Marriott International Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results

BETHESDA, Md., July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

HIGHLIGHTS

• Second quarter reported diluted EPS totaled $0.96, a 10 percent increase over prior year results. Excluding transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition, second quarter adjusted diluted EPS totaled $1.03, an 18 percent increase over prior year results;
• North American comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR rose 3.2 percent in the second quarter.  On a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 2.9 percent in the second quarter;
• At the end of the second quarter, Marriott's worldwide development pipeline increased to more than 285,000 rooms, including approximately 33,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts;
• Marriott added nearly 11,000 rooms during the second quarter, including approximately 1,700 rooms converted from competitor brands and roughly 3,600 rooms in international markets;
• Second quarter reported net income totaled $247 million, a 3 percent increase over prior year results.  Excluding transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition, second quarter adjusted net income totaled $265 million, a 10 percent increase over prior year results;
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled $494 million in the quarter, an 8 percent increase over second quarter 2015 adjusted EBITDA;
• Acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is expected to close in the coming weeks.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today reported second quarter 2016 results.

Marriott reported net income totaled $247 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $240 million in the year-ago quarter.  Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.96 in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $0.87 in the second quarter of 2015.

Second quarter 2016 adjusted net income totaled $265 million, a 10 percent increase over 2015 second quarter net income.  Adjusted diluted EPS in the second quarter totaled $1.03, an 18 percent increase from diluted EPS in the year-ago quarter.  Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS for the second quarter of 2016 exclude $25 million ($18 million after-tax and $0.07 per diluted share) of transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition.  See page A-1 for the calculation of adjusted results.  On April 27, 2016, the company forecasted second quarter diluted EPS of $0.96 to $1.00, which did not include transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition.

Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, "Marriott's second quarter results demonstrate the company's strength.  Leading brands and a focus on bottom line results delivered strong results in the second quarter.  While hotel performance reflected generally slower economic growth, leisure travel demand remained robust and group business performed well.  Attendance at group meetings was on track during the quarter, group cancellations remain low and we continue to see strong future group bookings.  We increased property-level house profit margins at our company-operated hotels, improving efficiency while delivering outstanding service to our guests.

"We added nearly 11,000 rooms to our lodging portfolio during the quarter, with one-third of those rooms in markets outside North America.  Owners continue to prefer our brands, increasing our development pipeline to more than 285,000 rooms at quarter-end.

"Our business model remains focused on managing or franchising the finest hotel brands around the world.  This asset-light strategy minimizes our exposure to economic cycles even as our brands grow their distribution.  We anticipate growing our worldwide rooms distribution by 6.5 percent, net, in 2016 from Marriott's 19 legacy brands alone.

"We look forward to completing the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in the coming weeks.  After months of planning, we are confident that we will hit the ground running and are even more excited about the prospects presented by the combination of Marriott and Starwood."

For the 2016 second quarter, RevPAR for worldwide comparable systemwide properties increased 2.9 percent (a 2.3 percent increase using actual dollars).

In North America, Marriott's comparable systemwide RevPAR increased 3.2 percent (a 3.1 percent increase using actual dollars) in the second quarter of 2016, including a 2.2 percent increase (a 2.1 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.  RevPAR for comparable systemwide North American full-service hotels (including Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and EDITION) increased 3.7 percent (a 3.5 percent increase in actual dollars) with a 1.8 percent increase (a 1.6 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.  RevPAR for comparable systemwide North American limited-service hotels (including Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites and AC Hotels by Marriott) increased 2.8 percent (a 2.7 percent increase in actual dollars) in the second quarter of 2016 with a 2.3 percent increase (a 2.2 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.

International comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 1.9 percent (a 0.8 percent decline using actual dollars) in the second quarter of 2016.  

Marriott added 80 new properties (10,701 rooms) to its worldwide lodging portfolio in the 2016 second quarter, including the Skopje Marriott in Macedonia, the Minsk Marriott in Belarus and the Hotel Nassau Breda, an Autograph Collection hotel in the Netherlands.  Six properties (549 rooms) exited the system during the quarter.  At quarter-end, Marriott's lodging system encompassed 4,554 properties and timeshare resorts for a total of more than 777,000 rooms.

Marriott's worldwide development pipeline totaled 1,762 properties with more than 285,000 rooms at quarter-end, including 608 properties with roughly 106,000 rooms under construction and 219 properties with approximately 33,000 rooms approved for development, but not yet subject to signed contracts.

MARRIOTT REVENUES totaled $3.9 billion in the 2016 second quarter compared to revenues of approximately $3.7 billion for the second quarter of 2015.  Base management and franchise fees totaled $421 million compared to $412 million in the year-ago quarter.  The year-over-year increase largely reflects higher RevPAR and unit growth, partially offset by $9 million of lower deferred fee recognition, $6 million of unfavorable foreign exchange and $3 million of lower relicensing fees. 

Second quarter worldwide incentive management fees increased 16 percent to $94 million, primarily due to higher RevPAR and house profit margins, as well as increased international distribution, partially offset by $2 million of unfavorable foreign exchange.  In North America alone, incentive management fees increased 22 percent.  In the second quarter, 64 percent of worldwide company-managed hotels earned incentive management fees compared to 59 percent in the year-ago quarter.

On April 27, the company estimated total fee revenue for the second quarter would total $520 million to $530 million.  Actual total fee revenue of $515 million in the quarter was modestly lower than estimated, reflecting RevPAR at the low end of the guidance range and $4 million of lower than expected relicensing fees.

Worldwide comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 60 basis points in the second quarter with higher room rates, improved productivity and lower utility costs.  House profit margins for comparable company-operated properties outside North America declined 10 basis points (reflecting lower house profit margins in the Middle East and Africa region), but North American comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 100 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

Owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses, totaled $72 million, compared to $60 million in the year-ago quarter.  The year-over-year increase largely reflects improved results at one owned and several leased hotels, including recently renovated hotels, $5 million of higher residential and credit card branding fees and $3 million of lower pre-opening expenses.  The increases were partially offset by the impact of the sale of one international owned property in the fourth quarter of 2015.

On April 27, Marriott estimated owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses for the second quarter would total approximately $75 million.  Actual results in the quarter were lower than expected largely due to slightly lower than expected branding fees.

DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION, and OTHER expenses totaled $30 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $32 million in the year-ago quarter. 

GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, and OTHER expenses for the 2016 second quarter totaled $168 million.  Excluding $14 million of transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition, adjusted general, administrative, and other expenses for the 2016 second quarter totaled $154 million compared to $152 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in adjusted expenses year-over-year was largely due to higher routine administrative costs and growth, partially offset by lower reserves for guarantee funding.

On April 27, Marriott estimated general, administrative, and other expenses for the second quarter would total $155 million to $160 million, not including transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition.  Adjusted expenses recorded in the quarter were lower than expected largely due to solid cost controls.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET increased $14 million in the second quarter to $50 million.  Excluding $11 million of transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition, adjusted interest expense, net increased $3 million in the second quarter to $39 million, largely due to higher interest expense associated with new debt issuances.

On April 27, Marriott estimated interest expense, net for the second quarter would total approximately $40 million, not including transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition. 

EQUITY IN EARNINGS totaled $5 million in the second quarter.  On April 27, the company estimated equity in earnings for the second quarter would total approximately $0 million.  Actual results in the second quarter were above the estimate largely due to better than expected joint venture earnings.

Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes in the 2016 second quarter included $10 million of net favorable discrete tax items.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
For the second quarter, adjusted EBITDA totaled $494 million, an 8 percent increase over second quarter 2015 adjusted EBITDA of $457 million.  See page A-8 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

Balance Sheet
At quarter-end, total debt was $4,360 million and cash balances totaled $679 million, compared to $4,107 million in debt and $96 million of cash at year-end 2015.

During the 2016 second quarter, the company issued $750 million of Series Q Senior Notes due in 2022 with a 2.3 percent interest rate coupon and $750 million of Series R Senior Notes due in 2026 with a 3.125 percent interest rate coupon.  The company also retired $289 million of Series H Senior Notes in the quarter and reduced outstanding commercial paper to $0.

In anticipation of completing the Starwood acquisition, the company extended its credit facility expiration to June 2021 and increased the facility from $2 billion to $4 billion, up to $2.5 billion of which is currently available.  Upon closing of the Starwood acquisition, the full $4 billion will be available to the company.  At the end of the 2016 second quarter, the company had no borrowings under the facility.

Marriott Common Stock
Weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS totaled 258.0 million in the 2016 second quarter, compared to 277.3 million in the year-ago quarter.  Year-to-date, the company has repurchased 3.7 million shares for $225 million, but did not repurchase shares in the second quarter in anticipation of completing the Starwood acquisition.

OUTLOOK
Marriott's outlook does not include the impact of the pending Starwood acquisition.

For full year 2016, Marriott expects standalone comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase roughly 3 percent in North America, outside North America and worldwide.

The company anticipates gross room additions of roughly 7.5 percent, or 6.5 percent, net, worldwide for Marriott standalone for full year 2016.  These estimates are 50 basis points lower than anticipated a quarter ago due to delayed openings for some hotels in North America, as well as the Middle East and Africa.

On a standalone basis, Marriott expects full year 2016 adjusted EBITDA could total $1,889 million to $1,904 million.  On April 27, the company estimated full year adjusted EBITDA could total $1,900 million to $1,965 million.  At the mid-point, the full year adjusted EBITDA estimate decreased by $36 million from the prior outlook largely reflecting slower total fee revenue growth associated with the more modest outlook for both full year 2016 RevPAR and unit growth, and approximately $10 million of lower relicensing fees, as well as lower branding fees, partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses.  See page A-11 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

For the 2016 third quarter, Marriott expects standalone comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 3 to 4 percent in North America, outside North America and worldwide. 

The company assumes third quarter standalone total fee revenue could total $495 million to $500 million, growth of 6 to 8 percent over third quarter 2015 total fee revenue of $465 million.  This fee revenue estimate reflects roughly $10 million of negative impact year-over-year from foreign exchange.

On a standalone basis, Marriott expects third quarter 2016 operating income could total $370 million to $375 million, a 9 to 11 percent increase compared to the 2015 third quarter, and adjusted EBITDA could total $476 million to $481 million, a 10 to 12 percent increase compared to the year-ago quarter.  See page A-9 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

For the 2016 fourth quarter, Marriott expects standalone comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 1 to 3 percent in North America, 3 to 4 percent outside North America and 2 to 3 percent worldwide. 

The company assumes fourth quarter standalone total fee revenue could total $485 million to $490 million, growth of 7 to 8 percent over fourth quarter 2015 total fee revenue of $454 million.  These fee revenue estimates reflects roughly $5 million of negative impact year-over-year from foreign exchange.

On a standalone basis, Marriott expects fourth quarter 2016 operating income could total $361 million to $371 million, a 16 to 20 percent increase compared to the 2015 fourth quarter, and adjusted EBITDA could total $461 million to $471 million, a 15 to 17 percent increase compared to the year-ago quarter.  See page A-10 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

Marriott expects standalone investment spending in 2016 will total approximately $450 million to $550 million, including approximately $100 million for maintenance capital.  Investment spending also includes other capital expenditures (including property acquisitions), new mezzanine financing and mortgage notes, contract acquisition costs, and equity and other investments. 

Going forward, the company will continue to adjust reported results to exclude transition and transaction costs related to the Starwood acquisition.  While the company is unable to estimate transition costs, it expects transaction costs will total approximately $140 million.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) will conduct its quarterly earnings review for the investment community and news media on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).  The conference call will be webcast simultaneously via Marriott's investor relations website at http://www.marriott.com/investor, click the "Recent and Upcoming Events" tab and click on the quarterly conference call link.  A replay will be available at that same website until July 28, 2017.

The telephone dial-in number for the conference call is 706-679-3455 and the conference ID is 23009291.  A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 1 p.m. ET, Thursday, July 28, 2016 until 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, August 4, 2016.  To access the replay, call 404-537-3406.  The conference ID for the recording is 23009291.

Note on forward-looking statements:  This press release and accompanying schedules contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including RevPAR, profit margin and earnings trends, estimates and assumptions; the number of lodging properties we expect to add to or remove from our system in the future; our expectations about investment spending; the anticipated closing date of the Starwood combination; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts.  We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q.  Risks that could affect forward-looking statements in this press release include changes in market conditions; the pace of the economy; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; receipt of the final outstanding required antitrust clearance for the Starwood combination; and the extent to which we are able to successfully integrate Starwood, manage our expanded operations, and realize the anticipated benefits of combining Starwood and Marriott.  Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release.  We make these forward-looking statements as of July 27, 2016.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,500 properties in 88 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels by Marriott® and Moxy Hotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together comprise more than 57 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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