Morgan Stanley released a research note on February 12, updating its views on Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc HOT.
Risk-Reward Snapshot - Starwood
- MS bull case: PT of $120 assumes 15.4x 2016E EBITDA ($1.410 billion) - "Improving Global Economy drives strong RevPAR beat, unit growth re-accelerates."
- MS base case: PT of $87 assumes 13.4x 2016E EBITDA ($1.245 billion) - "Strong Industry Fundamentals, though Some Weakness Int'l."
- MS bear case: PT of $65 assumes 11.6x 2016E EBITDA ($1.113 billion) - "Stuttering Economies Drive Below Range RevPAR Growth, Unit Growth Slows Further."
Fundamentals
- Starwood 5 to 7 percent CC 2015 RevPAR guidance is now in line with peers Marriott International, Inc. MAR and Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. HLT.
- Starwood's group business had strongest booking month ever in December 2014.
- MS expects that operating leverage from Starwood's owned segment leads EBITDA estimate to high-end of guidance.
- Notably, Starwood has beaten the high-end of quarterly EBITDA guidance for nine quarters in a row.
Value Creation
- MS noted in the past Starwood has been inconsistent with buybacks ($0 Q1 2014) and asset sales ($0 Q3 2014); without guidance.
- Now Starwood provided guidance and is executing on both:
- Starwood has already repurchased $75 million of stock, ($300 - $350 million annual guidance).
- Starwood gave guidance of ~$800 million of asset sales, (several hotels are already on the market).
- Spin-off of timeshare business and sale of hotels should "drive the market to properly value these segments."
Risks
- Macro-economic challenges do not improve, leading to softer global demand.
- Foreign exchange (FX) headwinds (Starwood has 50 percent international exposure vs. Marriott/Hilton ~20 percent).
- Cost pressures - (healthcare, insurance and property taxes) limit margin increases/incentive fee gains.
- Recent underperformance of "luxury/upper upscale U.S. hotels."
Dividends
Starwood's annual dividend is currently $1.50 per share.
The MS 16 percent base case gain assumes 14.1 percent price appreciation in shares, plus the dividend.
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