BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fourth quarter diluted EPS totaled $0.77, a 13 percent increase over prior year results;
• On a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter;
• North American comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR rose 4.0 percent in the fourth quarter;
• For full year 2015, Marriott repurchased 25.7 million shares of the company's common stock for $1.94 billion, including 1.3 million shares for $93 million in the fourth quarter;
• The company added nearly 52,000 rooms during 2015, including 7,300 rooms converted from competitor brands and 9,600 rooms associated with the Delta transaction;
• At year-end, the company's worldwide development pipeline increased to more than 270,000 rooms, including approximately 27,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts;
• The company's full year 2015 adjusted operating income margin increased to 47 percent compared to 42 percent in 2014;
• Return on invested capital reached a record 49 percent in 2015;
• Full year 2015 diluted EPS totaled $3.15, a 24 percent increase over prior year results;
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for full year 2015 totaled $1,718 million, a 13 percent increase over 2014 adjusted EBITDA;
• For full year 2016, the company expects diluted EPS will increase 17 to 23 percent and adjusted EBITDA will increase 10 to 14 percent, not including the impact of the planned Starwood transaction.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today reported fourth quarter 2015 results.

Fourth quarter 2015 net income totaled $202 million, a 3 percent increase over 2014 fourth quarter net income.  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) in the fourth quarter totaled $0.77, a 13 percent increase from diluted EPS in the year-ago quarter.  On October 28, 2015, the company forecasted fourth quarter diluted EPS of $0.74 to $0.78.

Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, "We are pleased with our results for 2015.  Worldwide systemwide comparable RevPAR rose 5 percent on a constant dollar basis for the full year with average daily rate up 4 percent.  In North America, RevPAR also grew 5 percent for systemwide comparable properties and occupancy reached a record 74 percent.  Fee revenue increased 9 percent, diluted earnings per share rose 24 percent and adjusted EBITDA increased 13 percent. 

"In 2015, we added nearly 52,000 rooms worldwide taking our system to more than 759,000 rooms.  Our development group had an outstanding year, signing new contracts for 104,000 rooms in 2015, including 9,600 rooms associated with the Delta transaction.  We expect that our owners and franchisees will invest more than $15 billion on the newly signed projects which should open over the next several years.   

"We continued our consistent execution of our asset-light strategy in 2015, generating $1.4 billion in cash from operations and roughly $650 million from the sale of four properties.  We returned $2.2 billion to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends during 2015, and over the past five years, we have returned nearly $8 billion.  Return on invested capital reached a record 49 percent in 2015.

"We are encouraged by recent demand trends.  Fourth quarter 2015 worldwide systemwide comparable RevPAR rose 4 percent in constant dollars.  Group RevPAR in North America increased 6 percent in the quarter and new group bookings for future business increased 10 percent year-over-year.  Group booking pace for the company's full-service hotels is up 7 percent in 2016 compared to 2015.  Based on negotiations completed to date, we expect special corporate rates across our North American hotels will increase at a mid-single digit rate in 2016.

"In November, we were thrilled to announce our planned acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which will create the world's largest hotel company with more than 5,500 hotels and 1.1 million rooms.  We believe this transaction will offer a broader choice for guests and greater opportunities for associates while unlocking additional value for Marriott and Starwood shareholders, as well as owners and franchisees.  We are well under way with integration planning and we continue to expect the transaction will close in mid-2016.

"We remain optimistic about 2016.  Not including the impact of the pending Starwood acquisition, we expect worldwide gross rooms growth of 8 percent, or 7 percent net, with worldwide systemwide comparable RevPAR increasing 3 to 5 percent on a constant dollar basis."

For the 2015 fourth quarter, RevPAR for worldwide comparable systemwide properties increased 3.8 percent (a 1.8 percent increase using actual dollars).

In North America, comparable systemwide RevPAR increased 4.0 percent (a 3.5 percent increase using actual dollars) in the fourth quarter of 2015, including a 3.3 percent increase (a 2.9 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.  RevPAR for comparable systemwide North American full-service hotels (including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance Hotels, Gaylord Hotels and Autograph Collection Hotels) increased 4.5 percent (a 4.0 percent increase in actual dollars) with a 2.7 percent increase (a 2.2 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.  RevPAR for comparable systemwide North American limited-service hotels (including Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites) increased 3.5 percent (a 3.1 percent increase in actual dollars) in the fourth quarter of 2015 with a 3.5 percent increase (a 3.1 percent increase in actual dollars) in average daily rate.

International comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 3.0 percent (a 4.5 percent decline using actual dollars) in the fourth quarter of 2015.  

Marriott added 71 new properties (10,857 rooms) to its worldwide lodging portfolio in the 2015 fourth quarter, including Domes of Elounda, an Autograph Collection hotel in Greece, The Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo and the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa in Mexico.  Eleven properties (1,375 rooms) exited the system during the quarter.  At year-end, the company's lodging system encompassed 4,424 properties and timeshare resorts for a total of more than 759,000 rooms.

The company's worldwide development pipeline totaled 1,663 properties with more than 270,000 rooms at year-end, including nearly 600 properties with roughly 97,000 rooms under construction and over 160 properties with approximately 27,000 rooms approved for development, but not yet subject to signed contracts. 

MARRIOTT REVENUES totaled approximately $3.7 billion in the 2015 fourth quarter compared to revenues of nearly $3.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2014.  Base management and franchise fees totaled $373 million in the 2015 fourth quarter compared to $348 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 7 percent.  The year-over-year increase largely reflects higher RevPAR and new unit growth, partially offset by $8 million of unfavorable foreign exchange. 

Fourth quarter worldwide incentive management fees totaled $81 million, a 1 percent decrease compared to the year-ago quarter primarily due to $5 million of unfavorable foreign exchange and lower results at one hotel in Mexico, as well as lower results in the Middle East and Africa region, largely offset by very strong results in North America.  In the fourth quarter, 46 percent of worldwide company-managed hotels earned incentive management fees compared to 40 percent in the year-ago quarter.  For full year 2015, 68 percent of worldwide company-managed hotels earned incentive management fees compared to 50 percent in 2014.

On October 28, 2015, the company estimated total fee revenue for the fourth quarter would total $460 million to $470 million.  Actual total fee revenue of $454 million in the quarter was modestly lower than estimated, reflecting lower than expected RevPAR growth, particularly in North America and the Middle East and Africa region.

Worldwide comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 70 basis points in the fourth quarter with higher room rates, improved productivity, and lower food and utility costs.  House profit margins for comparable company-operated properties outside North America increased 40 basis points and North American comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 90 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

OWNED, LEASED, AND OTHER REVENUE, NET OF DIRECT EXPENSES, totaled $76 million, compared to $73 million in the year-ago quarter.  The year-over-year increase largely reflects higher termination fees and lower pre-opening expenses, partially offset by lower results from one North American full-service hotel under renovation.

On October 28, 2015 the company estimated owned, leased and other revenue, net of direct expenses for the fourth quarter would total $70 million to $75 million.  Actual results in the quarter were higher than expected due to $6 million of termination fees, partially offset by $2 million of lower than expected results at one North America leased property and $2 million of lower than expected results due to the sale of one international owned property in the quarter.

GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, and OTHER expenses for the 2015 fourth quarter totaled $188 million compared to $180 million in the year-ago quarter.  Expenses increased in the quarter largely due to $5 million of transaction costs related to the planned acquisition of Starwood, routine administrative costs and hotel development expenses, partially offset by the benefit of deferred development costs associated with the growing pipeline. 

On October 28, the company estimated general, administrative, and other expenses for the fourth quarter would total approximately $175 million.  Actual expenses in the quarter were higher than expected, largely due to $5 million of transaction costs related to the planned acquisition of Starwood and $5 million of higher net development expenses.

GAINS AND OTHER INCOME totaled $7 million in the quarter, largely reflecting a favorable adjustment to the previously recorded impairment related to the sale of The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas.  The property was sold in the fourth quarter subject to a long-term management agreement.  Gains and other income in the fourth quarter of 2014 totaled $4 million and included a $5 million distribution related to the sale of a hotel in an investment fund.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET increased $23 million in the fourth quarter.  Interest expense for the fourth quarter increased $20 million, largely due to lower capitalized interest expense, higher interest expense associated with new debt issuances and the unfavorable comparison to the $7 million one-time interest expense true-up recorded the year-ago quarter.  Interest income declined $3 million, largely due to a year-over-year decrease in loans receivable.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS totaled $3 million in the fourth quarter.  Results largely reflect the reversal of an $11 million litigation reserve, partially offset by a $6 million impairment charge associated with one joint venture.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was lower than expected in the fourth quarter of 2015 and included a net tax benefit of $11 million largely due to a favorable IRS settlement and the sale of The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)

For the fourth quarter, adjusted EBITDA totaled $401 million, a 4 percent increase over fourth quarter 2014 adjusted EBITDA of $384 million.  See page A-8 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

Full year 2015 adjusted EBITDA totaled $1,718 million, a 13 percent increase over 2014 adjusted EBITDA of $1,524 million.

BALANCE SHEET

At year-end, total debt was $4,107 million and cash balances totaled $96 million, compared to $3,771 million in debt and $104 million of cash at year-end 2014.

COMMON STOCK

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS totaled 262.4 million in the 2015 fourth quarter, compared to 289.0 million in the year-ago quarter.

The company repurchased 1.3 million shares of common stock in the fourth quarter at a cost of $93 million.  For full year 2015, Marriott repurchased 25.7 million shares of its stock for $1.94 billion at an average price of $75.48.  To date in 2016, the company has repurchased 3.7 million shares for $225 million.  On February 11, 2016, the board of directors increased the company's share authorization to repurchase shares by 25.0 million for a total authorization of 35.7 million shares as of February 17, 2016.

Since the fourth quarter of 2015, the company's ability to repurchase its shares has been limited by restrictions under the securities laws and other legal considerations relating to the proposed acquisition of Starwood.  Further, securities laws and other legal considerations will prevent the company from repurchasing any shares from the time that its Registration Statement on Form S‑4 is declared effective until the company's and Starwood's stockholders have voted on the proposed acquisition.  After the stockholder votes, the acquisition-related restrictions will end, and the company expects to resume share repurchases, subject to the legal and other considerations the company ordinarily takes into account.

OUTLOOK

The guidance provided in this Outlook section does not include the impact of the planned Starwood transaction.

For the 2016 first quarter, the company expects comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 2 to 4 percent in North America, outside North America and worldwide.  The company's guidance for first quarter RevPAR growth reflects the shift of the Easter holiday weeks, most of which will fall in the first quarter in 2016 compared to the second quarter in 2015.

The company assumes first quarter 2016 fee revenue could total $475 million to $485 million, growth of 4 to 6 percent over first quarter 2015 fee revenue of $458 million.  These estimates include $13 million of lower relicensing fee revenue year-over-year, as well as $8 million of unfavorable foreign exchange.

For 2016 first quarter, the company anticipates general, administrative and other expenses will total approximately $160 million, a 10 percent increase compared to 2015 first quarter expenses of $145 million.  First quarter 2015 expenses included a benefit of $13 million associated with a favorable litigation.

For full year 2016, the company expects comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 3 to 5 percent in North America, outside North America and worldwide. 

The company anticipates gross room additions of approximately 8 percent, or 7 percent, net, worldwide for the full year 2016.

The company assumes full year 2016 fee revenue could total $1,995 million to $2,045 million, growth of 7 to 9 percent over 2015 fee revenue of $1,870 million.  These estimates reflect roughly $30 million of negative impact from foreign exchange year-over-year.

The company anticipates worldwide incentive management fees will increase 10 to 15 percent for full year 2016. The company estimates that incentive fees for the full year will include $9 million of unfavorable foreign exchange.

For 2016, the company anticipates general, administrative and other expenses will total $650 million to $660 million, a 3 to 4 percent increase compared to 2015 expenses of $634 million. 

Given these assumptions, 2016 full year diluted EPS could total $3.69 to $3.86, a 17 to 23 percent increase year-over-year.  

 

The company expects 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.  Assuming this level of investment spending, more than $2 billion could be returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

Based upon the assumptions above, the company expects full year 2016 adjusted EBITDA will total $1,885 million to $1,950 million, a 10 to 14 percent increase over the 2015 full year adjusted EBITDA of $1,718 million.  See page A-9 for the adjusted EBITDA calculation.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) will conduct its quarterly earnings review for the investment community and news media on Thursday, February 18, 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 February 18, 2017.

The telephone dial-in number for the conference call is 706-679-3455 and the conference ID is 97407136.  A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 1 p.m. ET, Thursday, February 18, 2016 until 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, February 25, 2016.  To access the replay, call 404-537-3406.  The conference ID for the recording is 97407136.

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 timing for closing the Starwood transaction; 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 and, for the Starwood transaction, the joint proxy statement / prospectus on Form S-4 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2016.  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; and satisfaction of the closing conditions for the Starwood transaction, including the receipt of necessary approvals.  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 February 17, 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 4,400 properties in 87 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® 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 nearly 55 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.

No Offer of Solicitation

The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication relates to a proposed business combination between Marriott and Starwood. In connection with this proposed business combination, on February 16, 2016, Marriott filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") that contains a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents concerning the proposed business combination. After the registration statement on Form S-4 is declared effective by the Commission, each of Marriott and Starwood will mail the joint proxy statement/prospectus to its respective stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF MARRIOTT AND STARWOOD ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents (when available) that Marriott and Starwood file with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, these documents may be obtained from Marriott free of charge by directing a request to investorrelations@marriott.com, or from Starwood free of charge by directing a request to ir@starwoodhotels.com.

Participants in Solicitation

Marriott, Starwood, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Marriott's directors and executive officers in Marriott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 19, 2015, in its proxy statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 7, 2015, and in the joint proxy/registration statement on Form S-4, which was filed by Marriott with the SEC on February 16, 2016. Information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Starwood's directors and executive officers may be found in Starwood's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 25, 2015, in its definitive proxy statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 17, 2015, and in the joint proxy/registration statement on Form S-4, which was filed by Marriott with the SEC on February 16, 2016. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources listed above. Additional information regarding the interests of these individuals will also be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

IRPR#1

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.