MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:HLT), the $63.4 billion hospitality giant currently trading near its 52-week high, has announced the nomination of Marissa Mayer, a prominent business leader and technology entrepreneur, to join its Board of Directors. The decision comes as Judith McHale, a long-standing board member, prepares to retire at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May. According to InvestingPro analysis, Hilton maintains impressive gross profit margins of 76.3%, reflecting strong operational efficiency.
Mayer, known for her leadership at Yahoo! and co-founding Sunshine Products, is recognized for her considerable experience in consumer technology and innovation. Her tenure as CEO of Yahoo! and her early involvement at Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), where she was the first female software engineer and later vice president, has positioned her as a valuable asset for Hilton as the company explores growth opportunities in technology.
Jon Gray, chairman of Hilton’s Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Mayer’s ability to contribute to Hilton’s future, citing her extensive background in technology and consumer products. He also took the opportunity to commend Judith McHale for her nearly 12 years of dedicated service, highlighting her roles on the Audit and Compensation committees.
In addition to her proposed role at Hilton, Mayer currently serves on the boards of several other high-profile companies, including AT&T, Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Inc., and Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University, with a specialization in artificial intelligence.
McHale’s tenure at Hilton has been marked by leadership positions on key committees and her extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, including her role as under secretary of state for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and her leadership at Discovery Communications (NASDAQ:WBD).
The information regarding Mayer’s nomination and McHale’s retirement is based on a press release statement from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. The company, a global hospitality leader, operates more than 8,400 properties under 24 brands across 140 countries and territories. Hilton aims to enhance the guest experience through technological advancements and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and workplace excellence. InvestingPro data reveals the company achieved 7.7% revenue growth in the last twelve months, with analysts projecting continued profitability. For deeper insights into Hilton’s financial health and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.
In other recent news, Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that exceeded expectations, with notable growth in revenue per available room across all regions. Despite this, Raymond James maintained a Market Perform rating for Marriott, citing the company’s 2025 earnings per share forecast as slightly below analyst consensus. Meanwhile, Hilton Worldwide also reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.76 and revenue of $2.78 billion, surpassing projections. Raymond James responded by raising Hilton’s stock price target to $290, highlighting the company’s strong earnings and revenue per available room performance.
Hilton’s impressive net unit growth, projected between 6% and 7% for 2025, was also noted as a positive indicator of the company’s expansion plans. In contrast, Marriott’s net unit growth is expected to slow to 4-5% in 2025. Additionally, Hilton’s strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the luxury and lifestyle segments, are expected to bolster its market position. In other developments, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team uncovered that FEMA had unlawfully transferred $59 million to luxury hotels in New York City to house undocumented immigrants, prompting a demand for a clawback of the misused funds.
These recent developments highlight significant movements and strategic decisions within Marriott and Hilton, providing investors with crucial insights into the companies’ current and future prospects.
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