Hilton Profit Jumps, But Misses Estimates Slightly

Hotel chain Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. said on Wednesday that fourth-quarter profit rose to $158 million, or 16 cents a share, up from $26 million, or 3 cents a share, in the year-ago period. On an adjusted basis, earnings climbed to 17 cents per share, from 11 cents last year. Total revenues rose to $2.83 billion, up from $2.64 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected adjusted earnings of 18 cents a share on revenue of $2.71 billion. The hotel operator said is optimistic about 2015 and that it expects full-year adjusted profit in the range of 78 cents to 83 cents a share. Hilton shares rose 1.2% ahead of the bell.