Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $678.90 Million Stock Position in Hyatt Hotels Corporation $H

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) by 0.1% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,721,425 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,039 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Hyatt Hotels were worth $678,902,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in Hyatt Hotels by 246.3% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 19,654 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,826,000 after purchasing an additional 13,979 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 2.2% during the first quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 8,485 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,220,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 3.5% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 33,423 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,879,000 after purchasing an additional 1,136 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. grew its position in Hyatt Hotels by 9.3% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 69,131 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,092,000 after purchasing an additional 5,902 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Praxis Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Hyatt Hotels in the 1st quarter valued at $206,000. 73.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $185.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $195.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Hyatt Hotels from $183.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 1st. HSBC raised Hyatt Hotels from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $212.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, June 4th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $194.36.

Insider Activity at Hyatt Hotels

In related news, Director Susan D. Kronick sold 1,119 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.51, for a total transaction of $195,276.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 31,225 shares in the company, valued at $5,449,074.75. This represents a 3.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Peter Sears sold 10,217 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.66, for a total transaction of $1,896,888.22. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 6,374 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,183,396.84. The trade was a 61.58% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 236,658 shares of company stock worth $39,977,159 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 23.60% of the company’s stock.

Hyatt Hotels Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE H opened at $184.97 on Tuesday. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has a 12 month low of $133.51 and a 12 month high of $206.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $185.48 and a 200-day moving average of $168.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $17.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -528.48 and a beta of 1.32.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.06. Hyatt Hotels had a positive return on equity of 6.01% and a negative net margin of 0.48%.The business had revenue of $1.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.46 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Hyatt Hotels Corporation will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

About Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts and vacation properties. Its portfolio spans a range of price points and styles under brands such as Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Thompson Hotels, Alila and Destination by Hyatt. In addition to accommodations, the company provides meeting and event spaces, food and beverage outlets, spa and wellness centers, and a variety of guest services designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers.

Hyatt’s business model combines property ownership, management contracts and third-party franchising.