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Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-36243
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
27-4384691
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
7930 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, VA
 
22102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 883-1000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Title of Class)
 
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x                          Accelerated filer ¨
Non -accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2016, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $11,751 million (based upon the closing sale price of the common stock on that date on the New York Stock Exchange).
The number of shares of common stock outstanding on February 8, 2017 was 329,731,387.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III incorporate information by reference from the registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year.



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

 
 
Page No.
PART I
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Terms Used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Properties
Item 3
Legal Proceedings
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
 
 
     Equity Securities
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.
Other Information
 
 
 
PART III
 
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
 
 
     Matters
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
 
Signatures


1


PART I
Forward -Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, the spin-off transactions and other non-historical statements. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, among others, risks inherent to the hospitality industry, macroeconomic factors beyond our control, competition for hotel guests, management and franchise agreements, risks related to doing business with third-party hotel owners, performance of our information technology systems, growth of reservation channels outside of our system, risks of doing business outside of the United States of America ("U.S."), risks related to our spin-offs and our indebtedness. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to those described under "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors." These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Terms Used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K

Except where the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Hilton," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries. Except where the context requires otherwise, references to our "properties," "hotels" and "rooms" refer to the hotels, resorts and timeshare properties managed, franchised, owned or leased by us. Of these hotels, resorts and rooms, a portion are directly owned or leased by us or joint ventures in which we have an interest, and the remaining hotels, resorts and rooms are owned by third-party owners.

Investment funds associated with or designated by The Blackstone Group L.P. and their affiliates, our former majority owners, are referred to herein as "Blackstone."


Reference to "Average Daily Rate" or "ADR" means hotel room revenue divided by total number of room nights sold in a given period and "Revenue per Available Room" or "RevPAR" represents hotel room revenue divided by room nights available to guests for a given period.

Reference to "Adjusted EBITDA" means earnings before interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization, or "EBITDA," further adjusted to exclude certain items. Refer to "Part II—Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business and Financial Metrics Used by Management" for further discussion of these financial metrics.

Item 1.    Business

Overview

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with 4,922 hotels, resorts and timeshare properties comprising 804,097 rooms in 104 countries and territories as of December 31, 2016. In the nearly 100 years since our founding, we have defined the hospitality industry and established a portfolio of distinct, market-leading brands. Our premier brand portfolio includes: our luxury and lifestyle hotel brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Canopy by Hilton; our full service hotel brands, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton; our focused service hotel brands, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton; our timeshare brand, Hilton Grand Vacations; and our new full service brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, launched in January 2017. As of December 31, 2016, more than 169,000 employees served in our managed, owned, leased and timeshare properties and corporate offices around the world, and we had approximately 60 million members in our award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we operated our business through three segments: (i) ownership; (ii) management and franchise; and (iii) timeshare. Our ownership segment consisted of 141 hotels with 57,716 rooms as of

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December 31, 2016 in which we had an ownership interest or lease. Through our management and franchise segment, which consisted of 4,734 hotels with 738,724 rooms as of December 31, 2016, we managed hotels, resorts and timeshare properties owned by third parties and we license our brands to franchisees. Through our timeshare segment, which consisted of 47 properties comprising 7,657 units as of December 31, 2016, we marketed and sold timeshare intervals; operated timeshare resorts and a timeshare membership club; and provided consumer financing.

In addition to our current hotel portfolio, we are focused on the growth of our business through expanding our share of the global lodging industry through our development pipeline, which as of December 31, 2016 included approximately 310,000 rooms scheduled to be opened in the future, over 99 percent of which are within our management and franchise segment. As of December 31, 2016, over 157,000 rooms, representing half of our development pipeline, were under construction. The expansion of our business is supported by strong lodging industry fundamentals, including limited supply growth, in the current economic environment and long-term growth prospects based on increasing global travel and tourism.

Overall, we believe that our experience in the hotel industry and strong, well-defined brands that operate throughout the lodging industry chain scales and commercial service offerings will continue to drive customer loyalty, including participation in our Hilton Honors loyalty program. Satisfied customers will continue to provide strong overall hotel performance for our hotel owners and us, and encourage further development of additional hotels under our brands and with existing and new hotel owners, which further supports our growth and future financial performance. We believe that our existing portfolio and development pipeline, which will require minimal capital investment from us, put us in a strong position to further improve our business and serve our customers in the future.

On January 3, 2017, we completed the previously announced spin-offs of a portfolio of hotels and resorts, as well as our timeshare business, into two additional and independent, publicly traded companies: Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("Park") and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. ("HGV"), respectively, (the "spin-offs"). The spin-offs were completed via a distribution to each of Hilton's stockholders of record, as of the close of business on December 15, 2016, of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Park and HGV. Each Hilton stockholder received one share of Park common stock for every five shares of Hilton common stock and one share of HGV common stock for every 10 shares of Hilton common stock. Both Park and HGV have their common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbols "PK" and "HGV," respectively. See Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 29: "Subsequent Events" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. Unless otherwise stated herein, this Annual Report on Form 10-K presents our business and results of operations as of and for the historical periods presented, without giving effect to the spin-offs and based on the three segments we operated our business through prior to closing the spin-offs. Refer to pro forma financial information included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on January 4, 2017 for the historical results of operations and performance of Hilton giving effect to the spin-offs, and refer to the Registration Statements on Form 10 of Park and HGV and their subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC for their respective historical financial results. Additionally, refer to our press release on our fourth quarter and full year 2016 results for pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2016, included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2017. Neither the Registration Statements on Form 10 of Park and HGV, their subsequent periodic and other reports filed with the SEC, nor the pro forma financial information included in our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2017 and February 15, 2017 are incorporated by reference herein.

On January 3, 2017, we completed a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of Hilton's outstanding common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split"). The authorized number of shares of common stock was reduced from 30,000,000,000 to 10,000,000,000, and the authorized number of shares of preferred stock remains 3,000,000,000. All share and share-related information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split.


3


Our Brand Portfolio

The goal of each of our brands is to deliver exceptional customer experiences and superior operating performance.
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Brand(1)
 
Chain Scale
 
Countries/ Territories
 
Properties
 
Rooms
 
Percentage of Total Rooms
 
Selected Competitors(2)
wahrverticala06.jpg
 
Luxury
 
12
 
26
 
10,203
 
1.3%
 
Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Ritz Carlton, St. Regis
conradfreecolora06.jpg
 
Luxury
 
22
 
29
 
9,554
 
1.2%
 
Fairmont, Intercontinental, JW Marriott, Park Hyatt, Sofitel
canopylogolg.jpg
 
Lifestyle
 
1
 
1
 
112
 
—%
 
Hyatt Centric, Joie De Vivre, Kimpton, Le Meridien
hhrcolorrgba04.jpg
 
Upper Upscale
 
85
 
570
 
208,762
 
26.0%
 
Hyatt Regency, Marriott, Radisson Blu, Renaissance, Sheraton, Sofitel, Westin
curioblka05.jpg
 
Upper Upscale
 
7
 
31
 
7,242
 
0.9%
 
Autograph Collection, Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio
doubletreepms4695a05.jpg
 
Upscale
 
41
 
494
 
117,699
 
14.6%
 
Crowne Plaza, Delta, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Radisson, Renaissance, Sheraton
tapestrycollectionbyhilton01.jpg
 
Upscale
 
 
 
 
N/A
 
Ascend Collection, Best Western Premier, Tribute Portfolio
embassysuites3a04.jpg
 
Upper Upscale
 
6
 
232
 
54,589
 
6.8%
 
Hyatt, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Sheraton
hgicolora06.jpg
 
Upscale
 
33
 
717
 
102,786
 
12.8%
 
Aloft, Courtyard, Four Points, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, Novotel
hamptonbyhiltoncolora04.jpg
 
Upper Midscale
 
19
 
2,221
 
223,114
 
27.7%
 
AmericInn, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Wingate
trucmykhfinala01.jpg
 
Midscale
 
 
 
 
N/A
 
Best Western, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, La Quinta, Ramada
homewoodcolorrgba06.jpg
 
Upscale
 
3
 
418
 
47,104
 
5.9%
 
Element, Hyatt House, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Staybridge Suites
h2slogopmsnofilla06.jpg
 
Upper Midscale
 
2
 
129
 
13,349
 
1.7%
 
Candlewood Suites, Hawthorn Suites, TownePlace Suites
hgvcolorrgb300dpia04.jpg
 
Timeshare
 
3
 
47
 
7,657
 
1.0%
 
Hyatt Residence, Marriott Vacation Club, Vistana Signature Experiences, Wyndham Vacations Resorts
____________
(1)  
The table above excludes seven unbranded properties with 1,926 rooms, representing approximately 0.1 percent of total rooms. HGV has exclusive right to use our Hilton Grand Vacations brand, subject to the terms of a license agreement with us.
(2)  
The table excludes lesser known regional competitors.

4



Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts: What began as an iconic hotel in New York City is today a portfolio of 26 luxury hotels and resorts. In landmark destinations around the world, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts reflect their locations, each providing the inspirational environments and personalized attention that are the source of unforgettable moments. Properties typically include elegant spa and wellness facilities, high-end restaurants, golf courses (at resort properties), 24-hour room service, fitness and business centers, meeting, wedding and banquet facilities and special event and concierge services.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts: Conrad is a global luxury brand of 29 properties offering guests personalized experiences with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings and an intuitive service model based on customization and control, as demonstrated by the Conrad Concierge mobile application that enables guest control of on-property amenities and services. Properties typically include convenient and relaxing spa and wellness facilities, enticing restaurants, comprehensive room service, fitness and business centers, multi-purpose meeting facilities and special event and concierge services.

Canopy by Hilton: Canopy by Hilton represents an energizing, new hotel in the neighborhood offering simple, guest-directed service, thoughtful local choices and comfortable spaces. Each property is designed as a natural extension of its neighborhood, with local design, food and drink and culture. In July 2016, the first Canopy opened in Reykjavik, Iceland. As of January 31, 2017, Canopy had 35 properties in the pipeline or in various states of approval.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts: Hilton is our global flagship brand and ranks number one for global brand awareness in the hospitality industry, with 570 hotels and resorts in 85 countries and territories across six continents. The brand primarily serves business and leisure upper upscale travelers and meeting groups. Hilton hotels are full service hotels that typically include meeting, wedding and banquet facilities and special event services, restaurants and lounges, food and beverage services, swimming pools, gift shops, retail facilities and other services.

Curio – A Collection by Hilton: Curio – A Collection by Hilton is created for travelers who seek local discovery and one-of-a-kind experiences. Curio is made up of a collection of hand-picked hotels that retain their unique identity but are able to leverage the many benefits of the Hilton global platform, including our common reservation and customer care service and Hilton Honors guest loyalty program. As of January 31, 2017, Curio had 110 properties in the pipeline or in various states of approval.

DoubleTree by Hilton: DoubleTree by Hilton is an upscale, full service hotel designed to provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travelers. DoubleTree's 494 open hotels and resorts are united by the brand’s CARE ("Creating a Rewarding Experience") culture and its iconic warm chocolate chip cookie served at check-in. DoubleTree’s diverse portfolio includes historic icons, small contemporary hotels, resorts and large urban hotels.

Tapestry Collection by Hilton: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, our newest brand, is a curated portfolio of original hotels in the upscale hotel segment that have recognizable features distinct to each hotel. Tapestry guests are looking for new experiences and choose to stay where they can expect to never see the same thing twice. Travelers can book an independent and reliable stay with confidence knowing these hotels are backed by the Hilton name and the award winning Hilton Honors program. As of January 31, 2017, Tapestry Collection by Hilton had commitments for seven properties. The first property is expected to open by the third quarter of 2017.

Embassy Suites by Hilton: Embassy Suites by Hilton comprises 232 upper upscale, all-suite hotels that feature two-room guest suites with a separate living room and dining/work area, a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and complimentary evening receptions every night. Embassy Suites’ bundled pricing ensures that guests receive all of the amenities our properties have to offer at a single price.

Hilton Garden Inn: Hilton Garden Inn is our award-winning, upscale brand with 717 hotels that strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have what they need to be productive on the road. From the Serta Perfect Sleeper bed, to complimentary internet access, to a comfortable lobby pavilion, Hilton Garden Inn is the brand guests can count on to support them on their journeys.

Hampton by Hilton: Hampton by Hilton is our moderately priced, upper midscale hotel with limited food and beverage facilities. The Hampton by Hilton brand also includes Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, which offer both traditional hotel rooms and suite accommodations within one property. Across our over 2,200 Hampton locations around the world, guests receive free hot breakfast and free high-speed internet access, all for a great price and all supported by the 100% Hampton Guarantee.

Tru by Hilton: Tru by Hilton is a new brand designed to be a game changer in the midscale segment. Tru was built from a belief that being cost conscious and having a great stay do not have to be mutually exclusive. By focusing on the brand's three key tenets of simplified, spirited and grounded in value, every detail of the property is crafted for operational efficiency and to

5


drive increased guest satisfaction - from the activated, open lobby to the efficiently designed bedrooms. As of January 31, 2017, Tru had 383 properties in the pipeline or in various states of approval. The first property is expected to open in the second quarter of 2017.

Homewood Suites by Hilton: Homewood Suites by Hilton is our upscale, extended-stay hotel that features residential style accommodations including business centers, swimming pools, convenience stores and limited meeting facilities. These 418 hotels provide the touches, familiarity and comforts of home so that extended-stay travelers can feel at home on the road.

Home2 Suites by Hilton: Home2 Suites by Hilton is our upper midscale hotel that provides a modern and savvy option to budget conscious extended-stay travelers. Offering innovative suites with contemporary design and cutting-edge technology, we strive to ensure that our guests are comfortable and productive, whether they are staying a few days or a few months. Each of the brand's 129 hotels, 57 of which were opened in 2016, offers complimentary continental breakfast, integrated laundry and exercise facility, recycling and sustainability initiatives and a pet-friendly policy. During 2016, 121 properties were added to our pipeline, and as of January 31, 2017, 476 properties were in the pipeline or in various states of approval.

Hilton Grand Vacations: Hilton Grand Vacations is our timeshare brand. Ownership of a deeded real estate interest with club membership points provides members with a lifetime of vacation advantages and the comfort and convenience of residential-style resort accommodations in select, renowned vacation destinations. Each of the 47 Hilton Grand Vacations properties provides a distinctive setting, while signature elements remain consistent, such as high-quality guest service, spacious units and extensive on-property amenities.

Our Customer Loyalty Program

Hilton Honors is our award-winning guest loyalty program that supports our portfolio of brands and our entire system of hotels and timeshare properties. The program generates significant repeat business by rewarding guests with points for each stay at any of our more than 4,900 hotels worldwide, which are then redeemable for free hotel nights and other goods and services. Members can also use points earned to transact with nearly 130 partners, including airlines, rail and car rental companies, credit card providers and others. The program provides targeted marketing, promotions and customized guest experiences to approximately 60 million members. Our Hilton Honors members represented approximately 56 percent of our system-wide occupancy and contributed hotel-level revenues to us and our hotel owners of over $17 billion during the year ended December 31, 2016. Affiliation with our loyalty programs encourages members to allocate more of their travel spending to our hotels. The percentage of travel spending we capture from loyalty members increases as they move up the tiers of our program. The program is funded by contributions from eligible revenues generated by Hilton Honors members and collected by us from hotels in our system. These funds are applied to reimburse hotels and partners for Hilton Honors points redemptions and to pay for program administrative expenses and marketing initiatives that support the program.

Our Business

During the year ended December, 31 2016, we operated our business across three segments: (i) ownership; (ii) management and franchise; and (iii) timeshare. For more information regarding our segments, see "Part II—Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note 23: "Business Segments" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


6


As of December 31, 2016, our system included the following properties and rooms, by type, brand and region:
 
Owned / Leased(1)
 
Managed
 
Franchised
 
Total
 
Properties
 
Rooms
 
Properties
 
Rooms
 
Properties
 
Rooms
 
Properties
 
Rooms
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
4

 
1,174

 
9

 
5,403

 

 

 
13

 
6,577

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
1

 
142

 
1

 
984

 
2

 
1,126

Europe
2

 
463

 
4

 
898

 

 

 
6

 
1,361

Middle East and Africa

 

 
3

 
703

 

 

 
3

 
703

Asia Pacific

 

 
2

 
436

 

 

 
2

 
436

Conrad Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.

 

 
4

 
1,316

 

 

 
4

 
1,316

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 

 

 
1

 
294

 
1

 
294

Europe
1

 
192

 
2

 
707

 
1

 
256

 
4

 
1,155

Middle East and Africa
1

 
614

 
3

 
1,079

 

 

 
4

 
1,693

Asia Pacific

 

 
14

 
4,320

 
2

 
776

 
16

 
5,096

Canopy by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe

 

 

 

 
1

 
112

 
1

 
112

Hilton Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
25

 
23,089

 
37

 
23,895

 
179

 
54,032

 
241

 
101,016

Americas (excluding U.S.)
3

 
1,668

 
22

 
7,432

 
18

 
5,810

 
43

 
14,910

Europe
68

 
17,695

 
44

 
14,912

 
31

 
8,510

 
143

 
41,117

Middle East and Africa
6

 
2,279

 
45

 
13,968

 
1

 
411

 
52

 
16,658

Asia Pacific
7

 
3,403

 
77

 
28,832

 
7

 
2,826

 
91

 
35,061

Curio - A Collection by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
1

 
224

 
1

 
1,000

 
22

 
4,921

 
24

 
6,145

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 

 

 
4

 
585

 
4

 
585

Europe

 

 

 

 
2

 
311

 
2

 
311

Middle East and Africa

 

 
1

 
201

 

 

 
1

 
201

DoubleTree by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
10

 
4,093

 
27

 
8,140

 
289

 
68,840

 
326

 
81,073

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
5

 
1,035

 
17

 
3,365

 
22

 
4,400

Europe

 

 
12

 
3,348

 
74

 
12,512

 
86

 
15,860

Middle East and Africa

 

 
9

 
2,114

 
4

 
488

 
13

 
2,602

Asia Pacific

 

 
45

 
12,799

 
2

 
965

 
47

 
13,764

Embassy Suites by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
10

 
2,402

 
33

 
8,935

 
181

 
41,296

 
224

 
52,633

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
3

 
634

 
5

 
1,322

 
8

 
1,956

Hilton Garden Inn
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
2

 
290

 
4

 
430

 
598

 
82,497

 
604

 
83,217

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
8

 
1,071

 
31

 
4,954

 
39

 
6,025

Europe

 

 
20

 
3,578

 
32

 
5,270

 
52

 
8,848

Middle East and Africa

 

 
6

 
1,334

 

 

 
6

 
1,334

Asia Pacific

 

 
16

 
3,362

 

 

 
16

 
3,362

Hampton by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
1

 
130

 
49

 
5,992

 
2,017

 
196,579

 
2,067

 
202,701

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
11

 
1,420

 
86

 
10,210

 
97

 
11,630

Europe

 

 
13

 
2,090

 
35

 
5,108

 
48

 
7,198

Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 
9

 
1,585

 
9

 
1,585

Homewood Suites by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.

 

 
25

 
2,687

 
375

 
42,377

 
400

 
45,064

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 
2

 
219

 
16

 
1,821

 
18

 
2,040

Home2 Suites by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.

 

 

 

 
126

 
13,032

 
126

 
13,032

Americas (excluding U.S.)

 

 

 

 
3

 
317

 
3

 
317

Other

 

 
2

 
888

 
5

 
1,038

 
7

 
1,926

Lodging
141

 
57,716

 
559

 
165,320

 
4,175

 
573,404

 
4,875

 
796,440

Hilton Grand Vacations

 

 
47

 
7,657

 

 

 
47

 
7,657

Total
141

 
57,716

 
606

 
172,977

 
4,175

 
573,404

 
4,922

 
804,097

____________
(1)  
Includes properties owned or leased by entities in which we own a noncontrolling interest. Also includes 67 owned and leased hotels that were owned by Park effective January 3, 2017 as a result of the completion of the spin-offs.


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Ownership

As of December 31, 2016, we were one of the largest hotel owners in the world based upon the number of rooms at our owned, leased and joint venture hotels. Our diverse global portfolio of owned and leased properties included a number of leading hotels in major gateway cities such as New York City, London, San Francisco, Chicago, São Paolo and Tokyo. The portfolio included iconic hotels with significant underlying real estate value, including the Hilton New York, Hilton Hawaiian Village and the London Hilton on Park Lane. Real estate investment was a critical component of the growth of our business in our early years. Our real estate holdings grew over time through new construction, purchases or leases of hotels, investments in joint ventures and the acquisition of other hotel companies. In recent years, we expanded our hotel system less through real estate investment and more by increasing the number of management and franchise agreements we have with third-party hotel owners. As noted in the "Overview" section, on January 3, 2017, we completed the spin-off of a portfolio of 67 of our owned and leased hotels and resorts to Park in continuation of this strategy. These hotels will continue to be a part of the Hilton system as managed and franchised properties pursuant to management and franchise agreements entered into in connection with the spin-offs.

As a hotel owner, we focused on maximizing the cost efficiency and profitability of the portfolio by, among other things, implementing new labor management practices and systems and reducing fixed costs. Through our disciplined approach to asset management, we developed and executed on strategic plans for each of our hotels to enhance the market position of each property and, at many of our hotels, we renovated guest rooms and public spaces and added or enhanced meeting and retail space to improve profitability. At certain of our hotels, we activated options for the adaptive reuse of all or a portion of the property to residential, retail or timeshare in order to deploy our real estate to its highest and best use.

Management and Franchise

Through our management and franchise segment, we manage hotels and timeshare properties and license our brands to franchisees. This segment generates its revenue primarily from fees charged to hotel owners and to homeowners’ associations at timeshare properties. We grow our management and franchise business by attracting owners to become a part of our system and participate in our brands and commercial services to support their hotel properties. These contracts require little or no capital investment to initiate on our part, and provide significant return on investment for us as fees are earned.

Hotel and Timeshare Management

Our core management services consist of operating hotels under management agreements for the benefit of third parties, who either own or lease the hotels and the associated personal property. Terms of our management agreements vary, but our fees generally consist of a base management fee based on a percentage of the hotel’s gross revenue, and we also may earn an incentive fee based on gross operating profits, cash flow or a combination thereof. In general, the owner pays all operating and other expenses and reimburses our out-of-pocket expenses. In turn, our managerial discretion typically is subject to approval by the owner in certain major areas, including the approval of annual operating and capital expenditure budgets. Additionally, the owners generally pay a monthly fee based on a percentage of the total gross room revenue that covers the costs of advertising and marketing programs; internet, technology and reservation systems expenses; and quality assurance program costs. Owners are also responsible for various other fees and charges, including payments for participation in our Hilton Honors reward program, training, consultation and procurement of certain goods and services. As of December 31, 2016, we managed 559 hotels with 165,320 rooms, excluding our owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties.

The initial terms of our management agreements for full service hotels typically are 20 to 30 years. In certain cases, where we have entered into a franchise agreement, as well as a management agreement, we classify these hotels as managed hotels in our portfolio. Extension options for our management agreements are negotiated and vary, but typically are more prevalent in full service hotels. Typically, these agreements contain one or two extension options that are either for 5 or 10 years and can be exercised at our or the other party’s option or by mutual agreement. In the case of our management agreements with Park, assuming we exercise all renewal periods, the total term of the management agreements will range from 30 to 70 years.

Some of our management agreements provide early termination rights to hotel owners upon certain events, including the failure to meet certain financial or performance criteria. Performance test measures typically are based upon the hotel’s performance individually and/or in comparison to specified competitive hotels. We often have a cure right by paying an amount equal to the performance shortfall over a specified period, although in some cases our cure rights are limited.

In addition to the third-party owned hotels we manage, as of December 31, 2016, we provided management services for 47 timeshare properties owned by homeowners' associations and 141 owned, leased and joint venture hotels from which we recognized management fee revenues. Revenues from our owned and leased hotels are eliminated in our audited consolidated

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financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Following the spin-off of HGV, we no longer provide management services to the timeshare properties.

Franchising

We franchise our brand names, trade and service marks and operating systems to hotel owners under franchise agreements. We do not directly participate in the day-to-day management or operation of franchised hotels and do not employ the individuals working at these locations. We conduct periodic inspections to ensure that brand standards are maintained. We approve the location for new construction of franchised hotels, as well as certain aspects of development. In some cases, we provide franchisees with product improvement plans that must be completed in accordance with brand standards to remain in our hotel system. As of December 31, 2016, we franchised 4,175 hotels with 573,404 rooms.

Each franchisee pays us a franchise application fee. Franchisees also pay a royalty fee, generally based on a percentage of the hotel’s total gross room revenue (and a percentage of food and beverage revenue in some brands), as well as a monthly program fee based on a percentage of the total gross room revenue that covers the costs of advertising and marketing programs; internet, technology and reservation systems expenses; and quality assurance program costs. Franchisees also are responsible for various other fees and charges, including payments for participation in our Hilton Honors reward program, training, consultation and procurement of certain goods and services.

Our franchise agreements for new construction and our franchise agreements with Park typically have initial terms of approximately 20 years and properties that are converted from other brands have initial terms of approximately 10 to 20 years. At the expiration of the initial term, we may have a contractual right or obligation to relicense the hotel to the franchisee, at our or the hotel owner’s option or by mutual agreement, for an additional term ranging from 10 to 15 years. Our franchise agreements with Park cannot be extended without our consent. We have the right to terminate a franchise agreement upon specified events of default, including nonpayment of fees or noncompliance with brand standards. If a franchise agreement is terminated by us because of a franchisee’s default, the franchisee is contractually required to pay us liquidated damages.

Timeshare

HGV, our previously owned timeshare segment, generates revenue from three primary sources:

Timeshare Sales—HGV markets and sells timeshare interests previously owned by Hilton and third parties. HGV also sources timeshare intervals through sales and marketing agreements with third-party developers. This allows HGV to sell timeshare intervals on behalf of third-party developers using the Hilton Grand Vacations brand in exchange for sales, marketing and branding fees on interval sales, and to earn fees from resort operations and the servicing of consumer loans while deploying little up-front capital related to the construction of the property.

Resort Operations—HGV manages the HGV Club, receiving enrollment fees, annual dues and transaction fees from member exchanges for other vacation products. HGV generates rental revenue from unit rentals of unsold inventory and inventory made available due to ownership exchanges under the HGV Club program. HGV also earns revenue from retail and spa outlets at our timeshare properties.

Financing—HGV provides consumer financing, which includes interest income generated from the origination of consumer loans to customers to finance their purchase of timeshare intervals and revenue from servicing the loans.

HGV's primary product is the marketing and selling of fee simple timeshare interests deeded in perpetuity, developed either by us or by third parties. This ownership interest is an interest in real estate equivalent to annual usage rights, generally for one week, at the timeshare resort where the timeshare interval was purchased. Each purchaser is automatically enrolled in the HGV Club, giving the purchaser an annual allotment of club points that allow the purchaser to exchange his or her annual usage rights for a number of options, including: a priority reservation period to stay at his or her home resort where his or her timeshare interval is deeded, stays at any resort in the HGV system, reservations for experiential travel such as cruises, conversion to Hilton Honors points for stays at our hotels and other options, including stays at more than 4,300 resorts included in the RCI timeshare vacation exchange network. In addition, HGV operates the Hilton Club, which operates for owners of timeshare intervals at the Hilton New York, but whose members also enjoy exchange benefits with the HGV Club. As of December 31, 2016, HGV managed a global system of 47 resorts and the HGV Club and the Hilton Club had nearly 270,000 members in total. As noted in the "Overview" section, on January 3, 2017, we completed the spin-off of our timeshare business, and these timeshare properties will remain in Hilton's system as franchised properties pursuant to a license agreement with HGV.


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Competition

We encounter active and robust competition as a hotel, residential, resort and timeshare manager, franchisor, owner and developer. Competition in the hotel and lodging industry generally is based on the attractiveness of the facility, location, level of service, quality of accommodations, amenities, food and beverage options and outlets, public and meeting spaces and other guest services, consistency of service, room rate, brand reputation and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points through a global system. Our properties and brands compete with other hotels, resorts, motels and inns in their respective geographic markets or customer segments, including facilities owned by local interests, individuals, national and international chains, institutions, investment and pension funds and real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). We believe that our position as a multi-branded manager, franchisor, owner and operator of hotels with an associated system-wide customer loyalty platform makes us one of the largest and most geographically diverse lodging companies in the world.

Our principal competitors include other branded and independent hotel operating companies, national and international hotel brands and ownership companies, including hotel REITs. While local and independent brand competitors vary, on a global scale our primary competitors are firms such as Accor S.A., Carlson Rezidor Group, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Marriott International, Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation.

Seasonality

The hospitality industry is seasonal in nature. The periods during which our lodging properties experience higher revenues vary from property to property, depending principally upon location and the customer-base served. We generally expect our revenues to be lower in the first quarter of each year than in each of the three subsequent quarters.

Cyclicality

The hospitality industry is cyclical and demand generally follows, on a lagged basis, key macroeconomic indicators. There is a history of increases and decreases in demand for hotel rooms, in occupancy levels and in room rates realized by owners of hotels through economic cycles. The combination of changes in economic conditions and in the supply of hotel rooms can result in significant volatility in results for owners and managers of hotel properties. The costs of running a hotel tend to be more fixed than variable. As a result, in a negative economic environment the rate of decline in earnings can be higher than the rate of decline in revenues. The vacation ownership business also is cyclical as the demand for vacation ownership units is affected by the availability and cost of financing for purchases of vacation ownership units, as well as general economic conditions and the relative health of the housing market.

Intellectual Property

In the highly competitive hospitality industry in which we operate, trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos and patents are very important to the success of our business. We have a significant number of trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, patents and pending registrations and expend significant resources each year on surveillance, registration and protection of our trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos and patents, which we believe have become synonymous in the hospitality industry with a reputation for excellence in service and authentic hospitality.

Government Regulation

Our business is subject to various foreign and U.S. federal and state laws and regulations, including: laws and regulations that govern the offer and sale of franchises, many of which impose substantive requirements on franchise agreements and require that certain materials be registered before franchises can be offered or sold in a particular state; and extensive state and federal laws and regulations relating to our timeshare business, primarily relating to the sale and marketing of timeshare intervals.

In addition, a number of states regulate the activities of hospitality properties and restaurants, including safety and health standards, as well as the sale of liquor at such properties, by requiring licensing, registration, disclosure statements and compliance with specific standards of conduct. Operators of hospitality properties also are subject to laws governing their relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions and work permit requirements. Our franchisees are responsible for their own compliance with laws, including with respect to their employee, minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these laws could reduce the revenue and profitability of our properties and could otherwise adversely affect our operations.


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We also manage and own hotels with casino gaming operations as part of or adjacent to the hotels. However, with the exception of casinos at certain of our properties in Puerto Rico and one property in Egypt, third parties manage and operate the casinos. We hold and maintain the casino gaming license and manage the casinos located in Puerto Rico and Egypt and employ third-party compliance consultants and service providers. As a result, our business operations at these facilities are subject to the licensing and regulatory control of the local regulatory agency responsible for gaming licenses and operations in those jurisdictions.

Finally, as an international owner, operator and franchisor of hospitality properties in 104 countries and territories, we also are subject to the local laws and regulations in each country in which we operate, including employment laws and practices, privacy laws and tax laws, which may provide for tax rates that exceed those of the U.S. and which may provide that our foreign earnings are subject to withholding requirements or other restrictions, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or monetary policy and other potentially adverse tax consequences.

In addition, our business operations in countries outside the U.S. are subject to a number of laws and regulations, including restrictions imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), as well as trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"). The FCPA is intended to prohibit bribery of foreign officials and requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect our transactions. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals. In addition, some of our operations may be subject to additional laws and regulations of non-U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.K.’s Bribery Act 2010, which contains significant prohibitions on bribery and other corrupt business activities, and other local anti-corruption laws in the countries and territories in which we conduct operations.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to certain requirements and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S. federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and incur costs in complying with such requirements. These laws and regulations govern actions including air emissions, the use, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances, and wastewater disposal. In addition to investigation and remediation liabilities that could arise under such laws, we may also face personal injury, property damage, fines or other claims by third parties concerning environmental compliance or contamination. In addition to our hotel accommodations, we operate a number of laundry facilities located in certain areas where we have multiple properties. We use and store hazardous and toxic substances, such as cleaning materials, pool chemicals, heating oil and fuel for back-up generators at some of our facilities, and we generate certain wastes in connection with our operations. Some of our properties include older buildings, and some may have, or may historically have had, dry-cleaning facilities and underground storage tanks for heating oil and back-up generators. We have from time to time been responsible for investigating and remediating contamination at some of our facilities, such as contamination that has been discovered when we have removed underground storage tanks, and we could be held responsible for any contamination resulting from the disposal of wastes that we generate, including at locations where such wastes have been sent for disposal. In some cases, we may be entitled to indemnification from the party that caused the contamination pursuant to our management or franchise agreements, but there can be no assurance that we would be able to recover all or any costs we incur in addressing such problems. From time to time, we may also be required to manage, abate, remove or contain mold, lead, asbestos-containing materials, radon gas or other hazardous conditions found in or on our properties. We have implemented an on-going operations and maintenance plan at each of our owned and operated properties that seeks to identify and remediate these conditions as appropriate. Although we have incurred, and expect that we will continue to incur, costs relating to the investigation, identification and remediation of hazardous materials known or discovered to exist at our properties, those costs have not had, and are not expected to have, a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Insurance

U.S. hotels that we manage are permitted to participate in certain of our insurance programs by mutual agreement with our hotel owners. If not participating in our programs, hotel owners must purchase insurance programs consistent with our requirements. U.S. franchised hotels are not permitted to participate in our insurance programs but rather must purchase insurance programs consistent with our requirements. Non-U.S. managed and franchised hotels are required to participate in certain of our insurance programs. In addition, our management and franchise agreements typically include provisions requiring the owner of the hotel property to indemnify us against losses arising from the design, development and operation of hotels owned by such third parties.

Most of our insurance policies are written with self-insured retentions or deductibles that are common in the insurance market for similar risks and we believe such risks are prudent for us to assume. Our third-party insurance policies provide coverage for claim amounts that exceed our self-insurance retentions or deductible obligations. We maintain insurance

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coverage for general liability, property including business interruption, terrorism, workers’ compensation and other risks with respect to our business for all of our owned and leased hotels. In addition, through our captive insurance subsidiary, we participate in a reinsurance arrangement that provides coverage for a certain portion of our deductibles. In general, our insurance provides coverage related to any claims or losses arising out of the design, development and operation of our hotels.

Corporate Responsibility

The success of our business is linked to the success of communities in which our hotels operate - from the local owners who partner with us to build hotels, to the local talent that operate the hotels, to the local economies and businesses our hotels support through sourcing products serving guests.

Travel with Purpose, our corporate responsibility strategy, is a holistic approach that leverages our global footprint and scale coupled with local insights and partnerships to address global and local challenges. Creating shared value for hotel employees, guests, owners, communities and overall business is a strategic priority we strive to achieve by focusing on advancing three priority, material issue areas:

Creating opportunities - Youth Opportunity, Great Place to Work, Intrapreneurship: we have a passion, and a responsibility to invest in current and future employees. We open doors that help individuals build meaningful job and life skills through the hospitality industry.
Strengthening communities - Skills-based Volunteering, Human Rights, Disaster Support: we encourage and enable our employees to deliver hospitality to our communities. We are committed to having a positive economic and social impact on the millions of communities and lives we touch.
Preserving environment - Energy, Carbon, Water, Waste, Responsible Sourcing: as environmental stewards for the wellbeing of people and ecosystems in our communities, we protect the environment through efficient and responsible operations and sourcing.

LightStay, our proprietary corporate responsibility performance measurement platform, is a global brand standard that allows us to manage the impact of our hotels on the environment and global community through the measurement, analysis and improvement of our use of natural resources, opportunities created and community service.

History

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in March 2010. In 1919, our founder Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas. Through our predecessors, we commenced corporate operations in 1946.

Employees

As of December 31, 2016, more than 169,000 people were employed at our managed, owned, leased and timeshare properties and corporate locations.

As of December 31, 2016, approximately 30 percent of our employees globally (or 30 percent of our employees in the U.S.) were covered by various collective bargaining agreements generally addressing pay rates, working hours, other terms and conditions of employment, certain employee benefits and orderly settlement of labor disputes.

Where You Can Find More Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website at http://www.hiltonworldwide.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. You may also read and copy any filed document at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about public reference rooms.

We maintain an internet site at http://www.hiltonworldwide.com. Our website and the information contained on or connected to that site are not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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Item 1A.    Risk Factors

In addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our company and our business.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We are subject to the business, financial and operating risks inherent to the hospitality industry, any of which could reduce our revenues and limit opportunities for growth.

Our business is subject to a number of business, financial and operating risks inherent to the hospitality industry, including:

significant competition from multiple hospitality providers in all parts of the world;

changes in operating costs, including energy, food, employee compensation and benefits and insurance;

increases in costs due to inflation or other factors that may not be fully offset by price and fee increases in our business;

changes in taxes and governmental regulations that influence or set wages, prices, interest rates or construction and maintenance procedures and costs;

the costs and administrative burdens associated with complying with applicable laws and regulations;

the costs or desirability of complying with local practices and customs;

significant increases in cost for health care coverage for employees and potential government regulation with respect to health care coverage;

shortages of labor or labor disruptions;

the ability of third-party internet and other travel intermediaries to attract and retain customers;

the availability and cost of capital necessary for us and third-party hotel owners to fund investments, capital expenditures and service debt obligations;

delays in or cancellations of planned or future development or refurbishment projects;

the quality of services provided by franchisees;

the financial condition of third-party property owners, developers and joint venture partners;

relationships with third-party property owners, developers and joint venture partners, including the risk that owners may terminate our management, franchise or joint venture agreements;

cyclical over-building in the hotel industry;

changes in desirability of geographic regions of the hotels in our business, geographic concentration of our operations and customers and shortages of desirable locations for development;

changes in the supply and demand for hotel services, including rooms, food and beverage and other products and services; and

decreases in the frequency of business travel that may result from alternatives to in-person meetings, including virtual meetings hosted online or over private teleconferencing networks.

Any of these factors could increase our costs or limit or reduce the prices we are able to charge for hospitality products and services, or otherwise affect our ability to maintain existing properties or develop new properties. As a result, any of these factors can reduce our revenues and limit opportunities for growth.

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Macroeconomic and other factors beyond our control can adversely affect and reduce demand for our products and services.

Macroeconomic and other factors beyond our control can reduce demand for hospitality products and services, including demand for rooms at our hotels. These factors include, but are not limited to:

changes in general economic conditions, including low consumer confidence, unemployment levels and depressed real estate prices resulting from the severity and duration of any downturn in the U.S. or global economy;
 
governmental action and uncertainty resulting from U.S. and global political trends, including potential barriers to travel, trade and immigration;

war, political conditions or civil unrest, terrorist activities or threats and heightened travel security measures instituted in response to these events;

decreased corporate or government travel-related budgets and spending, as well as cancellations, deferrals or renegotiations of group business such as industry conventions;

statements, actions, or interventions by governmental officials related to travel and corporate travel-related activities and the resulting negative public perception of such travel and activities;

the financial and general business condition of the airline, automotive and other transportation-related industries and its effect on travel, including decreased airline capacity and routes;

conditions that negatively shape public perception of travel, including travel-related accidents and outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika, avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and H1N1 (swine flu);

cyber-attacks;

climate change or availability of natural resources;

natural or man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, oil spills and nuclear incidents;

changes in the desirability of particular locations or travel patterns of customers; and

organized labor activities, which could cause a diversion of business from hotels involved in labor negotiations and loss of business for our hotels generally as a result of certain labor tactics.

Any one or more of these factors could limit or reduce overall demand for our products and services or could negatively affect our revenue sources, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contraction in the global economy or low levels of economic growth could adversely affect our revenues and profitability as well as limit or slow our future growth.

Consumer demand for our services is closely linked to the performance of the general economy and is sensitive to business and personal discretionary spending levels. Decreased global or regional demand for hospitality products and services can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or low levels of economic growth, and the recovery period in our industry may lag overall economic improvement. Declines in demand for our products and services due to general economic conditions could negatively affect our business by limiting the amount of fee revenues we are able to generate from our managed and franchised properties and decreasing the revenues and profitability of our owned and leased properties. In addition, many of the expenses associated with our business, including personnel costs, interest, rent, property taxes, insurance and utilities, are relatively fixed. During a period of overall economic weakness, if we are unable to meaningfully decrease these costs as demand for our hotels decreases, our business operations and financial performance may be adversely affected.

 

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The hospitality industry is subject to seasonal and cyclical volatility, which may contribute to fluctuations in our results of operations and financial condition.

The hospitality industry is seasonal in nature. The periods during which our lodging properties experience higher revenues vary from property to property, depending principally upon location and the customer base served. We generally expect our revenues to be lower in the first quarter of each year than in each of the three subsequent quarters with the fourth quarter generally being the highest. In addition, the hospitality industry is cyclical and demand generally follows the general economy on a lagged basis. The seasonality and cyclicality of our industry may contribute to fluctuations in our results of operations and financial condition.

Because we operate in a highly competitive industry, our revenues or profits could be harmed if we are unable to compete effectively.

The segments of the hospitality industry in which we operate are subject to intense competition. Our principal competitors are other operators of luxury, full service and focused service hotels, including other major hospitality chains with well-established and recognized brands. We also compete against smaller hotel chains, independent and local hotel owners and operators, home and apartment sharing services and timeshare operators. If we are unable to compete successfully, our revenues or profits may decline.

Competition for hotel guests

We face competition for individual guests, group reservations and conference business. We compete for these customers based primarily on brand name recognition and reputation, as well as location, room rates, property size and availability of rooms and conference space, quality of the accommodations, customer satisfaction, amenities and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points. Our competitors may have greater commercial, financial and marketing resources and more efficient technology platforms, which could allow them to improve their properties and expand and improve their marketing efforts in ways that could affect our ability to compete for guests effectively, or they could offer a type of lodging product that customers find attractive but that we do not offer.

Competition for management and franchise agreements

We compete to enter into management and franchise agreements. Our ability to compete effectively is based primarily on the value and quality of our management services, brand name recognition and reputation, our ability and willingness to invest capital, availability of suitable properties in certain geographic areas, and the overall economic terms of our agreements and the economic advantages to the property owner of retaining our management services and using our brands. If the properties that we manage or franchise perform less successfully than those of our competitors, if we are unable to offer terms as favorable as those offered by our competitors, or if the availability of suitable properties is limited, our ability to compete effectively for new management or franchise agreements could be reduced.

Any deterioration in the quality or reputation of our brands could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our brands and our reputation are among our most important assets. Our ability to attract and retain guests depends, in part, on the public recognition of our brands and their associated reputation. In addition, the success of our hotel owners’ businesses and their ability to make payments to us for our services may depend on the strength and reputation of our brands. If our brands become obsolete or consumers view them as unfashionable or lacking in consistency and quality, we may be unable to attract guests to our hotels, and may further be unable to attract or retain our hotel owners.

Changes in ownership or management practices, the occurrence of accidents or injuries, natural disasters, crime, individual guest notoriety or similar events at our hotels and resorts can harm our reputation, create adverse publicity and cause a loss of consumer confidence in our business. Because of the global nature of our brands and the broad expanse of our business and hotel locations, events occurring in one location could negatively affect the reputation and operations of otherwise successful individual locations. In addition, the expansion of social media has compounded the potential scope of negative publicity. We also could face legal claims related to negative events, along with resulting adverse publicity. A perceived decline in the quality of our brands or damage to our reputation could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Our business is subject to risks related to doing business with third-party property owners that could adversely affect our reputation, operational results or prospects for growth.

Unless we maintain good relationships with third-party hotel owners and renew or enter into new management and franchise agreements, we may be unable to expand our presence and our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

Our business depends on our ability to establish and maintain long-term, positive relationships with third-party property owners and our ability to enter into new and renew management and franchise agreements. Although our management and franchise contracts are typically long-term arrangements, hotel owners may be able to terminate the agreements under certain circumstances, including the failure to meet specified financial or performance criteria. Our ability to meet these financial and performance criteria is subject to, among other things, risks common to the overall hotel industry, including factors outside of our control. In addition, negative management and franchise pricing trends could adversely affect our ability to negotiate with hotel owners. If we fail to maintain and renew existing management and franchise agreements or enter into new agreements on favorable terms, we may be unable to expand our presence and our business, and our financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

Our business is subject to real estate investment risks for third-party owners that could adversely affect our operational results and our prospects for growth.

Growth of our business is affected, and may potentially be limited, by factors influencing real estate development generally, including site availability, financing, planning, zoning and other local approvals. In addition, market factors such as projected room occupancy, changes in growth in demand compared to projected supply, geographic area restrictions in management and franchise agreements, costs of construction and anticipated room rate structure, if not managed effectively by our third-party owners could adversely affect the growth of our management and franchise business.

 
If our third-party property owners are unable to repay or refinance loans secured by the mortgaged properties, or to obtain financing adequate to fund current operations or growth plans, our revenues, profits and capital resources could be reduced and our business could be harmed.

Many of our third-party property owners pledged their properties as collateral for mortgage loans entered into at the time of development, purchase or refinancing. If our third-party property owners are unable to repay or refinance maturing indebtedness on favorable terms or at all, their lenders could declare a default, accelerate the related debt and repossess the property. A repossession could result in the termination of our management or franchise agreement or eliminate revenues and cash flows from the property. In addition, the owners of managed and franchised hotels depend on financing to buy, develop and improve hotels and in some cases, fund operations during down cycles. Our hotel owners’ inability to obtain adequate funding could materially adversely affect the maintenance and improvement plans of existing hotels, result in the delay or stoppage of the development of our existing pipeline and limit additional development to further expand our hotel portfolio.

If our third-party property owners fail to make investments necessary to maintain or improve their properties, guest preference for Hilton brands and reputation and performance results could suffer.

Substantially all of our management and franchise agreements, as well as our license agreement with HGV, require third-party property owners to comply with quality and reputation standards of our brands, which include requirements related to the physical condition, safety standards and appearance of the properties as well as the service levels provided by hotel employees. These standards may evolve with customer preference, or we may introduce new requirements over time. If our property owners fail to make investments necessary to maintain or improve the properties in accordance with our standards, guest preference for our brands could diminish. In addition, if third-party property owners fail to observe standards or meet their contractual requirements, we may elect to exercise our termination rights, which would eliminate revenues from these properties and cause us to incur expenses related to terminating these contracts. We may be unable to find suitable or offsetting replacements for any terminated relationships.

Contractual and other disagreements with third-party property owners could make us liable to them or result in litigation costs or other expenses.

Our management and franchise agreements require us and our hotel owners to comply with operational and performance conditions that are subject to interpretation and could result in disagreements. Any dispute with a property owner could be very expensive for us, even if the outcome is ultimately in our favor. We cannot predict the outcome of any arbitration or litigation,

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the effect of any negative judgment against us or the amount of any settlement that we may enter into with any third party. Furthermore, specific to our industry, some courts have applied principles of agency law and related fiduciary standards to managers of third-party hotel properties, which means that property owners may assert the right to terminate agreements even where the agreements do not expressly provide for termination. Our fees from any terminated property would be eliminated, and accordingly may negatively affect our results of operations.

Some of our existing development pipeline may not be developed into new hotels, which could materially adversely affect our growth prospects.

As of December 31, 2016, we had a total of 1,968 hotels in our development pipeline, which we define as hotels under construction or approved for development under one of our brands. The commitments of owners and developers with whom we have agreements are subject to numerous conditions, and the eventual development and construction of our pipeline not currently under construction is subject to numerous risks, including, in certain cases, the owner's or developer's ability to obtain adequate financing and obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals. As a result, not every hotel in our development pipeline may develop into a new hotel that enters our system.

New hotel brands or non-hotel branded concepts that we launch in the future may not be as successful as we anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We launched a new upscale brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in January 2017 and a new midscale brand, Tru by Hilton, in January 2016. We introduced a new brand, Canopy by Hilton, in October 2014, opened our first Curio - A Collection by Hilton hotel in August 2014 and opened our first Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in 2011. We may continue to build our portfolio by launching new hotel and non-hotel brands in the future. In addition, the Hilton Garden Inn, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton brands have been expanding into new jurisdictions outside the United States in recent years. We may continue to expand existing brands into new international markets. New hotel products or concepts or brand expansions may not be accepted by hotel owners, franchisees or customers and we cannot guarantee the level of acceptance any new brand will have in the development and consumer marketplaces.  If new branded hotel products, non-hotel branded concepts or brand expansions are not as successful as we anticipate, we may not recover the costs we incurred in their development or expansion, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The risks resulting from investments in owned and leased real estate could increase our costs, reduce our profits and limit our ability to respond to market conditions.

Although we recently completed the spin-off of Park, we still own or lease real property, which subjects us to various risks that may not be applicable to managed or franchised properties, including:

governmental regulations relating to real estate ownership or operations, including tax, environmental, zoning and eminent domain laws;

 
loss in value of real estate due to changes in market conditions or the area in which real estate is located;

increased potential civil liability for accidents or other occurrences on owned or leased properties;

the ongoing need for owner-funded capital improvements and expenditures to maintain or upgrade properties and to deliver properties back to landlords in a particular state of repair and condition at the end of a lease term;

periodic total or partial closures due to renovations and facility improvements;

risks associated with any mortgage debt, including the possibility of default, fluctuating interest rate levels and uncertainties in the availability of replacement financing;

fluctuations in real estate values or potential impairments in the value of our assets;

contingent liabilities that exist after we have exited a property;

costs linked to the employment and management of staff to run and operate an owned or leased property; and

the relative illiquidity of real estate compared to some other assets.

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The negative effect on profitability and cash flow from declines in revenues is more pronounced in owned or leased properties because we, as the owner or lessee, bear the risk of their high fixed-cost structure. Further, during times of economic distress, declining demand and declining earnings often result in declining asset values, and we may not be able to sell properties on favorable terms or at all. Accordingly, we may not be able to adjust our owned and leased property portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

Our efforts to develop, redevelop or renovate our owned and leased properties could be delayed or become more expensive.

Certain of our owned and leased properties were constructed many years ago. The condition of aging properties could negatively affect our ability to attract guests or result in higher operating and capital costs, either of which could reduce revenues or profits from these properties. There can be no assurance that our planned replacements and repairs will occur, or even if completed, will result in improved performance. In addition, these efforts are subject to a number of risks, including:

construction delays or cost overruns (including labor and materials);

obtaining zoning, occupancy and other required permits or authorizations;

changes in economic conditions that may result in weakened or lack of demand for improvements that we make or negative project returns;

governmental restrictions on the size or kind of development;

volatility in the debt and capital markets that may limit our ability to raise capital for projects or improvements;

lack of availability of rooms or meeting spaces for revenue-generating activities during construction, modernization or renovation projects;

force majeure events, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or tsunamis, or acts of terrorism; and

design defects that could increase costs.

If our properties are not updated to meet guest preferences, if properties under development or renovation are delayed in opening as scheduled, or if renovation investments adversely affect or fail to improve performance, our operations and financial results could be negatively affected.

Our properties may not be permitted to be rebuilt if destroyed.

Certain of our properties may qualify as legally-permissible nonconforming uses and improvements, including certain of our iconic and most profitable properties. If a substantial portion of any such property were to be destroyed by fire or other casualty, we might not be permitted to rebuild that property as it now exists, regardless of the availability of insurance proceeds. Any loss of this nature, whether insured or not, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and prospects.

We have investments in joint venture projects, which limits our ability to manage third-party risks associated with these projects.

In most cases, we are minority participants and do not control the decisions of the joint ventures in which we are involved. Therefore, joint venture investments may involve risks such as the possibility that a co-venturer in an investment might become bankrupt, be unable to meet its capital contribution obligations, have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals or take actions that are contrary to our instructions or to applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we may be unable to take action without the approval of our joint venture partners, or our joint venture partners could take actions binding on the joint venture without our consent. Consequently, actions by a co-venturer or other third party could expose us to claims for damages, financial penalties and reputational harm, any of which could adversely affect our business and operations. In addition, we may agree to guarantee indebtedness incurred by a joint venture or co-venturer or provide standard indemnifications to lenders for loss liability or damage occurring as a result of our actions or actions of the joint venture or other co-venturers. Such a guarantee or indemnity may be on a joint and several basis with a co-venturer, in which case we may be liable in the event that our co-venturer defaults on its guarantee obligation. The non-

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performance of a co-venturer's obligations may cause losses to us in excess of the capital we initially may have invested or committed.

Preparing our financial statements requires us to have access to information regarding the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of our joint ventures. Any deficiencies in our joint ventures’ internal controls over financial reporting may affect our ability to report our financial results accurately or prevent or detect fraud. Such deficiencies also could result in restatements of, or other adjustments to, our previously reported or announced operating results, which could diminish investor confidence and reduce the market price for our shares. Additionally, if our joint ventures are unable to provide this information for any meaningful period or fail to meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to satisfy our financial reporting obligations or timely file our periodic reports.

Although our joint ventures may generate positive cash flow, in some cases they may be unable to distribute that cash to the joint venture partners. Additionally, in some cases our joint venture partners control distributions and may choose to leave capital in the joint venture rather than distribute it. Because our ability to generate liquidity from our joint ventures depends in part on their ability to distribute capital to us, our failure to receive distributions from our joint venture partners could reduce our cash flow return on these investments.

Failures in, material damage to, or interruptions in our information technology systems, software or websites and difficulties in updating our existing software or developing or implementing new software could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

We depend heavily upon our information technology systems in the conduct of our business. We own and license or otherwise contract for sophisticated technology and systems for property management, procurement, reservations and the operation of the Hilton Honors customer loyalty program. Such systems are subject to, among other things, damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses and natural and man-made disasters. Although we have a cold disaster recovery site in a separate location to back up our core reservation, distribution and financial systems, substantially all of our data center operations are currently located in a single facility. Although we are migrating portions of our operations to cloud-based providers, any loss or damage to our primary facility could result in operational disruption and data loss as we transfer production operations to our disaster recovery site. Damage or interruption to our information systems may require a significant investment to update, remediate or replace with alternate systems, and we may suffer interruptions in our operations as a result. In addition, costs and potential problems and interruptions associated with the implementation of new or upgraded systems and technology or with maintenance or adequate support of existing systems could also disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations. Any material interruptions or failures in our systems, including those that may result from our failure to adequately develop, implement and maintain a robust disaster recovery plan and backup systems could severely affect our ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial performance.

We rely on third parties for the performance of a significant portion of our information technology functions worldwide. In particular, our reservation system relies on data communications networks operated by unaffiliated third parties. The success of our business depends in part on maintaining our relationships with these third parties and their continuing ability to perform these functions and services in a timely and satisfactory manner. If we experience a loss or disruption in the provision of any of these functions or services, or they are not performed in a satisfactory manner, we may have difficulty in finding alternate providers on terms favorable to us, in a timely manner or at all, and our business could be adversely affected.

We rely on certain software vendors to maintain and periodically upgrade many of these systems so that they can continue to support our business. The software programs supporting many of our systems were licensed to us by independent software developers. The inability of these developers or us to continue to maintain and upgrade these information systems and software programs would disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations if we were unable to convert to alternate systems in an efficient and timely manner.

We are vulnerable to various risks and uncertainties associated with our websites and mobile applications, including changes in required technology interfaces, website and mobile application downtime and other technical failures, costs and issues as we upgrade our website software and mobile applications. Additional risks include computer viruses, changes in applicable federal and state regulation, security breaches, legal claims related to our website operations and e-commerce fulfillment and other consumer privacy concerns. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties could reduce website and mobile application sales and have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.


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Cyber-attacks could have a disruptive effect on our business.

From time to time we and third parties who serve us experience cyber-attacks, attempted and actual breaches of our or their information technology systems and networks or similar events, which could result in a loss of sensitive business or customer information, systems interruption or the disruption of our operations. The techniques that are used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and are difficult to detect for long periods of time, and we are accordingly unable to anticipate and prevent all data security incidents. In November 2015, we announced that we had identified and taken action to eradicate unauthorized malware that targeted payment card information in some point-of-sale systems in our hotels and had determined that specific payment card information was targeted by this malware. We expect we will be subject to additional cyber-attacks in the future and may experience data breaches.

Even if we are fully compliant with legal standards and contractual requirements, we still may not be able to prevent security breaches involving sensitive data. The sophistication of efforts by hackers to gain unauthorized access to information systems has continued to increase in recent years. Breaches, thefts, losses or fraudulent uses of customer, employee or company data could cause consumers to lose confidence in the security of our websites, mobile applications, point of sale systems and other information technology systems and choose not to purchase from us. Such security breaches also could expose us to risks of data loss, business disruption, litigation and other costs or liabilities, any of which could adversely affect our business.

We are exposed to risks and costs associated with protecting the integrity and security of our guests’ personal data and other sensitive information.

We are subject to various risks and costs associated with the collection, handling, storage and transmission of sensitive information, including those related to compliance with U.S. and foreign data collection and privacy laws and other contractual obligations, as well as those associated with the compromise of our systems collecting such information. We collect internal and customer data, including credit card numbers and other personally identifiable information for a variety of important business purposes, including managing our workforce, providing requested products and services and maintaining guest preferences to enhance customer service and for marketing and promotion purposes. We could be exposed to fines, penalties, restrictions, litigation, reputational harm or other expenses, or other adverse effects on our business, due to failure to protect our guests' personal data and other sensitive information or failure to maintain compliance with the various U.S. and foreign data collection and privacy laws or with credit card industry standards or other applicable data security standards.

In addition, states and the federal government have enacted additional laws and regulations to protect consumers against identity theft. These laws and similar laws in other jurisdictions have increased the costs of doing business, and failure on our part to implement appropriate safeguards or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required by some of these laws could subject us to potential claims for damages and other remedies. If we were required to pay any significant amounts in satisfaction of claims under these laws, or if we were forced to cease our business operations for any length of time as a result of our inability to comply fully with any such law, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We may seek to expand through acquisitions of and investments in other businesses and properties, or through alliances, and we may also seek to divest some of our properties and other assets. These acquisition and disposition activities may be unsuccessful or divert management’s attention.

We may consider strategic and complementary acquisitions of and investments in other hotel or hospitality brands, businesses, properties or other assets. Furthermore, we may pursue these opportunities in alliance with existing or prospective owners of managed or franchised properties. In many cases, we will be competing for these opportunities with third parties that may have substantially greater financial resources than us. Acquisitions or investments in brands, businesses, properties or assets as well as these alliances are subject to risks that could affect our business, including risks related to:

issuing shares of stock that could dilute the interests of our existing stockholders;

spending cash and incurring debt;

assuming contingent liabilities; or

creating additional expenses.

We may not be able to identify opportunities or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms or at all or we may not actually realize any anticipated benefits from such acquisitions, investments or alliances. Similarly, we may not be able

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to obtain financing for acquisitions or investments on attractive terms or at all, or the ability to obtain financing may be restricted by the terms of our indebtedness. In addition, the success of any acquisition or investment also will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate the acquisition or investment with our existing operations.

We also may divest certain properties or assets, and any such divestments may yield lower than expected returns or otherwise fail to achieve the benefits we expect. In some circumstances, sales of properties or other assets may result in losses. Upon sales of properties or assets, we may become subject to contractual indemnity obligations, incur material tax liabilities or, as a result of required debt repayment, face a shortage of liquidity. Finally, any acquisitions, investments or dispositions could demand significant attention from management that would otherwise be available for business operations, which could harm our business.

Failure to keep pace with developments in technology could adversely affect our operations or competitive position.

The hospitality industry demands the use of sophisticated technology and systems for property management, brand assurance and compliance, procurement, reservation systems, operation of our customer loyalty programs, distribution of hotel resources to current and future customers and guest amenities. These technologies may require refinements and upgrades. The development and maintenance of these technologies may require significant investment by us. As various systems and technologies become outdated or new technology is required, we may not be able to replace or introduce them as quickly as needed or in a cost-effective and timely manner. We may not achieve the benefits we may have been anticipating from any new technology or system.

Failure to comply with marketing and advertising laws, including with regard to direct marketing, could result in fines or place restrictions on our business.

We rely on a variety of direct marketing techniques, including telemarketing, email and social media marketing and postal mailings, and we are subject to various laws and regulations in the U.S. and internationally that govern marketing and advertising practices. Any further restrictions in laws and court or agency interpretation of such laws, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, and various U.S. state laws, new laws, or international data protection laws, such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation, that govern these activities could adversely affect current or planned marketing activities and cause us to change our marketing strategy. If this occurs, we may not be able to develop adequate alternative marketing strategies, which could affect our ability to maintain relationships with our customers and acquire new customers. We also obtain access to names of potential customers from travel service providers or other companies and we market to some individuals on these lists directly or through other companies’ marketing materials. If access to these lists were prohibited or otherwise restricted, our ability to develop new customers and introduce them to products could be impaired.

The growth of internet reservation channels could adversely affect our business and profitability.

A significant percentage of hotel rooms for individual guests are booked through internet travel intermediaries, to whom we commit to pay various commissions and transaction fees for sales of our rooms through their systems. Search engines and peer-to-peer inventory sources also provide online travel services that compete with our business. If these bookings increase, certain hospitality intermediaries may be able to obtain higher commissions, reduced room rates or other significant concessions from us or our franchisees. These hospitality intermediaries also may reduce these bookings by de-ranking our hotels in search results on their platforms, and other online providers may divert business away from our hotels. Although our agreements with many hospitality intermediaries limit transaction fees for hotels, there can be no assurance that we will be able to renegotiate these agreements upon their expiration with terms as favorable as the provisions that existed before the expiration, replacement or renegotiation. Moreover, hospitality intermediaries generally employ aggressive marketing strategies, including expending significant resources for online and television advertising campaigns to drive consumers to their websites. As a result, consumers may develop brand loyalties to the intermediaries’ offered brands, websites and reservations systems rather than to the Hilton brands and systems. If this happens, our business and profitability may be significantly affected as shifting customer loyalties divert bookings away from our websites. Internet travel intermediaries also have been subject to regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe. The outcome of this regulatory activity may affect our ability to compete for direct bookings through our own internet channels.

In addition, although internet travel intermediaries have traditionally competed to attract individual consumers or "transient" business rather than group and convention business, in recent years they have expanded their business to include marketing to large group and convention business. If that growth continues, it could both divert group and convention business away from our hotels and also increase our cost of sales for group and convention business. Consolidation of internet travel

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intermediaries, and the entry of major internet companies into the internet travel bookings business, also could divert bookings away from our websites and increase our hotels' cost of sales.

Our reservation system is an important component of our business operations and a disruption to its functioning could have an adverse effect on our performance and results.

We manage a global reservation system that communicates reservations to our branded hotels when made by individuals directly, either online, by telephone to our call centers or through devices via our mobile application, or through intermediaries like travel agents, internet travel web sites and other distribution channels. The cost, speed, efficacy and efficiency of the reservation system are important aspects of our business and are important considerations of hotel owners in choosing to affiliate with our brands. Any failure to maintain or upgrade, and any other disruption to our reservation system may adversely affect our business.

The cessation, reduction or taxation of program benefits of our Hilton Honors loyalty program could adversely affect the Hilton brands and guest loyalty.

We manage the Hilton Honors guest loyalty and rewards program for the Hilton brands. Program members accumulate points based on eligible stays and hotel charges and redeem the points for a range of benefits including free rooms and other items of value. The program is an important aspect of our business and of the affiliation value for hotel owners under management and franchise agreements. System hotels (including, without limitation, third-party hotels under management and franchise arrangements) contribute a percentage of the guest’s charges to the program for each stay of a program member. In addition to the accumulation of points for future hotels stays at our brands, Hilton Honors arranges with third-party service providers, such as airlines and rail companies, to exchange monetary value represented by points for program awards. Currently, the program benefits are not taxed as income to members. If the program awards and benefits are materially altered, curtailed or taxed such that a material number of Hilton Honors members choose to no longer participate in the program, this could adversely affect our business.

Because we derive a portion of our revenues from operations outside the United States, the risks of doing business internationally could lower our revenues, increase our costs, reduce our profits or disrupt our business.

We currently manage, franchise, own or lease hotels and resorts in 104 countries and territories around the world. Our operations outside the United States represented approximately 20 percent and 22 percent of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We expect that revenues from our international operations will continue to account for an increasing portion of our total revenues. As a result, we are subject to the risks of doing business outside the United States, including:

rapid changes in governmental, economic and political policy, political or civil unrest, acts of terrorism or the threat of international boycotts or U.S. anti-boycott legislation;

increases in anti-American sentiment and the identification of the licensed brands as an American brand;

recessionary trends or economic instability in international markets;

changes in foreign currency exchange rates or currency restructurings and hyperinflation or deflation in the countries in which we operate;

the effect of disruptions caused by severe weather, natural disasters, outbreak of disease or other events that make travel to a particular region less attractive or more difficult;

the presence and acceptance of varying levels of business corruption in international markets and the effect of various anti-corruption and other laws;

 
the imposition of restrictions on currency conversion or the transfer of funds or limitations on our ability to repatriate non-U.S. earnings in a tax-efficient manner;

the ability to comply with or effect of complying with complex and changing laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments that may affect investments or operations, including foreign ownership restrictions, import and export controls, tariffs, embargoes, increases in taxes paid and other changes in applicable tax laws;

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instability or changes in a country's or region's economic, regulatory or political conditions, including inflation, recession, interest rate fluctuations and actual or anticipated military or political conflicts or any other change resulting from the United Kingdom's June 2016 vote to leave the European Union (commonly known as "Brexit");

uncertainties as to local laws regarding, and enforcement of, contract and intellectual property rights;

forced nationalization of our properties by local, state or national governments; and

the difficulties involved in managing an organization doing business in many different countries.

These factors may adversely affect the revenues from and the market value of our properties located in international markets. While these factors and the effect of these factors are difficult to predict, any one or more of them could lower our revenues, increase our costs, reduce our profits or disrupt our business operations.

Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our international operations may increase costs, reduce profits, limit growth or subject us to broader liability.

Our business operations in countries outside the U.S. are subject to a number of laws and regulations, including restrictions imposed by the FCPA, as well as trade sanctions administered by the OFAC. The FCPA is intended to prohibit bribery of foreign officials and requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect our transactions. OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals. Although we have policies in place designed to comply with applicable sanctions, rules and regulations, it is possible that hotels we manage or own in the countries and territories in which we operate may provide services to or receive funds from persons subject to sanctions. Where we have identified potential violations in the past, we have taken appropriate remedial action including filing voluntary disclosures to OFAC. In addition, some of our operations may be subject to the laws and regulations of non-U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.K.’s Bribery Act 2010, which contains significant prohibitions on bribery and other corrupt business activities, and other local anti-corruption laws in the countries and territories in which we conduct operations.

If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we could be exposed to claims for damages, financial penalties, reputational harm and incarceration of employees or restrictions on our operation or ownership of hotels and other properties, including the termination of management, franchising and ownership rights. In addition, in certain circumstances, the actions of parties affiliated with us (including our owners, joint venture partners, employees and agents) may expose us to liability under the FCPA, U.S. sanctions or other laws. These restrictions could increase costs of operations, reduce profits or cause us to forgo development opportunities that would otherwise support growth.

In August 2012, Congress enacted the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ("ITRSHRA"), which expands the scope of U.S. sanctions against Iran and Syria. In particular, Section 219 of the ITRSHRA amended the Exchange Act to require SEC-reporting companies to disclose in their periodic reports specified dealings or transactions involving Iran or other individuals and entities targeted by certain OFAC sanctions engaged in by the reporting company or any of its affiliates. These companies are required to separately file with the SEC a notice that such activities have been disclosed in the relevant periodic report, and the SEC is required to post this notice of disclosure on its website and send the report to the U.S. President and certain U.S. Congressional committees. The U.S. President thereafter is required to initiate an investigation and, within 180 days of initiating such an investigation with respect to certain disclosed activities, to determine whether sanctions should be imposed.

Under ITRSHRA, we are required to report if we or any of our "affiliates" knowingly engaged in certain specified activities during a period covered by one of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, activities that would require disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of ITRSHRA. In addition, because the SEC defines the term "affiliate" broadly, we may be deemed to be a controlled affiliate of Blackstone or Blackstone's affiliates or, following Blackstone's proposed sale of our common stock to HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (“HNA”), HNA and HNA's affiliates. Other affiliates of Blackstone or HNA have in the past or may in the future be required to make disclosures pursuant to ITRSHRA, including the activities discussed in the disclosures included on Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Disclosure of such activities and any sanctions imposed on us or our affiliates as a result of these activities could harm our reputation and brands and have a negative effect on our results of operations.

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The loss of senior executives or key field personnel, such as general managers, could significantly harm our business.

Our ability to maintain our competitive position depends somewhat on the efforts and abilities of our senior executives. Finding suitable replacements for senior executives could be difficult. Losing the services of one or more of these senior executives could adversely affect strategic relationships, including relationships with third-party property owners, significant customers, joint venture partners and vendors, and limit our ability to execute our business strategies.

We also rely on the general managers at each of our managed, owned and leased hotels to manage daily operations and oversee the efforts of employees. These general managers are trained professionals in the hospitality industry and have extensive experience in many markets worldwide. The failure to retain, train or successfully manage general managers for our managed, owned and leased hotels could negatively affect our operations.

Collective bargaining activity could disrupt our operations, increase our labor costs or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

A significant number of our employees (approximately 30 percent) and employees of our hotel owners are covered by collective bargaining agreements and similar agreements. If relationships with our employees or employees of our hotel owners or the unions that represent them become adverse, the properties we manage, franchise, own or lease could experience labor disruptions such as strikes, lockouts, boycotts and public demonstrations. A number of our collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately nine percent of our organized employees, have expired and are in the process of being renegotiated, and we may be required to negotiate additional collective bargaining agreements in the future if more employees become unionized. Labor disputes, which may be more likely when collective bargaining agreements are being negotiated, could harm our relationship with our employees or employees of our hotel owners, result in increased regulatory inquiries and enforcement by governmental authorities and deter guests. Further, adverse publicity related to a labor dispute could harm our reputation and reduce customer demand for our services. Labor regulation and the negotiation of new or existing collective bargaining agreements could lead to higher wage and benefit costs, changes in work rules that raise operating expenses, legal costs and limitations on our ability or the ability of our third-party property owners to take cost saving measures during economic downturns. We do not have the ability to control the negotiations of collective bargaining agreements covering unionized labor employed by many third-party property owners. Increased unionization of our workforce, new labor legislation or changes in regulations could disrupt our operations, reduce our profitability or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

Labor shortages could restrict our ability to operate our properties or grow our business or result in increased labor costs that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our success depends in large part on our ability to attract, retain, train, manage and engage employees. We employ or manage more than 169,000 individuals at our managed, owned and leased hotels and corporate offices around the world. If we are unable to attract, retain, train, manage and engage skilled individuals, our ability to manage and staff the managed, owned and leased hotels could be impaired, which could reduce customer satisfaction. In addition, the inability of our franchisees to attract, retain, train, manage and engage skilled employees for the franchised hotels could adversely affect the reputation of our brands. Staffing shortages in various parts of the world also could hinder our ability to grow and expand our businesses. Because payroll costs are a major component of the operating expenses at our hotels and our franchised hotels, a shortage of skilled labor could also require higher wages that would increase labor costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, increase in minimum wage rates could increase costs and reduce profits for us and our franchisees.

Any failure to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property could reduce the value of the Hilton brands and harm our business.

The recognition and reputation of our brands are important to our success. We have over 5,700 trademark registrations in jurisdictions around the world for use in connection with our services, plus at any given time, a number of pending applications for trademarks and other intellectual property. However, those trademark or other intellectual property registrations may not be granted or the steps we take to use, control or protect our trademarks or other intellectual property in the U.S. and other jurisdictions may not always be adequate to prevent third parties from copying or using the trademarks or other intellectual property without authorization. We may also fail to obtain and maintain trademark protection for all of our brands in all jurisdictions. For example, in certain jurisdictions, third parties have registered or otherwise have the right to use certain trademarks that are the same as or similar to our trademarks, which could prevent us from registering trademarks and opening hotels in that jurisdiction. Third parties may also challenge our rights to certain trademarks or oppose our trademark applications. Defending against any such proceedings may be costly, and if unsuccessful, could result in the loss of important

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intellectual property rights. Obtaining and maintaining trademark protection for multiple brands in multiple jurisdictions is also expensive, and we may therefore elect not to apply for or to maintain certain trademarks.

Our intellectual property is also vulnerable to unauthorized copying or use in some jurisdictions outside the U.S., where local law, or lax enforcement of law, may not provide adequate protection. If our trademarks or other intellectual property are improperly used, the value and reputation of the Hilton brands could be harmed. There are times where we may need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights. Litigation of this type could be costly, force us to divert our resources, lead to counterclaims or other claims against us or otherwise harm our business or reputation. In addition, we license certain of our trademarks to third parties. For example, we have granted HGV the right to use certain of our marks and intellectual property in its timeshare business and we grant our franchisees a right to use certain of our trademarks in connection with their operation of the applicable property. If HGV, a franchisee or other licensee fails to maintain the quality of the goods and services used in connection with the licensed trademarks, our rights to, and the value of, our trademarks could potentially be harmed. Failure to maintain, control and protect our trademarks and other intellectual property could likely adversely affect our ability to attract guests or third-party owners, and could adversely affect our results.

In addition, we license the right to use certain intellectual property from unaffiliated third parties, including the right to grant sublicenses to franchisees. If we are unable to use this intellectual property, our ability to generate revenue from such properties may be diminished.

Third-party claims that we infringe intellectual property rights of others could subject us to damages and other costs and expenses.

Third parties may make claims against us for infringing their patent, trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights or for misappropriating their trade secrets. We have been and are currently party to a number of such claims and may receive additional claims in the future. Any such claims, even those without merit, could:

be expensive and time consuming to defend, and result in significant damages;

force us to stop using the intellectual property that is being challenged or to stop providing products or services that use the challenged intellectual property;

force us to redesign or rebrand our products or services;

require us to enter into royalty, licensing, co-existence or other agreements to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property;

limit our ability to develop new intellectual property; and

limit the use or the scope of our intellectual property or other rights.

In addition, we may be required to indemnify third-party owners of the hotels that we manage for any losses they incur as a result of any infringement claims against them. All necessary royalty, licensing or other agreements may not be available to us on acceptable terms. Any adverse results associated with third-party intellectual property claims could negatively affect our business.

Exchange rate fluctuations and foreign exchange hedging arrangements could result in significant foreign currency gains and losses and affect our business results.

Conducting business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar subjects us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could have a negative effect on our financial results. We earn revenues and incur expenses in foreign currencies as part of our operations outside of the U.S. As a result, fluctuations in currency exchange rates may significantly increase the amount of U.S. dollars required for foreign currency expenses or significantly decrease the U.S. dollars received from foreign currency revenues. We also have exposure to currency translation risk because, generally, the results of our business outside of the U.S. are reported in local currency and then translated to U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, changes between the foreign exchange rates and the U.S. dollar will affect the recorded amounts of our foreign assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and could have a negative effect on our financial results. Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations will grow if the relative contribution of our operations outside the U.S. increases.


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To attempt to mitigate foreign currency exposure, we may enter into foreign exchange hedging agreements with financial institutions. However, these hedging agreements may not eliminate foreign currency risk entirely and involve costs and risks of their own in the form of transaction costs, credit requirements and counterparty risk.

If the insurance that we or our owners carry does not sufficiently cover damage or other potential losses or liabilities to third parties involving properties that we manage, franchise or own, our profits could be reduced.

We operate in certain areas where the risk of natural disaster or other catastrophic losses vary, and the occasional incidence of such an event could cause substantial damage to us, our owners or the surrounding area. We carry, and we require our owners to carry, insurance from solvent insurance carriers that we believe is adequate for foreseeable first- and third-party losses and with terms and conditions that are reasonable and customary. Nevertheless, market forces beyond our control could limit the scope of the insurance coverage that we and our owners can obtain or may otherwise restrict our or our owners’ ability to buy insurance coverage at reasonable rates. In the event of a substantial loss, the insurance coverage that we and/or our owners carry may not be sufficient to pay the full value of our financial obligations, our liabilities or the replacement cost of any lost investment or property. Because certain types of losses are uncertain, they may be uninsurable or prohibitively expensive. In addition, there are other risks that may fall outside the general coverage terms and limits of our policies.
 

In some cases, these factors could result in certain losses being completely uninsured. As a result, we could lose some or all of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenues, profits, management fees or franchise fees from the property.

Terrorism insurance may not be available at commercially reasonable rates or at all.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area, Congress passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which established the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (the “Program”) to provide insurance capacity for terrorist acts. The Program expired at the end of 2014 but was reauthorized, with some adjustments to its provisions, in January 2015 for six years through December 31, 2020. We carry, and we require our owners and our franchisees to carry, insurance from solvent insurance carriers to respond to both first-party and third-party liability losses related to terrorism. We purchase our first-party property damage and business interruption insurance from a stand-alone market in place of and to supplement insurance from government run pools. If the Program is not extended or renewed upon its expiration in 2020, or if there are changes to the Program that would negatively affect insurance carriers, premiums for terrorism insurance coverage will likely increase and/or the terms of such insurance may be materially amended to increase stated exclusions or to otherwise effectively decrease the scope of coverage available, perhaps to the point where it is effectively unavailable.

Terrorist attacks and military conflicts may adversely affect the hospitality industry.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 underscore the possibility that large public facilities or economically important assets could become the target of terrorist attacks in the future. In particular, properties that are well-known or are located in concentrated business sectors in major cities where our hotels are located may be subject to the risk of terrorist attacks.

The occurrence or the possibility of terrorist attacks or military conflicts could:

cause damage to one or more of our properties that may not be fully covered by insurance to the value of the damages;

cause all or portions of affected properties to be shut down for prolonged periods, resulting in a loss of income;

generally reduce travel to affected areas for tourism and business or adversely affect the willingness of customers to stay in or avail themselves of the services of the affected properties;

expose us to a risk of monetary claims arising out of death, injury or damage to property caused by any such attacks; and

result in higher costs for security and insurance premiums or diminish the availability of insurance coverage for losses related to terrorist attacks, particularly for properties in target areas, all of which could adversely affect our results.


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The occurrence of a terrorist attack with respect to one of our properties could directly and materially adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the loss of any of our well-known buildings could indirectly affect the value of our brands, which would in turn adversely affect our business prospects.

Changes in U.S. federal, state and local or foreign tax law, interpretations of existing tax law, or adverse determinations by tax authorities, could increase our tax burden or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

We are subject to taxation at the federal, state or provincial and local levels in the U.S. and various other countries and jurisdictions. Our future effective tax rate could be affected by changes in the composition of earnings in jurisdictions with differing tax rates, changes in statutory rates and other legislative changes, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in determinations regarding the jurisdictions in which we are subject to tax. From time to time, the U.S. federal, state and local and foreign governments make substantive changes to tax rules and their application, which could result in materially higher corporate taxes than would be incurred under existing tax law and could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

We are subject to ongoing and periodic tax audits and disputes in U.S. federal and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In particular, our consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2010 are under audit by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), and the IRS has proposed adjustments to increase our taxable income based on several assertions involving intercompany loans, our Hilton Honors guest loyalty and reward program and our foreign-currency denominated loans issued by one of our subsidiaries. In total, the proposed adjustments sought by the IRS would result in U.S. federal tax owed of approximately $874 million, excluding interest and penalties and potential state income taxes. We disagree with the IRS’s position on each of the assertions and intend to vigorously contest them. Additionally, the IRS has notified us of its intention to examine the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 through December 31, 2013. See Note 18: "Income Taxes" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. An unfavorable outcome from any tax audit could result in higher tax costs, penalties and interest, thereby adversely affecting our financial condition or results of operations.

Changes to accounting rules or regulations may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

New accounting rules or regulations and varying interpretations of existing accounting rules or regulations have occurred and may occur in the future. A change in accounting rules or regulations may require retrospective application and affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective, and future changes to accounting rules or regulations may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. See Note 2: "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a summary of accounting standards issued but not yet adopted.

Changes to estimates or projections used to assess the fair value of our assets, or operating results that are lower than our current estimates at certain locations, may cause us to incur impairment losses that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our total assets include goodwill, intangible assets with indefinite lives, other intangible assets with finite useful lives and substantial amounts of long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, including hotel properties. We evaluate our goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value is below the carrying value. We evaluate intangible assets with finite useful lives and long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Our evaluation of impairment requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions including projections of future results. After performing our evaluation for impairment, including an analysis to determine the recoverability of long-lived assets, we will record an impairment loss when the carrying value of the underlying asset, asset group or reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If the estimates or assumptions used in our evaluation of impairment change, we may be required to record additional impairment losses on certain of these assets. If these impairment losses are significant, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

Governmental regulation may adversely affect the operation of our properties.

In many jurisdictions, the hotel industry is subject to extensive foreign or U.S. federal, state and local governmental regulations, including those relating to the service of alcoholic beverages, the preparation and sale of food and those relating to building and zoning requirements. We are also subject to licensing and regulation by foreign or U.S. state and local departments relating to health, sanitation, fire and safety standards, and to laws governing our relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions status and citizenship requirements. In addition, the National

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Labor Relations Board has revised its standard for joint employee relationships, which could increase our risk of being considered a joint employer with our franchisees. We or our third-party owners may be required to expend funds to meet foreign or U.S. federal, state and local regulations in connection with the continued operation or remodeling of certain of our properties. The failure to meet the requirements of applicable regulations and licensing requirements, or publicity resulting from actual or alleged failures, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Foreign or U.S. environmental laws and regulations may cause us to incur substantial costs or subject us to potential liabilities.

We are subject to certain compliance costs and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S. federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern actions including air emissions, the use, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances, and wastewater disposal. Our failure to comply with such laws, including any required permits or licenses, could result in substantial fines or possible revocation of our authority to conduct some of our operations. We could also be liable under such laws for the costs of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at our currently or formerly owned, leased or operated real property (including managed and franchised properties) or at third-party locations in connection with our waste disposal operations, regardless of whether or not we knew of, or caused, the presence or release of such substances. From time to time, we may be required to remediate such substances or remove, abate or manage asbestos, mold, radon gas, lead or other hazardous conditions at our properties. The presence or release of such toxic or hazardous substances could result in third-party claims for personal injury, property or natural resource damages, business interruption or other losses. Such claims and the need to investigate, remediate or otherwise address hazardous, toxic or unsafe conditions could adversely affect our operations, the value of any affected real property, or our ability to sell, lease or assign our rights in any such property, or could otherwise harm our business or reputation. Environmental, health and safety requirements have also become increasingly stringent, and our costs may increase as a result. New or revised laws and regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, such as those related to climate change, could affect the operation of our properties or result in significant additional expense and operating restrictions on us.

The cost of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar legislation outside of the U.S. may be substantial.

We are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and similar legislation in certain jurisdictions outside of the U.S. Under the ADA all public accommodations are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These regulations apply to accommodations first occupied after January 26, 1993; public accommodations built before January 26, 1993 are required to remove architectural barriers to disabled access where such removal is "readily achievable." The regulations also mandate certain operational requirements that hotel operators must observe. The failure of a property to comply with the ADA could result in injunctive relief, fines, an award of damages to private litigants or mandated capital expenditures to remedy such noncompliance. Any imposition of injunctive relief, fines, damage awards or capital expenditures could adversely affect the ability of an owner or franchisee to make payments under the applicable management or franchise agreement or negatively affect the reputation of our brands. In November 2010, we entered into a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice related to compliance with the ADA. Our obligations under this settlement expired in March 2015 except that certain managed and franchised hotels that were required to conduct surveys of their facilities remain under an obligation to remove architectural barriers at their facilities through March 15, 2022 and we have an obligation to have an independent consultant to monitor those barrier removal efforts during this period. If we fail to comply with the requirements of the ADA, we could be subject to fines, penalties, injunctive action, reputational harm and other business effects that could materially and negatively affect our performance and results of operations.

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Casinos featured on certain of our properties are subject to gaming laws, and noncompliance could result in the revocation of the gaming licenses.

Several of our properties feature casinos, most of which are operated by third parties. Factors affecting the economic performance of a casino property include:

location, including proximity to or easy access from major population centers;

appearance;

local, regional or national economic and political conditions;

the existence or construction of competing casinos;

dependence on tourism; and

governmental regulation.

Jurisdictions in which our properties containing casinos are located, including Puerto Rico and Egypt, have laws and regulations governing the conduct of casino gaming. These jurisdictions generally require that the operator of a casino must be found suitable and be registered. Once issued, a registration remains in force until revoked. The law defines the grounds for registration, as well as revocation or suspension of such registration. The loss of a gaming license for any reason would have a material adverse effect on the value of a casino property and could reduce fee income associated with such operations and consequently negatively affect our business results.

We are subject to risks from litigation filed by or against us.

Legal or governmental proceedings brought by or on behalf of franchisees, third-party owners of managed properties, employees or customers may adversely affect our financial results. In recent years, a number of hospitality companies have been subject to lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, alleging violations of federal laws and regulations regarding workplace and employment matters, consumer protection claims and other commercial matters. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants. Similar lawsuits have been and may be instituted against us from time to time, and we may incur substantial damages and expenses resulting from lawsuits of this type, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. At any given time, we may be engaged in lawsuits or disputes involving third-party owners of our hotels. Similarly, we may from time to time institute legal proceedings on behalf of ourselves or others, the ultimate outcome of which could cause us to incur substantial damages and expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 
Risks Related to Our Recent Spin-offs

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the spin-offs.

Although we believe that separating our ownership business and our timeshare business by means of the spin-offs will provide financial, operational, managerial and other benefits to us and our stockholders, the spin-offs may not provide results on the scope or scale we anticipate, and we may not realize any or all of the intended benefits. For example, if the statutory and regulatory requirements relating to REITs are not met by Park, the benefits of spinning off the ownership business may be reduced or may be unavailable to us, our stockholders and stockholders of Park. In addition, the costs we incur in connection with, or as a result of, the spin-offs may exceed our estimates or could negate some of the benefits we expect to realize. If we do not realize the intended benefits of the spin-offs or if our costs exceed our estimates, we or the businesses that were spun off could suffer a material adverse effect on our or their business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The spin-offs could result in substantial tax liability to us and our stockholders.

We received a private letter ruling from the IRS on certain issues relevant to qualification of the spin-offs as tax-free distributions under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Although the private letter ruling generally is binding on the IRS, the continued validity of the private letter ruling will be based upon and subject to the accuracy of factual statements and representations made to the IRS by us. Further, the private letter ruling is limited to specified aspects of the spin-offs under Section 355 of the Code and does not represent a determination by the IRS that all of the

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requirements necessary to obtain tax-free treatment to holders of our common stock and to us have been satisfied. Moreover, if any statement or representation upon which the private letter ruling was based was incorrect or untrue in any material respect, or if the facts upon which the private letter ruling was based were materially different from the facts that prevailed at the time of the spin-offs, the private letter ruling could be invalidated. The opinion of tax counsel we received in connection with the spin-offs regarding the qualification of the spin-offs as tax-free distributions under Section 355 of the Code similarly relied on, among other things, the continuing validity of the private letter ruling and various assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by each of the spun-off companies and us which, if inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, would jeopardize the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or the courts will not challenge the conclusions stated in the opinion or that any such challenge would not prevail. Additionally, recently enacted legislation denies tax-free treatment to a spin-off in which either the distributing corporation or the spun-off corporation is a REIT and prevents a distributing corporation or a spun-off corporation from electing REIT status for a 10-year period following a tax-free spin-off. Under an effective date provision, the legislation does not apply to distributions described in a ruling request initially submitted to the IRS before December 7, 2015. Because our initial request for the private letter ruling was submitted before that date and because we believe the distribution has been described in that initial request, we believe the legislation does not apply to the spin-off of Park. However, no ruling was obtained on that issue and thus no assurance can be given in that regard. In particular, the IRS or a court could disagree with our view regarding the effective date provision based on any differences that exist between the description in the ruling request and the actual facts relating to the spin-offs. If the legislation applied to the spin-off of Park, either the spin-off would not qualify for tax-free treatment or Park would not be eligible to elect REIT status for a 10-year period following the spin-off.

If the spin-offs and certain related transactions were determined to be taxable, the Company would be subject to a substantial tax liability that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if the spin-offs were taxable, each holder of our common stock who received shares of Park and HGV would generally be treated as receiving a taxable distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received.

Park or HGV may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that we have executed as part of the spin-offs.

In connection with the spin-offs, we, Park and HGV entered into a distribution agreement and various other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and, as to Park, management agreements, and, as to HGV, a license agreement. Certain of these agreements provide for the performance of services by each company for the benefit of the other following the spin-offs. We are relying on Park and HGV to satisfy their performance and payment obligations under these agreements. In addition, it is possible that a court would disregard the allocation agreed to between us, Park and HGV and require that we assume responsibility for certain obligations allocated to Park and to HGV, particularly if Park or HGV were to refuse or were unable to pay or perform such obligations. The impact of any of these factors is difficult to predict, but one or more of them could cause reputational harm and could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

In connection with the spin-offs, each of Park and HGV indemnified us for certain liabilities. These indemnities may not be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of the liabilities assumed by Park and HGV, and Park and HGV may be unable to satisfy their indemnification obligations to us in the future.

In connection with the spin-offs, each of Park and HGV indemnified us with respect to such parties’ assumed or retained liabilities pursuant to the distribution agreement and breaches of the distribution agreement or other agreements related to the spin-offs. There can be no assurance that the indemnities from each of Park and HGV will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of these and other liabilities. Third parties also could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Park and HGV have agreed to assume. Even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Park or HGV any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear those losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If we are required to indemnify Park or HGV in connection with the spin-offs, we may need to divert cash to meet those obligations, which could negatively affect our financial results.

Pursuant to the distribution agreement entered into in connection with the spin-offs and certain other agreements among Park and HGV and us, we agreed to indemnify each of Park and HGV from certain liabilities. Indemnities that we may be required to provide Park and/or HGV may be significant and could negatively affect our business.


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Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our substantial indebtedness and other contractual obligations could adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, our ability to operate our business, our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and our ability to pay our debts and could divert our cash flow from operations for debt payments.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2016, our total indebtedness, excluding unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts, was approximately $10.9 billion, including $696 million of timeshare debt, and our contractual debt maturities of our long-term debt and timeshare debt for the years ending December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, were $179 million, $110 million and $543 million. Our substantial debt and other contractual obligations could have important consequences, including:

requiring a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures or dividends to stockholders and to pursue future business opportunities;

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry or competitive developments;

exposing us to increased interest expense, as our degree of leverage may cause the interest rates of any future indebtedness (whether fixed or floating rate interest) to be higher than they would be otherwise;

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of our indebtedness is at variable rates of interest;

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants, could result in an event of default that accelerates our obligation to repay indebtedness;

restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, satisfaction of debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may be better positioned to take advantage of opportunities that our leverage prevents us from exploiting.

We are a holding company, and substantially all of our consolidated assets are owned by, and most of our business is conducted through, our subsidiaries. Revenues from these subsidiaries are our primary source of funds for debt payments and operating expenses. If our subsidiaries are restricted from making distributions to us, that may impair our ability to meet our debt service obligations or otherwise fund our operations. Moreover, there may be restrictions on payments by subsidiaries to their parent companies under applicable laws, including laws that require companies to maintain minimum amounts of capital and to make payments to stockholders only from profits. As a result, although a subsidiary of ours may have cash, we may not be able to obtain that cash to satisfy our obligation to service our outstanding debt or fund our operations.
 

Certain of our debt agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, which may prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities.

The indentures that govern our senior notes and the credit agreement that governs our senior secured credit facilities impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability and/or the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;

pay dividends (including to us) and make other distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock;

make certain investments;

incur certain liens;


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enter into transactions with affiliates;

merge or consolidate;

enter into agreements that restrict the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make dividends or other payments to the issuers;

designate restricted subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and

transfer or sell assets.

In addition, if, on the last day of any period of four consecutive quarters on or after June 30, 2014, the aggregate principal amount of revolving credit loans, swing line loans and/or letters of credit (excluding up to $50 million of letters of credit and certain other letters of credit that have been cash collateralized or back-stopped) that are issued and/or outstanding is greater than 30 percent of the revolving credit facility, the credit agreement will require us to maintain a consolidated first lien net leverage ratio not to exceed 7.0 to 1.0.

As a result of these restrictions, we are limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We may not be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, we may not be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.

Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above, as well as other terms of our other indebtedness and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time, could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or are unable to refinance these borrowings, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Servicing our indebtedness will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate sufficient cash depends on many factors, some of which are not within our control.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness, to fund planned capital expenditures and to pay dividends to our stockholders will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. To a certain extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt and meet our other commitments, we may need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, sell material assets or operations or raise additional debt or equity capital. We may not be able to effect any of these actions on a timely basis, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and these actions may not be sufficient to meet our capital requirements. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt arrangements may restrict us from effecting any of these alternatives. Finally, our ability to raise additional equity capital may be restricted by the stockholders agreement we entered into with HGV and certain entities affiliated with Blackstone that is intended to preserve the tax-free status of the spin-offs of Park and HGV.
 

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions, which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness, including secured debt, in the future. Although the credit agreements and indentures that govern substantially all of our indebtedness contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and entering into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also do not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments. To the extent new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described in the preceding three risk factors would increase.


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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The interests of certain of our stockholders may conflict with ours or yours in the future.

Blackstone and its affiliates beneficially owned approximately 40.3 percent of our common stock as of December 31, 2016. HNA has agreed to acquire 25 percent of our outstanding common stock from Blackstone. Moreover, under our bylaws and the stockholders’ agreement with Blackstone, for so long as it retains specified levels of ownership of us, we have agreed to nominate to our board individuals designated by Blackstone. If Blackstone's proposed sale of our common stock to HNA closes, HNA will have specified board designation rights, as described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2016. Thus, for so long as Blackstone and HNA continue to own specified percentages of our stock, each will be able to influence the composition of our board of directors and the approval of actions requiring stockholder approval. Accordingly, during that period of time, each of Blackstone and HNA will have influence with respect to our management, business plans and policies, including the appointment and removal of our officers. For example, for so long as Blackstone or HNA continues to own a significant percentage of our stock, Blackstone or HNA may be able to influence whether or not a change of control of our company or a change in the composition of our board of directors occurs. The concentration of ownership could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares of common stock as part of a sale of our company and ultimately might affect the market price of our common stock.

Each of Blackstone and HNA and its respective affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in the hospitality industry. In the ordinary course of their business activities, each of Blackstone and HNA and their respective affiliates may engage in activities where their interests conflict with ours or those of our stockholders. For example, Blackstone owns interests in Extended Stay America, Inc., La Quinta Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., and certain other investments in the hospitality industry and may pursue ventures that compete directly or indirectly with us. HNA acquired Carlson Hotels in December 2016 and has an interest in NH Hotel Group. In addition, affiliates of Blackstone and HNA directly and indirectly own hotels that we manage or franchise, and they may in the future enter into other transactions with us, including hotel development projects, that could result in their having interests that could conflict with ours. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of Blackstone, any of its affiliates or any director who is not employed by us (including any non-employee director who serves as one of our officers in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates will have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities or similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. Under the Company's stockholders agreement with HNA, the Company agreed to renounce any interest or expectancy, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity or corporate opportunity presented to HNA or its affiliates. Blackstone or HNA also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may be unavailable to us. In addition, Blackstone or HNA may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their respective investments, even though such transactions might involve risks to you.

 
While we currently pay a quarterly cash dividend to holders of our common stock, we may change our dividend policy at any time.

Although we currently pay a quarterly cash dividend to holders of our common stock, we have no obligation to do so, and our dividend policy may change at any time without notice to our stockholders. The declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors in accordance with applicable law after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, limitations imposed by our indebtedness, legal requirements and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.

 
Future issuances of common stock by us, and the availability for resale of shares held by certain investors, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could substantially decrease the market price of our common stock. In addition, Blackstone has pledged substantially all of the shares of our common stock held by it pursuant to a margin loan agreement and any foreclosure upon those shares could result in sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, which could substantially decrease the market price of our common stock.

Pursuant to registration rights agreements, Blackstone and certain management stockholders have, and HNA will have, the right to cause us, in certain instances, at our expense, to file registration statements under the Securities Act covering resales of our common stock held by them. These shares represented approximately 41.2 percent of our outstanding common stock as of

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December 31, 2016. These shares also may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, depending on their holding period and subject to restrictions in the case of shares held by persons deemed to be our affiliates. As restrictions on resale end or if these stockholders exercise their registration rights, the market price of our stock could decline if the holders of restricted shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law might discourage or delay acquisition attempts for us that you might consider favorable.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may make the merger or acquisition of our company more difficult without the approval of our board of directors. Among other things:

although we do not have a stockholder rights plan, and would either submit any such plan to stockholders for ratification or cause such plan to expire within a year, these provisions would allow us to authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock in connection with a stockholder rights plan or otherwise, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval, and which may include super voting, special approval, dividend, or other rights or preferences superior to the rights of the holders of common stock;

these provisions prohibit stockholder action by written consent from and after the date on which Blackstone ceases to beneficially own at least 40 percent of the total voting power of all then outstanding shares of our capital stock unless such action is recommended by all directors then in office, which would be the case upon closing of the HNA transaction;

these provisions provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws and that our stockholders may only amend our bylaws with the approval of 80 percent or more of all the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote; and

these provisions establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to our board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Further, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to provisions of Delaware law, which may impair a takeover attempt that our stockholders may find beneficial. These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company, including actions that our stockholders may deem advantageous, or negatively affect the trading price of our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

34


Item 2.    Properties

Hotel Properties

Owned or Controlled Hotels

As of December 31, 2016, we owned a majority or controlling financial interest in the following 56 hotels, representing 28,931 rooms.
Property
 
Location
 
Rooms
 
Ownership
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Waldorf Astoria Orlando(1)
 
Orlando, FL, USA
 
498
 
100%
Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort(1)
 
Key West, FL, USA
 
311
 
100%
The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort(1)
 
Key West, FL, USA
 
150
 
100%
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort(1)
 
Honolulu, HI, USA
 
2,860
 
100%
Hilton New York(1)
 
New York, NY, USA
 
1,929
 
100%
Hilton San Francisco Union Square(1)
 
San Francisco, CA, USA
 
1,919
 
100%
Hilton New Orleans Riverside(1)
 
New Orleans, LA, USA
 
1,622
 
100%
Hilton Chicago(1)
 
Chicago, IL, USA
 
1,544
 
100%
Hilton Waikoloa Village(1)
 
Waikoloa, HI, USA
 
1,243
 
100%
Hilton Parc 55(1)
 
San Francisco, CA, USA
 
1,024
 
100%
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek(1)
 
Orlando, FL, USA
 
1,001
 
100%
Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport(1)
 
Chicago, IL, USA
 
860
 
100%
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista(1)
 
Orlando, FL, USA
 
814
 
100%
Caribe Hilton(1)
 
San Juan, Puerto Rico
 
747
 
100%
Hilton Boston Logan Airport(1)
 
Boston, MA, USA
 
599
 
100%
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort(1)
 
Phoenix, AZ, USA
 
563
 
100%
Hilton Miami Airport(1)
 
Miami, FL, USA
 
508
 
100%
Hilton Atlanta Airport(1)
 
Atlanta, GA, USA
 
507
 
100%
Hilton São Paulo Morumbi(1)
 
São Paulo, Brazil
 
503
 
100%
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner(1)
 
McLean, VA, USA
 
458
 
100%
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center(1)
 
Seattle, WA, USA
 
396
 
100%
Hilton Oakland Airport(1)
 
Oakland, CA, USA
 
360
 
100%
Hilton Paris Orly Airport
 
Paris, France
 
340
 
100%
Hilton Durban(1)
 
Durban, South Africa
 
327
 
100%
Hilton New Orleans Airport(1)
 
Kenner, LA, USA
 
317
 
100%
Hilton Short Hills(1)
 
Short Hills, NJ, USA
 
304
 
100%
Hilton Blackpool(1)
 
Blackpool, United Kingdom
 
278
 
100%
Hilton Rotterdam(1)
 
Rotterdam, Netherlands
 
254
 
100%
Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Suites(1)
 
Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA
 
211
 
100%
Hilton Belfast(1)
 
Belfast, United Kingdom
 
198
 
100%
Hilton London Angel Islington(1)
 
London, United Kingdom
 
188
 
100%
Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor(1)
 
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
 
184
 
100%
Hilton Coylumbridge(1)
 
Coylumbridge, United Kingdom
 
175
 
100%
Hilton Bath City(1)
 
Bath, United Kingdom
 
173
 
100%
Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa
 
Odawara City, Japan
 
173
 
100%
Hilton Nuremberg(1)
 
Nuremberg, Germany
 
152
 
100%
Hilton Milton Keynes(1)
 
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
 
138
 
100%
Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Golf & Country Club
 
Templepatrick, United Kingdom
 
129
 
100%
Hilton Sheffield(1)
 
Sheffield, United Kingdom
 
128
 
100%
Curio - A Collection by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
Juniper Hotel Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton(1)
 
Cupertino, CA, USA
 
224
 
100%
DoubleTree by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC – Crystal City(1)
 
Arlington, VA, USA
 
627
 
100%
DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose(1)
 
San Jose, CA, USA
 
505
 
100%
DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport(1)
 
Ontario, CA, USA
 
482
 
67%
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane – City Center(1)
 
Spokane, WA, USA
 
375
 
10%

35


Property
 
Location
 
Rooms
 
Ownership
The Fess Parker Santa Barbara Hotel – a DoubleTree by Hilton Resort(1)
 
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
 
360
 
50%
Embassy Suites by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embassy Suites by Hilton Parsippany(1)
 
Parsippany, NJ, USA
 
274
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza(1)
 
Kansas City, MO, USA
 
266
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Town Lake(1)
 
Austin, TX, USA
 
259
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center(1)
 
Atlanta, GA, USA
 
241
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael Marin County(1)
 
San Rafael, CA, USA
 
235
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Overland Park(1)
 
Overland Park, KS, USA
 
199
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Georgetown(1)
 
Washington, D.C., USA
 
197
 
100%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport(1)
 
Phoenix, AZ, USA
 
182
 
100%
Hilton Garden Inn
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hilton Garden Inn LAX El Segundo(1)
 
El Segundo, CA, USA
 
162
 
100%
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Oakbrook Terrace(1)
 
Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA
 
128
 
100%
Hampton by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis – Shady Grove(1)
 
Memphis, TN, USA
 
130
 
100%
____________
(1) 
Owned by Park effective January 3, 2017 as a result of the completion of the spin-offs.

Joint Venture Hotels

As of December 31, 2016, we had a minority or noncontrolling financial interest in and operated the following 15 properties, representing 7,531 rooms. We have a right of first refusal to purchase additional equity interests in certain of these joint ventures. We manage each of the hotels for the entity owning or leasing the hotel.
Property
 
Location
 
Rooms
 
Ownership
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
 
Chicago, IL, USA
 
215
 
12%
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conrad Cairo
 
Cairo, Egypt
 
614
 
10%
Conrad Dublin(1)
 
Dublin, Ireland
 
192
 
48%
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hilton Orlando(1)
 
Orlando, FL, USA
 
1,417
 
20%
Hilton San Diego Bayfront(1)
 
San Diego, CA, USA
 
1,190
 
25%
Hilton Tokyo Bay
 
Urayasu-shi, Japan
 
819
 
24%
Hilton Berlin(1)
 
Berlin, Germany
 
601
 
40%
Capital Hilton(1)
 
Washington, D.C., USA
 
550
 
25%
Hilton Nagoya
 
Nagoya, Japan
 
460
 
24%
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines(1)
 
La Jolla, CA, USA
 
394
 
25%
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa
 
Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius
 
193
 
20%
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
 
Dubrovnik, Croatia
 
147
 
18%
DoubleTree by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
DoubleTree by Hilton Las Vegas – Airport(1)
 
Las Vegas, NV, USA
 
190
 
50%
Embassy Suites by Hilton
 
 
 
 
 
 
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town(1)
 
Alexandria, VA, USA
 
288
 
50%
Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands(1)
 
Secaucus, NJ, USA
 
261
 
50%
____________
(1) 
Ownership interest in such property was transferred to Park on January 3, 2017 in connection with the spin-offs.


36


Leased Hotels

As of December 31, 2016, we leased the following 70 hotels, representing 21,254 rooms.
Property
 
Location
 
Rooms
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
 
Rome, Italy
 
370
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
 
Amsterdam, Netherlands
 
93
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
 
 
 
 
Hilton Tokyo(2)
 
(Shinjuku-ku) Tokyo, Japan
 
821
Ramses Hilton
 
Cairo, Egypt
 
771
Hilton London Kensington
 
London, United Kingdom
 
601
Hilton Vienna
 
Vienna, Austria
 
579
Hilton Tel Aviv
 
Tel Aviv, Israel
 
560
Hilton Osaka(2)
 
Osaka, Japan
 
527
Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus
 
Istanbul, Turkey
 
500
Hilton Salt Lake City(1)
 
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
 
499
Hilton Munich Park
 
Munich, Germany
 
484
Hilton Munich City
 
Munich, Germany
 
480
London Hilton on Park Lane
 
London, United Kingdom
 
453
Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona
 
Barcelona, Spain
 
433
Hilton Mainz
 
Mainz, Germany
 
431
Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre
 
Port of Spain, Trinidad
 
418
Hilton London Heathrow Airport
 
London, United Kingdom
 
398
Hilton Izmir
 
Izmir, Turkey
 
380
Hilton Addis Ababa
 
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 
372
Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront
 
Vienna, Austria
 
367
Hilton Frankfurt
 
Frankfurt, Germany
 
342
Hilton Brighton Metropole
 
Brighton, United Kingdom
 
340
Hilton Sandton
 
Sandton, South Africa
 
329
Hilton Milan
 
Milan, Italy
 
320
Hilton Brisbane
 
Brisbane, Australia
 
319
Hilton Glasgow
 
Glasgow, United Kingdom
 
319
Ankara Hilton
 
Ankara, Turkey
 
309
Adana Hilton
 
Adana, Turkey
 
308
The Waldorf Hilton, London
 
London, United Kingdom
 
298
Hilton Cologne
 
Cologne, Germany
 
296
Hilton Stockholm Slussen
 
Stockholm, Sweden
 
289
Hilton Nairobi(2)
 
Nairobi, Kenya
 
287
Hilton Madrid Airport
 
Madrid, Spain
 
284
Parmelia Hilton Perth
 
Parmelia Perth, Australia
 
284
Hilton London Canary Wharf
 
London, United Kingdom
 
282
Hilton Amsterdam
 
Amsterdam, Netherlands
 
271
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
 
Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
 
254
Hilton Vienna Plaza
 
Vienna, Austria
 
254
Hilton Bonn
 
Bonn, Germany
 
252
Hilton London Tower Bridge
 
London, United Kingdom
 
246
Hilton Manchester Airport
 
Manchester, United Kingdom
 
230
Hilton Bracknell
 
Bracknell, United Kingdom
 
215
Hilton Antwerp Old Town
 
Antwerp, Belgium
 
210
Hilton Reading
 
Reading, United Kingdom
 
210
Hilton Leeds City
 
Leeds, United Kingdom
 
208
Hilton Watford
 
Watford, United Kingdom
 
200
Mersin Hilton
 
Mersin, Turkey
 
186
Hilton Warwick/Stratford-upon-Avon
 
Warwick, United Kingdom
 
181
Hilton Leicester
 
Leicester, United Kingdom
 
179
Hilton Innsbruck
 
Innsbruck, Austria
 
176
Hilton Nottingham
 
Nottingham, United Kingdom
 
176
Hilton St. Anne’s Manor, Bracknell
 
Wokingham, United Kingdom
 
170

37


Property
 
Location
 
Rooms
Hilton London Croydon
 
Croydon, United Kingdom
 
168
Hilton London Green Park
 
London, United Kingdom
 
163
Hilton Cobham
 
Cobham, United Kingdom
 
158
Hilton Paris La Defense
 
Paris, France
 
153
Hilton East Midlands Airport
 
Derby, United Kingdom
 
152
Hilton Maidstone
 
Maidstone, United Kingdom
 
146
Hilton Avisford Park, Arundel
 
Arundel, United Kingdom
 
140
Hilton Northampton
 
Northampton, United Kingdom
 
139
Hilton London Hyde Park
 
London, United Kingdom
 
136
Hilton York
 
York, United Kingdom
 
131
Hilton Mainz City
 
Mainz, Germany
 
127
Hilton ParkSA Istanbul
 
Istanbul, Turkey
 
117
Hilton Puckrup Hall, Tewkesbury
 
Tewkesbury, United Kingdom
 
112
Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor
 
Glasgow, United Kingdom
 
97
DoubleTree by Hilton
 
 
 
 
DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle – Airport(1)
 
Seattle, WA, USA
 
850
DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego – Mission Valley(1)
 
San Diego, CA, USA
 
300
DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country(1)
 
Rohnert Park, CA, USA
 
245
DoubleTree by Hilton Durango(1)
 
Durango, CO, USA
 
159
____________
(1) 
Leased by Park effective January 3, 2017 in connection with the spin-offs.
(2) 
We own a majority or controlling financial interest, but less than a 100 percent interest, in entities that lease these properties.

Corporate Headquarters and Regional Offices

Our corporate headquarters are located at 7930 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102. These offices consist of approximately 223,000 square feet of leased space. The lease for this property expires on December 31, 2023, with options to renew and increase the rentable square footage. We also have corporate offices in Watford, England (Europe), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Middle East and Africa) and Singapore (Asia Pacific). Additionally, to support our operations, we have our Hilton Honors and other commercial services office in Addison, Texas, the Hilton Grand Vacations headquarters in Orlando, Florida and timeshare sales offices in the U.S. in Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Florida, South Carolina, Utah and Washington, D.C. and outside the U.S. in London, Scotland, Japan and South Korea.

Other non-operating real estate holdings include a centralized operations center located in Memphis, Tennessee, and our Hilton Reservations and Customer Care offices in Carrollton, Texas and Tampa, Florida.

We believe that our existing office properties are in good condition and are sufficient and suitable for the conduct of our business. In the event we need to expand our operations, we believe that suitable space will be available on commercially reasonable terms.

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which include claims for substantial sums, including proceedings involving tort and other general liability claims, employee claims, consumer protection claims and claims related to our management of certain hotel properties. Most occurrences involving liability, claims of negligence and employees are covered by insurance with solvent insurance carriers. For those matters not covered by insurance, which include commercial matters, we recognize a liability when we believe the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. We believe we have adequate reserves against such matters. We currently believe that the ultimate outcome of such lawsuits and proceedings will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. However, depending on the amount and timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect our future results of operations in a particular period.

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

38


PART II

Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information and Dividends
    
Our common stock began trading publicly on the NYSE under the symbol "HLT" on December 12, 2013. As of December 31, 2016, there were approximately 35 holders of record of our common stock. This stockholder figure does not include a substantially greater number of holders whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions. On January 3, 2017, we completed a 1-for-3 Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding common stock.

We declared regular quarterly cash dividends beginning in the third quarter of 2015 and expect to continue paying regular dividends on a quarterly basis. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from funds we receive from our subsidiaries. The following table presents the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by the NYSE and the cash dividends we declared for the last two fiscal years, adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split, but not the spin-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
 
Stock Price
 
Declared per
 
High
 
Low
 
Share
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
68.67

 
$
48.48

 
$
0.21

Second Quarter
70.80

 
60.75

 
0.21

Third Quarter
73.29

 
66.51

 
0.21

Fourth Quarter
83.85

 
65.40

 
0.21

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
90.18

 
$
73.08

 
$

Second Quarter
94.80

 
81.90

 

Third Quarter
85.56

 
62.79

 
0.21

Fourth Quarter
78.81

 
62.73

 
0.21





39


Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return since December 12, 2013 with the S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") and the S&P Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Index ("S&P Hotel"). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and each index was $100 on December 12, 2013 and that all dividends and other distributions were reinvested.
a2016hwh10-k_chartx31871.jpg

 
12/12/2013
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2015
 
12/31/2016
Hilton
$
100.00

 
$
103.49

 
$
121.35

 
$
99.53

 
$
128.87

S&P 500
100.00

 
104.10

 
115.96

 
115.12

 
126.10

S&P Hotel
100.00

 
109.17

 
132.84

 
135.47

 
142.45


Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
    
None.



40


Item 6.     Selected Financial Data

We derived the selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We derived the selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any future period.

The selected consolidated financial data below should be read together with the consolidated financial statements including the related notes thereto, and "Part II—Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
11,663

 
$
11,272

 
$
10,502

 
$
9,735

 
$
9,276

Operating income
1,861

 
2,071

 
1,673

 
1,102

 
1,100

Net income
364

 
1,416

 
682

 
460

 
359

Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
348

 
1,404

 
673

 
415

 
352

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.06

 
$
4.27

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.35

 
$
1.15

Diluted
$
1.05

 
$
4.26

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.35

 
$
1.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.84

 
$
0.42

 
$

 
$

 
$


 
December 31,
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets(2)
$
26,211

 
$
25,622

 
$
26,001

 
$
26,410

 
$
27,043

Long-term debt(2)(3)(4)
10,118

 
9,951

 
10,943

 
11,899

 
15,972

Timeshare debt(2)(3)
694

 
502

 
625

 
672

 

____________
(1) 
Per share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share were adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.
(2) 
All periods presented reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU") No. 2015-03 and No. 2015-15.
(3) 
Includes current maturities and is net of unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts.
(4) 
Includes capital lease obligations and debt of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs").


41



Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

Our Business

Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with 4,922 hotels, resorts and timeshare properties comprising 804,097 rooms in 104 countries and territories as of December 31, 2016. Our premier brand portfolio includes: our luxury and lifestyle hotel brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Canopy by Hilton; our full service hotel brands, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton; our focused service hotel brands, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton; our timeshare brand, Hilton Grand Vacations; and our new full service brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, launched in January 2017. We had approximately 60 million members in our award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors, as of December 31, 2016.

Recent Events

On January 3, 2017, we completed the previously announced spin-offs of a portfolio of hotels and resorts, as well as our timeshare business, into two independent, publicly traded companies: Park and HGV, respectively. The spin-offs were completed via a distribution to each of Hilton's stockholders of record, as of the close of business on December 15, 2016, of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Park and HGV. Each Hilton stockholder received one share of Park common stock for every five shares of Hilton common stock and one share of HGV common stock for every ten shares of Hilton common stock. Both Park and HGV have their common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbols "PK" and "HGV," respectively. Unless otherwise stated, disclosures herein reflect the results of Hilton, without giving effect to the spin-offs, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. See Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 29: "Subsequent Events" in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. Refer to pro forma financial information included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2017 for the historical results of operations and performance of Hilton giving effect to the spin-offs, and refer to the Registration Statements on Form 10 of Park and HGV and their subsequent periodic and other reports filed with the SEC for their respective historical financial results. Additionally, refer to our press release on our fourth quarter and full year 2016 results for our pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2016 included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2017.

On January 3, 2017, we completed a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of Hilton's outstanding common stock. The authorized number of shares of common stock was reduced from 30,000,000,000 to 10,000,000,000, and the authorized number of shares of preferred stock remains 3,000,000,000. All share and share-related information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements, have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split.

In January 2017, we launched our newest brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, which is a curated portfolio of original hotels in the upscale hotel segment that have recognizable features distinct to each hotel. Tapestry guests are looking for new experiences and choose to stay where they can expect to never see the same thing twice. The first property is expected to open by the third quarter of 2017.

Segments and Regions

During the periods covered by this report, management analyzed our operations and business by both operating segments and geographic regions, which consisted of three reportable segments that are based on similar products or services: ownership; management and franchise; and timeshare. The ownership segment primarily derives earnings from providing hotel room rentals, food and beverage sales and other services at our owned and leased hotels. The management and franchise segment provides services, which include hotel management and licensing of our brands to franchisees, as well as property management at timeshare properties. This segment generates its revenue from management and franchise fees charged to hotel owners, including our owned and leased hotels, and to homeowners' associations at timeshare properties. As a manager of hotels and timeshare resorts, we typically are responsible for supervising or operating the property in exchange for management fees. As a franchisor of hotels, we charge franchise fees in exchange for the use of one of our brand names and related commercial services, such as our reservation system, marketing and information technology services. The timeshare segment consists of

42



multi-unit vacation ownership properties and generates revenue by marketing and selling timeshare intervals owned by us and third parties, resort operations and providing consumer financing for the timeshare interests.

Geographically, management conducts business through three distinct geographic regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"); and Asia Pacific. The Americas region includes North America, South America and Central America, including all Caribbean nations. Although the U.S. is included in the Americas, it represents a significant portion of our system-wide hotel rooms, which was 75 percent as of December 31, 2016; therefore, the U.S. is often analyzed separately and apart from the Americas geographic region and, as such, it is presented separately within the analysis herein. The EMEA region includes Europe, which represents the western-most peninsula of Eurasia stretching from Ireland in the west to Russia in the east, and the Middle East and Africa ("MEA"), which represents the Middle East region and all African nations, including the Indian Ocean island nations. Europe and MEA are often analyzed separately by management. The Asia Pacific region includes the eastern and southeastern nations of Asia, as well as India, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific island nations. Refer to "Part I—Item 2. Properties" for the specific properties and respective locations of the properties that were distributed to Park in connection with the spin-offs.

System Growth and Pipeline

We continue to expand our global footprint and fee-based business. As we enter into new management and franchise contracts, we expand our business with minimal or no capital investment by us as the manager or franchisor, as the capital required to build and maintain hotels is typically provided by the third-party owner of the respective hotel that we contract with to provide management or franchise services. Additionally, prior to approving the addition of new hotels to our management and franchise development pipeline, we evaluate the economic viability of the hotel based on the geographic location, the credit quality of the third-party owner and other factors. As a result, by increasing the number of management and franchise agreements with third-party owners, we expect to achieve a higher overall return on invested capital.

As of December 31, 2016, we had a total of 1,968 hotels in our development pipeline, representing approximately 310,000 rooms under construction or approved for development throughout 96 countries and territories, including 32 countries and territories where we do not currently have any open hotels. Over 99 percent of the rooms in the pipeline are within our management and franchise segment. Of the rooms in the pipeline, over 159,000 rooms, or more than half of the pipeline, were located outside the U.S. As of December 31, 2016, over 157,000 rooms, representing approximately half of our development pipeline, were under construction. We do not consider any individual development project to be material to us.

Principal Components and Factors Affecting our Results of Operations

Revenues

Principal Components

During the periods presented in this report, we primarily derived our revenues from the following sources:

Owned and leased hotels. Represents revenues derived from hotel operations, including room rentals, food and beverage sales and other ancillary goods and services. These revenues are primarily derived from two categories of customers: transient and group. Transient guests are individual travelers who are traveling for business or leisure. Group guests are traveling for group events that reserve rooms for meetings, conferences or social functions sponsored by associations, corporate, social, military, educational, religious or other organizations. Group business usually includes a block of room accommodations, as well as other ancillary services, such as meeting facilities and catering and banquet services. A majority of our food and beverage sales and other ancillary services are provided to customers who are also occupying rooms at our hotel properties. As a result, occupancy affects all components of our owned and leased hotel revenues.

Management and franchise fees and other. Represents revenues derived from management fees earned from hotels and timeshare properties managed by us, franchise fees received in connection with the franchising of our brands and other revenue generated by the incidental support of hotel operations for owned, leased, managed and franchised properties and other rental income.

Terms of our management agreements vary, but our fees generally consist of a base fee, which is typically a percentage of each hotel's gross revenue, and in some cases an incentive fee, which is based on gross operating profits, cash flow or a combination thereof. Management fees from timeshare properties are generally a fixed amount as stated in the management agreement. Outside of the U.S., our fees are often more dependent on hotel

43



profitability measures, either through a single management fee structure where the entire fee is based on a profitability measure, or because our two-tier fee structure is more heavily weighted toward the incentive fee than the base fee. Additionally, we receive one-time upfront fees upon execution of certain management contracts, as well as a monthly fee based on a percentage of the total gross room revenue that covers the costs of advertising and marketing programs; internet, technology and reservation systems expenses; and quality assurance program costs. In general, the hotel owner pays all operating and other expenses and reimburses costs we incur in operating the hotel.

Under our franchise agreements, franchisees pay us franchise fees which consist of initial application and initiation fees for new hotels entering the system and monthly royalty fees, generally calculated as a percentage of room revenues. Royalty fees for our full service brands may also include a percentage of gross food and beverage revenues and other revenues, where applicable. In addition to the franchise application and royalty fees, franchisees also generally pay a monthly program fee based on a percentage of the total gross room revenue that covers the cost of advertising and marketing programs; internet, technology and reservation system expenses; and quality assurance program costs. We also earn fees when certain franchise agreements are terminated early or there is a change in ownership.

Timeshare. Represents revenues derived from the sale and financing of timeshare intervals and revenues from enrollments and other fees, rentals of timeshare units, food and beverage sales and other ancillary services at our timeshare properties, which we refer to as resort operations. Additionally, in recent years, we began a transformation of our timeshare business to a capital light model in which third-party timeshare owners and developers provided capital for development while we acted as the sales and marketing agent and property manager. Through these transactions, we received a sales and marketing commission and branding fees based on the total sales price of the timeshare interval, recurring fees to operate the homeowners' associations and revenues from resort operations.

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties. These revenues represent the payroll and related costs for properties that we manage where the property employees are legally our responsibility, as well as certain other operating costs of the managed and franchised properties' operations, marketing expenses and other expenses associated with our brands and shared services that are contractually either reimbursed to us by the property owners or paid from fees collected in advance from these properties when the costs are incurred. We have no legal responsibility for employees at franchised properties. The corresponding expenses are presented as other expenses from managed and franchised properties in our consolidated statements of operations resulting in no effect on operating income or net income.

Factors Affecting our Revenues

The following factors affected the revenues we derived from our operations during the periods presented:

Consumer demand and global economic conditions. Consumer demand for our products and services is closely linked to the performance of the general economy and is sensitive to business and personal discretionary spending levels. Declines in consumer demand due to adverse general economic conditions, risks affecting or reducing travel patterns, lower consumer confidence and adverse political conditions can lower the revenues and profitability of our owned and leased operations and the amount of management and franchise fee revenues we are able to generate from our managed and franchised properties. Further, competition for hotel guests and the supply of hotel services affect our ability to sustain or increase rates charged to customers at our hotels. Also, declines in hotel profitability during an economic downturn directly affect the incentive portion of our management fees, which is based on hotel profit measures. Our timeshare segment also is linked to cycles in the general economy, consumer discretionary spending and availability of financing. As a result, changes in consumer demand and general business cycles have historically subjected and could in the future subject our revenues to significant volatility.

Agreements with third-party owners and franchisees and relationships with developers. We depend on our long-term management and franchise agreements with third-party owners and franchisees for a significant portion of our management and franchise fee revenues. The success and sustainability of our management and franchise business depends on our ability to perform under our management and franchise agreements and maintain good relationships with third-party owners and franchisees. Our relationships with these third parties also generate new relationships with developers and opportunities for property development that can support our growth. Growth and maintenance of our hotel system and earning fees relating to hotels in the pipeline are dependent on the ability of developers and owners to access capital for the development, maintenance and renovation of properties. We believe that we have good relationships with our third-party owners, franchisees and developers and are committed to the continued growth and

44



development of these relationships. These relationships exist with a diverse group of owners, franchisees and developers and are not significantly concentrated with any particular third party.

Additionally, we entered into sales and marketing agreements to sell timeshare intervals on behalf of third-party developers. We relied on these relationships to expand our timeshare interval supply without deploying capital for asset construction.

Expenses

Principal Components

We primarily incurred the following expenses during the periods presented:

Owned and leased hotels. Reflects the operating expenses of our consolidated owned and leased hotels, including room expense, food and beverage costs, other support costs and property expenses. Room expense includes compensation costs for housekeeping, laundry and front desk staff and supply costs for guest room amenities and laundry. Food and beverage costs include costs for wait and kitchen staff and food and beverage products. Other support expenses consist of costs associated with property-level management, utilities, sales and marketing, operating hotel spas, telephones, parking and other guest recreation, entertainment and services. Property expenses include property taxes, repairs and maintenance, rent and insurance.

Timeshare. Includes the cost of inventory sold during the period, sales and marketing expenses, resort operations expenses and other overhead expenses associated with our timeshare business.

Depreciation and amortization. These are non-cash expenses that primarily consist of depreciation of fixed assets such as buildings, furniture, fixtures and equipment at our consolidated owned and leased hotels and certain corporate assets, as well as amortization of our management and franchise intangibles and capitalized software.

General, administrative and other expenses. Consists primarily of compensation expense for our corporate staff and personnel supporting our business segments (including divisional offices that support our management and franchise segment), professional fees (including consulting, audit and legal fees), travel and entertainment expenses, bad debt expenses for uncollected management, franchise and other fees, contractual performance obligations and office administrative and related expenses. Expenses incurred by our supply management business, laundry facilities and other ancillary businesses are also included in general, administrative and other expenses.

Impairment losses. We hold significant amounts of goodwill, amortizing and non-amortizing intangible assets and long-lived assets. We evaluate these assets for impairment as further discussed in "—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates." These evaluations have resulted in impairment losses for certain of these assets based on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the assets and our estimates of fair value. Based on economic conditions or other factors at a property-specific or company-wide level, we may be required to take additional impairment losses to reflect further declines in our asset values.

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties. These expenses represent the payroll and related costs for properties that we manage where the property employees are legally our responsibility, as well as certain other operating costs of the managed and franchised properties' operations, marketing expenses and other expenses associated with our brands and shared services that are contractually either reimbursed to us by the property owners or paid from fees collected in advance from these properties when the costs are incurred. We have no legal responsibility for employees at franchised properties. The corresponding revenues are presented as other revenues from managed and franchised properties in our consolidated statements of operations resulting in no effect on operating income or net income.

Factors Affecting our Costs and Expenses

The following are principal factors that affect the costs and expenses we incur in the course of our operations:

Fixed expenses. Many of the expenses associated with owning, leasing, managing and franchising hotels and timeshare resorts are relatively fixed. These expenses include personnel costs, rent, property taxes, insurance and utilities. If we are unable to decrease these costs significantly or rapidly when demand for our hotels and other properties decreases, the resulting decline in our revenues can have an adverse effect on our net cash flow, margins

45



and profits. This effect can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or slow economic growth. Economic downturns generally affect the results of our ownership segment more significantly than the results of our management and franchising segment due to the high fixed costs associated with operating an owned or leased hotel. The effectiveness of any cost-cutting efforts is limited by the amount of fixed costs inherent in our business. As a result, we may not be able to offset revenue reductions through cost cutting. Employees at some of our owned and leased hotels are parties to collective bargaining agreements that may also limit our ability to make timely staffing or labor changes in response to declining revenues. In addition, any efforts to reduce costs, or to defer or cancel capital improvements, could adversely affect the economic value of our hotels and brands. We have taken steps to reduce our fixed costs to levels we believe are appropriate to maximize profitability and respond to market conditions without jeopardizing the overall customer experience or the value of our hotels or brands. Also, a significant portion of our costs to support our timeshare business relates to direct sales and marketing of these units. In periods of decreased demand for timeshare intervals, we may be unable to reduce our sales and marketing expenses quickly enough to prevent a deterioration of our profit margins on our timeshare business.

Changes in depreciation and amortization expense. Changes in depreciation expense may be driven by renovations of existing hotels, acquisition or development of new hotels, the disposition of existing hotels through sale or closure or changes in estimates of the useful lives of our assets. As we place new assets into service, we will be required to recognize additional depreciation expense on those assets. Additionally, we capitalize costs associated with certain software development projects, and as those projects are completed and placed into service, amortization expense will increase.

Other Items

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations

Significant portions of our operations are conducted in functional currencies other than our reporting currency, which is the U.S. dollar ("USD"), and we have assets and liabilities denominated in a variety of foreign currencies. As a result, we are required to translate those results, assets and liabilities from the functional currency into USD at market based exchange rates for each reporting period. When comparing our results of operations between periods, there may be material portions of the changes in our revenues or expenses that are derived from fluctuations in exchange rates experienced between those periods.

Seasonality

The lodging industry is seasonal in nature. However, the periods during which our hotels experience higher or lower levels of demand vary from property to property and depend upon location, type of property and competitive mix within the specific location. Based on historical results, we generally expect our revenue to be lower during the first calendar quarter of each year than during each of the three subsequent quarters.

Key Business and Financial Metrics Used by Management

Comparable Hotels

We define our comparable hotels as those that: (i) were active and operating in our system for at least one full calendar year as of the end of the current period, and open January 1st of the previous year; (ii) have not undergone a change in brand or ownership during the current or comparable periods reported; and (iii) have not sustained substantial property damage, business interruption, undergone large-scale capital projects or for which comparable results are not available. Of the 4,875 hotels in our system as of December 31, 2016, 3,740 have been classified as comparable hotels. Our 1,135 non-comparable hotels included 135 properties, or approximately three percent of the total hotels in our system, that were removed from the comparable group during the year because they sustained substantial property damage, business interruption, underwent large-scale capital projects or comparable results were not available. Of the 4,565 hotels in our system as of December 31, 2015, 3,624 were classified as comparable hotels for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Occupancy

Occupancy represents the total number of room nights sold divided by the total number of room nights available at a hotel or group of hotels. Occupancy measures the utilization of our hotels' available capacity. Management uses occupancy to gauge demand at a specific hotel or group of hotels in a given period. Occupancy levels also help us determine achievable ADR levels as demand for hotel rooms increases or decreases.


46



ADR

ADR represents hotel room revenue divided by total number of room nights sold in a given period. ADR measures average room price attained by a hotel and ADR trends provide useful information concerning the pricing environment and the nature of the customer base of a hotel or group of hotels. ADR is a commonly used performance measure in the industry, and we use ADR to assess pricing levels that we are able to generate by type of customer, as changes in rates have a different effect on overall revenues and incremental profitability than changes in occupancy, as described above.

RevPAR

We calculate RevPAR by dividing hotel room revenue by total number of room nights available to guests for a given period. We consider RevPAR to be a meaningful indicator of our performance as it provides a metric correlated to two primary and key drivers of operations at a hotel or group of hotels: occupancy and ADR. RevPAR is also a useful indicator in measuring performance over comparable periods for comparable hotels.

References to RevPAR, ADR and occupancy are presented on a comparable basis and references to RevPAR and ADR are presented on a currency neutral basis (all periods use the same exchange rates), unless otherwise noted.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

For a discussion of our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, see Note 23: "Business Segments" in our consolidated financial statements.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide useful information to investors about us and our financial condition and results of operations for the following reasons: (i) these measures are among the measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance and make day-to-day operating decisions; and (ii) these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure to compare results or estimate valuations across companies in our industry. Additionally, these measures exclude certain items that can vary widely across different industries and among competitors within our industry. For instance, interest expense and income tax expense are dependent on company specifics, including, among other things, our capital structure and operating jurisdictions, respectively, and, therefore could vary significantly across companies. Depreciation and amortization are dependent upon company policies, including the method of acquiring and depreciating assets and the useful lives that are used. For Adjusted EBITDA, we also exclude items such as: (i) share-based compensation expense, as this could vary widely among companies due to the different plans in place and the usage of them; (ii) furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E") replacement reserve to be consistent with the treatment of FF&E for its owned and leased hotels where it is capitalized and depreciated over the life of the FF&E; and (iii) other items that are not core to our operations and are not reflective of our performance.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), cash flow or other methods of analyzing our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our indebtedness;

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes;

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect historical cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the effect on earnings or changes resulting from matters that we consider not to be indicative of our future operations;


47



although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business or as measures of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations.

Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2015
The hotel operating statistics for our system-wide comparable hotels were as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
Variance
 
December 31, 2016
 
2016 vs. 2015
Owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
78.6
%
 
(0.9
)%
pts.
ADR
$
185.18

 
1.4
 %
 
RevPAR
$
145.49

 
0.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Managed and franchised hotels
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
74.6
%
 
 %
pts.
ADR
$
139.31

 
1.9
 %
 
RevPAR
$
103.92

 
2.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
System-wide
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
75.0
%
 
 %
pts.
ADR
$
143.63

 
1.9
 %
 
RevPAR
$
107.65

 
1.8
 %
 


48



The hotel operating statistics by region for our system-wide comparable hotels were as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
Variance
 
December 31, 2016
 
2016 vs. 2015
U.S.
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
75.9
%
 
(0.1
)%
pts.
ADR
$
143.75

 
2.0
 %
 
RevPAR
$
109.14

 
1.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas (excluding U.S.)
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
72.3
%
 
 %
pts.
ADR
$
122.05

 
4.2
 %
 
RevPAR
$
88.22

 
4.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
73.9
%
 
(0.7
)%
pts.
ADR
$
146.04

 
2.0
 %
 
RevPAR
$
107.95

 
1.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
MEA
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
63.1
%
 
(3.3
)%
pts.
ADR
$
166.26

 
3.6
 %
 
RevPAR
$
104.94

 
(1.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
71.5
%
 
3.8
 %
pts.
ADR
$
145.75

 
(2.1
)%
 
RevPAR
$
104.26

 
3.5
 %
 

In 2016, we experienced system-wide RevPAR growth from continued ADR growth at both of our hotel segments. Regionally, the U.S., Americas and Europe all experienced RevPAR growth as a result of ADR growth, with Americas outpacing all other regions, driven by strength in Canada and Mexico. The Asia Pacific increase in RevPAR was driven by increased occupancy, particularly in China. MEA performance continued to be negatively affected by geopolitical and terrorism concerns, resulting in a decrease in occupancy.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014
The hotel operating statistics for our system-wide comparable hotels were as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
Variance
 
December 31, 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
Owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
79.1
%
 
1.3
%
pts.
ADR
$
184.78

 
2.5
%
 
RevPAR
$
146.19

 
4.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Managed and franchised hotels
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
75.1
%
 
1.3
%
pts.
ADR
$
136.60

 
3.6
%
 
RevPAR
$
102.61

 
5.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
System-wide
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
75.4
%
 
1.3
%
pts.
ADR
$
141.19

 
3.6
%
 
RevPAR
$
106.51

 
5.4
%
 


49



The hotel operating statistics by region for our system-wide comparable hotels were as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
Variance
 
December 31, 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
U.S.
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
76.2
%
 
1.0
 %
pts.
ADR
$
140.31

 
3.8
 %
 
RevPAR
$
106.89

 
5.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas (excluding U.S.)
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
73.1
%
 
1.2
 %
pts.
ADR
$
126.14

 
4.8
 %
 
RevPAR
$
92.18

 
6.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
77.0
%
 
1.7
 %
pts.
ADR
$
154.81

 
3.7
 %
 
RevPAR
$
119.24

 
6.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
MEA
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
66.0
%
 
2.3
 %
pts.
ADR
$
153.91

 
(1.9
)%
 
RevPAR
$
101.53

 
1.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asia Pacific
 
 
 
 
Occupancy
68.8
%
 
5.0
 %
pts.
ADR
$
140.82

 
1.3
 %
 
RevPAR
$
96.85

 
9.3
 %
 

All world regions experienced RevPAR growth in 2015 with nearly all growing in occupancy and ADR. Asia Pacific RevPAR growth led all regions at 9.3 percent, primarily through occupancy, which is a result of our portfolio ramping up in China. The MEA region continues to face geopolitical unrest and low oil prices, nonetheless RevPAR still increased as a result of improved year over year demand. U.S. RevPAR growth of 5.2 percent was primarily driven by ADR with demand outpacing supply growth, which is still below the long-term industry average.

Revenues

Owned and leased hotels
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
2,484

 
$
2,414

 
$
2,227

 
2.9
 
8.4
International owned and leased hotels
1,642

 
1,819

 
2,012

 
(9.7)
 
(9.6)
Total owned and leased hotels
$
4,126

 
$
4,233

 
$
4,239

 
(2.5)
 
(0.1)


50



Owned and leased hotels: 2016 compared with 2015

The following details the changes in revenues at our owned and leased hotels, giving effect to foreign currency ("FX") changes and acquired and disposed hotels:
 
 
 
Increase / (decrease)
 
Net decrease due to FX changes(1)
 
Net increase / (decrease) from acquired and disposed hotels(2)
 
Net increase / (decrease) excluding FX changes and the effect of acquired and disposed hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3) 
$
2,095

 
$
2,056

 
$
39

 
$

 
$

 
$
39

Non-comparable
389

 
358

 
31

 

 
41

 
(10
)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
2,484

 
$
2,414

 
$
70

 
$

 
$
41

 
$
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,551

 
$
1,621

 
$
(70
)
 
$
(67
)
 
$

 
$
(3
)
Non-comparable
91

 
198

 
(107
)
 
(6
)
 
(95
)
 
(6
)
International owned and leased hotels
$
1,642

 
$
1,819

 
$
(177
)
 
$
(73
)
 
$
(95
)
 
$
(9
)
____________
(1) 
Unfavorable movements were a result of the strengthening of the USD compared to other currencies, primarily the British pound ("GBP"), partially offset by the strengthening of the Japanese Yen ("JPY") compared to the USD.      
(2) 
From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, five properties were added to our U.S. owned and leased portfolio on a net basis and six hotels were removed from our international owned and leased portfolio on a net basis.
(3) 
Represents comparable hotels for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The increase in comparable U.S. owned and leased hotel revenue during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily a result of an increase in food and beverage revenue, as well as an increase in RevPAR of 0.4 percent, attributable to an increase in ADR of 2.1 percent, largely offset by a decrease in occupancy of 1.4 percentage points. Additionally, U.S. owned and leased hotel revenue increased in 2016 as a result of increases in revenues from properties acquired in February and June of 2015, net of the decrease in revenues from the Waldorf Astoria New York, which was sold in February 2015. Excluding acquisitions and dispositions, revenues from non-comparable U.S. owned and leased hotels decreased for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of renovations at one property during 2016.

The decrease in revenues at our international hotels during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily a result of the effect of FX changes and decreases in revenues from properties disposed of between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016.


51



Owned and leased hotels: 2015 compared with 2014

The following details the changes in revenues at our owned and leased hotels, giving effect to FX changes and acquired and disposed hotels:
 
 
 
Increase / (decrease)
 
Net decrease due to FX changes(1)
 
Net increase / (decrease) from acquired and disposed hotels(2)
 
Net increase / (decrease) excluding FX changes and the effect of acquired and disposed hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3) 
$
2,020

 
$
1,913

 
$
107

 
$

 
$

 
$
107

Non-comparable
394

 
314

 
80

 

 
81

 
(1
)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
2,414

 
$
2,227

 
$
187

 
$

 
$
81

 
$
106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,448

 
$
1,572

 
$
(124
)
 
$
(176
)
 
$

 
$
52

Non-comparable
371

 
440

 
(69
)
 
(38
)
 
(80
)
 
49

International owned and leased hotels
$
1,819

 
$
2,012

 
$
(193
)
 
$
(214
)
 
$
(80
)
 
$
101

____________
(1) 
Unfavorable movements were a result of the strengthening of the USD compared to other currencies, primarily the GBP and the euro.  
(2) 
From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015, 10 properties were added to our U.S. owned and leased portfolio on a net basis and five hotels were removed from our international owned and leased portfolio on a net basis.
(3) 
Represents comparable hotels for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The increase in revenues at our comparable U.S. owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily a result of an increase in RevPAR of 4.2 percent, which was mostly attributable to increases in both transient and group business. The increase in revenues at our non-comparable U.S. owned and leased hotels in 2015 was the result of the increase in revenues from properties acquired during 2015, net of the decrease in revenues from properties disposed of in 2015.

The decrease in revenues at our international owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily a result of the effect of FX changes and decreases in revenues from properties disposed of between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. On a currency neutral basis, comparable international owned and leased hotel revenues increased as a result of an increase in RevPAR of 4.2 percent, which was primarily a result of an increase in transient guest business. Additionally, excluding dispositions and FX changes, there was an increase in revenues at our non-comparable international owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of the completion of large renovation projects at certain hotels, which had previously limited the availability of those properties to guests.

Management and franchise fees and other
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Management fees
$
414

 
$
395

 
$
384

 
4.8
 
2.9
Franchise fees
1,192

 
1,122

 
927

 
6.2
 
21.0
Other
95

 
84

 
90

 
13.1
 
(6.7)
 
$
1,701

 
$
1,601

 
$
1,401

 
6.2
 
14.3

The increases in management and franchise fees for all periods were driven by increases in revenues from our non-comparable managed and franchised hotels due to the addition of new managed and franchised properties to our portfolio. Including new development and ownership type transfers, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, we added 600 managed and franchised properties on a net basis, and from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015, we added 501 managed and franchised properties on a net basis, providing an additional 89,410 rooms and 81,474 rooms, respectively, to our managed and franchised segment. As new hotels stabilize in our system, we expect the fees received from such hotels to increase as they are part of our system for full periods.

Additionally, our management and franchise fees increased during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a result of increases in RevPAR at our comparable managed and franchised hotels due to increases in ADR. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, RevPAR increased 1.7

52



percent and 6.3 percent, respectively, at our comparable managed hotels, and 2.1 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, at our comparable franchised hotels. Franchise fees also increased on a currency neutral basis as a result of increases in licensing fees of $16 million and $57 million during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Timeshare
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Timeshare sales
$
997

 
$
959

 
$
844

 
4.0
 
13.6
Resort operations
238

 
207

 
195

 
15.0
 
6.2
Financing and other
155

 
142

 
132

 
9.2
 
7.6
 
$
1,390

 
$
1,308

 
$
1,171

 
6.3
 
11.7

Timeshare sales revenue increased during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a result of increases in commissions recognized from the sale of third-party developed timeshare intervals of $23 million and $136 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, revenue from the sale of owned timeshare intervals increased $15 million due to increased sales volume. However, during the year ended December 31, 2015, sales volume of owned timeshare intervals decreased due to the shift in sales mix toward third-party developed interval sales, which resulted in a decrease of owned interval sales revenue of $21 million. Overall timeshare sales volume increased 10 percent and 18 percent, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, as a result of increased tour flow and net volume per guest. Additionally, revenues from our resort operations increased during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 as a result of increases in fees earned related to our Hilton Grand Vacations Club, including fees generated by new members.

Operating Expenses
Owned and leased hotels
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
1,661

 
$
1,589

 
$
1,497

 
4.5
 
6.1
International owned and leased hotels
1,439

 
1,579

 
1,755

 
(8.9)
 
(10.0)
Total owned and leased hotels
$
3,100

 
$
3,168

 
$
3,252

 
(2.1)
 
(2.6)

Fluctuations in operating expenses at our owned and leased hotels relate to various factors, including changes in occupancy levels, labor costs, utilities, taxes, insurance costs and foreign currency. The change in the number of occupied room nights directly affects certain variable expenses, which include payroll, supplies and other operating expenses.


53



Owned and leased hotels: 2016 compared with 2015

The following details the changes in operating expenses at our owned and leased hotels, giving effect to FX changes and acquired and disposed hotels:
 
 
 
Increase / (decrease)
 
Net decrease due to FX changes(1)
 
Net increase / (decrease) from acquired and disposed hotels(2)
 
Net increase / (decrease) excluding FX changes and the effect of acquired and disposed hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,413

 
$
1,363

 
$
50

 
$

 
$

 
$
50

Non-comparable
248

 
226

 
22

 

 
25

 
(3
)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
1,661

 
$
1,589

 
$
72

 
$

 
$
25

 
$
47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,356

 
$
1,409

 
$
(53
)
 
$
(68
)
 
$

 
$
15

Non-comparable
83

 
170

 
(87
)
 
(6
)
 
(74
)
 
(7
)
International owned and leased hotels
$
1,439

 
$
1,579

 
$
(140
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
8

____________
(1) 
Unfavorable movements were a result of the strengthening of the USD compared to other currencies, primarily the GBP, partially offset by the strengthening of the JPY, compared to the USD.
(2) 
From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, five properties were added to our U.S. owned and leased portfolio on a net basis and six hotels were removed from our international owned and leased hotel portfolio on a net basis.
(3) 
Represents comparable hotels for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The increase in operating expenses at our U.S. owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily the result of increases at our comparable hotels due to increased wages and benefits and other operating expenses. Operating expenses at our non-comparable U.S. owned and leased hotels increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily as a result of increases in operating expenses from properties acquired during 2015, net of the decrease in operating expenses from properties disposed of in 2015.

The decrease in operating expenses at our international owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily a result of the effect of FX changes and properties disposed of between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016.

Owned and leased hotels: 2015 compared with 2014

The following details the changes in revenues at our owned and leased hotels, giving effect to FX changes and acquired and disposed hotels:
 
 
 
Increase / (decrease)
 
Net decrease due to FX changes(1)
 
Net increase / (decrease) from acquired and disposed hotels(2)
 
Net increase excluding FX changes and the effect of acquired and disposed hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
U.S. owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,347

 
$
1,273

 
$
74

 
$

 
$

 
$
74

Non-comparable
242

 
224

 
18

 

 
17

 
1

U.S. owned and leased hotels
$
1,589

 
$
1,497

 
$
92

 
$

 
$
17

 
$
75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International owned and leased hotels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable(3)
$
1,298

 
$
1,407

 
$
(109
)
 
$
(154
)
 
$

 
$
45

Non-comparable
281

 
348

 
(67
)
 
(32
)
 
(60
)
 
25

International owned and leased hotels
$
1,579

 
$
1,755

 
$
(176
)
 
$
(186
)
 
$
(60
)
 
$
70

____________
(1) 
Unfavorable movements were a result of the strengthening of the USD compared to other currencies, primarily the GBP and the euro.  
(2) 
From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015, 10 properties were added to our U.S. owned and leased portfolio on a net basis and five hotels were removed from out international owned and leased portfolio on a net basis.
(3) 
Represents comparable hotels for the year ended December 31, 2015.


54



The increase in operating expenses at our U.S. owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily the result of increases at our comparable hotels due to higher variable operating costs due to increased occupancy. Operating expenses at our non-comparable U.S. owned and leased hotels increased during the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily as a result of the increase in operating expenses from properties acquired in 2015, net of the decrease in operating expenses from properties disposed of in 2015.

The decrease in operating expenses at our international owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily a result of the effect of FX changes and decreases in operating expenses from properties disposed of between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. On a currency neutral basis, operating expenses increased at our international comparable owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of increases in variable operating costs resulting from increased occupancy. Additionally, excluding dispositions and FX changes, the increase in operating expenses at our non-comparable international owned and leased hotels during the year ended December 31, 2015 was consistent with the increase in revenues for these hotels. The changes were primarily the result of the completion of large renovation projects at certain hotels in 2015. The renovations limited occupancy and, therefore, reduced revenues and operating expenses.

Timeshare
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Timeshare sales
$
739

 
$
701

 
$
586

 
5.4
 
19.6
Resort operations
133

 
130

 
123

 
2.3
 
5.7
Financing and other
76

 
66

 
58

 
15.2
 
13.8
 
$
948

 
$
897

 
$
767

 
5.7
 
16.9

Timeshare sales expense increased during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of higher sales and marketing expenses related to increases in sales volume of third-party developed timeshare intervals for both periods and in sales volume of owned intervals for the year ended December 31, 2016. Additionally, cost of product related to the reacquisition of owned timeshare inventory for customer upgrades into third-party developed properties decreased during the year ended December 31, 2016, partially offsetting the increase in sales and marketing expenses, and increased during the year ended December 31, 2015, contributing to the increase in timeshare sales expense.

Depreciation and amortization
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
$
358

 
$
351

 
$
313

 
2.0
 
12.1
Amortization
328

 
341

 
315

 
(3.8)
 
8.3
 
$
686

 
$
692

 
$
628

 
(0.9)
 
10.2

The increases in depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, resulted primarily from the addition of property and equipment related to the properties acquired in 2015, partially offset by decreases as a result of disposed hotels. The decrease in amortization expense during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, and the increase in amortization expense during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, were primarily a result of $13 million in accelerated amortization that was recognized in 2015 on a management contract intangible asset for a property that was managed by us prior to our acquisition of it. The increase in amortization expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 was also related to capitalized software costs placed into service during 2014 and 2015.


55



General, administrative and other
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
$
547

 
$
547

 
$
416

 
 
31.5
Other
69

 
64

 
75

 
7.8
 
(14.7)
 
$
616

 
$
611

 
$
491

 
0.8
 
24.4

General and administrative expense was unchanged during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, however, there were significant offsetting increases and decreases during the year. These included a decrease of $73 million in severance costs related to the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York, as well as a decrease in share-based compensation expense due to $66 million of additional expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015, when certain remaining awards granted in connection with our initial public offering vested. The decreases were offset by an increase of $133 million of costs associated with the spin-offs.

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily a result of the recognition of approximately $95 million in severance costs related to the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the additional $66 million of share-based compensation expense recognized during the year, as previously discussed. The increase was also a result of the reversal of accruals in 2014 related to the termination of a cash-based, long-term incentive plan that was replaced with our 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, resulting in an $18 million reduction in general and administrative expense during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Gain on sales of assets, net
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of assets, net
$
9

 
$
306

 
$

 
(97.1)
 
NM(1)
____________
(1) 
Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized a gain on the sale of one of our hotels held by a consolidated VIE. See Note 9: "Consolidated Variable Interest Entities" in our consolidated financial statements for additional discussion. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized gains upon completion of the sales of the Hilton Sydney and the Waldorf Astoria New York.

Non-operating Income and Expenses
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
587

 
$
575

 
$
618

 
2.1
 
(7.0)

The increase in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to the issuance of new debt, partially offset by the reduction of principal on certain debt from prepayments and the amendment of our senior secured term loan facility entered into in 2013 (the "2013 Term Loans"), which extended the maturity and reduced the interest rate. See Note 12: "Debt" in our consolidated financial statements for details of our issuances and repayments related to financing transactions that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2016, as well as the interest rates for each debt instrument.

The decrease in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily as a result of a decrease in our indebtedness due to debt prepayments of $775 million on our 2013 Term Loans during the year, which resulted in lower debt principal balances on which interest expense was calculated.


56



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
$
8

 
$
23

 
$
19

 
(65.2)
 
21.1

The decrease in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to a $17 million impairment loss for the impairment of one of our investments in affiliates recognized in 2016.

The increase in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to improved performance at our unconsolidated hotels, partially offset by $3 million in equity in earnings included in the year ended December 31, 2014 from unconsolidated affiliates that were involved in an equity investments exchange or sold during that year.

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions
$
(13
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
26

 
(68.3)
 
NM(1)
____________
(1) 
Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.
The net loss on foreign currency transactions for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 primarily related to changes in foreign currency rates on our short-term cross-currency intercompany loans, predominantly for loans denominated in Australian dollar ("AUD"), euro and GBP during the year ended December 31, 2016, and loans denominated in AUD, Brazilian real and GBP during the year ended December 31, 2015. The net gain on foreign currency transactions for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily a result of changes in foreign currency rates on our short-term cross-currency intercompany loans, predominantly those denominated in GBP and AUD.

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Other gain (loss), net
$
(26
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
37

 
NM(1)
 
NM(1)
____________
(1) 
Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.
The other loss, net for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily related to the write-off of: (i) $20 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as a result of the full repayment of the commercial mortgage-backed securities loan entered into in 2013 (the "2013 CMBS Loan"); and (ii) $4 million of debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the amendment of the 2013 Term Loans that were not capitalized.

The other loss, net for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily related to $26 million of transaction costs from the acquisition of properties in connection with the tax deferred exchange, partially offset by a $24 million gain from the capital lease liability reduction from one of our consolidated VIEs.

The other gain, net for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily related to a pre-tax gain of $23 million resulting from an equity investments exchange, as well as pre-tax gains of $13 million resulting from the sale of two hotels and a vacant parcel of land.


57



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
$
891

 
$
80

 
$
465

 
NM(1)
 
(82.8)

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily as a result of two corporate structuring transactions that were effected during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and included: (i) the organization of Hilton's assets and subsidiaries in preparation for the spin-offs; and (ii) a restructuring of Hilton's international assets and subsidiaries (the "international restructuring"). The international restructuring involved a transfer of certain assets, including intellectual property used in the international business, from U.S. subsidiaries to foreign subsidiaries and became effective in December 2016. The transfer of the intellectual property resulted in the recognition of tax expense representing the estimated U.S. tax expected to be paid in future years on income generated from the intellectual property transferred to foreign jurisdictions. Further, our deferred effective tax rate is determined based upon the composition of applicable federal and state tax rates. Due to the changes in the footprint of the Company and the expected applicable tax rates at which our domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities will reverse in future periods as a result of the described structuring activities, our estimated deferred effective tax rate has increased. In total, these structuring transactions resulted in additional income tax expense of $513 million during the three months ended December 31, 2016. See Note 18: "Income Taxes" in our consolidated financial statements for additional discussion.

The decrease in income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily the result of a $640 million deferred tax benefit resulting from transactions involving the conversion of certain U.S. subsidiaries from corporations to limited liability companies and the election to disregard certain foreign subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This benefit was offset by an increase in tax expense resulting from a $349 million increase in our income before income taxes. Further, income tax expense was affected by the reduction in goodwill in connection with the sales of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the Hilton Sydney, as well as compensation costs incurred for certain awards granted in connection with our initial public offering for which no tax benefits were recognized.

Segment Results

We evaluate our business segment operating performance using segment Adjusted EBITDA, as described in Note 23: "Business Segments" in our consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of how management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate and manage our business and material limitations on their usefulness, refer to "—Key Business and Financial Metrics Used by Management."


58



The following table sets forth revenues and Adjusted EBITDA by segment, reconciled to consolidated amounts:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership
$
4,157

 
$
4,262

 
$
4,271

 
(2.5)
 
(0.2)
Management and franchise
1,786

 
1,691

 
1,468

 
5.6
 
15.2
Timeshare
1,390

 
1,308

 
1,171

 
6.3
 
11.7
Segment revenues
7,333

 
7,261

 
6,910

 
1.0
 
5.1
Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
4,446

 
4,130

 
3,691

 
7.7
 
11.9
Other revenues
102

 
91

 
99

 
12.1
 
(8.1)
Intersegment fees elimination(1)
(218
)
 
(210
)
 
(198
)
 
3.8
 
6.1
Total revenues
$
11,663

 
$
11,272

 
$
10,502

 
3.5
 
7.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership
$
1,029

 
$
1,064

 
$
1,000

 
(3.3)
 
6.4
Management and franchise
1,786

 
1,691

 
1,468

 
5.6
 
15.2
Timeshare
381

 
352

 
337

 
8.2
 
4.5
Corporate and other
(221
)
 
(228
)
 
(255
)
 
(3.1)
 
(10.6)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
2,975

 
$
2,879

 
$
2,550

 
3.3
 
12.9
____________
(1) 
Refer to Note 23: "Business Segments" in our consolidated financial statements for additional detail on our intersegment fees included in our segment revenues and segment Adjusted EBITDA.  

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net income
$
364

 
$
1,416

 
$
682

Interest expense
587

 
575

 
618

Income tax expense
891

 
80

 
465

Depreciation and amortization
686

 
692

 
628

Interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
30

 
32

 
37

EBITDA
2,558

 
2,795

 
2,430

Gain on sales of assets, net
(9
)
 
(306
)
 

Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions
13

 
41

 
(26
)
FF&E replacement reserve
56

 
48

 
46

Share-based compensation expense
91

 
162

 
74

Impairment loss
15

 
9

 

Impairment loss included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
17

 

 

Other loss (gain), net
26

 
1

 
(37
)
Other adjustment items
208

 
129

 
63

Adjusted EBITDA
$
2,975

 
$
2,879

 
$
2,550


Ownership

Ownership segment revenues decreased $105 million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in revenues at our owned and leased hotels was primarily a result of the disposal of international hotels and FX fluctuations, partially offset by the net effect of acquired and disposed hotels in the U.S. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the overall decrease in revenues was also offset by the increase in revenues at our comparable owned and leased hotels due to increased RevPAR of 4.2 percent. Ownership Adjusted EBITDA decreased $35 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of the decrease in ownership segment revenues partially offset by decreases in owned and leased operating expenses of $68 million. Ownership Adjusted EBITDA increased $64 million for the year ended

59



December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the decrease in owned and leased operating expenses of $84 million, partially offset by the decrease in ownership segment revenues. Refer to "—Revenues—Owned and leased hotels" and "—Operating Expenses—Owned and leased hotels" for further discussion of the changes in revenues and operating expenses at our owned and leased hotels.

Management and franchise

Management and franchise segment revenues increased $95 million and $223 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of the net addition of hotels to our managed and franchised system, as well as increases in RevPAR at our comparable managed and franchised properties of 2.0 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. The increase in segment revenues was also due to an increase in licensing and other fees. Refer to "—Revenues—Management and franchise fees and other" for further discussion on the increases in revenues from our managed and franchised properties. Management and franchise Adjusted EBITDA increased in line with the increases in management and franchise segment revenues.

Timeshare

Timeshare segment revenues increased $82 million and $137 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of increased timeshare sales revenue due to increases in commissions recognized from the sale of third-party developed intervals, as well as increased revenues from our resort operations. During the year ended December 31, 2016, timeshare sales revenue also increased from the sale of owned timeshare intervals. Refer to "— Revenues— Timeshare" for further discussion of the changes in revenues from our timeshare segment.

Timeshare Adjusted EBITDA increased $29 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 compared to the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a result of the increases in timeshare revenues, partially offset by the increases in timeshare operating expenses of $51 million and $130 million, respectively. Refer to "— Revenues—Timeshare" and "—Operating Expenses—Timeshare" for a discussion of the changes in revenues and operating expenses from our timeshare segment.

Supplemental Financial Data for Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries

As of December 31, 2016, we owned majority or controlling financial interests in 56 hotels, representing 28,931 rooms. See "Part I—Item 2. Properties" for more information on each of our owned hotels. Of these owned hotels, 36 hotels representing an aggregate of 23,570 rooms as of December 31, 2016, were owned by subsidiaries that we collectively refer to as our "Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries." The Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries are not subject to any of the restrictive covenants in the indentures that govern our senior notes due 2021 and the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 (together, the "Senior Notes"), which are unsecured.

We have included this supplemental financial data to comply with certain financial information requirements regarding our Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries set forth in the indenture that governs our Senior Notes. Upon completion of the spin-offs, our Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries will not meet the threshold to constitute a "significant subsidiary" as defined by Regulation S-X and we will no longer be required to disclose this supplemental financial data.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries represented 19.6 percent of our total revenues, 20.0 percent of income before income taxes, 43.1 percent of net income attributable to Hilton stockholders and 23.6 percent of our Adjusted EBITDA, and as of December 31, 2016, represented 34.4 percent of our total assets and 24.2 percent of our total liabilities.


60



The following tables present supplemental unaudited financial data, as required by the indenture, for our Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries and all periods presented reflect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-03 and No. 2015-15:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Revenues
$
2,288

 
$
2,239

 
$
2,060

Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
150

 
222

 
157

Capital expenditures for property and equipment
185

 
203

 
152

Adjusted EBITDA(1)
702

 
702

 
621

Cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
378

 
415

 
438

Investing activities
(184
)
 
273

 
(149
)
Financing activities
3

 
(626
)
 
(317
)
____________
(1)The following table provides a reconciliation of our Unrestricted U.S. Real Estate Subsidiaries' net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which we believe is the most closely comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net income
$
151

 
$
224

 
$
156

Interest expense
167

 
174

 
173

Income tax expense
100

 
168

 
110

Depreciation and amortization
254

 
244

 
202

Interest expense and depreciation and amortization included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
3

 

 

EBITDA
675

 
810

 
641

Gain on sales of assets, net
(1
)
 
(143
)
 

Share-based compensation expense
1

 
2

 

Other loss (gain), net
23

 
32

 
(23
)
Other adjustment items
4

 
1

 
3

Adjusted EBITDA
$
702

 
$
702

 
$
621


 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Assets
$
9,005

 
$
8,914

Liabilities
4,918

 
6,718


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of December 31, 2016, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $1,684 million, including $266 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents. The majority of our restricted cash and cash equivalents balance related to cash collateral on our self-insurance programs, escrowed cash from our timeshare operations and cash restricted in accordance with our long-term debt and timeshare debt agreements.

Our known short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for operating expenses and other expenditures, including corporate expenses, payroll and related benefits, legal costs, operating costs associated with the management of hotels, interest and scheduled principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness, costs associated with the spin-offs, contract acquisition costs and capital expenditures for renovations and maintenance at our owned and leased hotels. Our long-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of funds necessary to pay for scheduled debt maturities, capital improvements at our owned and leased hotels, purchase commitments, dividends as declared, costs associated with potential acquisitions and corporate capital expenditures.


61


We finance our business activities primarily with existing cash and cash generated from our operations. We believe that this cash will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for operating expenses and other expenditures, including corporate expenses, payroll and related benefits, legal costs and purchase commitments for the foreseeable future. The objectives of our cash management policy are to maintain the availability of liquidity and minimize operational costs. Further, we have an investment policy that is focused on the preservation of capital and maximizing the return on new and existing investments and returning available capital to stockholders.

We and our affiliates, and/or our major stockholders and their respective affiliates, may from time to time purchase our outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Purchases or retirement of debt, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

In preparation of the spin-offs that occurred on January 3, 2017, we completed several financing transactions during the year ended December 31, 2016. For further information on these transactions, see Note 12: "Debt" in our consolidated financial statements.

Sources and Uses of Our Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table summarizes our net cash flows and key metrics related to our liquidity:
 
As of and for the year ended December 31,
 
Percent Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
1,350

 
$
1,407

 
$
1,307

 
(4.1)
 
7.7
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(478
)
 
414

 
(310
)
 
NM(1)
 
NM(1)
Net cash used in financing activities
(29
)
 
(1,714
)
 
(1,075
)
 
(98.3)
 
59.4
Working capital surplus(2)
873

 
142

 
267

 
NM(1)
 
(46.8)
____________
(1) 
Fluctuation in terms of percentage change is not meaningful.
(2) 
Total current assets less total current liabilities.

Our ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.33, 1.06 and 1.12 as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Operating Activities

Cash flow from operating activities is primarily generated from management and franchise fee revenue, operating income
from our owned and leased hotels and sales of timeshare units.

The $57 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily as a result of an increase in net cash paid for taxes of $202 million, partially offset by improved operating results in our management and franchise and timeshare businesses.

The $100 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily as a result of improved operating results in each of our three business segments, as well as a decrease in cash paid for interest of $29 million, offset by an increase in net cash paid for income taxes of $46 million.

Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in investing activities was $478 million, and consisted primarily of capital expenditures, including contract acquisition costs and capitalized software costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we generated $414 million in cash from investing activities primarily as a result of net proceeds from the tax deferred exchange of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the sale of the Hilton Sydney of $456 million and $331 million, respectively. This amount was partially offset by $409 million in capital expenditures, including contract acquisition costs and capitalized software costs.


62


During the year ended December 31, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was $310 million, and consisted primarily of capital expenditures, including contract acquisition costs and capitalized software costs.

Our capital expenditures for property and equipment primarily include expenditures related to the renovation of existing owned and leased properties and our corporate facilities. Our software capitalization costs relate to various systems initiatives for the benefit of our hotel owners and our overall corporate operations.

Financing Activities

The $1,685 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to an increase in proceeds from borrowings of $4,667 million, partially offset by an increase in repayments of debt of $2,735 million and an increase in cash dividends of $139 million. The borrowings comprised $4,415 million of long-term debt, of which $2,915 million was for Park and $500 million was for HGV, and $300 million of additional borrowings under our timeshare financing receivables credit facility (the "Timeshare Facility"). We used proceeds from the borrowings and available cash to repay the outstanding balance of the 2013 CMBS Loan of $3,418 million, $554 million of mortgage loans and $250 million on the 2013 Term Loans. For details of our issuances and repayments related to financing transactions that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2016, refer to Note 12: "Debt" in our consolidated financial statements. The increase in cash dividends was due to the declaration of quarterly cash dividends beginning in the third quarter of 2015 and continuing quarterly for the full year of 2016.

The $639 million increase in net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to a decrease in proceeds from borrowings of $302 million, an increase of repayments of debt of $200 million and the payment of cash dividends totaling $138 million in 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we repaid a $525 million mortgage loan and made $775 million in prepayments on our 2013 Term Loans, while during the year ended December 31, 2014 we made prepayments of $1.0 billion on our 2013 Term Loans. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2014, we issued $350 million of notes backed by timeshare financing receivables, of which $300 million of the proceeds was used to reduce the outstanding balance on our Timeshare Facility.

Debt and Borrowing Capacity

As of December 31, 2016, our total indebtedness, excluding $224 million of our share of debt of our investments in affiliates, was approximately $10.8 billion, including $694 million of timeshare debt. For further information on our total indebtedness, debt repayments and guarantees refer to Note 12: "Debt" in our consolidated financial statements.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to
reduce capital expenditures, issue additional equity securities or draw on our revolving credit facilities. Our ability to make scheduled principal payments and to pay interest on our debt depends on our future operating performance, which is subject to general conditions in or affecting the hotel and timeshare industries that are beyond our control.

Credit Facilities

As of December 31, 2016, we had three senior revolving credit facilities that provided for an aggregate of $2.2 billion in borrowings, including a $1.0 billion facility to remain with Hilton after the spin-offs, and a $1.0 billion facility and a $200 million facility for Park and HGV, respectively, to be transferred in connection with the spin-offs. These senior revolving credit facilities allowed for up to $230 million to be drawn in the form of letters of credit, with $50 million under Park's facility, $30 million under HGV's facility and $150 million under Hilton's facility. As of December 31, 2016, we had $45 million of letters of credit outstanding under Hilton's facility, leaving us with a borrowing capacity of $955 million and there were no letters of credit or borrowings outstanding under Park and HGV's facilities. For further information on our credit facilities and our guarantors' obligations thereunder, refer to Note 12: "Debt" in our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, we amended the terms of our Timeshare Facility to increase the borrowing capacity from $300 million to $450 million, allowing us to borrow up to the maximum amount until August 2018 and requiring all amounts borrowed to be repaid by August 2019. In December 2016, we borrowed an additional $300 million bringing our outstanding borrowings under the Timeshare Facility to $450 million as of December 31, 2016.


63


Letters of Credit

We had a total of $45 million in letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the majority of which were outstanding under one of our revolving credit facilities and related to our guarantees on debt and other obligations of third parties and self-insurance programs. The maturities of the letters of credit were within one year as of December 31, 2016.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016:
 
Payments Due by Period
 
Total
 
Less Than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than 5 Years
 
(in millions)
Long-term debt(1)(2)
$
12,605

 
$
493

 
$
869

 
$
3,977

 
$
7,266

Timeshare debt(2)
730

 
87

 
556

 
87

 

Capital lease obligations
415

 
19

 
57

 
60

 
279

Operating leases
1,991

 
210

 
368

 
332

 
1,081

Purchase commitments
333

 
52

 
253

 
24

 
4

Total contractual obligations
$
16,074

 
$
861

 
$
2,103

 
$
4,480

 
$
8,630

____________
(1) 
We have assumed all extensions, which are solely at our option, were exercised.
(2) 
Includes principal, as well as estimated interest payments. For our variable-rate debt, we have assumed a constant 30-day LIBOR rate of 0.72 percent as of December 31, 2016.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 was $253 million. These amounts are excluded from the table above because they are uncertain and subject to the findings of the taxing authorities in the jurisdictions where we are subject to tax. It is possible that the amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits could change during the next year. Refer to Note 18: "Income Taxes" in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

In addition to the purchase commitments in the table above, in the normal course of business we enter into purchase commitments for which we are reimbursed by the owners of our managed and franchised hotels. These obligations have minimal or no effect on our net income and cash flow.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2016 included letters of credit of $45 million, guarantees of $5 million for debt and obligations of third parties, performance guarantees with possible cash outlays totaling approximately $69 million, of which we have accrued $28 million as of December 31, 2016 for estimated probable exposure, and construction contract commitments of approximately $43 million for capital expenditures at our owned, leased and consolidated VIE hotels. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurred, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract. See Note 24: "Commitments and Contingencies" in our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods and the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 2: "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in our consolidated financial statements, the following accounting policies are critical because they involve a higher degree of judgment, and the estimates required to be made were based on assumptions that are inherently uncertain. As a result, these accounting policies could materially affect our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates and judgments based on historical experiences and various other factors that are believed to reflect the current circumstances. While we believe our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based on information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates due to changes in judgments, assumptions and conditions as a result of unforeseen events or otherwise, which could have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

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Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of the board of directors.

Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets with Finite Lives

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives for potential impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows to the net book value of the assets if we determine there are indicators of impairment. If it is determined that the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our consolidated statements of operations as impairment losses.

As part of the process described above, we exercise judgment to:

determine if there are indicators of impairment present. Factors we consider when making this determination include assessing the overall effect of trends in the hospitality industry and the general economy, historical experience, capital costs and other asset-specific information;

determine the projected undiscounted future cash flows when indicators of impairment are present. Judgment is required when developing projections of future revenues and expenses based on estimated growth rates over the expected useful life of the asset group. These estimated growth rates are based on historical operating results, as well as various internal projections and external sources; and

determine the asset fair value when required. In determining the fair value, we often use internally-developed discounted cash flow models. Assumptions used in the discounted cash flow models include estimating cash flows, which may require us to adjust for specific market conditions, as well as capitalization rates, which are based on location, property or asset type, market-specific dynamics and overall economic performance. The discount rate takes into account our weighted average cost of capital according to our capital structure and other market specific considerations.

We had $8,930 million of property and equipment, net and $1,526 million of intangible assets with finite lives as of December 31, 2016. Changes in estimates and assumptions used in our impairment testing of property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives could result in future impairment losses, which could be material.

Investments in Affiliates

We evaluate our investments in affiliates for potential impairment when there are indicators that the fair value of our investment may be less than our carrying value. Our investments in affiliates consist primarily of our interests in entities that own or lease hotels. As such, the factors we consider when determining if there are indicators of potential impairment are similar to property and equipment discussed above. We record an impairment loss when we determine there has been an "other-than-temporary" decline in the investment’s fair value. If an identified event or change in circumstances requires an evaluation to determine if the value of an investment may have an other-than-temporary decline, we assess the fair value of the investment based on the accepted valuation methods, which include internally-developed discounted cash flow models. The principal factors used in our discounted cash flow models that require judgment are the same as the items discussed in property and equipment above. If an investment’s fair value is below its carrying value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary, we will recognize an impairment loss in equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates for equity method investments or impairment losses for cost method investments in our consolidated statements of operations.

We had $114 million of investments in affiliates as of December 31, 2016. Changes in estimates and assumptions used in our impairment testing of investments in affiliates could result in future impairment losses, which could be material.

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their fair value. Our reporting units are the same as our operating segments as described in Note 23: "Business Segments" in our consolidated financial statements. We perform this evaluation annually or at an interim date if indicators of impairment exist. In any given year we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the two-step quantitative process. In the first step, we

65



compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value. When determining estimated fair value, we utilize discounted future cash flow models, as well as market conditions relative to the operations of our reporting units. Under the discounted cash flow approach, we utilize various assumptions that require judgment, including projections of revenues and expenses based on estimated long-term growth rates, and discount rates based on weighted average cost of capital. Our estimates of long-term growth and costs are based on historical data, as well as various internal projections and external sources. The weighted average cost of capital is estimated based on each reporting units’ cost of debt and equity and a selected capital structure. The selected capital structure for each reporting unit is based on consideration of capital structures of comparable publicly traded companies operating in the business of that reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step must be performed. In the second step, we estimate the implied fair value of goodwill, which is determined by taking the fair value of the reporting unit and allocating it to all of its assets and liabilities, including any unrecognized intangible assets, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.

We had $5,822 million of goodwill as of December 31, 2016. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used in our goodwill impairment testing could result in future impairment losses, which could be material. Additionally, when a portion of a reporting unit is disposed, goodwill is allocated to the gain or loss on disposition based on the relative fair values of the business or businesses disposed and the portion of the reporting unit that will be retained. When determining fair value of the businesses disposed of and the reporting unit to be retained, we use estimates and assumptions similar to that of those used in our impairment analysis.

Brands

We evaluate our brand intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the brand is below the carrying value. When determining fair value, we utilize discounted future cash flow models. Under the discounted cash flow approach, we utilize various assumptions that require judgment, including projections of revenues and expenses based on estimated long-term growth rates and discount rates based on weighted average cost of capital. Our estimates of long-term growth and costs are based on historical data, as well as various internal estimates. If a brand’s estimated current fair value is less than its respective carrying value, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our consolidated statements of operations within impairment losses.

We had $4,848 million of brand intangible assets as of December 31, 2016. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used in our brands impairment testing, most notably revenue growth rates and discount rates, could result in future impairment losses, which could be material.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors defers revenue received from participating hotels and program partners in an amount equal to the estimated cost per point of the future redemption obligation. We engage outside actuaries to assist in determining the fair value of the future award redemption obligation using statistical formulas that project future point redemptions based on factors that require judgment, including an estimate of "breakage" (points that will never be redeemed), an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed and the cost of the points to be redeemed. The cost of the points to be redeemed includes further estimates of available room nights, occupancy rates, room rates and any devaluation or appreciation of points based on changes in reward prices or changes in points earned per stay.

We had $1,432 million of guest loyalty liability as of December 31, 2016, including $543 million in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Changes in the estimates used in developing our breakage rate or other expected future program operations could result in a material change to our guest loyalty liability.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is related to the receivables generated by our financing of timeshare interval sales, which are secured by the underlying timeshare properties. We determine our timeshare financing receivables to be past due based on the contractual terms of the individual mortgage loans. We use a technique referred to as static pool analysis as the basis for determining our general reserve requirements on our timeshare financing receivables. The adequacy of the related allowance is determined by management through analysis of several factors requiring judgment, such as current economic conditions and industry trends, as well as the specific risk characteristics of the portfolio, including assumed default rates.

We had $120 million of allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2016. Changes in the estimates used in developing our default rates could result in a material change to our allowance.

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Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. We regularly review our deferred tax assets to assess their potential realization and establish a valuation allowance for portions of such assets that we believe will not be ultimately realized. In performing this review, we make estimates and assumptions regarding projected future taxable income, the expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies. A change in these assumptions may increase or decrease our valuation allowance resulting in an increase or decrease in our effective tax rate, which could materially affect our consolidated financial statements.

We use a prescribed more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return if there is uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. Assumptions and estimates are used to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. Changes to these assumptions and estimates can lead to an additional income tax benefit (expense), which can materially change our consolidated financial statements.

Legal Contingencies

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. An estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required when we evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially affect our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidations

We use judgment when evaluating whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity, including the assessment of the importance of rights and privileges of the partners based on voting rights, as well as financial interests in an entity that are not controllable through voting interests. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, we use judgment determining whether we are the primary beneficiary, and then consolidate those VIEs for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. If the entity in which we hold an interest does not meet the definition of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest through our voting interest in the entity. Changes to judgments used in evaluating our partnerships and other investments could materially affect our consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Compensation

The process of estimating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards and recognizing the associated expense over the requisite service period involves significant management estimates and assumptions. Refer to Note 20: "Share-Based Compensation" in our consolidated financial statements for additional discussion. Any changes to these estimates will affect the amount of compensation expense we recognize with respect to future grants.


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Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which may affect future income, cash flows and fair value of the Company, depending on changes to interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates. In certain situations, we may seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates by entering into financial arrangements intended to provide a hedge against a portion of the risks associated with such volatility. We continue to have exposure to such risks to the extent they are not hedged. We enter into derivative financial arrangements to the extent they meet the objective described above, and we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable-rate debt. Interest rates on our variable-rate debt discussed below are based on one-month and three-month LIBOR, so we are most vulnerable to changes in these rates.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities and the total fair values as of December 31, 2016 for our financial instruments that are materially affected by interest rate risk:
 
Maturities by Period
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions, excluding average interest rates)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate timeshare financing receivables
$
152

 
$
132

 
$
133

 
$
134

 
$
130

 
$
471

 
$
1,152

 
$
1,153

Average interest rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11.98
%
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate long-term debt(2)(3)
$
54

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,481

 
$
3,430

 
$
4,965

 
$
5,037

Average interest rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.77
%
 
 
Fixed-rate timeshare debt(3)
$
73

 
$
50

 
$
36

 
$
46

 
$
39

 
$

 
$
244

 
$
246

Average interest rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.97
%
 
 
Variable-rate long-term debt(3)(4)
$
35

 
$
35

 
$
35

 
$
776

 
$
931

 
$
3,066

 
$
4,878

 
$
4,987

Average interest rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.12
%
 
 
Variable-rate timeshare debt
$

 
$

 
$
450

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
450

 
$
450

Average interest rate(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.96
%
 
 
____________
(1) 
Average interest rate as of December 31, 2016.
(2) 
Excludes capital lease obligations with a carrying value of $242 million and debt of certain consolidated VIEs with a carrying value of $33 million as of December 31, 2016.
(3)  
Carrying value includes unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts.
(4) 
For maturity date extensions that are solely at our option, we assumed they were exercised.

Refer to Note 16: "Fair Value Measurements" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the fair value measurements of our financial assets and liabilities.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We conduct business in various currencies and are exposed to earnings and cash flow volatility associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our principal exposure results from management and franchise fees earned in foreign currencies and revenues from our international owned and leased hotels, partially offset by foreign operating expenses and capital expenditures, the value of which could change materially in reference to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. We also have exposure from our international financial assets and liabilities, including certain intercompany loans not deemed to be permanently invested, the value of which could change materially in reference to the functional currencies of the exposed entities. As of December 31, 2016, our largest net exposures were to the euro, GBP and AUD. As of December 31, 2016, we held 68 short-term foreign exchange forward contracts with a total notional amount of $326 million. These offset exposure to financial assets and liabilities and are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.


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Item 8.        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Page No.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the "Company") is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets of the Company that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. The report is included herein.





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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.


We have audited Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and our report dated February 15, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, Virginia
February 15, 2017


71








Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 15, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, Virginia
February 15, 2017




72



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)
 
December 31,
2016
 
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,418

 
$
609

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
266

 
247

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $36 and $30
1,005

 
876

Inventories
541

 
442

Current portion of financing receivables, net
138

 
129

Prepaid expenses
137

 
147

Income taxes receivable
13

 
97

Other
39

 
38

Total current assets (variable interest entities - $167 and $141)
3,557

 
2,585

Property, Intangibles and Other Assets:
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
8,930


9,119

Financing receivables, net
963

 
887

Investments in affiliates
114

 
138

Goodwill
5,822

 
5,887

Brands
4,848


4,919

Management and franchise contracts, net
1,019


1,149

Other intangible assets, net
507


586

Deferred income tax assets
117


78

Other
334

 
274

Total property, intangibles and other assets (variable interest entities - $569 and $481)
22,654

 
23,037

TOTAL ASSETS
$
26,211


$
25,622

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
$
2,453

 
$
2,206

Current maturities of long-term debt
98


94

Current maturities of timeshare debt
73


110

Income taxes payable
60

 
33

Total current liabilities (variable interest entities - $124 and $157)
2,684

 
2,443

Long-term debt
10,020


9,857

Timeshare debt
621


392

Deferred revenues
64

 
283

Deferred income tax liabilities
4,575


4,630

Liability for guest loyalty program
889

 
784

Other
1,509

 
1,282

Total liabilities (variable interest entities - $766 and $627)
20,362

 
19,671

Commitments and contingencies - see Note 24


 


Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000,000 authorized shares, none issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000,000 authorized shares, 329,351,581 issued and 329,341,992 outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 329,162,376 issued and 329,152,787 outstanding as of December 31, 2015(1)
10

 
10

Additional paid-in capital
10,213

 
10,151

Accumulated deficit
(3,323
)
 
(3,392
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,001
)
 
(784
)
Total Hilton stockholders' equity
5,899

 
5,985

Noncontrolling interests
(50
)
 
(34
)
Total equity
5,849

 
5,951

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
26,211

 
$
25,622

____________
(1) 
Common stock shares authorized, issued and outstanding have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-3 reverse stock split that occurred on January 3, 2017.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

73



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels
$
4,126


$
4,233

 
$
4,239

Management and franchise fees and other
1,701


1,601

 
1,401

Timeshare
1,390


1,308

 
1,171

 
7,217

 
7,142

 
6,811

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
4,446

 
4,130

 
3,691

Total revenues
11,663


11,272


10,502

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels
3,100

 
3,168

 
3,252

Timeshare
948

 
897

 
767

Depreciation and amortization
686

 
692

 
628

Impairment loss
15


9



General, administrative and other
616

 
611

 
491

 
5,365

 
5,377

 
5,138

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties
4,446

 
4,130

 
3,691

Total expenses
9,811

 
9,507

 
8,829

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of assets, net
9

 
306

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
1,861

 
2,071

 
1,673

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
12

 
19

 
10

Interest expense
(587
)
 
(575
)
 
(618
)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
8

 
23

 
19

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions
(13
)
 
(41
)
 
26

Other gain (loss), net
(26
)
 
(1
)
 
37

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
1,255


1,496


1,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(891
)

(80
)

(465
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
364

 
1,416

 
682

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(16
)
 
(12
)
 
(9
)
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
348


$
1,404


$
673

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share(1):
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.06


$
4.27


$
2.05

Diluted
$
1.05

 
$
4.26

 
$
2.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per share(1)
$
0.84

 
$
0.42

 
$

____________
(1) 
Weighted average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and cash dividends declared per share were adjusted to reflect the 1-for-3 reverse stock split that occurred on January 3, 2017.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

74



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
364

 
$
1,416

 
$
682

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $19, $(8), and $(73)
(159
)
 
(134
)
 
(299
)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $(2), $10, and $27
(57
)
 
(15
)
 
(45
)
Cash flow hedge adjustment, net of tax of $2, $4, and $5
(2
)
 
(7
)
 
(9
)
Total other comprehensive loss
(218
)
 
(156
)
 
(353
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
146

 
1,260

 
329

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(15
)
 
(12
)
 
(14
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
131

 
$
1,248

 
$
315


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

75



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
364

 
$
1,416

 
$
682

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
686

 
692

 
628

Impairment loss
15

 
9

 

Gain on sales of assets, net
(9
)
 
(306
)
 

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
(8
)
 
(23
)
 
(19
)
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions
13

 
41

 
(26
)
Other loss (gain), net
26

 
1

 
(37
)
Share-based compensation
65

 
124

 
78

Amortization of deferred financing costs and other
32

 
38

 
50

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
22

 
26

 
22

Deferred income taxes
(79
)

(479
)

14

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
(143
)
 
(47
)
 
(143
)
Inventories
15

 
(39
)
 
56

Prepaid expenses

 
(27
)
 
(8
)
Income taxes receivable
84

 
35

 
(57
)
Other current assets
(2
)
 
32

 
(10
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
217

 
59

 
8

Income taxes payable
28

 
13

 
10

Change in timeshare financing receivables
(54
)
 
(49
)
 
(27
)
Change in deferred revenues
(219
)
 
(212
)
 
(179
)
Change in liability for guest loyalty program
154

 
64

 
206

Change in other liabilities
199

 
154

 
12

Other
(56
)
 
(115
)
 
47

Net cash provided by operating activities
1,350

 
1,407

 
1,307

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures for property and equipment
(317
)

(310
)

(268
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(1,402
)
 

Proceeds from asset dispositions
11

 
2,205

 
44

Contract acquisition costs
(55
)

(37
)
 
(65
)
Capitalized software costs
(81
)

(62
)
 
(69
)
Other
(36
)
 
20

 
48

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(478
)
 
414

 
(310
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings
4,715

 
48

 
350

Repayment of debt
(4,359
)
 
(1,624
)
 
(1,424
)
Debt issuance costs
(76
)
 

 
(9
)
Capital contribution

 

 
13

Dividends paid
(277
)
 
(138
)
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(32
)
 
(8
)
 
(5
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 
8

 

Net cash used in financing activities
(29
)
 
(1,714
)
 
(1,075
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents
(15
)
 
(19
)
 
(14
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents
828

 
88

 
(92
)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
856

 
768

 
860

Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
1,684

 
$
856

 
$
768


See notes to consolidated financial statements. For supplemental disclosures, see Note 26: "Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information."

76



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in millions)
 
Equity Attributable to Hilton Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
 
Shares(1)
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2013
328

 
$
10

 
$
9,948

 
$
(5,331
)
 
$
(264
)
 
$
(87
)
 
$
4,276

Share-based compensation

 

 
101

 

 

 

 
101

Net income

 

 

 
673

 

 
9

 
682

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(304
)
 
5

 
(299
)
Pension liability adjustment

 

 

 

 
(45
)
 

 
(45
)
Cash flow hedge adjustment

 

 

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(358
)
 
5

 
(353
)
Capital contribution

 

 
13

 

 

 

 
13

Equity contributions to consolidated variable interest entities

 

 
(34
)
 

 
(6
)
 
40

 

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
328

 
10

 
10,028

 
(4,658
)
 
(628
)
 
(38
)
 
4,714

Share-based compensation
1

 

 
115

 

 

 

 
115

Net income

 

 

 
1,404

 

 
12

 
1,416

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(134
)
 

 
(134
)
Pension liability adjustment

 

 

 

 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
Cash flow hedge adjustment

 

 

 

 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(156
)
 

 
(156
)
Dividends

 

 

 
(138
)
 

 

 
(138
)
Excess tax benefits on equity awards

 

 
8

 

 

 

 
8

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
329

 
10

 
10,151

 
(3,392
)
 
(784
)
 
(34
)
 
5,951

Share-based compensation

 

 
62

 

 

 

 
62

Net income

 

 

 
348

 

 
16

 
364

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(158
)
 
(1
)
 
(159
)
Pension liability adjustment

 

 

 

 
(57
)
 

 
(57
)
Cash flow hedge adjustment

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(217
)
 
(1
)
 
(218
)
Dividends

 

 

 
(279
)
 

 

 
(279
)
Cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU 2015-02

 

 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Deconsolidation of a variable interest entity

 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Distributions

 

 

 

 

 
(32
)
 
(32
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
329

 
$
10

 
$
10,213

 
$
(3,323
)
 
$
(1,001
)
 
$
(50
)
 
$
5,849

 
____________
(1) 
Common stock shares outstanding have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-3 reverse stock split that occurred on January 3, 2017.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

77



HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Organization

Organization

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (the "Parent," or together with its subsidiaries, "Hilton," "we," "us," "our" or the
"Company"), a Delaware corporation, is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world based upon the number of hotel
rooms and timeshare units. We are engaged in owning, leasing, managing and franchising hotels, resorts and timeshare
properties. As of December 31, 2016, we owned, leased, managed or franchised 4,875 hotel and resort properties, totaling 796,440 rooms in 104 countries and territories, as well as 47 timeshare properties comprising 7,657 units.

As of December 31, 2016, affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. ("Blackstone") beneficially owned approximately 40.3 percent of our common stock.

Spin-offs

On January 3, 2017, we completed the previously announced spin-offs of our real estate and timeshare businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies: Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("Park") and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. ("HGV") (the "spin-offs"). These consolidated financial statements present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Hilton as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, without giving effect to these transactions as they were not completed as of the most recent balance sheet date. See Note 29: "Subsequent Events" for further discussion.

Reverse Stock Split

On January 3, 2017, we completed a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of Hilton's outstanding common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split"). The authorized number of shares of common stock was reduced from 30,000,000,000 to 10,000,000,000, and the authorized number of shares of preferred stock remains 3,000,000,000. Stockholders entitled to fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split received a cash payment in lieu of receiving fractional shares. All share and share-related information presented in these consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the decreased number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split.

Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hilton, our wholly owned subsidiaries and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") where we are the primary beneficiary. Entities in which we have a controlling financial interest generally comprise majority owned real estate ownership and management enterprises.

The determination of a controlling financial interest is based upon the terms of the governing agreements of the respective entities, including the evaluation of rights held by other ownership interests. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, we determine whether we are the primary beneficiary, and then consolidate those VIEs for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. If the entity in which we hold an interest does not meet the definition of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest through our voting interests in the entity. We consolidate entities when we own more than 50 percent of the voting shares of a company or otherwise have a controlling financial interest.

All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. References in these financial statements to net income (loss) attributable to Hilton stockholders and Hilton stockholders' equity (deficit) do not include noncontrolling interests, which represent the outside ownership interests of our consolidated, non-wholly owned entities and are reported separately.

78




Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States of America ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and, accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are primarily derived from the following sources and are generally recognized as services are rendered and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Amounts received in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities.

Owned and leased hotel revenues primarily consist of room rentals, food and beverage sales and other ancillary goods and services from owned, leased and consolidated non-wholly owned hotel properties. Revenues are recorded when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered.

Management fees represent fees earned from hotels and timeshare properties that we manage, usually under long-term contracts with the property owner and homeowners' associations. Management fees from hotels usually include a base fee, which is generally a percentage of hotel revenues, and an incentive fee, which is typically based on a fixed or variable percentage of hotel profits and in some cases may be subject to a stated return threshold to the owner, normally over a one-calendar year period. We recognize base fees as revenue when earned in accordance with the terms of the management agreement. For incentive fees, we recognize those amounts that would be due if the contract was terminated at the financial statement date. Management fees from timeshare properties are generally a fixed percent as stated in the management agreement and are recognized as the services are performed.

Franchise fees represent fees earned in connection with the licensing of one of our hotel brands, usually under long-term contracts with the hotel owner. We charge a monthly franchise royalty fee, generally based on a percentage of room revenue, as well as application and initiation fees for new hotels entering the system. Royalty fees for our full service brands may also include a percentage of gross food and beverage revenues and other revenues, where applicable. We also earn fees when certain franchise agreements are terminated early or there is a change in ownership. Application and initiation fees are recognized when all services and conditions have been substantially performed or satisfied by us, generally upon execution of the agreement. We recognize royalty and other franchise fees as the fees are earned, which is when all material services or conditions have been performed or satisfied.

Other revenues include revenues generated by the incidental support of hotel operations for owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels, including purchasing operations, and other rental income. This includes any revenues received for vendor rebate arrangements we participate in as a manager of hotel and timeshare properties.

Timeshare revenues consist of revenues generated from our Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare business. Timeshare revenues are principally generated from the sale and financing of fee-simple timeshare intervals deeded in perpetuity, developed or acquired either by us or by third parties. Revenue from a deeded timeshare sale is recognized when the customer has executed a binding sales contract, a minimum 10 percent down payment has been received, certain minimum sales thresholds for a timeshare project have been attained, the purchaser’s period to cancel for a refund has expired and the related receivable is deemed to be collectible. We defer revenue recognition for sales that do not meet these criteria. During periods of construction, revenue from timeshare sales is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. In this case, sales revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Additionally, we receive sales commissions from certain third-party developers that we assist in selling their timeshare inventory. We recognize revenue from commissions on these sales as intervals are sold and we fulfill the service requirements under the respective sales agreements with the developers. Revenue from the financing of timeshare sales is recognized on the accrual method as earned based on the outstanding principal, interest rate and terms stated in each individual financing agreement. We record an estimate of uncollectible accounts as a reduction of sales revenue at the time revenue is recognized on a timeshare interval sale. See the "Financing Receivables" section below for further discussion of the policies applicable to our timeshare financing receivables. We also generate revenues from club enrollment and other fees, rentals of timeshare units, food and beverage sales and other ancillary services at our timeshare properties that are recognized when units are rented or goods and services are delivered or rendered.


79



Other revenues from managed and franchised properties represent payroll and related costs, certain other operating costs of the managed and franchised properties’ operations, marketing expenses and other expenses associated with our brands and shared services that are contractually reimbursed to us by the property owners or paid from fees collected in advance from these properties when the costs are incurred. The corresponding expenses are presented as other expenses from managed and franchised properties in our consolidated statements of operations, resulting in no effect on operating income (loss) or net income (loss).

We are required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit these back to the applicable governmental agencies on a periodic basis. We have a legal obligation to act as a collection agent. We do not retain these taxes and fees and, therefore, they are not included in revenues. We record a liability when the amounts are collected and relieve the liability when payments are made to the applicable taxing authority or other appropriate governmental agency.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities, when purchased, of three months or less.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents include cash balances established as security for certain guarantees, lender reserves, ground rent and property tax escrows, insurance, deposits for assets we plan to acquire and advance deposits received on timeshare sales that are held in escrow until the contract is closed.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided on accounts receivable when losses are probable based on historical collection activity and current business conditions.

Inventories

Inventories include unsold, completed timeshare intervals, timeshare intervals under construction and land and infrastructure held for future timeshare interval development at our timeshare properties (collectively, timeshare inventory), as well as hotel inventories consisting of operating supplies that have a period of consumption of one year or less, guest room items and food and beverage items.

Timeshare inventory is carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less costs to sell, based on the relative sales value. Capital expenditures associated with our timeshare intervals are reflected as inventory until the timeshare intervals are sold. Consistent with industry practice, timeshare inventory is classified as a current asset despite an operating cycle that exceeds 12 months. The majority of sales and marketing costs incurred to sell timeshare intervals are expensed when incurred. Certain direct and incremental selling and marketing costs are deferred on a contract until revenue from the interval sale has been recognized.

In accordance with the accounting standards for costs and the initial rental operations of real estate projects, we use the relative sales value method of costing our timeshare sales and relieving inventory. In addition, we continually assess our timeshare inventory and, if necessary, impose pricing adjustments to modify sales pace. It is possible that any future changes in our development and sales strategies could have a material effect on the carrying value of our timeshare inventory and purchase commitments for timeshare inventory. We monitor our projects and inventory on an ongoing basis and complete an evaluation each reporting period to ensure that the inventory and purchase commitments for inventory are at the lower of cost or market.

Hotel inventories are generally valued at the lower of cost (using "first-in, first-out", or FIFO) or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and interest applicable to major construction or development projects is capitalized. Costs of improvements that extend the economic life or improve service potential are also capitalized. Capitalized costs are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.


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Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are generally as follows: buildings and improvements (8 to 40 years), furniture and equipment (3 to 8 years) and computer equipment (3 to 5 years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life, based on the estimates above, or the lease term.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment if there are indicators of potential impairment. We perform an analysis to determine the recoverability of the asset’s carrying value by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows to the net book value of the asset. If it is determined that the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the asset, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our consolidated statements of operations within impairment losses. Fair value is generally estimated using valuation techniques that consider the discounted cash flows of the asset using discount and capitalization rates deemed reasonable for the type of asset, as well as prevailing market conditions, appraisals, recent similar transactions in the market and, if appropriate and available, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.

If sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation, including environmental remediation liabilities, we recognize the fair value of the obligation when the obligation is incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset.

Business Combinations

We consider a business combination to occur when the Company takes control of a business by acquiring its net assets or equity interests. We record the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests at fair value as of the acquisition date, including any contingent consideration. We evaluate several factors, including market data for similar assets, expected future cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates and replacement cost for the assets to determine an appropriate fair value of the assets. Acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are expensed in the period incurred and are not capitalized or applied in determining the fair value of the acquired assets.

Financing Receivables

We define financing receivables as financing arrangements that represent a contractual right to receive money either on demand or on fixed or determinable dates, which are recognized as an asset in our consolidated balance sheets. We record all financing receivables at amortized cost in current and long-term financing receivables. We recognize interest income as earned and provide an allowance for cancellations and defaults. We have divided our financing receivables into two portfolio segments based on the level of aggregation at which we develop and document a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for loan losses. Based on their initial measurement, risk characteristics and our method for monitoring and assessing credit risk, we have determined the classes of financing receivables to correspond to our identified portfolio segments as follows:

Timeshare financing receivables comprise loans related to our financing of timeshare interval sales and secured by the underlying timeshare properties. We determine our timeshare financing receivables to be past due based on the contractual terms of the individual mortgage loans. We recognize interest income on our timeshare financing receivables as earned. The interest rate charged on the notes correlates to the risk profile of the borrower at the time of purchase and the percentage of the purchase that is financed, among other factors. We monitor the credit quality of our receivables on an ongoing basis. We evaluate this portfolio collectively for uncollectibility, since we hold a large group of homogeneous timeshare financing receivables, which are individually immaterial. There are no significant concentrations of credit risk with any individual counterparty or groups of counterparties. We use a technique referred to as static pool analysis as the basis for determining our general reserve requirements on our timeshare financing receivables. The adequacy of the related allowance for loan loss is determined by management through analysis of several factors, such as current economic conditions and industry trends, as well as the specific risk characteristics of the portfolio including assumed default rates, aging and historical write-offs of these receivables. The allowance for loan loss is maintained at a level deemed adequate by management based on a periodic analysis of the mortgage portfolio. Once a note is 90 days past due or is determined to be uncollectible prior to 90 days past due, we cease accruing interest and reverse the accrued interest recognized up to that point. We apply payments we receive for loans, including those in non-accrual status, to amounts due in the following order: servicing fees, late charges, interest and principal. We resume interest accrual for loans for which we had previously ceased accruing interest once the loan is less than 90 days past due. We fully reserve for a timeshare financing receivable in the month following the date that the loan is 120 days past due and, subsequently, we write off the uncollectible note against the reserve once the foreclosure process is complete and we receive the deed for the foreclosed unit.


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Other financing receivables primarily comprise individual loans and other types of unsecured financing arrangements provided to hotel owners. We individually assess all financing receivables in this portfolio for collectibility and impairment. We measure loan impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. For impaired loans, we establish a specific impairment reserve for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows. We do not recognize interest income on unsecured financing to hotel owners for notes that are greater than 90 days past due and only resume interest recognition if the financing receivable becomes current. We fully reserve unsecured financing to hotel owners when we determine that the receivables are uncollectible and when all commercially reasonable means of recovering the receivable balances have been exhausted.

Investments in Affiliates

We hold investments in affiliates that primarily own or lease hotels under one of our distinct hotel brands. If we do not have a controlling financial interest in the entity, we account for the investment using the equity or cost method. We account for investments using the equity method when we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the entity, typically through a more than minimal investment. Investments in affiliates where we own less than a minimal investment and are not able to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method.

Our proportionate share of earnings (losses) from our equity method investments is presented as equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. Distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities are presented as an operating activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows when such distributions are a return on investment. Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates are recorded as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows when such distributions are a return of investment.

We assess the recoverability of our equity method and cost method investments if there are indicators of potential impairment. If an identified event or change in circumstances requires an evaluation to determine if an investment may have an other-than-temporary impairment, we assess the fair value of the investment based on accepted valuation methodologies, which include discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds and external appraisals. If an investment’s fair value is below its carrying value and the decline is considered to be other-than-temporary, we will recognize an impairment loss in equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates for equity method investments or impairment losses for cost method investments in our consolidated statements of operations.

In connection with the October 24, 2007 transaction whereby we became a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Blackstone (the "Merger"), we recorded our equity method investments at their estimated fair value, which resulted in an increase to our historical basis in those entities, primarily as a result of an increase in the fair value of the real estate assets of the investee entities. The basis difference is being amortized as a component of equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates over a period of approximately 40 years.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. We do not amortize goodwill, but rather evaluate goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below the carrying amount.

As part of the Merger, we recorded goodwill representing the excess purchase price over the fair value of the other identified assets and liabilities. We evaluate goodwill for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their fair value. Our reporting units are the same as our operating segments as described in Note 23: "Business Segments." We perform this evaluation annually or at an interim date if indicators of impairment exist. In any year we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the two-step quantitative process. In the first step, we determine the fair value of each of our reporting units. The valuation is based on internal projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans, as well as market conditions relative to the operations of our reporting units. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. However, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step must be performed. In the second step, we estimate the implied fair value of goodwill, which is determined by taking the fair value of the reporting unit and allocating it to all of its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds

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the implied fair value of that goodwill, the excess is recognized within impairment losses in our consolidated statements of operations.

Brands

We own, operate and franchise hotels under our portfolio of brands. There are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of these brands and, accordingly, the useful lives of these brands are considered to be indefinite. Our hotel brand portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton. In addition, we also develop and operate timeshare properties under our Hilton Grand Vacations brand.

At the time of the Merger, our brands were assigned a fair value based on a common valuation technique known as the relief from royalty approach. Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton were launched post-Merger and, as such, they were not assigned fair values. We evaluate our brands for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the brand is below the carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the two-step quantitative process. If a brand’s estimated current fair value is less than its respective carrying value, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations within impairment losses.

Intangible Assets with Finite Useful Lives

We have certain finite lived intangible assets that were initially recorded at their fair value at the time of the Merger. These intangible assets consist of management agreements, franchise contracts, leases, certain proprietary technologies and our guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Additionally, we capitalize direct and incremental management and franchise contract acquisition costs as finite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives.

We capitalize costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software and costs to acquire software licenses. Internal and external costs incurred in connection with development of upgrades or enhancements that result in additional functionality are also capitalized. These capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. These capitalized costs are recorded in other intangible assets in our consolidated balance sheets.

We review all finite lived intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess of carrying value over the fair value in our consolidated statements of operations.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a guest loyalty program provided to hotels and timeshare properties. Nearly all of our owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels and timeshare properties participate in the Hilton Honors program. Hilton Honors members earn points based on their spending at our participating hotels and timeshare properties and through participation in affiliated partner programs. When points are earned by Hilton Honors members, the property or affiliated partner pays Hilton Honors based on an estimated cost per point for the costs of operating the program, which include marketing, promotion, communication, administration and the estimated cost of award redemptions. Hilton Honors member points are accumulated and may be redeemed for the right to stay at participating properties, as well as for other goods and services from third parties, including, but not limited to, airlines, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, shopping and dining. We provide Hilton Honors as a marketing program to participating hotels and timeshare properties, with the objective of operating the program on a break-even basis to us.

Hilton Honors records a liability related to revenue received from participating hotels and program partners in an amount equal to the estimated cost per point of the future redemption obligation. We engage outside actuaries to assist in determining the fair value of the future award redemption obligation using statistical formulas that project future point redemptions based on factors that include historical experience, an estimate of "breakage" (points that will never be redeemed), an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed and the cost of reimbursing hotels and other third parties in respect to other redemption opportunities available to members. Revenue is recognized by participating hotels and resorts only when points that have been redeemed for hotel stay certificates are used by members or their designees at the respective properties. Additionally, when

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members of the Hilton Honors loyalty program redeem award certificates at our owned and leased hotels, we recognize room revenue, included in owned and leased hotels revenues in our consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements - Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date (an exit price). We use the three-level valuation hierarchy for classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the data market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument.

Level 3 - Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

The classification of assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Proper classification of fair value measurements within the valuation hierarchy is considered each reporting period. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall strategy to manage our exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We regularly monitor the financial stability and credit standing of the counterparties to our derivative instruments. Under the terms of certain loan agreements, we are required to maintain derivative financial instruments to manage interest rates. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We record all derivatives at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered, we may designate the derivative as one of the following: a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be paid ("cash flow hedge"), a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability ("fair value hedge") or a hedge of our foreign currency exposure ("net investment hedge"). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a cash flow hedge or net investment hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) until they are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings. If we do not specifically designate a derivative as one of the above, changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Likewise, the ineffective portion of designated derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Cash flows from designated derivative financial instruments are classified within the same category as the item being hedged in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash flows from undesignated derivative financial instruments are included as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

If we determine that we qualify for and will designate a derivative as a hedging instrument, at the designation date we formally document all relationships between hedging activities, including the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes matching all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions, linking all derivatives designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and determining the foreign currency exposure of the net investment of the foreign operation for a net investment hedge.

On a quarterly basis, we assess the effectiveness of our designated hedges in offsetting the variability in the cash flows or fair values of the hedged assets or obligations using the Hypothetical Derivative Method. This method compares the cumulative change in fair value of each hedging instrument to the cumulative change in fair value of a hypothetical hedging instrument,

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which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the respective hedged transactions. Thus, the hypothetical hedging instrument is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows. Ineffectiveness results when the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedging instrument exceeds the cumulative change in the fair value of the hypothetical hedging instrument. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, when the derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable, or the hedging instrument expires, is sold, terminated or exercised.

Currency Translation

The United States dollar ("USD") is our reporting currency and is the functional currency of our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating in the U.S. The functional currency for our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating outside of the U.S. is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. Assets and liabilities measured in foreign currencies are translated into USD at the prevailing exchange rates in effect as of the financial statement date and the related gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated balance sheets. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes related to transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity's functional currency or intercompany receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency that are not of a long-term investment nature are recognized as gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions in our consolidated statements of operations. Where certain specific evidence indicates intercompany receivables and payables will not be settled in the foreseeable future and are of a long-term nature, gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes are recognized as other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Insurance

We are self-insured for losses up to our third-party insurance deductibles for general liability, auto liability and workers' compensation at our owned, leased and managed properties that participate in our programs. We purchase insurance coverage for claim amounts that exceed our deductible obligations. In addition, through our captive insurance subsidiary, we participate in a reinsurance arrangement that provides coverage for a certain portion of our deductibles. Our insurance reserves are accrued based on our deductibles related to the estimated ultimate cost of claims that occurred during the covered period, which includes claims incurred but not reported, for which we will be responsible. These estimates are prepared with the assistance of outside actuaries and consultants. The ultimate cost of claims for a covered period may differ from our original estimates.

Share-based Compensation

As part of our 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Stock Plan"), which was adopted on December 11, 2013, we award time-vesting restricted stock units ("RSUs"), nonqualified stock options ("options"), performance-vesting restricted stock units and restricted stock (collectively, "performance shares") and deferred share units ("DSUs") to eligible employees and directors.

RSUs generally vest in annual installments over two or three years from the date of grant. Vested RSUs generally will be settled for our common stock, with the exception of certain awards that will be settled in cash. The grant date fair value is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

Options vest over three years in equal annual installments from the date of grant and will terminate 10 years from the date of grant or earlier if the individual’s service terminates. The exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Model.

Performance shares are settled at the end of a three-year performance period with 50 percent of the shares subject to achievement based on a measure of (1) the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of members of a peer company group ("relative shareholder return") and the other 50 percent of the shares subject to achievement based on (2) the Company’s earnings before interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") compound annual growth rate ("EBITDA CAGR"). The total number of performance shares that vest based on each performance measure (relative shareholder return and EBITDA CAGR) is based on an achievement factor that in each case, ranges from a zero to 200 percent payout. The grant date fair value of the relative shareholder return awards is estimated using the Monte Carlo Simulation, and the grant date fair value for the EBITDA CAGR awards is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

DSUs are issued to our independent directors and are fully vested and non-forfeitable on the date of grant. DSUs are settled for shares of our common stock, which are deliverable upon the earlier of termination of the individual's

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service on our board of directors or a change in control. The grant date fair value is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

We recognize the cost of services received in these share-based payment transactions with employees as services are received and recognize either a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other in our consolidated balance sheets, depending on whether the instruments granted satisfy the equity or liability classification criteria. The measurement objective for these equity awards is the estimated fair value at the grant date of the equity instruments that we are obligated to issue when employees have rendered the requisite service and satisfied any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments. The compensation expense for an award classified as an equity instrument is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, including an estimate of forfeitures. The requisite service period is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for an award. Liability awards are measured based on the award’s fair value, and the fair value is remeasured at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Compensation expense for each period until settlement is based on the change (or a portion of the change, depending on the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered at the reporting date) in the fair value of the instrument for each reporting period, including an estimate of forfeitures. Forfeiture rates are estimated based on historical employee terminations for each grant cycle. Compensation expense for awards with performance conditions is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied. If such performance conditions are not considered probable until they occur, no compensation expense for these awards is recognized.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, to recognize the deferred tax assets and liabilities that relate to tax consequences in future years, which result from differences between the respective tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts, and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the respective temporary differences or operating loss or tax credit carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards is contingent upon the generation of future taxable income and other restrictions that may exist under the tax laws of the jurisdiction in which a deferred tax asset exists. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be ultimately realized.

We use a prescribed recognition threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. For all income tax positions, we first determine whether it is "more-likely-than-not" that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-15 ("ASU 2016-15"), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 ("ASU 2016-18"), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash. This ASU requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The provisions of both ASUs are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and are to be applied retrospectively; early adoption is permitted. We elected, as permitted by the standards, to early adopt ASU 2016-15 and ASU 2016-18 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and we restated all prior periods presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. The effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated statements of cash flows was to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents balances in the beginning and end of period balances of cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents. The change in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents was previously disclosed in operating activities, investing activities and financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 ("ASU 2015-03"), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt

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liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset, which is consistent with the presentation of debt discounts and premiums. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 ("ASU 2015-15"), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, which clarifies that, absent authoritative guidance in ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the staff of the SEC would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. As a result, approximately $94 million of debt issuance costs that were previously presented in other non-current assets as of December 31, 2015 are now included within long-term debt and timeshare debt. We elected to continue presenting the debt issuance costs related to our line-of-credit arrangements within other non-current assets.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 ("ASU 2015-02"), Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. We elected, as permitted by the standard, to adopt ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of January 1, 2016 of approximately $5 million. Additionally, certain consolidated entities that were not previously considered VIEs prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02 were considered to be VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and continue to be consolidated following adoption; prior period VIE disclosures do not include the balances or activity associated with these VIEs.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 ("ASU 2016-02"), Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in Leases (Topic 840) and generally requires all leases, including operating leases, to be recognized in the statement of financial position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities by lessees. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach and are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements, but we expect this ASU to have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 ("ASU 2014-09"), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and requires entities to recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequent to ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several related ASUs. The provisions of ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, and adoption as of the original effective date of January 1, 2017 is permitted. We will not early adopt the new standard. This ASU permits two transition approaches: retrospective or modified retrospective. We are still evaluating our transition approach and expect to reach a decision in early 2017.

We anticipate that ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. However, we expect revenue recognition related to our accounting for ongoing royalty and management fee revenues and direct reimbursable fees from our management and franchise agreements and hotel guest transactions at our owned and leased hotels to remain substantially unchanged.

While we are continuing to assess all other potential effects of the standard, we currently believe the provisions of ASU 2014-09 will affect revenue recognition as follows: (i) application and initiation fees for new hotels entering the system will be recognized over the term of the franchise agreement; (ii) certain contract acquisition costs related to our management and franchise agreements will be recognized over the term of the agreements as a reduction to revenue; and (iii) incentive management fees will be recognized to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur as a result of future hotel profits or cash flows. We do not expect the changes in revenue recognition for certain contract acquisition costs or incentive management fees to affect the Company’s net income for any full year period. We are currently assessing the effect of the standard on indirect reimbursable fees related to our management and franchise agreements and the accounting for our guest loyalty program. We continue to update our assessment of the effect that ASU 2014-09 and related ASUs will have on our consolidated financial statements, and we will disclose further material effects, if any, when known.


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Note 3: Acquisitions

Tax Deferred Exchange

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we used proceeds from the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York to acquire, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, the following properties from sellers affiliated with Blackstone and an unrelated third party, for a total purchase price of $1.87 billion:

the resort complex consisting of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida (the "Bonnet Creek Resort");
the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida;
the Reach Resort in Key West, Florida;
the Parc 55 in San Francisco, California; and
the Juniper Hotel Cupertino in Cupertino, California.

We incurred transaction costs of $26 million recognized in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The results of operations from these properties included in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
(in millions)
Total revenues
$
316

Income before income taxes
58


Equity Investments Exchange

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into an agreement to exchange our ownership interest in six hotels for the remaining interest in five other hotels that were part of an equity investment portfolio we owned with one other partner. As a result of this exchange, we have a 100 percent ownership interest in five hotels and no longer have any ownership interest in the remaining six hotels. This transaction was accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages, resulting in a remeasurement gain based upon the fair values of the equity investments. The carrying values of these equity investments immediately before the exchange totaled $59 million and the fair values of these equity investments immediately before the exchange totaled $83 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $23 million, net of transaction costs, recognized in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Note 4: Disposals

Hilton Sydney

In July 2015, we completed the sale of the Hilton Sydney for a purchase price of 442 million Australian dollars (equivalent to $340 million as of the closing date). As a result of the sale, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $163 million included in gain on sales of assets, net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The pre-tax gain was net of transaction costs, a goodwill reduction of $36 million and a reclassification of a currency translation adjustment of $25 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings concurrent with the disposition. The goodwill reduction was due to our consideration of the Hilton Sydney property as a business within our ownership segment; therefore, we reduced the carrying amount of our goodwill by the amount representing the fair value of the business disposed relative to the fair value of the portion of our ownership reporting unit goodwill that was retained.


88



Waldorf Astoria New York

In February 2015, we completed the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York for a purchase price of $1.95 billion and we repaid in full the existing mortgage loan secured by our Waldorf Astoria New York property (the "Waldorf Astoria Loan") of approximately $525 million. As a result of the sale, we recognized a gain of $143 million included in gain on sales of assets, net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The gain was net of transaction costs and a goodwill reduction of $185 million. The goodwill reduction was due to our consideration of the Waldorf Astoria New York property as a business within our ownership segment; therefore, we reduced the carrying amount of our goodwill by the amount representing the fair value of the business disposed relative to the fair value of the portion of our ownership reporting unit goodwill that was retained. Additionally, we recognized a loss of $6 million in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 related to the reduction of the Waldorf Astoria Loan's remaining carrying amount of debt issuance costs.

Sale of Other Property and Equipment

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we completed the sale of two hotels and a vacant parcel of land for approximately $15 million. As a result of these sales, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $13 million, including the reclassification of a currency translation adjustment of $3 million, from accumulated other comprehensive loss concurrent with the disposition. The gain was included in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2014, we completed the sale of certain land and easement rights to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with a timeshare project. As a result, the affiliate of Blackstone acquired the rights to the name, plans, designs, contracts and other documents related to the timeshare project. The total consideration received for this transaction was approximately $37 million. We recognized $13 million, net of tax, as a capital contribution within additional paid-in capital, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration received over the carrying value of the assets sold.

Note 5: Inventories

Inventories were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016

2015
 
(in millions)
Timeshare
$
517

 
$
420

Hotel
24

 
22

 
$
541

 
$
442


Note 6: Property and Equipment

Property and equipment were as follows:    
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Land
$
3,396

 
$
3,486

Buildings and leasehold improvements
6,423

 
6,410

Furniture and equipment
1,295

 
1,263

Construction-in-progress
105

 
80

 
11,219

 
11,239

Accumulated depreciation
(2,289
)
 
(2,120
)
 
$
8,930

 
$
9,119


Depreciation expense of property and equipment, including assets recorded for capital lease assets, was $358 million, $351 million and $313 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, property and equipment included approximately $142 million and $144 million, respectively, of capital lease assets primarily consisting of buildings and leasehold improvements, net of $82 million and $71 million, respectively, of accumulated depreciation.


89



Note 7: Financing Receivables

Financing receivables were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Securitized Timeshare
 
Unsecuritized Timeshare(1)
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Financing receivables
$
204

 
$
795

 
$
68

 
$
1,067

Less: allowance for loan loss
(7
)
 
(97
)
 

 
(104
)
 
197

 
698

 
68

 
963

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of financing receivables
49

 
103

 
2

 
154

Less: allowance for loan loss
(2
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(16
)
 
47

 
89

 
2

 
138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total financing receivables
$
244

 
$
787

 
$
70

 
$
1,101


 
December 31, 2015
 
Securitized Timeshare
 
Unsecuritized Timeshare(1)
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Financing receivables
$
309

 
$
632

 
$
39

 
$
980

Less: allowance for loan loss
(14
)
 
(79
)
 

 
(93
)
 
295

 
553

 
39

 
887

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of financing receivables
58

 
83

 
1

 
142

Less: allowance for loan loss
(3
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(13
)
 
55

 
73

 
1

 
129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total financing receivables
$
350

 
$
626

 
$
40

 
$
1,016

____________
(1) 
Included in this balance, we had $509 million and $163 million of gross timeshare financing receivables securing our revolving non-recourse timeshare financing receivables credit facility (the "Timeshare Facility"), as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Timeshare Financing Receivables

As of December 31, 2016, our timeshare financing receivables had interest rates ranging from 5.25 percent to 20.50 percent, a weighted average interest rate of 11.98 percent, a weighted average remaining term of 7.8 years and maturities through 2028.

Our timeshare financing receivables as of December 31, 2016 mature as follows:
 
Securitized Timeshare
 
Unsecuritized Timeshare
Year
(in millions)
2017
$
49

 
$
103

2018
48

 
84

2019
45

 
89

2020
41

 
93

2021
33

 
96

Thereafter
37

 
433

 
253

 
898

Less: allowance for loan loss
(9
)
 
(111
)
 
$
244

 
$
787



90



As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had ceased accruing interest on timeshare financing receivables with an aggregate principal balance of $38 million and $32 million, respectively. The following table details an aged analysis of our gross timeshare financing receivables balance:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Current
$
1,099

 
$
1,035

30 - 89 days past due
14

 
15

90 - 119 days past due
6

 
4

120 days and greater past due
32

 
28

 
$
1,151

 
$
1,082


The changes in our allowance for loan loss were as follows:
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
92

Write-offs
(30
)
Provision for loan loss
34

Balance as of December 31, 2014
96

Write-offs
(29
)
Provision for loan loss
39

Balance as of December 31, 2015
106

Write-offs
(35
)
Provision for loan loss
49

Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
120


Note 8: Investments in Affiliates

Investments in affiliates were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Equity investments
$
105

 
$
129

Other investments
9

 
9

 
$
114

 
$
138


We maintain investments in affiliates accounted for under the equity method, which are primarily investments in entities that owned or leased 15 and 16 hotels as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These entities had total debt of approximately $956 million and $959 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Substantially all of the debt is secured solely by the affiliates' assets or is guaranteed by other partners without recourse to us.

Note 9: Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

As of December 31, 2016, we consolidated eight VIEs: five that own or lease hotel properties; two that issued debt in connection with our timeshare financing receivables securitization transactions (collectively, the "Securitized Timeshare Debt"); and one management company. As of December 31, 2015, prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02, we consolidated three VIEs that owned or leased hotel properties and two that issued our Securitized Timeshare Debt. Of the three additional entities considered to be VIEs following the adoption of ASU 2015-02, two were previously consolidated by us and one was an unconsolidated investment in affiliate.


91



We are the primary beneficiaries of these VIEs as we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect their economic performance. Additionally, we have the obligation to absorb their losses and the right to receive benefits that could be significant to them. The assets of our VIEs are only available to settle the obligations of the respective entities. Our consolidated balance sheets included the assets and liabilities of these entities, which primarily comprised the following:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
64

 
$
46

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
30

 
15

Accounts receivable, net
19

 
19

Property and equipment, net
260

 
72

Financing receivables, net
244

 
350

Deferred income tax assets
58

 
62

Other non-current assets
53

 
52

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
40

 
35

Long-term debt
418

 
219

Timeshare debt
244

 
353

Deferred income tax liabilities
53

 
1


During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we did not provide any financial or other support to any VIEs that we were not previously contractually required to provide, nor do we intend to provide such support in the future.

In December 2016, a VIE that we consolidated as a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-02 sold the hotel asset that it owned. As a result of the sale, we deconsolidated the VIE as we no longer had the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected its performance. Our retained interest in the entity was included in investments in affiliates in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016.

In June 2015, one of our consolidated VIEs modified the terms of its capital lease, resulting in a reduction in long-term debt of $24 million. Since the capital lease asset had previously been fully impaired, this amount was recognized as a gain in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2015.


92



Note 10: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Our goodwill balances, by reporting unit, were as follows:
 
Ownership
 
Management and Franchise
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Goodwill
$
4,552

 
$
5,129

 
$
9,681

Accumulated impairment losses
(3,527
)
 

 
(3,527
)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
1,025

 
5,129

 
6,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dispositions of business(1)
(221
)
 

 
(221
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
(4
)
 
(42
)
 
(46
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
3,575

 
5,087

 
8,662

Accumulated impairment losses
(2,775
)
 

 
(2,775
)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
800

 
5,087

 
5,887

 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
(12
)
 
(53
)
 
(65
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
3,563

 
5,034

 
8,597

Accumulated impairment losses
(2,775
)
 

 
(2,775
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
788

 
$
5,034

 
$
5,822

____________
(1) 
In connection with the sales of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the Hilton Sydney, goodwill was reduced by $973 million and accumulated impairment losses was reduced by $752 million.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
(in millions)
Amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
     Management and franchise agreements
$
2,653

 
$
(1,634
)
 
$
1,019

     Leases
348

 
(158
)
 
190

Capitalized software
555

 
(391
)
 
164

Hilton Honors
335

 
(192
)
 
143

     Other
42

 
(32
)
 
10

 
$
3,933

 
$
(2,407
)
 
$
1,526

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
     Brands
$
4,848

 
$

 
$
4,848



93



 
December 31, 2015
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
(in millions)
Amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
     Management and franchise agreements
$
2,616

 
$
(1,467
)
 
$
1,149

     Leases
390

 
(156
)
 
234

Capitalized software
468

 
(293
)
 
175

Hilton Honors
341

 
(174
)
 
167

     Other
38

 
(28
)
 
10

 
$
3,853

 
$
(2,118
)
 
$
1,735

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-amortizing Intangible Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
     Brands
$
4,919

 
$

 
$
4,919


We recorded amortization expense of $328 million, $341 million and $315 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, including $95 million, $94 million and $79 million, respectively, of amortization expense on capitalized software. Changes to our brands intangible asset during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were due to foreign currency translations.

We estimate our future amortization expense for our amortizing intangible assets to be as follows:
Year
(in millions)
2017
$
302

2018
282

2019
259

2020
208

2021
81

Thereafter
394

 
$
1,526


Note 11: Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
$
584

 
$
475

Accounts payable
381

 
331

Liability for guest loyalty program, current
543

 
494

Deposit liabilities
218

 
212

Deferred revenues, current
65

 
65

Insurance reserves, current
99

 
90

Other accrued expenses
563

 
539

 
$
2,453

 
$
2,206


Deferred revenues and deposit liabilities are related to our timeshare business and hotel operations. Other accrued expenses consist of taxes, rent, interest and various other accrued balances.


94



Note 12: Debt

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt balances, including obligations for capital leases, and associated interest rates as of December 31, 2016, as well as issuances and repayments related to financing transactions that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015

Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rate(1)
 
Balance
 
Issuances
 
Repayments
 
Balance

(%)
 
(in millions)
Senior notes due 2021
5.625
 
$
1,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,500

Senior notes due 2024(2)
4.25
 
1,000

 
1,000

 

 

Senior notes due 2024(3)
6.125
 
300

 
300

 

 

Senior secured term loan facility due 2020
3.50
 
750

 

 
(250
)
 
1,000

Senior secured term loan facility due 2023(4)
3.26
 
3,209

 

 
(16
)
 
3,225

Senior secured term loan facility due 2021(3)
2.94
 
200

 
200

 

 

Senior unsecured term loan facility due 2021(5)
2.22
 
750

 
750

 

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities loan due 2018
N/A
 

 

 
(3,418
)
 
3,418

Commercial mortgage-backed securities loans due 2023 to 2026(5)
4.17
 
2,000

 
2,000

 

 

Mortgage loan due 2018
N/A
 

 

 
(450
)
 
450

Mortgage loan due 2026(5)
4.17
 
165

 
165

 
(104
)
 
104

Other mortgage loans and other property debt due 2017 to 2022(6)
2.95
 
63

 
 
 
 

62

Other unsecured notes due 2017
7.50
 
54

 
 
 
 

54

Capital lease obligations due 2018 to 2094
6.38
 
242

 
 
 
 

245


 
 
10,233

 


 



10,058

Less: unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts
 
 
(115
)
 
 
 
 
 
(107
)
Less: current maturities of long-term debt(7)
 
 
(98
)
 
 
 
 

(94
)

 
 
$
10,020

 


 



$
9,857

____________
(1) 
Weighted average rate, where applicable.
(2) 
Issued by Hilton.
(3) 
Issued by HGV.
(4) 
This term loan was amended during the year ended December 31, 2016, as discussed under "Senior Credit Facilities" below.
(5) 
Issued by Park.
(6) 
For mortgage loans with maturity date extensions that are solely at our option, we assumed they were exercised.
(7) 
Net of unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts attributable to current maturities of long-term debt.

Senior Notes

In November 2016, HGV issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due 2024 (the "6.125% Senior Notes due 2024") and incurred $8 million of debt issuance costs. Interest on the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2024 is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning in June 2017. The 6.125% Senior Notes due 2024 are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain HGV subsidiaries.

In August 2016, Hilton issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due 2024 (the "4.25% Senior Notes due 2024") and incurred $20 million of debt issuance costs. Interest on the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning in March 2017.

The senior notes due 2021 (the "Senior Notes due 2021") and the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the same subsidiaries as the senior secured credit facility that we entered into in 2013 (the "2013 Senior Secured Credit Facility"). See below and Note 27: "Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information" for additional details.


95



Senior Credit Facilities

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

In December 2016, HGV entered into a senior secured credit facility (the "2016 Senior Secured Credit Facility"), consisting of a $200 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the "2016 Revolving Credit Facility") and a $200 million senior secured term loan facility (the "2016 Term Loan"), each with a five-year maturity. The 2016 Revolving Credit Facility allows for up to $30 million to be drawn in the form of letters of credit. As of December 31, 2016, we had no letters of credit or borrowings outstanding under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility. There is a minimum commitment fee of 0.30 percent per annum under the 2016 Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unused commitments thereunder. The 2016 Term Loan bears interest at a variable rate, which is payable quarterly. The obligations under the 2016 Senior Secured Credit Facility are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Hilton on an unsecured basis, through the date of the spin-offs, and certain HGV subsidiaries on a secured basis.

The 2013 Senior Secured Credit Facility, which remained with Hilton following the spin-offs, consists of a $1.0 billion senior secured revolving credit facility (the "2013 Revolving Credit Facility") and a senior secured term loan facility (the "2013 Term Loans"). The obligations of the 2013 Senior Secured Credit Facility are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by us and substantially all of our direct or indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, excluding our subsidiaries that were designated for spin-off to Park and HGV.

In November 2016, we amended the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility to extend the maturity to November 2021 and incurred $5 million of debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2016, we had $45 million of letters of credit outstanding under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility and a borrowing capacity of $955 million. We are required to pay a commitment fee of 0.125 percent per annum under the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unused commitments thereunder.

In August 2016, we amended the 2013 Term Loans pursuant to which $3,225 million of outstanding 2013 Term Loans were converted into a new tranche of 2013 Term Loans due October 2023 with interest of LIBOR plus 2.50 percent per annum. In connection with the modification of the 2013 Term Loans, we recognized an $8 million discount as a reduction to long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet and $4 million of other debt issuance costs included in other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations.

Senior Unsecured Credit Facility

In December 2016, Park entered into a senior unsecured credit facility (the "Senior Unsecured Credit Facility"), consisting of a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility") with a four-year maturity and a $750 million senior unsecured term loan facility (the "Unsecured Term Loan") with a five-year maturity. Both components of the Senior Unsecured Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate, which is payable monthly or at the end of any applicable LIBOR interest period, but not less frequently than once every three months. We incurred $7 million and $6 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Unsecured Term Loan, respectively. The Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility allows for up to $50 million to be drawn in the form of letters of credit and up to $50 million for short-term swingline borrowings. There is a commitment fee under the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unused commitments thereunder of 0.20 percent to 0.30 percent per annum, depending on the usage of the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility were not permitted until the consummation of the spin-offs and, therefore, there were no letters of credit or borrowings outstanding under the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016.

CMBS and Mortgage Loans

In October 2016, we issued two new commercial mortgage-backed securities loans (the "2016 CMBS Loans") for Park, including a $725 million loan that bears interest at 4.11 percent per annum, matures in November 2023 and is secured by two of our U.S. owned real estate assets, and a $1,275 million loan that bears interest at 4.20 percent per annum, matures in November 2026 and is secured by one of our U.S. owned real estate assets. In connection with these issuances, we incurred $8 million of debt issuance costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we repaid in full the commercial mortgage-backed securities loan entered into in 2013 (the "2013 CMBS Loan") and, as a result, all collateral securing it was released. In connection with the repayment, we wrote-off $19 million of debt issuance costs to other gain (loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations.


96



In November 2016, we repaid a $104 million mortgage loan secured by one of our U.S. owned hotel properties and issued a new mortgage loan secured by this property (the "2016 Mortgage Loan") in the aggregate amount of $165 million. The 2016 Mortgage Loan bears interest at 4.17 percent per annum and has an initial term of 10 years, with one five-year extension at the lenders' option. Interest is payable monthly in arrears beginning in January 2017.

As a result of an acquisition made during the year ended December 31, 2015, we assumed a $450 million mortgage loan secured by the Bonnet Creek Resort (the "Bonnet Creek Loan"), which was repaid in full during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Our commercial mortgage backed-securities loans and certain of our mortgage loans require us to deposit with the lenders certain cash reserves for restricted uses. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our consolidated balance sheets included $49 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents related to the loans outstanding as of each balance sheet date.

Timeshare Debt

Timeshare debt balances and associated interest rates as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Timeshare Facility with a rate of 1.96%, due 2019
$
450

 
$
150

Securitized Timeshare Debt with an average rate of 1.97%, due 2026
246

 
356

 
696

 
506

Less: unamortized portion of deferred financing costs
(2
)
 
(4
)
Less: current maturities of timeshare debt
(73
)

(110
)
 
$
621


$
392


In August 2016, we amended the terms of the Timeshare Facility to, among other things, increase the borrowing capacity from $300 million to $450 million, allowing us to borrow up to the maximum amount until August 2018 and requiring all amounts borrowed to be repaid in August 2019. In December 2016, we borrowed $300 million under the Timeshare Facility. The Timeshare Facility is secured by certain of our timeshare financing receivables. See Note 7: "Financing Receivables" for further information.

The Securitized Timeshare Debt is backed by a pledge of assets, consisting primarily of a pool of timeshare financing receivables secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust on timeshare interests. The Securitized Timeshare Debt is a non-recourse obligation and is payable solely from the pool of timeshare financing receivables pledged as collateral to the debt and related assets.

We are required to deposit payments received from customers on the pledged timeshare financing receivables and securitized timeshare financing receivables related to the Timeshare Facility and Securitized Timeshare Debt, respectively, into a depository account maintained by a third party. On a monthly basis, the depository account will be used to make any required principal, interest and other payments due with respect to the Timeshare Facility and Securitized Timeshare Debt. The balance in the depository account, totaling $22 million and $17 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was included in restricted cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheets.

97




Debt Maturities

The contractual maturities of our debt as of December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
Long-term Debt
 
Timeshare Debt
Year
(in millions)
2017
$
105

 
$
74

2018
60

 
50

2019
57

 
486

2020
820

 
47

2021
2,460

 
39

Thereafter(1)
6,731

 

 
$
10,233

 
$
696

____________
(1)
We assumed all extensions that are solely at our option for purposes of calculating maturity dates.

Note 13: Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Hilton Honors points sales(1)
$
29

 
$
233

Other
35

 
50

 
$
64

 
$
283

____________
(1) 
In 2013, we sold Hilton Honors points to issuers of Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards and recorded deferred revenue upon receipt of the cash. The deferred revenue balance is reduced and revenue is recognized as the issuers use the points for promotions, rewards and incentive programs and certain other activities.

Note 14: Other Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Program surplus
$
446

 
$
420

Pension obligations
215

 
183

Other long-term tax liabilities
482

 
295

Deferred employee compensation and benefits
117

 
173

Insurance reserves
131

 
87

Other
118

 
124

 
$
1,509

 
$
1,282


Program surplus represents obligations to operate our marketing, sales and brand programs on behalf of our hotel owners. Guarantee liability is related to obligations under our outstanding performance guarantees. Our obligations related to the insurance claims are expected to be satisfied, on average, over the next three years.

Note 15: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, derivatives were used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with variable-rate debt as required by certain loan agreements, as well as foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency denominated cash balances.

98




During the year ended December 31, 2016, we dedesignated four interest rate swaps that were previously designated as cash flow hedges as they no longer met the criteria for hedge accounting. These interest rate swaps, which swapped three-month LIBOR on the 2013 Term Loans to a fixed rate of 1.87 percent, expire in October 2018 and, as of December 31, 2016, had an aggregate notional amount of $1.45 billion.

As of December 31, 2016, we held 68 short-term foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $326 million to offset exposure to fluctuations in our foreign currency denominated cash balances. We elected not to designate these foreign exchange forward contracts as hedging instruments.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The fair values of our derivative instruments in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other liabilities
 
N/A

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-designated Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other liabilities
 
$
12

 
N/A

Forward contracts
Other current assets
 
3

 
1

Forward contracts
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
 
4

 
1


Earnings Effect of Derivative Instruments

The amounts of gain (loss) recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of comprehensive income before any effect for income taxes were as follows: 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Classification of Gain (Loss) Recognized
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(in millions)
Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps(1)
Other comprehensive loss
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-designated Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other gain (loss), net
 
4

 
N/A

 
N/A

Interest rate swaps(2)
Interest expense
 
4

 
N/A

 
N/A

Forward contracts
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions
 
7

 
11

 
1

____________
(1) 
There were no amounts recognized in earnings related to hedge ineffectiveness or amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness testing during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
(2) 
The amount recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016 is related to the dedesignation of these instruments as cash flow hedges and was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as the underlying transactions occurred.


99



Note 16: Fair Value Measurements

We did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of our financial assets or liabilities. The fair value of certain financial instruments and the hierarchy level we used to estimate fair values are shown below:
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
958

 
$

 
$
958

 
$

Restricted cash equivalents
11

 

 
11

 

Timeshare financing receivables(1)
1,031

 

 

 
1,153

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt(2)(3)
9,843

 
2,886

 

 
7,152

Timeshare debt(3)
694

 

 

 
696

Interest rate swaps
12

 

 
12

 


 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
327

 
$

 
$
327

 
$

Restricted cash equivalents
18

 

 
18

 

Timeshare financing receivables(1)
976

 

 

 
1,080

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt(2)(3)
9,673

 
1,619

 

 
8,267

Timeshare debt(3)
502

 

 

 
506

Interest rate swaps
15

 

 
15

 

____________
(1) 
Carrying value includes allowance for loan loss.
(2) 
Excludes capital lease obligations with a carrying value of $242 million and $245 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and debt of certain consolidated VIEs with a carrying value of $33 million and $32 million, respectively.
(3) 
Carrying value includes unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts.

The fair values of financial instruments not included in this table are estimated to be equal to their carrying values as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Our estimates of the fair values were determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop the estimated fair values.

Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents primarily consisted of short-term interest-bearing money market funds with maturities of less than 90 days, time deposits and commercial paper. The estimated fair values were based on available market pricing information of similar financial instruments.

The estimated fair values of our timeshare financing receivables were based on the expected future cash flows discounted at weighted-average interest rates of the current portfolio, which reflect the risk of the underlying notes, primarily determined by the creditworthiness of the borrowers.

The estimated fair values of our Level 1 long-term debt were based on prices in active debt markets. The estimated fair values of our Level 3 long-term debt were based on: (i) indicative quotes received for similar issuances; (ii) the expected future cash flows discounted at risk-adjusted rates; or (iii) the carrying value, excluding unamortized deferred financing costs, where the interest rates approximated current market rates.

The estimated fair values of our timeshare debt were based on the carrying values, excluding unamortized deferred financing costs, as the interest rates approximated current market rates.


100



We measure our interest rate swaps at fair value, which were estimated using an income approach. The primary inputs into our fair value estimate include interest rates and yield curves based on observable market inputs of similar instruments.

Note 17: Leases

We lease hotel properties, land, equipment and corporate office space under operating and capital leases. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we leased 66 and 69 hotels, respectively, under operating leases, and five hotels under capital leases. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, two of these capital leases were liabilities of VIEs that we consolidated and were non-recourse to us. Our leases expire at various dates from 2017 through 2196, with varying renewal options, and the majority expire before 2026.

Our operating leases may require minimum rent payments, contingent rent payments based on a percentage of revenue or income or rent payments equal to the greater of a minimum rent or contingent rent. In addition, we may be required to pay some, or all, of the capital costs for property and equipment in the hotel during the term of the lease.

Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is recorded in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of operations and is recognized over the lease term.

The future minimum rent payments under non-cancelable leases, due in each of the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2016, were as follows:
 
Operating
Leases
 
Capital
Leases
 
Non-Recourse
Capital Leases
Year
(in millions)
2017
$
210

 
$
5

 
$
14

2018
191

 
5

 
23

2019
177

 
6

 
23

2020
171

 
6

 
24

2021
161

 
6

 
24

Thereafter
1,081

 
105

 
174

Total minimum rent payments
$
1,991

 
133

 
282

Less: amount representing interest
 
 
(82
)
 
(91
)
Present value of net minimum rent payments
 
 
$
51

 
$
191


Rent expense for all operating leases was as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Minimum rentals
$
268

 
$
290

 
$
293

Contingent rentals
120

 
126

 
146

 
$
388

 
$
416

 
$
439


Note 18: Income Taxes

Our tax provision includes federal, state and foreign income taxes payable. The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
U.S. income before tax
$
1,582

 
$
1,178

 
$
937

Foreign income (loss) before tax
(327
)
 
318

 
210

Income before income taxes
$
1,255

 
$
1,496

 
$
1,147



101



The components of our provision (benefit) for income taxes were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
787

 
$
446

 
$
323

State
107

 
45

 
28

Foreign
76

 
68

 
100

Total current
970

 
559

 
451

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
(123
)
 
(527
)
 
8

State
74

 
(23
)
 
10

Foreign
(30
)
 
71

 
(4
)
Total deferred
(79
)
 
(479
)
 
14

Total provision for income taxes
$
891

 
$
80

 
$
465


Reconciliations of our tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Statutory U.S. federal income tax provision
$
439

 
$
524

 
$
402

State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit
47

 
53

 
35

Foreign income tax expense
127

 
119

 
56

Foreign losses not subject to U.S. tax

 

 
(7
)
Nontaxable liquidation of subsidiaries

 
(640
)
 

U.S. benefit of foreign taxes
(69
)
 
(118
)
 
(55
)
Corporate restructuring
513

 

 

Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance
(72
)
 
15

 
14

Change in basis difference in foreign subsidiaries
20

 
8

 
10

Provision (benefit) for uncertain tax positions
(139
)
 
18

 
5

Non-deductible transaction costs
27

 

 

Non-deductible share-based compensation

 
23

 
11

Non-deductible goodwill

 
77

 

Other, net
(2
)
 
1

 
(6
)
Provision for income taxes
$
891

 
$
80

 
$
465


During the year ended December 31, 2016, we effected two corporate structuring transactions that included (i) the organization of Hilton's assets and subsidiaries in preparation for the spin-offs, and (ii) a restructuring of Hilton's international assets and subsidiaries (the "international restructuring"). The international restructuring involved a transfer of certain assets, including intellectual property used in the international business, from U.S. subsidiaries to foreign subsidiaries, and became effective in December 2016. The transfer of the intellectual property resulted in the recognition of tax expense representing the estimated U.S. tax expected to be paid in future years on income generated from the intellectual property transferred to foreign jurisdictions. Further, our deferred effective tax rate is determined based upon the composition of applicable federal and state tax rates. Due to the changes in the footprint of the Company and the expected applicable tax rates at which our domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities will reverse in future periods as a result of the described structuring activities, our estimated deferred effective tax rate has increased. In total, these structuring transactions resulted in additional income tax expense of $513 million during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

After the 2016 international restructuring, based on our consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, we determined that it was more likely than not we would be able to realize the benefit of various foreign deferred tax assets. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2016, we released valuation allowances of $32 million against our foreign deferred tax assets.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, certain of our U.S. subsidiary corporations were converted to limited liability companies and certain of our subsidiary controlled foreign corporations elected to be disregarded for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. These transactions were treated as tax-free liquidations for federal tax purposes. As a result of these liquidation transactions, $512 million of deferred tax liabilities were derecognized. In addition, we recognized $128 million of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets associated with assets and liabilities distributed from the liquidated controlled foreign

102



corporations, resulting in a total deferred tax benefit of $640 million. These previously unrecognized deferred tax assets were a component of our investment in foreign subsidiaries deferred tax balances that were connected to the liquidated controlled foreign corporations. Prior to these liquidations, we did not believe that the benefit of these deferred tax assets would be realized within the foreseeable future; therefore, we did not recognize these deferred tax assets.

Deferred income taxes represent the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities plus carryforward items. The tax effects of the temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to our net deferred tax asset (liability) were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
$
410

 
$
456

Compensation
228

 
254

Other reserves
72

 
88

Capital lease obligations
92

 
100

Insurance reserves
36

 
51

Program surplus
84

 
79

Other
83

 
108

Total gross deferred tax assets
1,005

 
1,136

Less: valuation allowance
(507
)
 
(491
)
Deferred tax assets
498

 
645

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Property and equipment
(2,377
)
 
(2,198
)
Brands
(1,626
)
 
(1,889
)
Amortizable intangible assets
(330
)
 
(520
)
Investments
(64
)
 
(11
)
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
(39
)
 
(35
)
Deferred income
(520
)
 
(544
)
Deferred tax liabilities
(4,956
)
 
(5,197
)
Net deferred taxes
$
(4,458
)
 
$
(4,552
)

As of December 31, 2016, we had state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $192 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, which resulted in deferred tax assets of $10 million for state jurisdictions and $400 million for foreign jurisdictions. Approximately $17 million of our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 related to net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2017 and 2036 with less than $1 million of that amount expiring in 2017. Approximately $393 million of our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 resulted from net operating loss carryforwards that are not subject to expiration. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this assessment, we provided a valuation allowance of $385 million as of December 31, 2016 on the deferred tax assets relating to these state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards. Our total valuation allowance relating to these net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets increased $16 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

We classify reserves for tax uncertainties within current income taxes payable and other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Reconciliations of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
407

 
$
401

 
$
435

Additions for tax positions related to the prior year
65

 
12

 
25

Additions for tax positions related to the current year
9

 
8

 
10

Reductions for tax positions for prior years
(204
)
 
(4
)
 
(63
)
Settlements
(21
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
Lapse of statute of limitations
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Currency translation adjustment

 
(4
)
 
(3
)
Balance at end of year
$
253

 
$
407

 
$
401



103



The changes to our unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were primarily the result of items identified, resolved and settled as part of our ongoing U.S. federal audit. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had accrued approximately $31 million and $27 million, respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties. We accrued approximately $4 million, $5 million and $8 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the balance of uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $217 million and $377 million, respectively, associated with positions that if favorably resolved would provide a benefit to our effective tax rate. As a result of the expected resolution of examination issues with federal, state, and foreign tax authorities, we believe it is reasonably possible that during the next 12 months the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease up to $8 million.

We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. We are under regular and recurring audit by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on open tax positions. The timing of the resolution of tax audits is highly uncertain, as are the amounts, if any, that may ultimately be paid upon such resolution. Changes may result from the conclusion of ongoing audits, appeals or litigation in state, local, federal and foreign tax jurisdictions or from the resolution of various proceedings between the U.S. and foreign tax authorities. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for years through 2004. As of December 31, 2016, we remain subject to federal examinations from 2005-2015, state examinations from 2003-2015 and foreign examinations of our income tax returns for the years 1996 through 2015.

In April 2014, we received 30-day Letters from the IRS and the Revenue Agents Report ("RAR") for the 2006 and October 2007 tax years. We disagreed with several of the proposed adjustments in the RAR, filed a formal appeals protest with the IRS and did not make any tax payments related to this audit. The issues being protested in appeals relate to assertions by the IRS that: (1) certain foreign currency-denominated intercompany loans from our foreign subsidiaries to certain U.S. subsidiaries should be recharacterized as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and constitute deemed dividends from such foreign subsidiaries to our U.S. subsidiaries; (2) in calculating the amount of U.S. taxable income resulting from our Hilton Honors guest loyalty program, we should not reduce gross income by the estimated costs of future redemptions, but rather such costs would be deductible at the time the points are redeemed; and (3) certain foreign-currency denominated loans issued by one of our Luxembourg subsidiaries whose functional currency is USD, should instead be treated as issued by one of our Belgian subsidiaries whose functional currency is the euro, and thus foreign currency gains and losses with respect to such loans should have been measured in euros, instead of USD. Additionally, in January 2016, we received a 30-day Letter from the IRS and the RAR for the December 2007 through 2010 tax years. The RAR includes the proposed adjustments for tax years December 2007 through 2010, which reflect the carryover effect of the three protested issues from 2006 through October 2007. These proposed adjustments will also be protested in appeals, and formal appeals protests have been submitted. In total, the proposed adjustments sought by the IRS would result in additional U.S. federal tax owed of approximately $874 million, excluding interest and penalties and potential state income taxes. The portion of this amount related to our Hilton Honors guest loyalty program would result in a decrease to our future tax liability when the points are redeemed. We disagree with the IRS's position on each of these assertions and intend to vigorously contest them. However, as a result of recent developments related to the appeals process discussion that have taken place in 2016, we have determined based on on-going discussions with the IRS, it is more likely than not that we will not recognize the full benefit related to certain of the issues being appealed. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2016, we have recorded a $44 million unrecognized tax benefit.

State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing the respective return; however, the state effect of any federal tax return changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period generally of up to one year after formal notification to the states. The statute of limitations for the foreign jurisdictions generally ranges from three to ten years after filing the respective tax return.

Note 19: Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor multiple domestic and international employee benefit plans. Benefits are based upon years of service and compensation.

We have a noncontributory retirement plan in the U.S. (the "Domestic Plan"), which covers certain employees not earning union benefits. This plan was frozen for participant benefit accruals in 1996; therefore, the projected benefit obligation is equal to the accumulated benefit obligation. The plan assets will be used to pay benefits due to employees for service through December 31, 1996. As employees have not accrued additional benefits since that time, we do not utilize salary or pension inflation assumptions in calculating our benefit obligation for the Domestic Plan. The annual measurement date for the Domestic Plan is December 31.

We also have multiple employee benefit plans that cover many of our international employees. These include (i) a plan that covers workers in the United Kingdom (the "U.K. Plan"), which was frozen to further service accruals on November 30, 2013;

104



and (ii) a number of smaller plans that cover workers in various countries around the world (the "International Plans"). The annual measurement date for all of these plans is December 31.

We are required to recognize the funded status of our pension plans, which is the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations, in our consolidated balance sheets and make corresponding adjustments for changes in the value through accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.

The following table presents the projected benefit obligation, the fair value of plan assets, the funded status and the accumulated benefit obligation for the Domestic Plan, the U.K. Plan and the International Plans:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
394

 
$
425

 
$
391

 
$
415

 
$
82

 
$
115

Service cost

 

 
2

 
1

 
2

 
2

Interest cost
13

 
16

 
12

 
15

 
2

 
2

Actuarial loss (gain)
1

 
(8
)
 
87

 
(5
)
 
2

 
(1
)
Settlements and curtailments
(2
)
 
(14
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
Effect of foreign exchange rates

 

 
(74
)
 
(19
)
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
Benefits paid
(25
)
 
(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(16
)
 
(5
)
 
(28
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
381

 
$
394

 
$
404

 
$
391

 
$
81

 
$
82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Plan Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$
265

 
$
283

 
$
368

 
$
390

 
$
60

 
$
85

Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses
11

 
(11
)
 
42

 
(1
)
 
1

 

Employer contributions
18

 
32

 
5

 
13

 
3

 
8

Effect of foreign exchange rates

 

 
(65
)
 
(18
)
 

 
(1
)
Benefits paid
(25
)
 
(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(16
)
 
(5
)
 
(28
)
Settlements
(2
)
 
(14
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
267


265

 
336


368

 
58


60

Funded status at end of year (underfunded)
(114
)

(129
)
 
(68
)

(23
)
 
(23
)

(22
)
Accumulated benefit obligation
$
381

 
$
394

 
$
404

 
$
391

 
$
81

 
$
82


Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consisted of:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Other non-current assets
$
4

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
6

 
$
7

Other liabilities
(118
)
 
(131
)
 
(68
)
 
(23
)
 
(29
)
 
(29
)
Net amount recognized
$
(114
)
 
$
(129
)
 
$
(68
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(22
)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net actuarial loss
$

 
$
15

 
$
42

 
$
41

 
$
16

 
$
33

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
10

Prior service credit
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net gain
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(1
)
Net amount recognized
$
(6
)
 
$
8

 
$
31

 
$
39

 
$
14

 
$
32

 
$
2

 
$
(8
)
 
$
9



105



The estimated unrecognized net losses and prior service cost that will be amortized into net periodic pension cost over the fiscal year following the indicated year were as follows:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Unrecognized net losses
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Unrecognized prior service cost
4

 
4

 
4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount unrecognized
$
6

 
$
6

 
$
7

 
$
4

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
1


The net periodic pension cost (credit) was as follows:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
8

 
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
2

Interest cost
13

 
16

 
17

 
12

 
15

 
17

 
2

 
2

 
4

Expected return on plan assets
(19
)
 
(19
)
 
(18
)
 
(22
)
 
(25
)
 
(24
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of prior service cost
4

 
4

 
4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net loss
3

 
3

 
1

 
2

 
2

 
1

 

 

 
1

Settlement losses

 

 
5

 

 

 

 

 
10

 
1

Net periodic pension cost (credit)
$
9

 
$
11

 
$
16

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
2

 
$
11

 
$
4


The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were as follows:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Discount rate
4.0
%
 
4.3
%
 
2.8
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.1
%
 
3.5
%
Salary inflation
N/A
 
N/A
 
1.9

 
1.7

 
2.1

 
2.1

Pension inflation
N/A
 
N/A
 
3.1

 
2.8

 
1.7

 
1.6


The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost (credit) were as follows:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
4.2
%
 
3.9
%
 
4.7
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.7
%
 
3.5
%
 
3.3
%
 
4.3
%
Expected return on plan assets
7.3

 
7.5

 
7.5

 
6.5

 
6.5

 
6.5

 
5.4

 
5.1

 
6.0

Salary inflation
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
1.7

 
1.6

 
1.9

 
2.1

 
2.2

 
2.3

Pension inflation
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
2.8

 
2.8

 
3.0

 
1.6

 
1.8

 
1.9


The investment objectives for the various plans are preservation of capital, current income and long-term growth of capital. All plan assets are managed by outside investment managers and do not include investments in Hilton stock. Asset allocations are reviewed periodically by the investment managers.

Expected long-term returns on plan assets are determined using historical performance for debt and equity securities held by our plans, actual performance of plan assets and current and expected market conditions. Expected returns are formulated based on the target asset allocation. The target asset allocation for the Domestic Plan as a percentage of total plan assets, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, was 65 percent and 60 percent, respectively, in funds that invest in equity securities, and 35 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in funds that invest in debt securities. The target asset allocation for the U.K. Plan and the International Plans was 65 percent in funds that invest in equity and debt securities and 35 percent in bond funds as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


106



The following tables present the fair value hierarchy of total plan assets measured at fair value by asset category. The fair values of Level 2 assets were based on available market pricing information of similar financial instruments. There were no Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
December 31, 2016
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
10

 
$

Equity funds
25

 

 

 

 
3

 
6

Debt securities
1

 
62

 

 

 

 

Bond funds

 

 

 

 

 
6

Common collective trusts

 
139

 

 
336

 

 
33

Other

 
40

 

 

 

 

Total
$
26

 
$
241

 
$

 
$
336

 
$
13

 
$
45


 
December 31, 2015
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
10

 
$

Equity funds
64

 

 

 

 
4

 
7

Debt securities
2

 
71

 

 

 

 

Bond funds

 

 

 

 

 
7

Common collective trusts

 
128

 

 
368

 

 
32

Total
$
66

 
$
199

 
$

 
$
368

 
$
14

 
$
46


We expect to contribute approximately $21 million, $8 million and $4 million to the Domestic Plan, the U.K. Plan and the International Plans, respectively, in 2017.

As of December 31, 2016, the benefits expected to be paid in the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter were as follows:
 
Domestic Plan
 
U.K. Plan
 
International Plans
Year
(in millions)
2017
$
30

 
$
13

 
$
9

2018
27

 
13

 
5

2019
26

 
13

 
5

2020
26

 
14

 
5

2021
26

 
14

 
5

2022-2026
124

 
73

 
24

 
$
259

 
$
140

 
$
53


As of January 1, 2007, the Domestic Plan and plans maintained for certain domestic hotels currently or formerly managed by us were merged into a multiple employer plan. As of December 31, 2016, the multiple employer plan had combined plan assets of $289 million and a projected benefit obligation of $405 million.

We also have plans covering qualifying employees and non-officer directors (the "Supplemental Plans"). Benefits for the Supplemental Plans are based upon years of service and compensation. Since December 31, 1996, employees and non-officer directors have not accrued additional benefits under the Supplemental Plans. These plans are self-funded by us and, therefore, have no plan assets isolated to pay benefits due to employees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, these plans had benefit obligations of $19 million and $17 million, respectively, which were fully accrued in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Expense incurred under the Supplemental Plans for the years ended December 31, 2016 was $3 million and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was less than $1 million.


107



We have various employee defined contribution investment plans whereby we contribute matching percentages of employee contributions. The aggregate expense under these plans totaled $23 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Note 20: Share-Based Compensation

We recorded share-based compensation expense of $91 million, $162 million and $74 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which includes amounts reimbursed by hotel owners. The total tax benefit recognized related to this compensation expense was $35 million, $37 million and $34 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 included compensation expense that was recognized when certain remaining awards granted in connection with our initial public offering vested during 2015 and 2014. Additionally, we terminated a cash-based, long-term incentive plan and reversed the associated accruals resulting in a reduction of compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we accrued $16 million and $7 million, respectively, in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other in our consolidated balance sheets for certain awards settled in cash.

As of December 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense for unvested awards was approximately $99 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years on a straight-line basis. There were 21,823,633 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Stock Plan as of December 31, 2016.

All share and share-related information have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. See Note 1: "Organization" for further discussion.

RSUs

The following table provides information about our RSU grants for the last three fiscal years:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Number of shares granted
1,169,238

 
679,546

 
1,883,454

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
59.73

 
$
82.38

 
$
64.59

Fair value of shares vested (in millions)(1)
$
40

 
$
90

 
$

____________
(1) 
The fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was less than $1 million.

The following table summarizes the activity of our RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015
1,246,084

 
$
73.44

Granted
1,169,238

 
59.73

Vested
(683,262
)
 
70.50

Forfeited
(107,519
)
 
66.90

Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
1,624,541

 
65.24


Options

The following table provides information about our option grants for the last three fiscal years:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Number of options granted
503,150

 
309,528

 
334,530

Weighted average exercise price per share
$
58.83

 
$
82.38

 
$
64.59

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
16.41

 
$
25.17

 
$
22.74



108



The grant date fair value of each of these option grants was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Expected volatility(1)
32.00
%
 
28.00
%
 
33.00
%
Dividend yield(2)
1.43
%
 
%
 
%
Risk-free rate(3)
1.36
%
 
1.67
%
 
1.85
%
Expected term (in years)(4)
6.0

 
6.0

 
6.0

____________
(1) 
Due to limited trading history for our common stock, we did not have sufficient information available on which to base a reasonable and supportable estimate of the expected volatility of our share price. As a result, we used an average historical volatility of our peer group over a time period consistent with our expected term assumption. Our peer group was determined based upon companies in our industry with similar business models and is consistent with those used to benchmark our executive compensation.
(2) 
Estimated based on the expected annualized dividend payment at the date of grant. For the 2014 and 2015 options, we had no plans to pay dividends during the expected term at the time of grant.
(3) 
Based on the yields of U.S. Department of Treasury instruments with similar expected lives.
(4) 
Estimated using the average of the vesting periods and the contractual term of the options.

The following table summarizes the activity of our options during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015
616,832

 
$
73.47

Granted
503,150

 
58.83

Exercised
(5,724
)
 
64.59

Forfeited, canceled or expired
(38,227
)
 
69.03

Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
1,076,031

 
66.83

Exercisable as of December 31, 2016
293,517

 
70.57


The weighted average remaining contractual term for options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 was 8.2 years.

Performance Shares

In November 2016, we modified our performance shares whereby we will convert the performance shares granted in 2015 and 2016 to RSUs based on a 100 percent achievement percentage with the same vesting periods as the original awards contingent upon the occurrence of the spin-offs, which was determined to be 100 percent probable. We recognized $0.3 million of incremental expense related to the modification of these grants during the year ended December 31, 2016. We will recognize additional expense of $6.5 million from the modification over the remaining terms of the awards.

The following table provides information about our performance share grants for the last three fiscal years:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Relative Shareholder Return:
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares granted
300,784

 
204,523

 
176,661

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
62.43

 
$
98.94

 
$
70.68

Fair value of shares vested (in millions)
$
16

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA CAGR:
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares granted
300,784

 
204,523

 
176,661

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
58.83

 
$
82.38

 
$
64.59

Fair value of shares vested (in millions)
$
12

 
$

 
$




109



The grant date fair value of each of the performance shares based on relative shareholder return was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model with the following assumptions:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Expected volatility(1)
31.00
%
 
24.00
%
 
30.00
%
Dividend yield(2)
%
 
%
 
%
Risk-free rate(3)
0.92
%
 
1.04
%
 
0.70
%
Expected term (in years)(4)
2.8

 
2.8

 
2.8

____________
(1) 
Due to limited trading history for our common stock, we did not have sufficient information available on which to base a reasonable and supportable estimate of the expected volatility of our share price. As a result, we used an average historical volatility of our peer group over a time period consistent with our expected term assumption. Our peer group was determined based upon companies in our industry with similar business models and is consistent with those used to benchmark our executive compensation.
(2) 
As dividends are assumed to be reinvested in shares of common stock and dividends will not be paid to the participants of the performance shares unless the shares vest, we utilized a dividend yield of zero percent.
(3) 
Based on the yields of U.S. Department of Treasury instruments with similar expected lives.
(4) 
Midpoint of the 30-calendar day period preceding the end of the performance period.

The following table summarizes the activity of our performance shares during the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
Relative Shareholder Return
 
EBITDA CAGR
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015
366,361

 
$
86.37

 
366,361

 
$
74.49

Granted
300,784

 
62.43

 
300,784

 
58.83

Vested
(152,835
)
 
70.68

 
(152,835
)
 
64.59

Forfeited or canceled
(178,508
)
 
77.58

 
(178,508
)
 
68.61

Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
335,802

 
76.74

 
335,802

 
68.09


DSUs

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we issued to our independent directors 11,393 and 6,179 DSUs, respectively, with grant date fair values of $66.12 and $84.96, respectively.

Note 21: Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"). All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. See Note 1: "Organization" for further discussion.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
348

 
$
1,404

 
$
673

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
329

 
329

 
328

Basic EPS
$
1.06


$
4.27


$
2.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
348

 
$
1,404

 
$
673

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
330

 
330

 
329

Diluted EPS
$
1.05


$
4.26


$
2.05



110



Approximately 1 million share-based compensation awards were excluded from the weighted average shares outstanding in the computation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2016, and less than 1 million awards were excluded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Note 22: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, were as follows:
 
Currency Translation Adjustment(1)
 
Pension Liability Adjustment
 
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustment
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
(136
)
 
$
(134
)
 
$
6

 
$
(264
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(299
)
 
(49
)
 
(9
)
 
(357
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(5
)
 
4

 

 
(1
)
Net current period other comprehensive loss
(304
)
 
(45
)
 
(9
)
 
(358
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity contribution to consolidated variable interest entities
(6
)
 

 

 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
(446
)
 
(179
)
 
(3
)
 
(628
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(150
)
 
(21
)
 
(7
)
 
(178
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
16

 
6

 

 
22

Net current period other comprehensive loss
(134
)
 
(15
)
 
(7
)
 
(156
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
(580
)
 
(194
)
 
(10
)
 
(784
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(157
)
 
(63
)
 
(5
)
 
(225
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1
)
 
6

 
3

 
8

Net current period other comprehensive loss
(158
)
 
(57
)
 
(2
)
 
(217
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
(738
)
 
$
(251
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$
(1,001
)
____________
(1) 
Includes net investment hedges and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term investment nature.


111



The following table presents additional information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss (amounts in parentheses indicate a loss in our consolidated statement of operations):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Currency translation adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
Sale and liquidation of foreign assets(1)
$

 
$
(25
)
 
$
3

Gains on net investment hedges(2)
1

 

 
2

Tax benefit(3)(4)

 
9

 

Total currency translation adjustment reclassifications for the period, net of tax
1

 
(16
)
 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension liability adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost(5)
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of net loss(5)
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
Tax expense(3)
3

 
3

 
3

Total pension liability adjustment reclassifications for the period, net of tax
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedge adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
Dedesignation of interest rate swaps(6)
(4
)
 

 

Tax benefit(3)
1

 

 

Total cash flow hedge adjustment reclassifications for the period, net of tax
(3
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
$
(8
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
1

____________
(1) 
Reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to gain on sales of assets, net for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other gain (loss), net for the year ended December 31, 2014 in our consolidated statements of operations.
(2) 
Reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions in our consolidated statements of operations.
(3) 
Reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
(4) 
The tax benefit was less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014.
(5) 
Reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to general, administrative and other in our consolidated statements of operations. These amounts were included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 19: "Employee Benefit Plans" for additional information.
(6) 
Reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

Note 23: Business Segments

During the periods presented, our operations were organized in three distinct operating segments: ownership; management and franchise; and timeshare. Each segment was managed separately because of its distinct economic characteristics.

As of December 31, 2016, the ownership segment included 141 properties totaling 57,716 rooms, comprising 120 hotels that we wholly owned or leased, one hotel owned by a consolidated non-wholly owned entity, five hotels owned or leased by consolidated VIEs and 15 hotels that were owned or leased by unconsolidated affiliates. While equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates were not included in our measure of segment revenues, we managed these investments in our ownership segment and the results were included in our measure of segment profits.

The management and franchise segment includes all of the hotels we manage for third-party owners, as well as all franchised hotels operated or managed by someone other than us. As of December 31, 2016, this segment included 559 managed hotels and 4,175 franchised hotels totaling 4,734 hotels consisting of 738,724 rooms. This segment also earns fees for managing properties in our ownership and timeshare segments.

The timeshare segment includes the development of vacation ownership clubs and resorts, marketing and selling of timeshare intervals, resort operations and providing timeshare customer financing for the timeshare interests. This segment also provides assistance to third-party developers in selling their timeshare inventory. As of December 31, 2016, this segment included 47 timeshare properties totaling 7,657 units.

Corporate and other represents revenues and related operating expenses generated by the incidental support of hotel operations for owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels and other rental income, as well as corporate assets and related expenditures.

112




The performance of our operating segments is evaluated primarily based on Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, further adjusted to exclude certain items, including gains, losses and expenses in connection with: (i) asset dispositions for both consolidated and unconsolidated investments; (ii) foreign currency transactions; (iii) debt restructurings/retirements; (iv) non-cash impairment losses; (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment ("FF&E") replacement reserves required under certain lease agreements; (vi) reorganization costs; (vii) share-based compensation expense; (viii) severance, relocation and other expenses; and (ix) other items.

The following table presents revenues for our reportable segments, reconciled to consolidated amounts:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership
$
4,157

 
$
4,262

 
$
4,271

Management and franchise
1,786

 
1,691

 
1,468

Timeshare
1,390

 
1,308

 
1,171

Segment revenues
7,333

 
7,261

 
6,910

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
4,446

 
4,130

 
3,691

Other revenues
102

 
91

 
99

Intersegment fees elimination(1)
(218
)

(210
)

(198
)
Total revenues
$
11,663


$
11,272


$
10,502

____________
(1)
Includes the following intercompany charges that were eliminated in our consolidated financial statements:
    
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Rental and other fees(a)
$
27

 
$
25

 
$
28

Management, royalty and intellectual property fees(b)
135

 
131

 
113

Licensing fee(c)
45

 
43

 
44

Laundry services(d)
7

 
7

 
9

Other(e)
4

 
4

 
4

Intersegment fees elimination
$
218

 
$
210

 
$
198

____________
(a) 
Represents fees charged to our timeshare segment by our ownership segment.
(b) 
Represents fees charged to our ownership segment by our management and franchise segment.
(c) 
Represents fees charged to our timeshare segment by the management and franchise segment.
(d) 
Represents charges to our ownership segment for services provided by our wholly owned laundry business. Revenues from our laundry business are included in other revenues. The laundry business was owned by Park effective January 3, 2017 upon completion of the spin-offs.
(e) 
Represents other intercompany charges, which are a benefit to our ownership segment and a cost to corporate and other.

113



The following table provides a reconciliation of segment Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016

2015

2014
 
(in millions)
Ownership(1)(2)
$
1,029

 
$
1,064


$
1,000

Management and franchise(2)
1,786

 
1,691


1,468

Timeshare(2)
381

 
352


337

Segment Adjusted EBITDA
3,196

 
3,107


2,805

Corporate and other(2)
(221
)
 
(228
)

(255
)
Interest expense
(587
)
 
(575
)

(618
)
Income tax expense
(891
)
 
(80
)

(465
)
Depreciation and amortization
(686
)
 
(692
)

(628
)
Interest expense, income tax, depreciation and amortization and impairment loss included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
(47
)
 
(32
)

(37
)
Gain on sales of assets, net
9

 
306



Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions
(13
)
 
(41
)

26

FF&E replacement reserve
(56
)
 
(48
)
 
(46
)
Share-based compensation expense
(91
)
 
(162
)

(74
)
Impairment loss
(15
)
 
(9
)


Other gain (loss), net
(26
)
 
(1
)

37

Other adjustment items(3)
(208
)
 
(129
)
 
(63
)
Net income
$
364

 
$
1,416

 
$
682

____________
(1) 
Includes unconsolidated affiliate Adjusted EBITDA.
(2) 
Our measures of Adjusted EBITDA included intercompany charges that were eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the footnote to the segment revenues table for detail of the intercompany charges.
(3) 
Includes $22 million and $95 million of severance costs related to the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Also includes $137 million of costs related to the spin-offs for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The following table presents total assets for our reportable segments, reconciled to consolidated amounts:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Ownership
$
10,979

 
$
11,269

Management and franchise
10,224

 
10,392

Timeshare
2,391

 
1,935

Corporate and other
2,617

 
2,026

 
$
26,211


$
25,622


The following table presents capital expenditures for property and equipment for our reportable segments, reconciled to consolidated amounts:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Ownership
$
270

 
$
277

 
$
245

Timeshare
28


17

 
14

Corporate and other
19


16

 
9

 
$
317


$
310


$
268



114



Total revenues by country were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
U.S.
$
9,382

 
$
8,844

 
$
7,927

All other
2,281

 
2,428

 
2,575

 
$
11,663


$
11,272


$
10,502


Other than the U.S., there were no countries that individually represented more than 10 percent of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Property and equipment, net by country was as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
U.S.
$
8,438

 
$
8,612

All other
492

 
507

 
$
8,930


$
9,119


Other than the U.S., there were no countries that individually represented more than 10 percent of total property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Note 24: Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2016, we had an outstanding guarantee of $5 million, with a remaining term of seven years, for debt and other obligations of a third party. We have one letter of credit for $25 million that has been pledged as collateral for the guarantee. Although we believe it is unlikely that material payments will be required under the guarantee or letter of credit, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

We have also provided performance guarantees to certain owners of hotels that we operate under management contracts. Most of these guarantees allow us to terminate the contract, rather than fund shortfalls, if specified performance levels are not achieved. However, in limited cases, we are obligated to fund performance shortfalls. As of December 31, 2016, we had seven contracts containing performance guarantees, with expirations ranging from 2019 to 2030, and possible cash outlays totaling approximately $69 million. Our obligations in future periods depend on the operating performance levels of these hotels over the remaining terms of the performance guarantees. We do not have any letters of credit pledged as collateral against these guarantees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we recorded approximately $11 million and $8 million, respectively, in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other and approximately $17 million and $25 million, respectively, in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets for an outstanding performance guarantee that is related to a VIE for which we are not the primary beneficiary.

As of December 31, 2016, we had outstanding commitments under third-party contracts of approximately $43 million for capital expenditures at certain owned and leased properties. Our contracts contain clauses that allow us to cancel all or some portion of the work. If cancellation of a contract occurs, our commitment would be any costs incurred up to the cancellation date, in addition to any costs associated with the discharge of the contract.

We have entered into an agreement with an affiliate of the owner of a hotel whereby we have agreed to provide a $60 million junior mezzanine loan to finance the construction of a new hotel that we will manage. The junior mezzanine loan will be subordinated to a senior mortgage loan and senior mezzanine loan provided by third parties unaffiliated with us and will be funded on a pro rata basis with these loans as the construction costs are incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we funded $34 million and $17 million, respectively, of this commitment, and we expect to fund our remaining commitment of $9 million in 2017.

We have entered into certain arrangements with developers whereby we have committed to purchase timeshare units at a future date to be marketed and sold under our Hilton Grand Vacations brand. As of December 31, 2016, we are committed to purchase approximately $193 million of inventory over a period of three years. The ultimate amount and timing of the acquisitions is subject to change pursuant to the terms of the respective arrangements, which could also allow for cancellation in certain circumstances. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we purchased $18 million, $17 million

115



and $29 million, respectively, of timeshare inventory as required under our commitments. As of December 31, 2016, our remaining obligation pursuant to these arrangements was expected to be incurred as follows: $8 million in 2017, $56 million in 2018 and $129 million in 2019.

We are involved in other litigation arising in the normal course of business, some of which includes claims for substantial sums. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we expect that the ultimate resolution of all pending or threatened claims and litigation as of December 31, 2016 will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Note 25: Related Party Transactions

Investment in Affiliates

We hold investments in affiliates that own or lease properties that we manage. See Note 8: "Investments in Affiliates" for additional information. The following tables summarize amounts included in our consolidated financial statements related to these management agreements:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Balance Sheets
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
$
19

 
$
23

Management and franchise contracts, net
20

 
20

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
11

 
10

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Management and franchise fees and other
$
28

 
$
24

 
$
25

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
166

 
166

 
167

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Other expenses from managed and franchised properties
166

 
166

 
167

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating income and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Contract acquisition costs

 
4

 



116



The Blackstone Group

Blackstone directly and indirectly owns or controls hotels that we manage or franchise and for which we receive fees in connection with the underlying management and franchise agreements. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these hotels is limited to the amounts discussed below; therefore, our involvement with these hotels does not expose us to additional variability or risk of loss. The following tables summarize amounts included in our consolidated financial statements related to these management and franchise agreements:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Balance Sheets
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
$
18

 
$
21

Management and franchise contracts, net
13

 
16

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
8

 
9

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Management and franchise fees and other
$
42

 
$
48

 
$
60

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
144

 
160

 
293

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
1

 

 

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties
144

 
160

 
293

 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Contract acquisition costs

 

 
7


As of December 31, 2016, entities affiliated with Blackstone held $75 million of the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2024.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we acquired, as part of a tax deferred exchange of real property, certain properties from sellers affiliated with Blackstone for a total purchase price of $1.76 billion.

In 2014, we completed the sale of certain land and easement rights at one of our hotels to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with a timeshare project. The total consideration received for this transaction was approximately $37 million. As a result of this transaction, we entered into a sales and marketing agreement with the affiliate of Blackstone to sell and market these timeshare intervals for which we earned commissions and other fees of $177 million, $154 million and $30 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, included in our consolidated statements of operations, and had accounts receivable of $20 million and $5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.

We also purchase products and services from entities affiliated with or owned by Blackstone. The fees paid for these products and services were $9 million, $32 million and $31 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note 26: Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

Interest paid during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, was $478 million, $485 million and $514 million, respectively.

Income taxes, net of refunds, paid during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $677 million, $475 million and $429 million, respectively.

117




The following non-cash investing and financing activities were excluded from the consolidated statements of cash flows:

In 2016, we transferred $116 million of property and equipment to timeshare inventory for conversion into timeshare units.

In 2015, we assumed the $450 million Bonnet Creek Loan as a result of an acquisition.

In 2015, one of our consolidated VIEs modified the terms of its capital lease resulting in a reduction in long-term debt of $24 million.

In 2014, we transferred $45 million of property and equipment to timeshare inventory as part of a conversion of certain floors at one of our owned properties into timeshare units.

In 2014, we completed an equity investments exchange with a joint venture partner where we acquired $144 million of property and equipment, $1 million of other intangible assets and assumed $64 million of long-term debt. We also disposed of $59 million in equity method investments.

In 2014, we restructured a capital lease in conjunction with a rent arbitration ruling, for which we recorded an additional capital lease asset and obligation of $11 million.

Note 27: Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information

In October 2013, Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC and Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp. (the "2013 Issuers"), entities formed in August 2013 that are 100 percent owned by the Parent, issued the Senior Notes due 2021. In September 2016, Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. (together with the 2013 Issuers, the "Subsidiary Issuers"), an entity formed in August 2016 that is 100 percent owned by Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC and a guarantor of the Senior Notes due 2021, assumed the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 that were issued in August 2016 by escrow issuers. The Senior Notes due 2021 and the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 are referred to as the Hilton Senior Notes.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Issuers are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior unsecured basis by the Parent and certain of the Parent's 100 percent owned domestic restricted subsidiaries that are themselves not issuers of the applicable series of Hilton Senior Notes (together, the "Guarantors"). The indentures that govern the Hilton Senior Notes provide that any subsidiary of the Company that provides a guarantee of the 2013 Senior Secured Credit Facility will guarantee the Hilton Senior Notes.

In connection with the spin-offs, certain entities that were previously guarantors of the Hilton Senior Notes were released and as of December 31, 2016 no longer guarantee the Hilton Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2016, none of our foreign subsidiaries or U.S. subsidiaries owned by foreign subsidiaries or conducting foreign operations; our non-wholly owned subsidiaries; or our subsidiaries that have been designated for spin-off to Park and HGV guarantee the Hilton Senior Notes (collectively, the "Non-Guarantors"). The condensed consolidating financial information was retrospectively adjusted to present the financial information as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 based on the composition the Guarantors and Non-Guarantors at December 31, 2016.

The guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain customary release provisions. The indentures that govern the Hilton Senior Notes provide that any Guarantor may be released from its guarantee so long as: (i) the subsidiary is sold or sells all of its assets; (ii) the subsidiary is released from its guaranty under the 2013 Senior Secured Credit Facility; (iii) the subsidiary is declared "unrestricted" for covenant purposes; (iv) the subsidiary is merged with or into the applicable Subsidiary Issuers or another Guarantor or the Guarantor liquidates after transferring all of its assets to the applicable Subsidiary Issuers or another Guarantor; or (v) the requirements for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance or to discharge the indenture have been satisfied, in each case in compliance with applicable provisions of the indentures.

The following schedules present the condensed consolidating financial information as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, for the Parent, Subsidiary Issuers, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors.


118



 
December 31, 2016
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$
25

 
$
1,393

 
$

 
$
1,418

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 
96

 
170

 

 
266

Accounts receivable, net

 

 
491

 
514

 

 
1,005

Intercompany receivables

 

 

 
42

 
(42
)
 

Inventories

 

 
4

 
537

 

 
541

Current portion of financing receivables, net

 

 
1

 
137

 

 
138

Prepaid expenses

 

 
27

 
137

 
(27
)
 
137

Income taxes receivable

 

 
30

 

 
(17
)
 
13

Other

 

 
1

 
38

 

 
39

Total current assets

 

 
675

 
2,968

 
(86
)
 
3,557

Property, Intangibles and Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net

 

 
74

 
8,856

 

 
8,930

Financing receivables, net

 

 
64

 
899

 

 
963

Investments in affiliates

 

 
18

 
96

 

 
114

Investments in subsidiaries
5,889

 
11,300

 
6,993

 

 
(24,182
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
3,824

 
1,998

 

 
5,822

Brands

 

 
4,404

 
444

 

 
4,848

Management and franchise contracts, net

 

 
716

 
303

 

 
1,019

Other intangible assets, net

 

 
297

 
210

 

 
507

Deferred income tax assets
10

 
2

 

 
117

 
(12
)
 
117

Other

 
12

 
163

 
159

 

 
334

Total property, intangibles and other assets
5,899

 
11,314

 
16,553

 
13,082

 
(24,194
)
 
22,654

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
5,899

 
$
11,314

 
$
17,228

 
$
16,050

 
$
(24,280
)
 
$
26,211

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
$

 
$
26

 
$
1,461

 
$
993

 
$
(27
)
 
$
2,453

Intercompany payables

 

 
42

 

 
(42
)
 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 
26

 

 
72

 

 
98

Current maturities of timeshare debt

 

 

 
73

 

 
73

Income taxes payable

 

 

 
77

 
(17
)
 
60

Total current liabilities

 
52

 
1,503

 
1,215

 
(86
)
 
2,684

Long-term debt

 
5,361

 
981

 
3,678

 

 
10,020

Timeshare debt

 

 

 
621

 

 
621

Deferred revenues

 

 
42

 
22

 

 
64

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 
1,742

 
2,845

 
(12
)
 
4,575

Liability for guest loyalty program

 

 
889

 

 

 
889

Other

 
12

 
771

 
726

 

 
1,509

Total liabilities

 
5,425

 
5,928

 
9,107

 
(98
)
 
20,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Hilton stockholders' equity
5,899

 
5,889

 
11,300

 
6,993

 
(24,182
)
 
5,899

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(50
)
 

 
(50
)
Total equity
5,899

 
5,889

 
11,300

 
6,943

 
(24,182
)
 
5,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
5,899

 
$
11,314

 
$
17,228

 
$
16,050

 
$
(24,280
)
 
$
26,211




119



 
December 31, 2015
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
591

 
$

 
$
609

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 
91

 
156

 

 
247

Accounts receivable, net

 

 
406

 
470

 

 
876

Inventories

 

 
1

 
441

 

 
442

Current portion of financing receivables, net

 

 
1

 
128

 

 
129

Prepaid expenses

 

 
36

 
140

 
(29
)
 
147

Income taxes receivable

 

 
120

 

 
(23
)
 
97

Other

 

 
1

 
37

 

 
38

Total current assets

 

 
674

 
1,963

 
(52
)
 
2,585

Property, Intangibles and Other Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net

 

 
73

 
9,046

 

 
9,119

Financing receivables, net

 

 
32

 
855

 

 
887

Investments in affiliates

 

 
49

 
89

 

 
138

Investments in subsidiaries
6,166

 
11,854

 
6,457

 

 
(24,477
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
3,824

 
2,063

 

 
5,887

Brands

 

 
4,405

 
514

 

 
4,919

Management and franchise contracts, net

 

 
818

 
331

 

 
1,149

Other intangible assets, net

 

 
334

 
252

 

 
586

Deferred income tax assets
24

 
3

 

 
78

 
(27
)
 
78

Other

 
9

 
147

 
118

 

 
274

Total property, intangibles and other assets
6,190

 
11,866

 
16,139

 
13,346

 
(24,504
)
 
23,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
6,190

 
$
11,866

 
$
16,813

 
$
15,309

 
$
(24,556
)
 
$
25,622

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
$

 
$
39

 
$
1,239

 
$
957

 
$
(29
)
 
$
2,206

Current maturities of long-term debt

 
(12
)
 

 
106

 

 
94

Current maturities of timeshare debt

 

 

 
110

 

 
110

Income taxes payable

 

 

 
56

 
(23
)
 
33

Total current liabilities

 
27

 
1,239

 
1,229

 
(52
)
 
2,443

Long-term debt

 
5,659

 
54

 
4,144

 

 
9,857

Timeshare debt

 

 

 
392

 

 
392

Deferred revenues

 

 
252

 
31

 

 
283

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 
1,819

 
2,838

 
(27
)
 
4,630

Liability for guest loyalty program

 

 
784

 

 

 
784

Other
205

 
14

 
811

 
252

 

 
1,282

Total liabilities
205

 
5,700

 
4,959

 
8,886

 
(79
)
 
19,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Hilton stockholders' equity
5,985

 
6,166

 
11,854

 
6,457

 
(24,477
)
 
5,985

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(34
)
 

 
(34
)
Total equity
5,985

 
6,166

 
11,854

 
6,423

 
(24,477
)
 
5,951

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
6,190

 
$
11,866

 
$
16,813

 
$
15,309

 
$
(24,556
)
 
$
25,622




120



 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,129

 
$
(3
)
 
$
4,126

Management and franchise fees and other

 

 
1,398

 
446

 
(143
)
 
1,701

Timeshare

 

 

 
1,390

 

 
1,390

 

 

 
1,398

 
5,965

 
(146
)
 
7,217

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,894

 
637

 
(1,085
)
 
4,446

Total revenues

 

 
6,292

 
6,602

 
(1,231
)
 
11,663

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels

 

 

 
3,187

 
(87
)
 
3,100

Timeshare

 

 

 
993

 
(45
)
 
948

Depreciation and amortization

 

 
273

 
413

 

 
686

Impairment loss

 

 

 
15

 

 
15

General, administrative and other

 

 
452

 
178

 
(14
)
 
616

 

 

 
725

 
4,786

 
(146
)
 
5,365

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,894

 
637

 
(1,085
)
 
4,446

Total expenses

 

 
5,619

 
5,423

 
(1,231
)
 
9,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of assets, net

 

 
1

 
8

 

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income

 

 
674

 
1,187

 

 
1,861

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
8

 
4

 

 
12

Interest expense

 
(261
)
 
(84
)
 
(242
)
 

 
(587
)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 
2

 
6

 

 
8

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

 

 
(139
)
 
126

 

 
(13
)
Other gain (loss), net

 
1

 

 
(27
)
 

 
(26
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings from subsidiaries

 
(260
)
 
461

 
1,054

 

 
1,255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
193

 
100

 
(295
)
 
(889
)
 

 
(891
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before equity in earnings from subsidiaries
193

 
(160
)
 
166

 
165

 

 
364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries
155

 
315

 
149

 

 
(619
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
348

 
155

 
315

 
165

 
(619
)
 
364

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(16
)
 

 
(16
)
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
348

 
$
155

 
$
315

 
$
149

 
$
(619
)
 
$
348

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
131

 
$
153

 
$
249

 
$
15

 
$
(402
)
 
$
146

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
131

 
$
153

 
$
249

 
$

 
$
(402
)
 
$
131



121



 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,236

 
$
(3
)
 
$
4,233

Management and franchise fees and other

 

 
1,331

 
410

 
(140
)
 
1,601

Timeshare

 

 

 
1,308

 

 
1,308

 

 

 
1,331

 
5,954

 
(143
)
 
7,142

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,568

 
620

 
(1,058
)
 
4,130

Total revenues

 

 
5,899

 
6,574

 
(1,201
)
 
11,272

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels

 

 

 
3,253

 
(85
)
 
3,168

Timeshare

 

 

 
940

 
(43
)
 
897

Depreciation and amortization

 

 
288

 
404

 

 
692

Impairment losses

 

 

 
9

 

 
9

General, administrative and other

 

 
473

 
153

 
(15
)
 
611

 

 

 
761

 
4,759

 
(143
)
 
5,377

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,568

 
620

 
(1,058
)
 
4,130

Total expenses

 

 
5,329

 
5,379

 
(1,201
)
 
9,507

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of assets, net

 

 

 
306

 

 
306

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income

 

 
570

 
1,501

 

 
2,071

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
16

 
3

 

 
19

Interest expense

 
(281
)
 
(55
)
 
(239
)
 

 
(575
)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 
2

 
21

 

 
23

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

 

 
77

 
(118
)
 

 
(41
)
Other gain (loss), net

 

 
(2
)
 
1

 

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings from subsidiaries

 
(281
)
 
608

 
1,169

 

 
1,496

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
(7
)
 
108

 
150

 
(331
)
 

 
(80
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before equity in earnings from subsidiaries
(7
)
 
(173
)
 
758

 
838

 

 
1,416

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries
1,411

 
1,584

 
826

 

 
(3,821
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
1,404

 
1,411

 
1,584

 
838

 
(3,821
)
 
1,416

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
1,404

 
$
1,411

 
$
1,584

 
$
826

 
$
(3,821
)
 
$
1,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
1,248

 
$
1,404

 
$
1,546

 
$
727

 
$
(3,665
)
 
$
1,260

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
1,248

 
$
1,404

 
$
1,546

 
$
715

 
$
(3,665
)
 
$
1,248



122



 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,242

 
$
(3
)
 
$
4,239

Management and franchise fees and other

 

 
1,135

 
368

 
(102
)
 
1,401

Timeshare

 

 

 
1,171

 

 
1,171

 

 

 
1,135

 
5,781

 
(105
)
 
6,811

Other revenues from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,081

 
571

 
(961
)
 
3,691

Total revenues

 

 
5,216

 
6,352

 
(1,066
)
 
10,502

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owned and leased hotels

 

 

 
3,321

 
(69
)
 
3,252

Timeshare

 

 

 
790

 
(23
)
 
767

Depreciation and amortization

 

 
263

 
365

 

 
628

General, administrative and other

 

 
357

 
147

 
(13
)
 
491

 

 

 
620

 
4,623

 
(105
)
 
5,138

Other expenses from managed and franchised properties

 

 
4,081

 
571

 
(961
)
 
3,691

Total expenses

 

 
4,701

 
5,194

 
(1,066
)
 
8,829

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income

 

 
515

 
1,158

 

 
1,673

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income

 

 
7

 
3

 

 
10

Interest expense

 
(334
)
 
(59
)
 
(225
)
 

 
(618
)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 
5

 
14

 

 
19

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

 

 
443

 
(417
)
 

 
26

Other gain, net

 

 
2

 
35

 

 
37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings from subsidiaries

 
(334
)
 
913

 
568

 

 
1,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
(5
)
 
128

 
(340
)
 
(248
)
 

 
(465
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before equity in earnings from subsidiaries
(5
)
 
(206
)
 
573

 
320

 

 
682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries
678

 
884

 
311

 

 
(1,873
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
673

 
678

 
884

 
320

 
(1,873
)
 
682

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
673

 
$
678

 
$
884

 
$
311

 
$
(1,873
)
 
$
673

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
315

 
$
669

 
$
813

 
$
47

 
$
(1,515
)
 
$
329

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Hilton stockholders
$
315

 
$
669

 
$
813

 
$
33

 
$
(1,515
)
 
$
315



123



 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$

 
$
(37
)
 
$
897

 
$
1,095

 
$
(605
)
 
$
1,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

 
(9
)
 
(308
)
 

 
(317
)
Issuance of intercompany receivables

 

 
(192
)
 
(42
)
 
234

 

Payments received on intercompany receivables

 

 
192

 

 
(192
)
 

Proceeds from asset dispositions

 

 

 
11

 

 
11

Contract acquisition costs

 

 
(46
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(55
)
Capitalized software costs

 

 
(73
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(81
)
Other

 
(6
)
 
(35
)
 
5

 

 
(36
)
Net cash used in investing activities

 
(6
)
 
(163
)
 
(351
)
 
42

 
(478
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings

 

 
1,000

 
3,715

 

 
4,715

Repayment of debt

 
(266
)
 

 
(4,093
)
 

 
(4,359
)
Intercompany borrowings

 

 
42

 
192

 
(234
)
 

Debt issuance costs

 
(17
)
 
(20
)
 
(39
)
 

 
(76
)
Repayment of intercompany borrowings

 

 

 
(192
)
 
192

 

Intercompany transfers
277

 
326

 
(1,744
)
 
1,141

 

 

Dividends paid
(277
)
 

 

 

 

 
(277
)
Intercompany dividends

 

 

 
(605
)
 
605

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(32
)
 

 
(32
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 
43

 
(722
)
 
87

 
563

 
(29
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
Net increase in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 
12

 
816

 

 
828

Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 
109

 
747

 

 
856

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
121

 
$
1,563

 
$

 
$
1,684



124



 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$

 
$
184

 
$
936

 
$
723

 
$
(436
)
 
$
1,407

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

 
(11
)
 
(299
)
 

 
(310
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 
(1,402
)
 

 
(1,402
)
Proceeds from asset dispositions

 

 

 
2,205

 

 
2,205

Contract acquisition costs

 

 
(23
)
 
(14
)
 

 
(37
)
Software capitalization costs

 

 
(57
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(62
)
Other

 

 
13

 
7

 

 
20

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 
(78
)
 
492

 

 
414

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings

 

 

 
48

 

 
48

Repayment of debt

 
(775
)
 

 
(849
)
 

 
(1,624
)
Intercompany transfers
138

 
591

 
(693
)
 
(36
)
 

 

Dividends paid
(138
)
 

 

 

 

 
(138
)
Intercompany dividends

 

 
(184
)
 
(252
)
 
436

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

 
8

 

 

 
8

Net cash used in financing activities

 
(184
)
 
(869
)
 
(1,097
)
 
436

 
(1,714
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(19
)
 

 
(19
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 
(11
)
 
99

 

 
88

Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 
120

 
648

 

 
768

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
109

 
$
747

 
$

 
$
856


 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Parent
 
Subsidiary Issuers
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$

 
$

 
$
1,085

 
$
522

 
$
(300
)
 
$
1,307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

 
(5
)
 
(263
)
 

 
(268
)
Proceeds from asset dispositions

 

 
4

 
40

 

 
44

Contract acquisition costs

 

 
(19
)
 
(46
)
 

 
(65
)
Software capitalization costs

 

 
(64
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(69
)
Other

 

 
11

 
37

 

 
48

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 
(73
)
 
(237
)
 

 
(310
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings

 

 

 
350

 

 
350

Repayment of debt

 
(1,000
)
 

 
(424
)
 

 
(1,424
)
Debt issuance costs

 
(6
)
 

 
(3
)
 

 
(9
)
Capital contribution

 

 

 
22

 
(9
)
 
13

Intercompany transfers

 
1,006

 
(1,094
)
 
88

 

 

Intercompany dividends

 

 

 
(309
)
 
309

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Net cash used in financing activities

 

 
(1,094
)
 
(281
)
 
300

 
(1,075
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Net decrease in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 
(82
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(92
)
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 
202

 
658

 

 
860

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
120

 
$
648

 
$

 
$
768



125



Note 28: Selected Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

The following table sets forth the historical unaudited quarterly financial data for the periods indicated. The information for each of these periods has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, reflects all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial results. Operating results for previous periods do not necessarily indicate results that may be achieved in any future period.
 
2016
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Year
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues
$
2,750

 
$
3,051

 
$
2,942

 
$
2,920

 
$
11,663

Operating income
409

 
553

 
493

 
406

 
1,861

Net income (loss)
310

 
244

 
192

 
(382
)
 
364

Net income (loss) attributable to Hilton stockholders
309

 
239

 
187

 
(387
)
 
348

Basic earnings (loss) per share(1)
$
0.94

 
$
0.73

 
$
0.57

 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.06

Diluted earnings (loss) per share(1)
$
0.94

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.57

 
$
(1.17
)
 
$
1.05


 
2015
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Year
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues
$
2,599

 
$
2,922

 
$
2,895

 
$
2,856

 
$
11,272

Operating income
490

 
427

 
663

 
491

 
2,071

Net income
150

 
167

 
283

 
816

 
1,416

Net income attributable to Hilton stockholders
150

 
161

 
279

 
814

 
1,404

Basic earnings per share(1)
$
0.46

 
$
0.49

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.47

 
$
4.27

Diluted earnings per share(1)
$
0.46

 
$
0.49

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.47

 
$
4.26

____________
(1) 
The sum of the earnings per share for the four quarters differs from annual earnings per share due to the required method of computing the weighted average shares outstanding in interim periods. All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. See Note 1: "Organization" for further discussion.

Note 29: Subsequent Events

Spin-offs

On January 3, 2017, we completed the previously announced spin-offs of a portfolio of hotels and resorts, as well as our timeshare business, into two independent, publicly traded companies: Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., respectively. The spin-offs were completed via a distribution to each of Hilton's stockholders of record, as of close of business on December 15, 2016, of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Park and HGV. Each Hilton stockholder received one share of Park common stock for every five shares of Hilton common stock and one share of HGV common stock for every 10 shares of Hilton common stock. Both Park and HGV have their common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "PK" and "HGV," respectively.

Following the spin-offs, Hilton did not retain any ownership interest in Park or HGV; however, we entered into certain agreements that provide a framework for our relationship with them, including a Transition Services Agreement, an Employee Matters Agreement and a Tax Matters Agreement with Park and HGV, as well as Management and Franchise Agreements with Park and a License Agreement with HGV. Beginning in the first quarter of 2017, commensurate with the completion of the spin-offs, the historical financial results of Park and HGV will be reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations.



126



Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have set forth management's report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management's report on internal control over financial reporting is incorporated in this Item 9A by reference.

Changes in Internal Control

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.    Other Information

None.


127



PART III

Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 11.     Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 14.     Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.


128



PART IV

Item 15.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

The following documents are filed as part of this report.

(a)    Financial Statements
We include this portion of Item 15 under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b)    Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted as the required information is either not present, not present in material amounts or presented within the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

(c)    Exhibits:

Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Description
2.1
 
Distribution Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on December 17, 2013).
3.2
 
Bylaws of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on December 17, 2013).
3.3
 
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. effective as of January 3, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
4.1
 
Indenture for the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes"), dated as of October 4, 2013, among Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC and Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp. as issuers, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., as guarantor and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
4.2
 
First Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
4.3
 
Second Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of September 8, 2014, between Hilton International Holding Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-198693)).
4.4
 
Third Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of March 3, 2015, among Embassy Suites Management LLC, HLT Existing Franchise Holding LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015).
4.5
 
Form of 5.625% Senior Note due 2021 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.6
 
Indenture for the 4.250% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes"), dated as of August 18, 2016, by and among Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on August 18, 2016).
4.7
 
Form of 4.250% Senior Note due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.6).
4.8
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of August 19, 2016, between Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended September 30, 2016).
4.9
 
Fifth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of September 22, 2016, among Hilton Worldwide Parent LLC, Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended September 30, 2016).

129



Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Description
4.10
 
Sixth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of October 20, 2016, among the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
4.11
 
Seventh Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2021 Notes, dated as of December 12, 2016, among the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
4.12
 
First Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2024 Notes, dated as of September 22, 2016, among Hilton Escrow Issuer LLC, Hilton Escrow Issuer Corp., Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended September 30, 2016).
4.13
 
Second Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2024 Notes, dated as of September 22, 2016, among Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Hilton Worldwide Parent LLC, and Wilmington Trust, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended September 30, 2016).
4.14
 
Third Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2024 Notes, dated as of October 20, 2016, among the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
4.15
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2024 Notes, dated as of December 12, 2016, among the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
10.1
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., as parent, Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, as borrower, the other guarantors from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, collateral agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.2
 
Security Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the grantors identified therein and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.3
 
Loan Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the subsidiaries party thereto, collectively, as borrower and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, German American Capital Corporation, Bank of America, N.A., GS Commercial Real Estate LP and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, collectively, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.4
 
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, among the guarantors named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, German American Capital Corporation, Bank of America, N.A., GS Commercial Real Estate LP and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, collectively, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).
10.5
 
Registration Rights Agreement regarding the 2024 Notes, dated as of August 18, 2016, by and among Hilton Escrow Issuer LLC, Hilton Escrow Issuer Corp. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of the initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on August 18, 2016).

10.6
 
Stockholders Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on December 17, 2013).
10.7
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on December 17, 2013).
10.8
 
2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).*
10.9
 
Form of Restricted Stock Grant and Acknowledgment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).*
10.10
 
Severance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).*

130



Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Description
10.11
 
Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-191110)).*
10.12
 
2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-36243) for the year ended December 31, 2013).*
10.13
 
Form of 2014 Performance Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2014).*
10.14
 
Form of 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2014).*
10.15
 
Form of 2014 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2014).*
10.16
 
Form of 2015 Performance Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015).*
10.17
 
Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015).*
10.18
 
Form of 2015 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015).*
10.19
 
Form of Deferred Share Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.*
10.20
 
Form of 2016 Performance Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.*
10.21
 
Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36243) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016).*
10.22
 
Amendment No. 1, dated as of August 18, 2016, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch as administrative agent, collateral agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer and the other lenders party thereto from time to time (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on August 18, 2016.
10.23
 
Amendment No. 2, dated as of November 21, 2016, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2013 (as amended), by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, the other guarantors party thereto from time to time, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch as administrative agent, collateral agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer and the other lenders party thereto from time to time (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on November 23, 2016).
10.24
 
Escrow Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2016, by and among Hilton Escrow Issuer LLC, Hilton Escrow Issuer Corp., Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as escrow agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on August 18, 2016).

10.25
 
Letter Agreement relating to certain tax matters, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).

10.26
 
Letter Agreement relating to tax stockholders agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. and certain of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).

131



Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Description
10.27
 
Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and, solely for purposes of Section 4.3 thereof, HNA Group Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).
10.28
 
First Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).
10.29
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).
10.30
 
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016, by and among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on October 24, 2016).
10.31
 
Employee Matters Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
10.32
 
Tax Matters Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Domestic Operating Company Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
10.33
 
Transition Services Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
10.34
 
License Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, by and between Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
10.35
 
Tax Stockholders Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, among Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36243) filed on January 4, 2017).
12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1
 
Certificate of Christopher J. Nassetta, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certificate of Kevin J. Jacobs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certificate of Christopher J. Nassetta, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
32.2
 
Certificate of Kevin J. Jacobs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
99.1
 
Section 13(r) Disclosure.
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

132



____________
*
This document has been identified as a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

Item 16.     Form 10-K Summary

None.


133



Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in McLean, Virginia, on the 15th day of February 2017.
HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Christopher J. Nassetta
Name:
 
Christopher J. Nassetta
Title:
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 15th day of February 2017.
Signature
 
Title
/s/ Christopher J. Nassetta
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Christopher J. Nassetta
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Jonathan D. Gray
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Jonathan D. Gray
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
 
Director
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Judith A. McHale
 
Director
Judith A. McHale
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ John G. Schreiber
 
Director
John G. Schreiber
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Elizabeth A. Smith
 
Director
Elizabeth A. Smith
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Douglas M. Steenland
 
Director
Douglas M. Steenland
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William J. Stein
 
Director
William J. Stein
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Kevin J. Jacobs
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin J. Jacobs
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Michael W. Duffy
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Michael W. Duffy
 
(principal accounting officer)





134