BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

HIGHLIGHTS

• Third quarter diluted EPS totaled $0.65, a 25 percent increase over prior year results;
• North American comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 8.7 percent in the third quarter with average daily rates up 5.0 percent;
• On a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 8.1 percent in the third quarter, including a 4.5 percent increase in average daily rate;
• Marriott repurchased 4.5 million shares of the company's common stock for $300 million during the third quarter.  To date in October, the company repurchased 3.9 million shares for $254 million.  Year-to-date, the company repurchased 20.4 million shares for $1.2 billion;
• Comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 240 basis points in North America and 200 basis points worldwide in the third quarter;
• Adjusted for cost reimbursements, the company's operating income margin increased to 43 percent compared to 41 percent in the year-ago quarter;
• At the end of the third quarter, the company's worldwide development pipeline increased to nearly 225,000 rooms, including approximately 37,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts;
• Nearly 6,900 rooms were added during the third quarter, including over 2,200 rooms in international markets.  At quarter-end, Marriott operated or franchised over 700,000 rooms worldwide;
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled $393 million in the quarter, a 19 percent increase over third quarter 2013 adjusted EBITDA.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today reported third quarter 2014 results.

Third quarter 2014 net income totaled $192 million, a 20 percent increase over third quarter 2013 net income.  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) totaled $0.65, a 25 percent increase from diluted EPS in the year-ago quarter.  On July 29, 2014, the company forecasted third quarter diluted EPS of $0.59 to $0.63.

Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, "We were very pleased with results in the quarter.  Our outperformance compared to the guidance we provided in July was largely due to stronger than expected RevPAR and margin growth.  North American systemwide RevPAR rose nearly 9 percent and occupancy reached an extraordinary 77.6 percent while room rates rose 5 percent.  Group demand was particularly strong with significant last minute bookings and high attendance.  With the addition of greater corporate and leisure demand, room rates surged to record levels in many North American markets.  Worldwide systemwide RevPAR increased more than 8 percent.

"Our development pipeline grew to nearly 225,000 rooms, approximately 40 percent of which are under construction.  We're on a record-setting pace for room signings with 80,000 to 90,000 room signings expected during 2014.  Our portfolio of luxury and lifestyle brands continues to grow in response to terrific guest feedback and great demand by owners and developers around the world.  We opened our first Moxy hotel in Milan in September.  We expect to introduce the AC Hotels brand to the U.S. in November when the first property opens in New Orleans.  Our newest EDITION hotel also arrives in the U.S. next month with the opening of the Miami EDITION and Residences. 

"For 2015, we expect North American systemwide RevPAR to increase 5 to 7 percent, 4 to 6 percent outside North America and 5 to 7 percent worldwide.  Our group booking pace for the Marriott brand for 2015 is up at a mid-single digit rate with only about 60 percent of expected group business volume booked thus far.  With continued North American demand growth expected in 2015, we believe both group and transient room rates will continue to strengthen.  And, given our strong development pipeline, we anticipate 6 to 7 percent worldwide gross room additions in 2015."

For the 2014 third quarter, RevPAR for worldwide comparable systemwide properties increased 8.1 percent (an 8.2 percent increase using actual dollars).

In North America, comparable systemwide RevPAR increased 8.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014, including a 5.0 percent increase 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 8.8 percent with a 5.1 percent increase 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 8.6 percent in the third quarter with a 4.9 percent increase in average daily rate.

International comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 5.6 percent (a 6.4 percent increase using actual dollars) in the third quarter.

Marriott added 49 new properties (6,891 rooms) to its worldwide lodging portfolio in the 2014 third quarter including the first Moxy hotel in Milan, Italy.  Seven properties (1,279 rooms) exited the system during the quarter.  At quarter-end, the company's lodging group encompassed 4,127 properties and timeshare resorts for a total of more than 702,000 rooms.

The company's worldwide development pipeline increased to more than 1,300 properties with nearly 225,000 rooms at quarter-end, including 255 properties with approximately 37,000 rooms approved for development, but not yet subject to signed contracts.

MARRIOTT REVENUES totaled nearly $3.5 billion in the 2014 third quarter compared to revenues of nearly $3.2 billion for the third quarter of 2013.  Base management and franchise fees totaled $381 million compared to $325 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 17 percent.  The year-over-year increase largely reflects higher RevPAR and new unit growth.  The company recognized $9 million of deferred base management fees related to an owner's sale of a Courtyard portfolio, $6 million of deferred base management fees related to the performance of a limited-service portfolio and $9 million of relicensing fees in the third quarter.  In the year-ago quarter, the company recognized $2 million of deferred base management fees related to the performance of a limited-service portfolio and $3 million of relicensing fees.

Third quarter worldwide incentive management fees increased 26 percent to $67 million primarily due to strong RevPAR, house profit margin and unit growth.  Incentive management fees from North American hotels increased 78 percent to $32 million compared to $18 million in the year-ago quarter.  The company anticipates that worldwide incentive management fee revenue will increase at a high teens rate for full year 2014.  In the third quarter, 51 percent of worldwide company-managed hotels earned incentive management fees compared to 32 percent in the year-ago quarter.

Worldwide comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 200 basis points in the third quarter with higher room rates, improved productivity and solid cost controls.  House profit margins for comparable company-operated properties outside North America increased 130 basis points and North American comparable company-operated house profit margins increased 240 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

Owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses, totaled $55 million, compared to $48 million in the year-ago quarter.  Improved results reflected strong performance at several leased hotels, the addition of a property the company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the impact of the Protea portfolio acquired in the second quarter of 2014, partially offset by the impact of renovations.

GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, and OTHER expenses for the 2014 third quarter totaled $172 million, a 17 percent increase compared to the year-ago quarter.  The increase in expenses for the quarter largely reflected $6 million of higher incentive compensation expenses and $4 million of net unfavorable foreign exchange rates mainly due to devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar.  For the first three quarters of 2014, general and administrative expenses are 2 percent higher year-over-year.

On July 29, the company estimated general and administrative expenses for the third quarter would total $160 million to $165 million.  Actual expenses in the quarter were above the range largely due to the unfavorable foreign exchange impact mentioned above and higher incentive compensation expense reflecting strong performance.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS increased $12 million in the third quarter.  The increase largely reflected deferred tax true-ups due to tax law changes affecting two international joint ventures.

Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes in the third quarter was higher than anticipated due to a $6 million non-recurring tax item.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $393 million in the 2014 third quarter, a 19 percent increase over 2013 third quarter adjusted EBITDA of $329 million.  See page A-8 for the EBITDA calculation.

BALANCE SHEET
At the end of the third quarter, total debt was $3,528 million and cash balances totaled $150 million, compared to $3,199 million in debt and $126 million of cash at year-end 2013.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the company issued $400 million of Series N Senior Notes due in 2021 with a 3.1 percent interest rate coupon.  The company expects to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

COMMON STOCK
Weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS totaled 295.4 million in the 2014 third quarter, compared to 309.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

The company repurchased 4.5 million shares of common stock in the third quarter at a cost of $300 million.  Year-to-date through October 28, Marriott repurchased 20.4 million shares of its stock for $1.2 billion at an average price of $59.36.  The remaining share authorization as of October 28, 2014, totaled 18.9 million shares.

OUTLOOK
For the 2014 fourth quarter, the company expects comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 5 to 7 percent in North America, 4 to 6 percent outside North America and 5 to 7 percent worldwide.

The company anticipates gross room additions of 7 percent worldwide for the full year 2014 including the 10,016 rooms associated with the Protea acquisition.  Net of deletions, the company expects its portfolio of rooms will increase by approximately 6 percent in 2014.

The company assumes full year fee revenue could total $1,714 million to $1,724 million, growth of 11 to 12 percent over 2013 fee revenue of $1,543 million. 

For 2014, the company anticipates general, administrative and other expenses will total $654 million to $659 million, up 1 to 2 percent compared to 2013 expenses of $649 million.

Given these assumptions, 2014 diluted EPS could total $2.48 to $2.52, a 24 to 26 percent increase year-over-year.  This full year EPS outlook includes the $0.07 of unfavorable adjustments reported in the second quarter.

The company expects investment spending in 2014 will total approximately $800 million to $900 million, including approximately $100 million for maintenance capital spending and $193 million associated with the Protea transaction.  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, approximately $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion could be returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

Based upon the assumptions above, the company expects full year 2014 adjusted EBITDA will total $1,507 million to $1,522 million, a 14 to 15 percent increase over the 2013 full year adjusted EBITDA of $1,325 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 Wednesday, October 29, 2014 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 October 29, 2015.

The telephone dial-in number for the conference call is 706-679-3455 and the conference ID is 59390131.  A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 1 p.m. ET, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 until 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, November 5, 2014.  To access the replay, call 404-537-3406.  The conference ID for the recording is 59390131.

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; 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 continuation and pace of the economic recovery; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment.  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 October 28, 2014.  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 4,100 properties in 79 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $13 billion in fiscal year 2013.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including: Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments and Marriott Vacation Club timeshare brand.  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 surpass 47 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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MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In our press release and schedules, and on the related conference call, we report certain financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We discuss management's reasons for reporting these non-GAAP measures below, and the press release schedules reconcile the most directly comparable GAAP measure to each non-GAAP measure that we refer to (identified by a double asterisk on the preceding pages). Although management evaluates and presents these non-GAAP measures for the reasons described below, please be aware that these non-GAAP measures have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for revenue, operating income, income from continuing operations, net income, earnings per share or any other comparable operating measure prescribed by GAAP. In addition, we may calculate and/or present these non-GAAP financial measures differently than measures with the same or similar names that other companies report, and as a result, the non-GAAP measures we report may not be comparable to those reported by others.

Earnings Before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA, a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with GAAP, reflects net income excluding the impact of interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We believe that EBITDA is a meaningful indicator of operating performance because we use it to measure our ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, and expand our business. We also use EBITDA, as do analysts, lenders, investors, and others, to evaluate companies because it excludes certain items that can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be dependent on a company's capital structure, debt levels, and credit ratings. Accordingly, the impact of interest expense on earnings can vary significantly among companies. The tax positions of companies can also vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the jurisdictions in which they operate. As a result, effective tax rates and provision for income taxes can vary considerably among companies. EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense which we report under "Depreciation, amortization, and other" as well as depreciation included under "Reimbursed costs" in our Consolidated Statements of Income, because companies utilize productive assets of different ages and use different methods of both acquiring and depreciating productive assets. These differences can result in considerable variability in the relative costs of productive assets and the depreciation and amortization expense among companies.

We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA, another non-GAAP financial measure, is a meaningful indicator of operating performance. Our Adjusted EBITDA reflects adjustments to exclude 1) pre-tax impairment charges of $10 million in the 2014 first quarter and $15 million in the 2014 second quarter, both of which we recorded in the "Depreciation, amortization, and other" caption of our Consolidated Statements of Income following an evaluation of our EDITION hotels for recovery and determination that our cost estimates exceeded our total fixed sales price, and 2) share-based compensation expense for all periods presented. We excluded share-based compensation expense to address considerable variability among companies in recording compensation expense because companies use share-based payment awards differently, both in the type and quantity of awards granted. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA that excludes these items is a meaningful measure of our operating performance because it permits period-over-period comparisons of our ongoing core operations before these items and facilitates our comparison of results before these items with results from other lodging companies.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated under GAAP. Both of these non-GAAP measures exclude certain cash expenses that we are obligated to make. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and in particular Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do or may not calculate them at all, limiting the usefulness of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as comparative measures.

Adjusted Operating Income Margin Excluding Cost Reimbursements. Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements we receive for costs we incur on behalf of managed and franchised properties and relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer, but also includes reimbursements for other costs, such as those associated with our Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards programs. As we record cost reimbursements based on the costs we incur with no added markup, this revenue and related expense has no impact on either our operating income or net income because cost reimbursements revenue net of reimbursed costs expense is zero. In calculating adjusted operating income margin we consider total revenues as adjusted excluding cost reimbursements and therefore, adjusted operating income margin excluding cost reimbursements to be meaningful metrics as they represent that portion of revenue and operating income margin that impacts operating income and net income.

A-11

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.