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Today, Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), a leader in the global hospitality industry, announced the issuance of $1.5 billion in new debt securities. The company entered into a Terms Agreement on August 8, 2024, with a syndicate of underwriters led by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and others, to issue $500 million of its 4.800% Series PP Notes due 2030 and $1 billion of its 5.350% Series QQ Notes due 2035.
The offering was completed today, with net proceeds totaling approximately $1.48 billion after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. Marriott has specified that these funds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, stock repurchases, or repayment of existing debt.
Interest on both the Series PP and QQ Notes will be paid semi-annually beginning March 15, 2025. The Series PP Notes are set to mature on March 15, 2030, while the Series QQ Notes have a maturity date of March 15, 2035. Marriott reserves the right to redeem these notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the terms set forth in the applicable note agreements.
The debt issuance is governed by an indenture agreement dating back to November 16, 1998, with The Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK) serving as trustee. This move comes as part of Marriott's broader financial strategy and follows the filing of a Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month.
In other recent news, Marriott International, Inc. reported a robust performance in the second quarter of 2024, marked by significant growth in net rooms and global revenue per available room (RevPAR). The company's net rooms increased by 6% year-over-year, while global RevPAR saw a near 5% rise. Despite a dip in Greater China's RevPAR due to macroeconomic factors, Marriott recorded substantial international growth, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, excluding China.
These developments led to an adjustment in the full-year RevPAR growth outlook to 3-4%. The company also plans to return approximately $4.3 billion to shareholders. The company's loyalty program now boasts over 210 million members. Around 15,500 net rooms were added in Q2, with a pipeline of over 559,000 rooms. Gross fee revenues and adjusted EBITDA rose by 7% and 9%, respectively.
Marriott expects Q3 global RevPAR growth of 3-4% and full-year adjusted EBITDA to increase by 6-8%. The full-year net rooms growth projection is 5.5-6%. Plans are in place to continue investing in growth while maintaining an investment grade rating. Despite softer ancillary spend than anticipated, the company's strategic adjustments and focus on growth position it well for ongoing industry leadership.
InvestingPro Insights
As Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) fortifies its financial position through the recent debt issuance, investors are evaluating the company's performance and prospects. The current market capitalization of Marriott stands at $60.41 billion, reflecting the scale of its operations within the hospitality sector. Notably, Marriott has been profitable over the last twelve months, with a gross profit of $5.29 billion and an impressive gross profit margin of 81.77%. This profitability is a testament to the company's operational efficiency and strong market presence.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that management's aggressive share buyback strategy could signal confidence in the company's valuation and future. Additionally, Marriott's stock has delivered a high return over the last decade, indicating a robust long-term performance. However, analysts have tempered their optimism, with 14 analysts revising their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, which may suggest caution regarding near-term growth expectations.
In terms of valuation, Marriott is trading at a P/E ratio of 21.4, which, when compared to its near-term earnings growth, results in a relatively high PEG ratio of 1.58. This could imply that the stock is priced optimistically relative to its earnings growth potential. For investors seeking further insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that delve into the nuances of Marriott's financial health and market performance.
As the company continues to navigate the complexities of the global hospitality industry, these metrics and insights from InvestingPro provide valuable context for understanding Marriott's current position and future potential. For a more comprehensive analysis, investors can explore the full range of InvestingPro Tips at https://www.investing.com/pro/MAR.
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