H World Group said on August 17 that it had completed its 2024 commitment to return $2 billion to shareholders ahead of schedule and approved a larger three-year plan worth $2.5 billion, paid through dividends and buybacks. The company reported second-quarter sales up 10.8% from a year earlier to RMB 7.1 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 20.0% to RMB 2.7 billion, with the manachised and franchised side driving growth as revenue there climbed 25.2% to RMB 3.6 billion and gross operating profit rose 18.5% to RMB 2.2 billion. As of June 30, H World's network stood at 13,539 hotels with another 3,089 in the pipeline, and it opened 498 hotels across China in the quarter, keeping it on course for a full-year target of 2,200 to 2,300 gross openings, while hotel GMV rose 13.2% to RMB 30.5 billion. Per-room gains stayed thin in China, with blended average daily rate up 2.6% and blended revenue per available room up just 1.1%, and the new payout plan gives no split between dividends and buybacks. Hedge fund ownership fell from 32 funds to 23, short interest sits at 4.69% of the float, and the forward P/E was 35.34 as of September 18.
Huazhu Group LtdH World completed its $2B shareholder return early and approved a larger $2.5B three-year dividend/buyback plan, alongside Q2 sales up 10.8% and adjusted EBITDA up 20.0%.
