Press Release: H World Group Limited Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Dow Jones
20 Mar

H World Group Limited Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

   -- A total of 11,147 hotels or 1,088,218 hotel rooms in operation as of 
      December 31, 2024. 
 
   -- Hotel turnover1 increased 16.5% year-over-year to RMB23.7 billion in the 
      fourth quarter of 2024 and increased 15.5% year-over-year for the full 
      year of 2024. Excluding Steigenberger Hotels GmbH and its subsidiaries 
      ("DH", or "Legacy-DH"), hotel turnover from the Legacy-Huazhu segment 
      increased 17.5% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 
      increased 16.1% year-over-year for the full year of 2024. Hotel turnover 
      from the Legacy-DH segment increased 6.5% year-over-year in the fourth 
      quarter of 2024 and increased 9.0% year-over-year for the full year of 
      2024. 
 
   -- Revenue increased 7.8% year-over-year to RMB6.0 billion (US$825 million)2 
      in the fourth quarter of 2024, surpassing the revenue guidance previously 
      announced of a 1% to 5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, 
      increasing 9.2% year-over-year to RMB23.9 billion (US$3.3 billion) for 
      the full year of 2024. Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the 
      fourth quarter of 2024 increased 9.2% year-over-year, exceeding the 
      revenue guidance previously announced of a 1% to 5% increase, increasing 
      9.1% year-over-year for the full year of 2024. Revenue from the Legacy-DH 
      segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 2.9% year-over-year, 
      increasing 9.6% year-over-year for the full year of 2024. 
 
   -- Net income attributable to H World Group Limited was RMB49 million (US$7 
      million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB743 million in 
      the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB1.3 billion in the previous quarter. 
      The year-over-year decline was mainly due to the foreign exchange loss 
      and the rise in withholding tax in the fourth quarter of 2024. Net income 
      attributable to H World Group Limited was RMB3.0 billion (US$418 million) 
      for the full year of 2024, compared with RMB4.1 billion for the full year 
      of 2023. The year-over-year decline was mainly attributable to the 
      foreign exchange loss, DH's one-off restructuring costs, as well as the 
      rise in withholding tax in 2024. 
 
   -- EBITDA (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB974 million 
      (US$134 million), compared with RMB1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 
      2023 and RMB2.0 billion in the previous quarter. The year-over-year 
      decline was mainly due to the foreign exchange loss in the fourth quarter 
      of 2024. EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2024 was RMB6.2 billion 
      (US$844 million), which was negatively impacted by the foreign exchange 
      loss and DH's one-off restructuring costs. compared with RMB6.8 billion 
      for the full year of 2023. 
 
   -- Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), which excluded share-based compensation 
      expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, 
      foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of 
      investments from EBITDA (non-GAAP), was RMB1.2 billion (US$171 million) 
      in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1.1 billion in the fourth 
      quarter of 2023 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted 
      EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2024 was RMB6.8 billion (US$935 
      million), compared with RMB6.3 billion for the full year of 2023. 
 
   -- Adjusted EBITDA is a segment measure. Adjusted EBITDA from the 
      Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, 
      compared with RMB1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB2.1 
      billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-Huazhu 
      segment was RMB7.0 billion for the full year of 2024, compared with 
      RMB6.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA from the 
      Legacy-DH segment was a loss of RMB247 million in the fourth quarter of 
      2024, compared with a loss of RMB6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 
      and a positive RMB21 million in the previous quarter. The year-over-year 
      decline was mainly due to the RMB417 million impairment loss in the 
      fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-DH segment was a 
      loss of RMB161 million, which included the RMB420 million impairment loss 
      and the RMB97 million of one-off restructuring costs, for the full year 
      of 2024, compared with a positive RMB68 million for the full year of 
      2023. 
 
   -- For the second half of 2024, the board of directors of the Company (the 
      "Board") declared a cash dividend in the aggregate amount of 
      approximately US$300 million, of US$0.097 per ordinary share, or US$0.97 
      per American Depositary Share (the "ADS"). For the full year of 2024, 
      total shareholder returns reached US$767 million, including US$500 
      million cash dividend and US$267 million share repurchase. 
 
   -- As H World is pursuing a more asset-light model, we believe the 
      manachised and franchised business better reflects the Company's growth 
      trajectory in the long-run. Therefore, in addition to the total revenue 
      guidance, the Company is providing revenue guidance for the manachised 
      and franchised business. 
 
   -- For the first quarter of 2025, H World expects its revenue growth to be 
      in the range of 0%-4%, compared to the first quarter of 2024 or in the 
      range of 3%-7% excluding DH. H World expects its manachised and 
      franchised revenue growth to be in the range of 18%-22%, compared to the 
      first quarter of 2024. 
 
   -- For the full year of 2025, H World expects revenue growth to be in the 
      range of 2%-6%, compared to the full year of 2024, or in the range of 
      5%-9% excluding DH. H World expects its manachised and franchised revenue 
      growth to be in the range of 17%-21%, compared to the full year of 2024. 
 
   -- For the full year of 2025, H World expects to open around 2,300 hotels 
      and close around 600 hotels. 

SINGAPORE and SHANGHAI, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT and HKEX: 1179) ("H World", the "Company", "we" or "our"), a key player in the global hotel industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

As of December 31, 2024, H World's worldwide hotel network in operation totaled 11,147 hotels and 1,088,218 rooms, including 122 hotels from DH. During the fourth quarter of 2024, our Legacy-Huazhu business opened 520 hotels, including 4 leased and owned hotels, and 516 manachised and franchised hotels, and closed a total of 202 hotels, including 17 leased and owned hotels and 185 manachised and franchised hotels. As of December 31, 2024, H World had a total of 3,013 unopened hotels in the pipeline, including 2,988 hotels from the Legacy-Huazhu business and 25 hotels from the Legacy-DH business.

Legacy-Huazhu -- Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024 Operational Highlights

As of December 31, 2024, Legacy-Huazhu had 11,025 hotels in operation, including 557 leased and owned hotels, and 10,468 manachised and franchised hotels. In addition, as of the same date, Legacy-Huazhu had 1,062,329 hotel rooms in operation, including 82,580 rooms under the lease and ownership model, and 979,749 rooms under the manachise and franchise models. Legacy-Huazhu also had 2,988 unopened hotels in its pipeline, including 5 leased and owned hotels, and 2,983 manachised and franchised hotels. The following discusses Legacy-Huazhu's revenue per available room ("RevPAR"), average daily room rate ("ADR") and occupancy rate for its leased and owned hotels, as well as manachised and franchised hotels for the periods indicated.

   -- The ADR was RMB277 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB284 in 
      the fourth quarter of 2023, and RMB301 in the previous quarter. 
 
   -- The occupancy rate for all the Legacy-Huazhu hotels in operation was 
      80.0% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 80.5% in the fourth 
      quarter of 2023, and 84.9% in the previous quarter. 
 
   -- Blended RevPAR was RMB222 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 
      RMB229 in the fourth quarter of 2023, and RMB256 in the previous quarter. 
 
   -- For all the Legacy-Huazhu hotels which had been in operation for at least 
      18 months, the same-hotel RevPAR was RMB222 in the fourth quarter of 
      2024, a 6.7% decline from RMB238 in the fourth quarter of 2023, due to a 
      4.6% decrease in same-hotel ADR and a 1.8 percentage-point contraction in 
      same-hotel occupancy rate. 

Legacy-DH -- Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024 Operational Highlights

As of December 31, 2024, Legacy-DH had 122 hotels in operation, including 76 leased hotels, and 46 manachised and franchised hotels. In addition, as of the same date, Legacy-DH had 25,889 hotel rooms in operation, including 15,490 rooms under the lease model, and 10,399 rooms under the manachise and franchise models. Legacy-DH also had 25 unopened hotels in the pipeline, including 12 leased hotels and 13 manachised and franchised hotels. The following discusses Legacy-DH's RevPAR, ADR and occupancy rate for its leased as well as manachised and franchised hotels (excluding hotels temporarily closed) for the periods indicated.

   -- The ADR was EUR115 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with EUR115 in 
      the fourth quarter of 2023 and EUR117 in the previous quarter. 
 
   -- The occupancy rate for all Legacy-DH hotels in operation was 70.5% in the 
      fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 63.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023 
      and 69.8% in the previous quarter. 
 
   -- Blended RevPAR was EUR81 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 
      EUR73 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and EUR82 in the previous quarter. 

Jin Hui, CEO of H World commented: "In 2024, H World achieved the 10,000-hotel milestone, and continued our fast network expansion in China. In the year of 2024, Legacy-Huazhu opened over 2,400 new hotels, far exceeding our initial target of 1,800 hotels, supported by our strong brand reputation and excellent product quality. While Legacy-Huazhu's full-year RevPAR declined slightly year-over-year from a high base last year, Legacy-Huazhu maintained a high occupancy rate of 81.2%, which we believe is encouraging given the speed of our network expansion. Looking ahead, we will continue to carry out our asset-light strategy, pursue high-quality hotel network growth, strengthen brand positioning and 'service-excellence', and enhance sales capability centered around our H Reward membership program."

"Regarding our business outside China, our Legacy-DH business recorded a 5.9% year-over-year RevPAR increase in 2024. Looking into 2025, we will continue to enhance our hotel operations, focus on cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and continue developing the asset light portfolio."

Fourth Quarter and Full year of 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

 
(RMB in millions)            Q4 2023    Q3 2024    Q4 2024    2023FY    2024FY 
------------------------- 
Revenue: 
Leased and owned hotels        3,453      3,690      3,373    13,796    13,843 
Manachised and franchised 
 hotels                        2,016      2,602      2,499     7,694     9,498 
Others                           116        150        151       392       550 
Total revenue                  5,585      6,442      6,023    21,882    23,891 
 
 

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB6.0 billion (US$825 million), representing a 7.8% year-over-year increase which exceeds the previously announced revenue guidance of a 1% to 5% increase, and a sequential decrease of 6.5% due to seasonality effects. Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB4.8 billion, representing a 9.2% year-over-year increase and a 7.3% sequential decline. The 9.2% year-over-year increase exceeds the previously announced revenue guidance of a 1% to 5% increase, which was primarily supported by our fast network expansion. Revenue from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB1.2 billion, representing a 2.9% year-over-year increase and a 3.4% sequential decline.

Revenue for the full year of 2024 was RMB23.9 billion (US$3.3 billion), representing an increase of 9.2% over the full year of 2023. Revenue from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 was RMB19.0 billion, representing a 9.1% year-over-year increase. Revenue from the Legacy-DH segment for the full year of 2024 was RMB4.9 billion, representing a 9.6% year-over-year increase.

Revenue from leased and owned hotels in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB3.4 billion (US$462 million), representing a 2.3% year-over-year decrease and an 8.6% sequential decrease. Revenue from leased and owned hotels from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2.2 billion, representing a 4.8% year-over-year decrease. Revenue from leased and owned hotels from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB1.2 billion, representing a 2.6% year-over-year increase.

For the full year of 2024, revenue from our leased and owned hotels was RMB13.8 billion (US$1.9 billion), representing a 0.3% year-over-year increase. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu leased and owned hotels for the full year of 2024 was RMB9.1 billion, representing a 3.9% year-over-year decrease. Revenue from our Legacy-DH leased and owned hotels for the full year of 2024 was RMB4.7 billion, representing a 9.9% year-over-year increase.

Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2.5 billion (US$342 million), representing a 24% year-over-year increase and a 4.0% sequential decline. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu segment from manachised and franchised hotels in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2.5 billion, representing a 24.0% year-over-year increase. Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB29 million, representing a 20.8% year-over-year increase.

For the full year of 2024, revenue from manachised and franchised hotels was RMB9.5 billion (US$1.3 billion), representing a 23.4% year-over-year increase. The revenue from manachised and franchised hotels accounted for 39.8% of the total revenue for the full year of 2024, compared to 35.2% for the full year of 2023. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu manachised and franchised hotels for the full year of 2024 was RMB9.4 billion, representing a 23.6% year-over-year increase. The revenue from manachised and franchised hotels accounted for 49.3% of Legacy-Huazhu revenue for the full year of 2024, compared to 43.6% for the full year of 2023. Revenue from our Legacy-DH manachised and franchised hotels for the full year of 2024 was RMB113 million, representing a 15.3% year-over-year increase.

Other revenue represents revenue generated from businesses other than our hotel operations, which mainly includes revenue from the provision of IT products and services and Huazhu Mall$(TM)$ and other revenue from the Legacy-DH segment, totaling RMB151 million (US$21 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB116 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB150 million in the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2024, other revenue was RMB550 million (US$76 million), compared to RMB392 million for the full year of 2023.

 
                        Q4        Q3        Q4 
 (RMB in millions)     2023      2024      2024     2023FY      2024FY 
------------------ 
Operating costs 
and expenses: 
  Hotel operating 
   costs             (3,996)   (3,799)   (4,190)  (14,341)  (15,285) 
  Other operating 
   costs                (10)      (11)       (5)      (34)      (31) 
  Selling and 
   marketing 
   expenses            (326)     (303)     (296)   (1,072)   (1,176) 
  General and 
   administrative 
   expenses            (644)     (672)     (725)   (2,086)   (2,508) 
  Pre-opening 
   expenses              (3)      (19)       (4)      (35)      (50) 
Total operating 
 costs and 
 expenses            (4,979)   (4,804)   (5,220)  (17,568)  (19,050) 
 
 

Hotel operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB4.2 billion (US$574 million), compared to RMB4.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB3.8 billion in the previous quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to rising personnel costs as our hotel network continues to expand. As the Company continues to transform into a more asset-light manachised and franchised model, hotel operating costs from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB2.8 billion, which represented 58.1% of revenue, compared to RMB2.9 billion or 67.0% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB2.8 billion or 54.3% of revenue for the previous quarter. Hotel operating costs from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB1.4 billion, which represented 113.9% of revenue, compared to RMB1.1 billion or 88.2% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB996 million or 77.8% of revenue for the previous quarter. The higher hotel operating costs from Legacy-DH were primarily due to the RMB417 million impairment loss recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024.

For the full year of 2024, hotel operating costs were RMB15.3 billion (US$2.1 billion), compared to RMB14.3 billion for the full year of 2023. Hotel operating costs from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 were RMB10.9 billion, which represented 57.5% of revenue, compared to 60.4% for the full year of 2023. Hotel operating costs from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 were RMB4.3 billion, which represented 89.3% of revenue, compared to 85.6% for the full year of 2023.

Selling and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB296 million (US$40 million), compared to RMB326 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB303 million in the previous quarter. Selling and marketing expenses from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB192 million, which represented 4.0% of revenue, compared to RMB202 million or 4.6% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023, and RMB186 million or 3.6% of revenue in the previous quarter. Selling and marketing expenses from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB104 million, which represented 8.4% of revenue, compared to RMB124 million or 10.3% of DH revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023, and RMB117 million or 9.1% for the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2024, selling and marketing expenses were RMB1.2 billion (US$161 million), compared to RMB1.1 billion for the full year of 2023. Selling and marketing expenses from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 were RMB730 million, which represented 3.8% of revenue, compared to RMB649 million or 3.7% of revenue for the full year of 2023. Selling and marketing expenses from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 were RMB446 million or 9.2% of DH revenue, compared to RMB423 million or 9.5% of DH revenue for the full year of 2023.

General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB725 million (US$99 million), compared to RMB644 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB672 million in the previous quarter. The year-over-year expense increase was mainly due to rising headcount as well as an increase in share-based compensation to attract and retain core employees who are key to our sustainable long-term business growth. General and administrative expenses from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB586 million, which represented 12.2% of revenue, compared to RMB484 million or 11.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB457 million or 8.9% for the previous quarter. General and administrative expenses from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB139 million, which represented 11.2% of DH revenue, compared to RMB160 million or 13.3% of DH revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB215 million or 16.8% in the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2024, general and administrative expenses were RMB2.5 billion (US$344 million), compared to RMB2.1 billion for the full year of 2023. General and administrative expenses from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 were RMB1.9 billion, which represented 10.1% of revenue, compared to RMB1.6 billion or 9.0% of revenue for the full year of 2023. General and administrative expenses from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 were RMB587 million, which represented 12.1% of DH revenue, compared to RMB521 million or 11.7% of DH revenue for the full year of 2023.

Pre-opening expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 were primarily related to the Legacy-Huazhu segment and totaled RMB4 million (US$1 million), compared to RMB3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB19 million in the previous quarter.

Pre-opening expenses for the full year of 2024 were RMB50 million (US$7 million), compared to RMB35 million for the full year of 2023. Pre-opening expenses from Legacy-Huazhu as a percentage of revenue were 0.3% for the full year of 2024, compared to 0.2% for the full year of 2023.

Other operating income, net in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB99 million (US$13 million), compared to RMB155 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB85 million in the previous quarter.

Other operating income, net for the full year of 2024 was RMB359 million (US$49 million), compared to RMB404 million for the full year of 2023.

Income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB902 million (US$123 million), compared to RMB757 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB1.7 billion in the previous quarter. Income from operations from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB1.2 billion, compared to RMB821 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB1.8 billion in the previous quarter. The Legacy-DH segment had a loss from operations of RMB311 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a loss from operations of RMB64 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a loss of RMB40 million in the previous quarter. The widened operating loss from Legacy-DH was due primarily to the RMB417 million impairment loss recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Income from operations for the full year of 2024 was RMB5.2 billion (US$713 million), compared to RMB4.7 billion for the full year of 2023. Income from operations from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 was RMB5.6 billion, compared to RMB4.9 billion for the full year of 2023. Loss from operations from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 were RMB406 million, compared to loss of RMB185 million for the full year of 2023.

Operating margin, defined as income from operations as a percentage of revenue, was 15.0% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 13.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 26.7% for the previous quarter. Operating margin from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 25.3%, compared with 18.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 34.2% in the previous quarter. Operating margin from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2024 was a negative 25.2%, compared with a negative 5.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a negative 3.1% in the previous quarter. The margin contraction of Legacy-DH was primarily due to the impairment loss recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Operating margin for the full year of 2024 was 21.8%, compared with 21.5% for the full year of 2023. Operating margin from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 was 29.5%, compared with 28.1% for the full year of 2023. Operating margin from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 was a negative 8.3%, compared with a negative 4.2% for the full year of 2023.

Other income, net in the fourth quarter of 2024 was an expense of RMB14 million (US$2 million), compared to an income of RMB2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and an income of RMB1 million for the previous quarter.

Other income, net for the full year of 2024 was RMB51 million (US$7 million), compared to RMB573 million which was associated with gains from selling Accor shares for the full year of 2023.

Gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2024 were losses of RMB19 million (US$3 million), compared to gains of RMB124 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and losses of RMB34 million in the previous quarter. Gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities mainly represent the gains (losses) from our investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values.

For the full year of 2024, losses from fair value changes of equity securities were RMB66 million (US$9 million), compared to gains of RMB109 million for the full year of 2023. The gains in 2023 were mainly from an increase in the value of UBOX holdings by the Company.

Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB578 million (US$79 million), compared to RMB281 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB382 million in the previous quarter. The higher income tax expense in the quarter was due to withholding tax related to dividend distributions.

For the full year of 2024, income tax expense was RMB1.7 billion (US$228 million), compared to RMB1.2 billion for the full year of 2023.

Net income attributable to H World Group Limited in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB49 million (US$7 million), compared to RMB743 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB1.3 billion in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB358 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB827 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB1.4 billion in the previous quarter. Net loss attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-DH segment was RMB309 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RMB84 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB83 million in the previous quarter. The widened net loss of Legacy-DH was due mainly to the impairment loss.

Net income attributable to H World Group Limited for the full year of 2024 was RMB3.0 billion (US$418 million), compared to RMB4.1 billion for the full year of 2023. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 was RMB3.6 billion, compared to RMB4.4 billion for the full year of 2023. The year-over-year decrease in net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was due primarily to the foreign exchange loss and the rise in withholding tax related to dividend distributions. Net loss attributable to H World Group Limited from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 was RMB532 million, compared to a net loss of RMB265 million for the full year of 2023.

EBITDA (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB974 million (US$134 million), compared with RMB1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB2.0 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), which excluded the following from EBITDA (non-GAAP): share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments, was RMB1.2 billion (US$171 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-Huazhu segment, which is a segment measure, was RMB1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-DH segment, which is a segment measure, was a loss of RMB247 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with a loss of RMB6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a positive RMB21 million in the previous quarter. The year-over-year decline was mainly due to the RMB417 million impairment loss in the fourth quarter of 2024.

EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2024 was RMB6.2 billion (US$844 million), compared to RMB6.8 billion for the full year of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2024 was RMB6.8 billion (US$935 million), compared with RMB6.3 billion for the full year of 2023. The adjusted EBITDA from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2024 was RMB7.0 billion, compared with RMB6.2 billion for the full year of 2023. The adjusted EBITDA from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2024 was a loss of RMB161 million, which included the RMB420 million impairment loss and the RMB97 million of one-off restructuring costs, compared with a positive RMB68 million for the full year of 2023.

Cash flow. Operating cash inflow in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2.7 billion (US$371 million). Investing cash outflow in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB3.1 billion (US$424 million) due to the purchase of time deposits and financial products. Financing cash outflow in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB37 million (US$6 million).

Operating cash inflow for the full year of 2024 was RMB7.5 billion (US$1.0 billion), compared to RMB7.7 billion for the full year of 2023. Investing cash outflow for the full year of 2024 was RMB2.2 billion (US$307 million), compared to RMB1.5 billion for the full year of 2023. Financing cash outflow for the full year of 2024 was RMB5.5 billion (US$754 million), compared to RMB3.7 billion for the full year of 2023.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had a total balance of cash and cash equivalents of RMB7.5 billion (US$1.0 billion) and restricted cash of RMB50 million (US$7 million).

Debt financing. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had a total debt and net cash balance of RMB5.4 billion (US$743 million) and RMB2.1 billion (US$288 million), respectively; the unutilized credit facility available to the Company was RMB3.3 billion.

Cash Dividend

The Board has approved the declaration and payment of an ordinary cash dividend (the "Cash Dividend"), for the second half of 2024 in the aggregate amount of approximately US$300 million, of US$0.097 per ordinary share, or US$0.97 per ADS. Holders of the Company's ordinary shares or ADSs as of the close of business on April 9, 2025 will be entitled to receive the Cash Dividend. Dividends to holders of the Company's ordinary shares are expected to be distributed on or about April 23, 2025. Citibank, N.A. ("Citi"), depositary bank for the Company's ADS program, expects to pay out dividends to ADS holders on or about April 30, 2025. Dividends to be paid to the Company's ADS holders through Citi will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement by and among the Company and Citi, and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder.

Shareholder Return

In July 2024, H World announced a three-year shareholder return plan with an aggregate amount of up to US$2 billion (the "Shareholder Return Plan"). For the full year of 2024, the Board has declared cash dividends in an aggregate amount of approximately US$500 million and the Company had made on-market share repurchases of approximately US$267 million. Accordingly, such cash dividends and share repurchases totaled to approximately US$767 million, representing over one-third of the Shareholder Return Plan, and over 80% of the free cash flow generated by the Company in the year of 2024.

Guidance

As H World is pursuing a more asset-light model, we believe the manachised and franchised business better reflects the Company's growth trajectory in the long-run. Therefore, in addition to the total revenue guidance, the Company is providing revenue guidance for the manachised and franchised business.

For the first quarter of 2025, H World expects its revenue growth to be in the range of 0%-4%, compared to the first quarter of 2024 or in the range of 3%-7% excluding DH. H World expects its manachised and franchised revenue growth to be in the range of 18%-22%, compared to the first quarter of 2024.

For the full year of 2025, H World expects revenue growth to be in the range of 2%-6%, compared to the full year of 2024, or in the range of 5%-9% excluding DH. H World expects its manachised and franchised revenue growth to be in the range of 17%-21%, compared to the full year of 2024.

For the full year of 2025, H World expects to open around 2,300 hotels and close around 600 hotels.

The above forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call

H World's management will host a conference call at 8 a.m. U.S. Eastern time on Thursday, March 20, 2025 (8 p.m. Hong Kong time on Thursday, March 20, 2025) following the announcement.

To join by phone, all participants must pre-register this conference call using the Participant Registration link of https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI303638c962504ffcb81bb09e374f8485. Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN.

A live webcast of the call can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/z7bi4fve or the Company's website at https://ir.hworld.com/news-and-events/events-calendar.

A replay of the conference call will be available for twelve months from the date of the conference at the Company's website, https://ir.hworld.com/news-and-events/events-calendar.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company's unaudited consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. Generally-Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"): adjusted net income (loss) attributable to H World Group Limited excluding share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments; adjusted basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share/ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA excluding share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Company performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments that may not be indicative of Company operating performance. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Company performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to the Company's historical performance. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are also useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used regularly by Company management in financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures excluding share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments is that share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments have been and may continue to be significant and recurring in the Company's business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company believes that EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess the operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes, given the significant investments that the Company has made in leasehold improvements, depreciation and amortization expense that comprise a significant portion of the Company's cost structure. In addition, the Company believes that EBITDA is widely used by other companies in the lodging industry and may be used by investors as a measure of financial performance. The Company believes that EBITDA information provides investors with a useful tool for comparability between periods because it excludes depreciation and amortization expense attributable to capital expenditures. The Company also uses adjusted EBITDA to assess operating results of its hotels in operation. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments helps facilitate year-over-year comparisons of the results of operations as the share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments may not be indicative of Company operating performance.

Therefore, the Company believes adjusted EBITDA more closely reflects the financial performance capability of our hotels. The presentation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that the Company's future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains considered to be outside the ordinary course of business.

The use of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets (including land use rights), income tax, interest expense and interest income have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of EBITDA. Share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of the results. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of depreciation and amortization, interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, share-based compensation expenses, gain (loss) from fair value changes of equity securities, foreign exchange gain (loss), net, and gain (loss) on disposal of investments all in the reconciliations to the U.S. GAAP financial measures and in the consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating the performance of the Company.

The terms EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and neither EBITDA nor adjusted EBITDA is a measure of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing the operating and financial performance, investors should not consider these data in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the Company's EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as the Company does.

Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release.

About H World Group Limited

Originated in China, H World Group Limited is a key player in the global hotel industry. As of December 31, 2024, H World operated 11,147 hotels with 1,088,218 rooms in operation in 19 countries. H World's brands include Hi Inn, Elan Hotel, HanTing Hotel, JI Hotel, Starway Hotel, Orange Hotel, Crystal Orange Hotel, Manxin Hotel, Madison Hotel, Joya Hotel, Blossom House, Ni Hao Hotel, CitiGO Hotel, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, MAXX, Jaz in the City, IntercityHotel, Zleep Hotels, Steigenberger Icon and Song Hotels. In addition, H World also has the rights as master franchisee for Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles, and co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel, in the pan-China region.

H World's business includes leased and owned, manachised and franchised models. Under the lease and ownership model, H World directly operates hotels typically located on leased or owned properties. Under the manachise model, H World manages manachised hotels through the on-site hotel managers that H World appoints, and H World collects fees from franchisees. Under the franchise model, H World provides training, reservations and support services to the franchised hotels, and collects fees from franchisees but does not appoint on-site hotel managers. H World applies a consistent standard and platform across all of its hotels. As of December 31, 2024, H World operated 9 percent of its hotel rooms under the lease and ownership model, and 91 percent under the manachise and franchise model.

For more information, please visit H World's website: https://ir.hworld.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information in this release contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Such factors and risks include our anticipated growth strategies; our future results of operations and financial condition; economic conditions; the regulatory environment; our ability to attract and retain customers and leverage our brands; trends and competition in the lodging industry; the expected growth of demand for lodging; and other factors and risks detailed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, which may be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "will," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "forecast," "project" or "continue," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Readers should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or results.

H World undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

--Financial Tables and Operational Data Follow--

 
                          H World Group Limited 
             Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
                               December 31, 2023      December 31, 2024 
                              -------------------  ----------------------- 
                                      RMB              RMB        US$(3) 
                                 (in millions) 
ASSETS 
Current assets: 
  Cash and cash equivalents             6,946         7,474       1,024 
  Restricted cash                         764            50           7 
  Short-term investments                2,189         3,603         494 
  Accounts receivable, net                755           817         112 
  Loan receivables - 
   current, net                           184           114          16 
  Amounts due from related 
   parties, current                       210           297          41 
  Inventories                              59            60           8 
  Other current assets, net               949           800         108 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total current assets                   12,056        13,215       1,810 
 
Property and equipment, net             6,097         5,682         778 
Intangible assets, net                  5,280         4,776         654 
Operating lease right-of-use 
 assets                                25,658        24,992       3,424 
Finance lease right-of-use 
 assets                                 2,171         2,272         311 
Land use rights, net                      181           174          24 
Long-term investments                   2,564         2,316         317 
Goodwill                                5,318         5,221         715 
Amounts due from related 
 parties, non-current                      25            51           7 
Loan receivables, net                     163           190          26 
Other assets, net                         663           668          94 
Deferred tax assets                     1,043         1,054         144 
Assets held for sale                    2,313         1,941         266 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total assets                           63,532        62,552       8,570 
                              ===============      ========      ====== 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
Current liabilities: 
  Short-term debt                       4,049           880         120 
  Accounts payable                      1,019           983         135 
  Amounts due to related 
   parties                                 77            74          10 
  Salary and welfare 
   payables                             1,067         1,201         165 
  Deferred revenue                      1,637         1,822         250 
  Operating lease 
   liabilities, current                 3,609         3,492         478 
  Finance lease liabilities, 
   current                                 45            50           7 
  Accrued expenses and other 
   current liabilities                  3,261         4,006         549 
  Dividends payable                     2,085             0           0 
  Income tax payable                      562           813         111 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total current liabilities              17,411        13,321       1,825 
 
Long-term debt                          1,265         4,546         623 
Operating lease liabilities, 
 non-current                           24,215        23,634       3,238 
Finance lease liabilities, 
 non-current                            2,697         2,843         390 
Deferred revenue                        1,072         1,351         185 
Other long-term liabilities             1,118         1,472         201 
Deferred tax liabilities                  845           919         126 
Retirement benefit 
 obligations                              124           111          15 
Liabilities held for sale               2,536         2,084         286 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total liabilities                      51,283        50,281       6,889 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
 
Equity: 
  Ordinary shares                           0             0           0 
  Treasury shares                        (906)         (274)        (38) 
  Additional paid-in capital           11,861         9,620       1,318 
  Retained earnings                       794         2,449         336 
  Accumulated other 
   comprehensive income                   386           382          52 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total H World Group Limited 
 shareholders' equity                  12,135        12,177       1,668 
  Noncontrolling interest                 114            94          13 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total equity                           12,249        12,271       1,681 
                              ---------------      --------      ------ 
Total liabilities and equity           63,532        62,552       8,570 
                              ===============      ========      ====== 
 
 
                                                       H World Group Limited 
                                   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
                                                               Income 
                                           Quarter Ended                                              Year Ended 
                   --------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------ 
                    December 31,   September 30,                                    December 31, 
                        2023            2024             December 31, 2024              2023              December 31, 2024 
                   --------------  --------------  ------------------------------  --------------  -------------------------------- 
                        RMB             RMB             RMB             US$             RMB             RMB              US$ 
                                                  (in millions, except shares, per share and per ADS 
                                                                         data) 
Revenue: 
  Leased and 
   owned hotels            3,453           3,690           3,373             462          13,796          13,843           1,897 
  Manachised and 
   franchised 
   hotels                  2,016           2,602           2,499             342           7,694           9,498           1,301 
  Others                     116             150             151              21             392             550              76 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Total revenue              5,585           6,442           6,023             825          21,882          23,891           3,274 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
 
Operating costs 
and expenses: 
  Hotel operating 
  costs: 
    Rents                 (1,033)         (1,088)         (1,100)           (151)         (4,290)         (4,365)           (598) 
    Utilities               (160)           (194)           (155)            (21)           (685)           (690)            (94) 
    Personnel 
     costs                (1,331)         (1,371)         (1,393)           (191)         (4,684)         (5,326)           (730) 
    Depreciation 
     and 
     amortization           (320)           (315)           (305)            (42)         (1,329)         (1,254)           (172) 
    Consumables, 
     food and 
     beverage               (361)           (337)           (336)            (46)         (1,327)         (1,293)           (177) 
    Others                  (791)           (494)           (901)           (123)         (2,026)         (2,357)           (323) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
  Total hotel 
   operating 
   costs                  (3,996)         (3,799)         (4,190)           (574)        (14,341)        (15,285)         (2,094) 
  Other operating 
   costs                     (10)            (11)             (5)             (1)            (34)            (31)             (4) 
  Selling and 
   marketing 
   expenses                 (326)           (303)           (296)            (40)         (1,072)         (1,176)           (161) 
  General and 
   administrative 
   expenses                 (644)           (672)           (725)            (99)         (2,086)         (2,508)           (344) 
  Pre-opening 
   expenses                   (3)            (19)             (4)             (1)            (35)            (50)             (7) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Total operating 
 costs and 
 expenses                 (4,979)         (4,804)         (5,220)           (715)        (17,568)        (19,050)         (2,610) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
  Goodwill 
   impairment 
   loss                       (4)              -               -               -              (4)              -               - 
  Other operating 
   income 
   (expense), 
   net                       155              85              99              13             404             359              49 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Income (loss) 
 from operations             757           1,723             902             123           4,714           5,200             713 
Interest income               85              50              53               7             248             210              29 
Interest expense             (76)            (77)            (74)            (10)           (385)           (318)            (44) 
Other income 
 (expense), net                2               1             (14)             (2)            573              51               7 
Gains (losses) 
 from fair value 
 changes of 
 equity 
 securities                  124             (34)            (19)             (3)            109             (66)             (9) 
Foreign exchange 
 gains (losses)              140              (1)           (155)            (21)             90            (272)            (37) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Income (loss) 
 before income 
 taxes                     1,032           1,662             693              94           5,349           4,805             659 
Income tax 
 (expense) 
 benefit                    (281)           (382)           (578)            (79)         (1,204)         (1,662)           (228) 
Income (Loss) 
 from equity 
 method 
 investments                  (8)             12             (54)             (7)            (14)            (41)             (6) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Net income (loss)            743           1,292              61               8           4,131           3,102             425 
Net (income) loss 
 attributable to 
 noncontrolling 
 interest                     (0)            (19)            (12)             (1)            (46)            (54)             (7) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Net income (loss) 
 attributable to 
 H World Group 
 Limited                     743           1,273              49               7           4,085           3,048             418 
                   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   ============= 
 
Gains (losses) 
 arising from 
 defined benefit 
 plan, net of 
 tax                          (9)              -               6               1              (9)              6               1 
Gains (losses) 
 from fair value 
 changes of debt 
 securities, net 
 of tax                      (31)              -             (13)             (2)            (12)            (38)             (5) 
Foreign currency 
 translation 
 adjustments, net 
 of tax                      (23)            128             (70)            (10)            175              28               4 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Comprehensive 
 income (loss)               680           1,420             (16)             (3)          4,285           3,098             425 
Comprehensive 
 (income) loss 
 attributable to 
 noncontrolling 
 interest                     (0)            (19)            (12)             (1)            (46)            (54)             (7) 
                   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Comprehensive 
 income (loss) 
 attributable to 
 H World Group 
 Limited                     680           1,401             (28)             (4)          4,239           3,044             418 
                   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   ============= 
 
Earnings (Losses) 
per share: 
  Basic                     0.23            0.41            0.02            0.00            1.28            0.98            0.13 
  Diluted                   0.23            0.40            0.02            0.00            1.25            0.96            0.13 
 
Earnings (Losses) 
per ADS: 
Basic                       2.33            4.10            0.16            0.02           12.83            9.78            1.34 
Diluted                     2.31            3.99            0.16            0.02           12.55            9.64            1.32 
 
Weighted average number of shares used in 
computation: 
  Basic            3,182,802,226   3,102,868,424   3,080,973,793   3,080,973,793   3,183,163,131   3,115,130,107   3,115,130,107 
  Diluted          3,217,737,686   3,257,589,866   3,123,364,616   3,123,364,616   3,351,421,211   3,278,308,290   3,278,308,290 
 
 
 
                                     H World Group Limited 
                      Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash 
                                             Flows 
                                   Quarter Ended                           Year Ended 
                    -------------------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
                                                                 December 
                     December    September                         31, 
                     31, 2023    30, 2024    December 31, 2024     2023     December 31, 2024 
                    ----------  -----------  ------------------  --------  -------------------- 
                       RMB          RMB         RMB       US$      RMB        RMB        US$ 
                                                   (in millions) 
Operating 
activities: 
  Net income 
   (loss)              743        1,292          61          8     4,131    3,102        425 
 
    Share-based 
     compensation       38           79          73         10       143      322         44 
    Depreciation 
     and 
     amortization, 
     and other         346          329         326         45     1,448    1,337        183 
    Impairment 
     loss              430           32         469         64       516      537         74 
    Loss (income) 
     from equity 
     method 
     investments, 
     net of 
     dividends           8           (9)         65          9        72       97         13 
    Investment 
     (income) loss 
     and foreign 
     exchange 
     (gain) loss      (452)         (15)        195         27      (925)     250         34 
    Changes in 
     operating 
     assets and 
     liabilities     1,359           43       1,323        182     2,508    1,886        259 
    Other              (61)         (58)        192         26      (219)     (13)        (2) 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
Net cash provided 
 by (used in) 
 operating 
 activities          2,411        1,693       2,704        371     7,674    7,518      1,030 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
 
Investing 
activities: 
    Capital 
     expenditures     (313)        (209)       (205)       (28)     (901)    (898)      (123) 
    Purchase of 
     investments      (700)         (32)     (3,099)      (424)   (3,509)  (4,017)      (550) 
    Proceeds from 
     maturity/sale 
     and return of 
     investments       771          406         176         24     2,972    2,563        351 
    Loan advances     (140)         (75)        (54)        (7)     (262)    (193)       (26) 
    Loan 
     collections        36           65          73         10       147      229         31 
    Other               69           11          10          1        76       77         10 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
Net cash provided 
 by (used in) 
 investing 
 activities           (277)         166      (3,099)      (424)   (1,477)  (2,239)      (307) 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
 
Financing 
activities: 
  Net proceeds 
   from issuance 
   of ordinary 
   shares                -            -           -          -     1,973        -          - 
  Payment of share 
   repurchase         (848)        (496)          -          -      (848)  (1,172)      (161) 
  Proceeds from 
   debt                370           29          25          3     1,169      643         88 
  Repayment of 
   debt               (204)        (135)        (49)        (7)   (5,862)    (613)       (84) 
  Dividend paid          -       (1,389)         (0)        (0)        -   (3,480)      (477) 
  Purchase of 
   prepaid put 
   option                -            0           -          -         -     (710)       (97) 
  Other                (62)        (113)        (13)        (2)     (152)    (172)       (23) 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
Net cash provided 
 by (used in) 
 financing 
 activities           (744)      (2,104)        (37)        (6)   (3,720)  (5,504)      (754) 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
 
Effect of exchange 
 rate changes on 
 cash, cash 
 equivalents and 
 restricted cash        41           16          21          3       164       30          4 
                    ------      -------      ------      -----   -------   ------      ----- 
Net increase 
 (decrease) in 
 cash, cash 
 equivalents and 
 restricted cash, 
 including cash 
 classified within 
 assets held for 
 sale                1,431         (229)       (411)       (56)    2,641     (195)       (27) 
Less: net increase 
 (decrease) in 
 cash and cash 
 equivalents 
 classified within 
 assets held for 
 sale                   17           (4)          5          1        17       (9)        (1) 
Cash, cash 
 equivalents and 
 restricted cash 
 at the beginning 
 of the period       6,296        8,165       7,940      1,088     5,086    7,710      1,057 
                    ======      =======      ======      =====   =======   ======      ===== 
Cash, cash 
 equivalents and 
 restricted cash 
 at the end of the 
 period              7,710        7,940       7,524      1,031     7,710    7,524      1,031 
                    ======      =======      ======      =====   =======   ======      ===== 
 
 
                                                     H World Group Limited 
                                     Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results 
                                       Quarter Ended                                              Year Ended 
               --------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------ 
                December 31,   September 30,                                    December 31, 
                    2023            2024             December 31, 2024              2023              December 31, 2024 
               --------------  --------------  ------------------------------  --------------  -------------------------------- 
                    RMB             RMB             RMB             US$             RMB             RMB              US$ 
                                              (in millions, except shares, per share and per ADS 
                                                                     data) 
Net income 
 (loss) 
 attributable 
 to H World 
 Group 
 Limited 
 (GAAP)                  743           1,273              49               7           4,085           3,048             418 
Share-based 
 compensation 
 expenses                 38              79              73              10             143             322              44 
(Gain) loss 
 from fair 
 value 
 changes of 
 equity 
 securities             (124)             34              19               3            (109)             66               9 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 (gain) loss, 
 net                    (140)              1             155              21             (90)            272              37 
(Gain) loss 
 on disposal 
 of 
 investments               0             (15)             25               3             516)             10               1 
               -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Adjusted net 
 income 
 (loss) 
 attributable 
 to H World 
 Group 
 Limited 
 (non-GAAP)              517           1,372             321              44           3,513           3,718             509 
               =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   ============= 
 
 
Adjusted earnings (losses) per share 
(non-GAAP) 
  Basic                 0.16            0.44            0.10            0.01            1.10            1.19            0.16 
  Diluted               0.16            0.43            0.10            0.01            1.08            1.17            0.16 
 
Adjusted earnings (losses) per ADS (non-GAAP) 
  Basic                 1.62            4.42            1.04            0.14           11.03           11.94            1.64 
  Diluted               1.61            4.29            1.03            0.14           10.84           11.68            1.60 
 
Weighted average number of shares used in 
computation 
  Basic        3,182,802,226   3,102,868,424   3,080,973,793   3,080,973,793   3,183,163,131   3,115,130,107   3,115,130,107 
  Diluted      3,217,737,686   3,257,589,866   3,123,364,616   3,123,364,616   3,351,421,211   3,278,308,290   3,278,308,290 
 
 
                                       Quarter Ended                                              Year Ended 
               --------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------ 
                December 31,   September 30,                                    December 31, 
                    2023            2024             December 31, 2024              2023              December 31, 2024 
               --------------  --------------  ------------------------------  --------------  -------------------------------- 
                    RMB             RMB             RMB             US$             RMB             RMB              US$ 
                                               (in millions, except per share and per ADS data) 
Net income 
 (loss) 
 attributable 
 to H World 
 Group 
 Limited 
 (GAAP)                  743           1,273              49               7           4,085           3,048             418 
Interest 
 income                  (85)            (50)            (53)             (7)           (248)           (210)            (29) 
Interest 
 expense                  76              77              74              10             385             318              44 
Income tax 
 expense                 281             382             578              79           1,204           1,662             228 
Depreciation 
 and 
 amortization            341             332             326              45           1,414           1,332             183 
               -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
EBITDA 
 (non-GAAP)            1,356           2,014             974             134           6,840           6,150             844 
Share-based 
 compensation             38              79              73              10             143             322              44 
(Gain) loss 
 from fair 
 value 
 changes of 
 equity 
 securities             (124)             34              19               3            (109)             66               9 
Foreign 
 exchange 
 (gain) loss, 
 net                    (140)              1             155              21             (90)            272              37 
(Gain) loss 
 on disposal 
 of 
 investments               0             (15)             25               3            (516)             10               1 
               -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   ------------- 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA 
 (non-GAAP)            1,130           2,113           1,246             171           6,268           6,820             935 
               =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   =============   ============= 
 
 
                        H World Group Limited 
                      Segment Financial Summary 
                 Quarter Ended      Quarter Ended      Quarter Ended 
                 December 31,       September 30,       December 31, 
                     2023                2024               2024 
               -----------------  ------------------  ---------------- 
               Legacy-  Legacy-   Legacy-   Legacy-   Legacy-  Legacy- 
               Huazhu      DH     Huazhu      DH      Huazhu     DH 
                 RMB      RMB       RMB       RMB       RMB      RMB 
                 (in millions)      (in millions)      (in millions) 
Leased and 
 owned 
 hotels          2,288     1,165    2,461      1,229    2,178    1,195 
Manachised 
 and 
 franchised 
 hotels          1,992        24    2,568         34    2,470       29 
Others             104        12      133         17      139       12 
               -------  --------  -------  ---------  -------  ------- 
Revenue          4,384     1,201    5,162      1,280    4,787    1,236 
               -------  --------  -------  ---------  -------  ------- 
 
Depreciation 
 and 
 amortization      282        59      271         61      265       61 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA          1,136       (6)    2,092         21    1,493    (247) 
 
 
                         H World Group Limited 
                       Segment Financial Summary 
                  Year Ended December 31,      Year Ended December 31, 
                           2023                         2024 
                ---------------------------  --------------------------- 
                Legacy- Huazhu  Legacy- DH   Legacy- Huazhu  Legacy- DH 
                --------------  -----------  --------------  ----------- 
                     RMB            RMB           RMB            RMB 
                       (in millions)                (in millions) 
Leased and 
 owned hotels            9,522        4,274           9,146        4,697 
Manachised and 
 franchised 
 hotels                  7,596           98           9,385          113 
Others                     320           72             491           59 
                --------------  -----------  --------------  ----------- 
Revenue                 17,438        4,444          19,022        4,869 
                --------------  -----------  --------------  ----------- 
 
Depreciation 
 and 
 amortization            1,166          248           1,095          237 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA                  6,200           68           6,981        (161) 
 

Operating Results: Legacy-Huazhu((1)

 
                                                                  Number of 
                              Number of hotels                      rooms 
 
                                                         As of      As of 
             Opened in    Closed (2)      Net added    December    December 
              Q4 2024      in Q4 2024     in Q4 2024   31, 2024    31, 2024 
             ----------  -------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
Leased and 
 owned 
 hotels               4        (17)           (13)           557      82,580 
Manachised 
 and 
 franchised 
 hotels             516       (185)           331         10,468     979,749 
Total               520       (202)           318         11,025   1,062,329 
===========  ==========  =========      =========      =========  ========== 
(1) Legacy-Huazhu refers to H World and its subsidiaries, 
 excluding DH. 
 (2) The reasons for hotel closures mainly included 
 non-compliance with our brand standards, operating 
 losses, and property-related issues. In Q4 2024, we 
 temporarily closed 5 hotels for brand upgrade or business 
 model change purposes. 
 
 
                                            As of December 31, 2024 
                                 Number of hotels  Unopened hotels in pipeline 
                                 ---------------- 
Economy hotels                              5,485                        1,158 
  Leased and owned hotels                     279                            1 
  Manachised and franchised 
   hotels                                   5,206                        1,157 
Midscale, upper-midscale hotels 
 and others                                 5,540                        1,830 
  Leased and owned hotels                     278                            4 
  Manachised and franchised 
   hotels                                   5,262                        1,826 
Total                                      11,025                        2,988 
===============================  ================  =========================== 
 
 
 
                                    For the quarter ended 
                          December 31,  September 30,  December 31,     yoy 
                              2023          2024           2024       change 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
Average daily room rate (in RMB) 
  Leased and owned 
   hotels                          356            381           353      -0.7% 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels               276            294           270      -2.1% 
  Blended                          284            301           277      -2.5% 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
Occupancy rate (as a percentage) 
  Leased and owned 
   hotels                        83.7%          87.4%         83.7%  +0.0 p.p. 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels             80.1%          84.6%         79.7%  -0.5 p.p. 
  Blended                        80.5%          84.9%         80.0%  -0.5 p.p. 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
RevPAR (in RMB) 
  Leased and owned 
   hotels                          298            333           296      -0.7% 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels               221            249           215      -2.7% 
  Blended                          229            256           222      -3.1% 
========================  ============  =============  ============  ========= 
 
 
 
                                              For full year ended 
                                     December 31,  December 31,     yoy 
                                         2023          2024       change 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Average daily room rate (in RMB) 
  Leased and owned hotels                     372           364      -2.0% 
  Manachised and franchised hotels            290           281      -2.8% 
  Blended                                     299           289      -3.2% 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Occupancy rate (as a percentage) 
  Leased and owned hotels                   82.8%         84.4%  +1.6 p.p. 
  Manachised and franchised hotels          80.8%         80.9%  +0.1 p.p. 
  Blended                                   81.1%         81.2%  +0.2 p.p. 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
RevPAR (in RMB) 
  Leased and owned hotels                     308           308      -0.1% 
  Manachised and franchised hotels            234           228      -2.7% 
  Blended                                     242           235      -3.0% 
===================================  ============  ============  ========= 
 
 
Same-hotel operational data by class 
Mature hotels in operation for more than 18 months 
                   Number of 
                    hotels         Same-hotel RevPAR         Same-hotel ADR        Same-hotel Occupancy 
                 -------------  ------------------------  --------------------  -------------------------- 
                     As of         For the                 For the 
                  December 31,     quarter        yoy      quarter      yoy      For the quarter     yoy 
                                                            ended 
                                    ended                  December                   ended 
                                 December 31,    change      31,       change      December 31,     change 
                 2023    2024     2023    2024            2023  2024            2023      2024      (p.p.) 
                        ------  --------  ----  --------  ----  ----  --------  ----      ----      ------ 
Economy hotels   3,757   3,757       179   166  -7.5%      215   204  -5.0%     83.2%     81.0%       -2.2 
  Leased and 
   owned 
   hotels          272     272       215   202  -6.0%      253   239  -5.3%     85.1%     84.5%       -0.6 
  Manachised 
   and 
   franchised 
   hotels        3,485   3,485       175   161  -7.8%      211   200  -5.0%     82.9%     80.5%       -2.4 
                                                ----                  ----      ----      ----      ------ 
Midscale, 
 upper-midscale 
 hotels and 
 others          3,406   3,406       286   268  -6.3%      352   335  -4.6%     81.5%     80.0%       -1.4 
  Leased and 
   owned 
   hotels          253     253       373   356  -4.5%      446   427  -4.1%     83.6%     83.3%       -0.3 
  Manachised 
   and 
   franchised 
   hotels        3,153   3,153       276   258  -6.6%      339   323  -4.7%     81.2%     79.6%       -1.5 
                                                                                ----      ----      ------ 
Total            7,163   7,163       238   222  -6.7%      289   276  -4.6%     82.2%     80.5%       -1.8 
===============  =====  ======  ========  ====  ====      ====  ====  ====      ====      ====      ====== 
 
 
Same-hotel operational data by class 
Mature hotels in operation for more than 18 months 
                   Number of 
                    hotels         Same-hotel RevPAR        Same-hotel ADR        Same-hotel Occupancy 
                 -------------  -----------------------  --------------------  -------------------------- 
                     As of                                For the 
                  December 31,  For the year     yoy        year       yoy        For the year      yoy 
                                                           ended 
                                    ended                 December                   ended 
                                 December 31,   change      31,       change      December 31,     change 
                 2023    2024    2023    2024            2023  2024              2023      2024    (p.p.) 
                        ------  -------  ----  --------  ----  ----  --------  --------  --------  ------ 
Economy hotels   3,757   3,757      191   180  -6.0%      229   217  -5.0%     83.7%     82.8%       -0.9 
  Leased and 
   owned 
   hotels          272     272      229   220  -3.8%      270   256  -5.2%     84.8%     86.0%       +1.2 
  Manachised 
   and 
   franchised 
   hotels        3,485   3,485      187   175  -6.3%      223   212  -5.0%     83.6%     82.4%       -1.2 
                                               ----                  ----      ----      ----      ------ 
Midscale, 
 upper-midscale 
 hotels and 
 others          3,406   3,406      301   285  -5.2%      369   351  -4.8%     81.5%     81.2%       -0.3 
  Leased and 
   owned 
   hotels          253     253      384   373  -2.9%      467   446  -4.5%     82.2%     83.5%       +1.4 
  Manachised 
   and 
   franchised 
   hotels        3,153   3,153      290   274  -5.5%      356   339  -4.9%     81.4%     80.9%       -0.5 
                                                                               ----      ----      ------ 
Total            7,163   7,163      250   236  -5.4%      303   289  -4.8%     82.5%     82.0%       -0.6 
===============  =====  ======  =======  ====  ====      ====  ====  ====      ====      ====      ====== 
 

Operating Results: Legacy-DH((3)

 
                                                                  Unopened 
                                                         Number    hotels 
                                                           of        in 
                         Number of hotels                rooms    pipeline 
 
                                               As of     As of     As of 
             Opened                           December  December  December 
             in Q4   Closed in    Net added     31,       31,       31, 
              2024    Q4 2024     in Q4 2024  2024(4)     2024      2024 
             ------  ----------  -----------  --------  --------  -------- 
Leased 
 hotels                  (1)          (1)           76    15,490        12 
Manachised 
 and 
 franchised 
 hotels           -     (15)         (15)           46    10,399        13 
Total             -     (16)         (16)          122    25,889        25 
===========  ======  ======      =======      ========  ========  ======== 
(3) Legacy-DH refers to DH. 
 (4) As of December 31, 2024, a total of 3 hotels were 
 temporarily closed due to repair work. 
 
 
                                    For the quarter ended 
                          December 31,  September 30,  December 31,     yoy 
                              2023          2024           2024       change 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
Average daily room rate 
(in EUR) 
  Leased hotels                    118            118           115      -2.1% 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels               111            116           115       3.9% 
  Blended                          115            117           115       0.2% 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
Occupancy rate (as a 
percentage) 
  Leased hotels                  64.7%          72.2%         70.0%  +5.4 p.p. 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels             62.6%          66.6%         71.2%  +8.6 p.p. 
  Blended                        63.8%          69.8%         70.5%  +6.7 p.p. 
------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  --------- 
RevPAR (in EUR) 
  Leased hotels                     76             85            81       6.1% 
  Manachised and 
   franchised hotels                69             77            82      18.1% 
  Blended                           73             82            81      10.7% 
========================  ============  =============  ============  ========= 
 
 
                                              For full year ended 
                                     December 31,  December 31,     yoy 
                                         2023          2024       change 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Average daily room rate (in EUR) 
  Leased and owned hotels                     115           117       2.0% 
  Manachised and franchised hotels            110           110       0.7% 
  Blended                                     113           114       1.5% 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
Occupancy Rate (as a percentage) 
  Leased and owned hotels                   64.7%         67.2%  +2.6 p.p. 
  Manachised and franchised hotels          61.6%         64.5%  +3.0 p.p. 
  Blended                                   63.4%         66.1%  +2.7 p.p. 
-----------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------- 
RevPAR (in EUR) 
  Leased and owned hotels                      74            79       6.1% 
  Manachised and franchised hotels             67            71       5.6% 
  Blended                                      71            76       5.9% 
===================================  ============  ============  ========= 
 

Hotel Portfolio by Brand

 
                                           As of December 31, 2024 
                                      Hotels    Rooms    Unopened hotels 
                                        in operation       in pipeline 
------------------------------------  ----------------- 
Economy hotels                         5,489    449,763            1,167 
  HanTing Hotel                        4,139    359,475              711 
  Hi Inn                                 546     28,680              294 
  Ni Hao Hotel                           415     31,335              136 
  Elan Hotel                             162      8,018                - 
  Ibis Hotel                             223     21,598               17 
  Zleep Hotels                             4        657                9 
Midscale hotels                        4,547    484,733            1,204 
  Ibis Styles Hotel                      105     10,105                8 
  Starway Hotel                          724     58,547              127 
  JI Hotel                             2,867    325,999              814 
  Orange Hotel                           851     90,082              255 
Upper midscale hotels                    935    126,158              526 
  Crystal Orange Hotel                   245     31,105              159 
  CitiGO Hotel                            34      5,107                4 
  Manxin Hotel                           166     15,585               64 
  Madison Hotel                          149     17,623              105 
  Mercure Hotel                          199     30,714               55 
  Novotel Hotel                           31      6,850               19 
  IntercityHotel(5)                       99     17,466              113 
  MAXX(6)                                 12      1,708                7 
Upscale hotels                           149     21,790              106 
  Jaz in the City                          3        587                1 
  Joya Hotel                               7      1,234                1 
  Blossom House                           75      3,622               91 
  Grand Mercure Hotel                      9      1,726                - 
  Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts(7)       55     14,621               13 
Luxury hotels                             16      2,325                5 
  Steigenberger Icon(8)                    9      1,804                3 
  Song Hotels                              7        521                2 
Others                                    11      3,449                5 
  Other hotels(9)                         11      3,449                5 
Total                                 11,147  1,088,218            3,013 
====================================  ======  =========  =============== 
 

(5) As of December 31, 2024, 42 operational hotels and 108 pipeline hotels of IntercityHotel were under Legacy-Huazhu.

(6) As of December 31, 2024, 7 operational hotels and 7 pipeline hotels of MAXX were under Legacy-Huazhu.

(7) As of December 31, 2024, 12 operational hotels and 6 pipeline hotels of Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts were under Legacy-Huazhu.

(8) As of December 31, 2024, 3 operational hotels and 2 pipeline hotels of Steigenberger Icon were under Legacy-Huazhu.

(9) Other hotels include other partner hotels and other hotel brands in Yongle Huazhu Hotel & Resort Group (excluding Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts and Blossom House).

_______________________

(1) Hotel turnover refers to total transaction value of room and non-room revenue from H World hotels (i.e., leased and operated, manachised and franchised hotels).

(2) The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") into United States dollars ("US$") is based on the exchange rate of US$1.00=RMB7.2993 on December 31, 2024, as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_ch.htm.

(3) The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") into United States dollars ("US$") is based on the exchange rate of US$1.00=RMB7.2993 on December 31, 2024, as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and available at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/hist/dat00_ch.htm.

Contact Information

Investor Relations

Tel: +86 (21) 6195 9561

Email: ir@hworld.com

https://ir.hworld.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 20, 2025 06:15 ET (10:15 GMT)

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10