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SINGAPORE - H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT) (HK: 01179), a prominent hospitality company with a market capitalization of $10.86 billion and annual revenue of $3.31 billion, has announced its entry into the Laotian market by signing four hotel management agreements, marking a significant step in its Southeast Asia expansion efforts. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a strong financial health score and is recognized as a prominent player in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry.
The agreements, signed on May 29 in Vientiane, Laos, involve partnerships with Lao Kunpeng Industrial Co., Ltd., Yuting Hotel Investment Management Co., Ltd., and KP Construction Sole Co., Ltd. These ventures will introduce H World’s core upper-midscale and midscale brands to the region, with properties located in Vientiane and the historic city of Luang Prabang. The expansion aligns with the company’s strong operational performance, with InvestingPro data showing robust profitability and positive earnings forecasts for the upcoming year.
Zhu Xiaogang, President of H World Asia Pacific, emphasized the importance of this expansion for the company’s localized management and regional network development. Zhu expressed confidence in the success of these projects, which are expected to become regional highlights for H World.
The new hotels include the Intercity Hotel Vientiane, set to open in early 2026 near Wattay International Airport; the Intercity Hotel Luang Prabang, expected to open in 2027 in the city center; the JI Hotel Vientiane Mekong Riverside, also opening in early 2026 with scenic river views; and the Orange Hotel Vientiane International Airport, slated for a Q3 2026 opening, marking the brand’s global debut outside China.
All three investment partners have expressed confidence in the collaboration, citing H World’s operational excellence and digital ecosystem as key factors. The initiative is anticipated to raise hospitality standards in Laos and enhance travel experiences for guests.
The expansion aligns with increasing international tourism in Laos, evidenced by a surge in visitors via the China-Laos Railway. In 2024, over 1.97 million international tourists arrived in Laos, with Chinese tourists comprising over 60% of that number.
H World Group’s portfolio includes a variety of hotel brands and rights to franchise and co-develop several others in the pan-China region.
This international growth initiative is based on a press release statement from H World Group. Based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock currently appears undervalued, suggesting potential upside for investors. For detailed insights and access to comprehensive financial metrics, including 8+ additional ProTips and a deep-dive Pro Research Report covering H World Group, consider exploring InvestingPro’s premium features.
In other recent news, H World Group reported its first-quarter 2025 financial results, which fell slightly short of expectations. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of RMB2.48 ($0.34), missing the analyst consensus estimate of RMB2.60, while revenue came in at RMB5.4 billion ($744 million), just below the expected RMB5.41 billion. Despite the earnings miss, revenue increased by 2.2% year-over-year, supported by the opening of 694 new hotels in China. The company remains on track to meet its full-year target of approximately 2,300 hotel openings. Benchmark analysts maintained their Buy rating and $48 price target, noting H World Group’s asset-light business model as a strength. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, signaling confidence in its core business and strategic initiatives. H World Group is focusing on developing emerging leisure travel segments and B2B corporate demand as key growth areas. Looking forward, the company anticipates Q2 revenue growth of 1-5% year-over-year, or 3-7% excluding its DH segment.
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