Travel Lodging
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HLT vs WH
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Travel Lodging
HLT vs WH — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Travel Lodging | Travel Lodging |
| Market Cap | $72.93B | $6.30B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $12.28B | $1.44B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.54B | $193M |
| Gross Margin | 44.3% | 55.7% |
| Operating Margin | 23.1% | 28.8% |
| Forward P/E | 35.4x | 17.4x |
| Total Debt | $15.67B | $3.06B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $970M | $64M |
HLT vs WH — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Worldwide Ho… (HLT) | 100 | 403.9 | +303.9% |
| Wyndham Hotels & Re… (WH) | 100 | 182.5 | +82.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HLT vs WH
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
HLT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 7.7%, EPS growth -0.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 11.1%
- 6.2% 10Y total return vs WH's 43.8%
- 7.7% revenue growth vs WH's 1.5%
WH carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.81, yield 2.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.81, current ratio 0.71x
- Beta 0.81, yield 2.0%, current ratio 0.71x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 7.7% revenue growth vs WH's 1.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (17.4x vs 35.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.4% margin vs HLT's 12.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.81 vs HLT's 0.94 | |
| Dividends | 2.0% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs HLT's 0.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +32.8% vs WH's +2.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 9.4% ROA vs WH's 4.5%, ROIC 24.7% vs 9.4% |
HLT vs WH — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
HLT vs WH — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLT is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.3B annually — 8.5x WH's $1.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.4% (WH) to 12.6% (HLT). On growth, HLT holds the edge at +9.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $12.3B | $1.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.0B | $478M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.5B | $193M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.2B | $304M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.3% | +55.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.1% | +28.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +13.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.8% | +21.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.0% | +3.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +35.0% | +2.6% |
Valuation Metrics
WH leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 33.9x trailing earnings, WH trades at a 35% valuation discount to HLT's 52.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WH's 19.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HLT's 30.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $72.9B | $6.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $87.6B | $9.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 52.34x | 33.94x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 35.37x | 17.38x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 30.53x | 19.86x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.06x | 4.41x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 13.56x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 35.96x | 19.63x |
Profitability & Efficiency
HLT leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLT scores 7/9 vs WH's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | +37.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.4% | +4.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +24.7% | +9.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +19.0% | +10.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 6.53x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $14.7B | $3.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $970M | $64M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $15.7B | $3.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.42x | 3.00x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HLT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HLT five years ago would be worth $26,146 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,182 for WH. Over the past 12 months, HLT leads with a +32.8% total return vs WH's +2.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HLT at 30.3% vs WH's 9.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +9.4% | +12.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +32.8% | +2.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +121.3% | +30.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +161.5% | +21.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +615.8% | +43.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +30.3% | +9.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HLT and WH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WH is the less volatile stock with a 0.81 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HLT's 0.94 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.94x | 0.81x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $344.75 | $92.69 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $237.57 | $69.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.9% | +90.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.9 | 50.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 1.2M |
Analyst Outlook
WH leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HLT as "Buy" and WH as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 17.0% upside for WH (target: $98) vs 5.7% for HLT (target: $338). For income investors, WH offers the higher dividend yield at 2.00% vs HLT's 0.19%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $338.45 | $98.13 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 49 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.2% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.60 | $1.68 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.5% | +4.6% |
WH leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). HLT leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
HLT vs WH: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HLT or WH a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
(HLT) is the stronger pick with 7. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 5% for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH). Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH) offers the better valuation at 33. 9x trailing P/E (17. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) a "Buy" — based on 49 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — HLT or WH?
On trailing P/E, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(WH) is the cheapest at 33. 9x versus Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. at 52. 3x. On forward P/E, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is actually cheaper at 17. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HLT or WH?
Over the past 5 years, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
(HLT) delivered a total return of +161. 5%, compared to +21. 8% for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HLT returned +615. 8% versus WH's +43. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HLT or WH?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(WH) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 81β versus Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. 's 0. 94β — meaning HLT is approximately 16% more volatile than WH relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — HLT or WH?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
(HLT) is pulling ahead at 7. 7% versus 1. 5% for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. grew EPS -0. 3% year-over-year, compared to -31. 6% for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HLT leads at 11. 1% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — HLT or WH?
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(WH) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 5% net margin versus 12. 1% for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WH leads at 28. 4% versus 22. 4% for HLT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WH leads at 58. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is HLT or WH more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(WH) trades at 17. 4x forward P/E versus 35. 4x for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. — 18. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WH: 17. 0% to $98. 13.
08Which pays a better dividend — HLT or WH?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WH) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 2% for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT).
09Is HLT or WH better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(WH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 81), 2. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WH: +43. 8%, HLT: +615. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between HLT and WH?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
WH pays a dividend while HLT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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