in the future.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877
876-9174 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 for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2019. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2019 at 800 283-5758.
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.
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, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 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 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award- winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ 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.
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, the performance of financial and credit markets, the economic environment for the hospitality industry, operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses, the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife, risks related to the acquisition and integration of La Quinta, risks related to our ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, risks related to the planned termination of certain hotel-management agreements (which may not be completed on the terms currently anticipated or at all), and the timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham Hotels’ 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. Except as required by law, Wyndham Hotels undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
