PROMUS REPORTS 2Q EPS OF $0.58 BEFORE UNUSUAL ITEMS

Source: Promus Hotel Corporation


July 28, 1999
MEMPHIS, Tenn., -- Promus Hotel Corporation (NYSE:PRH), a leading hotel franchising and management company, reported net income of $45.7 million and diluted earnings per share of 56 cents for the second quarter of 1999. Before unusual items, net income was $46.8 million, compared to 1998 second quarter net income of $50.0 million before unusual items. Diluted earnings per share before unusual items was 58 cents compared to 57 cents in the year ago comparable period.

During the second quarter of 1999, the company expensed $1.3 million for retention and employment-related costs associated with the management change following the Promus/Doubletree merger. The company also realized a pre-tax loss of $0.4 million on the sale of real estate. Combined, these items negatively effected the 1999 second quarter net income by $1.1 million or 2 cents per share. During the second quarter of 1998, the company realized three unusual pre-tax items: (1) a $1.3 million gain on the sale of excess joint venture land, (2) $1.3 million of previously deferred gains on the sale of hotels and (3) a $1.0 million gain on the sale of securities. These items positively impacted 1998's second quarter net income by $2.2 million or 2 cents per share.

For the first six months of 1999, the company reported net income before unusual items of $84.9 million, compared with $86.0 million before unusual items for the same 1998 period. Diluted earnings per share before unusual items for the 1999 six month period was $1.03 compared to $0.98 in the year ago comparable period, an increase of five percent.

"Consistent with the pre-announcement of earnings expectations we made on May 25, 1999, our second quarter earnings per share were about flat with the exceptionally strong financial results the company experienced last year", said Norman P. Blake, Jr., Promus' Chairman, President and CEO. Our efforts to solidify the Doubletree brand's 4-star positioning have affected Doubletree's short term unit growth, which has slowed the growth of our management fee income and the related purchasing and service fee income. In addition, we experienced less in change of ownership and termination fees this year as significantly fewer real estate transactions have occurred this year compared to the last few years. Also, as we announced on May 25th, industry lodging demand has slowed somewhat, which obviously has a limiting effect on companies ability to grow hotel-related income.

Unit Growth

During the second quarter of 1999, the company added 41 hotels (5,138 rooms) to its system, consisting of: two Doubletree hotels, three Embassy Suites hotels, 28 Hampton Inn hotels, three Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, four hotels in the Homewood Suites brand, and a 303-room Red Lion hotel. During the quarter a 305-suite Doubletree Guest Suites was converted to an Embassy Suites hotel and a 154-room Promus managed, non-Promus branded hotel, was converted to a Doubletree hotel. Also during the quarter, Promus initiated the termination of one Doubletree hotel, one Embassy Suites hotel, two Hampton Inn hotels and one non-Promus branded hotel. These five hotels included 843 rooms.

During the first six months of 1999, Promus added 74 hotels (8,538 rooms) and the Promus relationship was terminated with 13 hotels (2,055 rooms).

Brand Performance

Hotels managed under the Doubletree brand generated a RevPAR increase of 0.3% over second quarter 1998. Embassy Suites' RevPAR increased 1.1% for the quarter. Hampton Inn achieved a 1.7% RevPAR increase over the same period last year. Hampton Inn & Suites' RevPAR increased 4.1% over the second quarter 1998. Homewood Suites' RevPAR gain was 2.3% in the second quarter.

Year-to-date, Doubletree RevPAR increased 1.8% over the same 1998 period. Embassy Suites' and Hampton Inn's RevPAR both increased 1.7%, while Homewood Suites' RevPAR decreased 0.5% over the first half of 1998.

Average daily rate, occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR) discussed in this release and in the attachments are reported for only those comparable hotels in the system as of June 30, 1999 and managed and franchised by Promus or managed by Doubletree since April 1, 1998 for the quarter comparison and January 1, 1998 for the year-to-date comparison.

Other Notable Events

During the second quarter of 1999, Promus repurchased 4.3 million shares of its stock for approximately $109.6 million. Since August of 1998, the company has repurchased approximately 9.3 million shares of its stock for a total cost of $276.0 million.

The Company has signed a sales contract to sell 10 Hampton Inn hotels. This is in addition to the letter of intent disclosed earlier in the year regarding the sale of 13 Homewood Suites hotels. Combined, these transactions would result in asset sales of $224 million.

Promus Hotel Corporation (NYSE:PRH) is the franchisor/operator of the Doubletree Hotels, Doubletree Guest Suites, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Club Hotel by Doubletree, Red Lion Hotels, Embassy Vacation Resort and Hampton Vacation Resort brands. The company also manages non-Promus branded hotels and facilities in its University Hotel & Conference Center division. The company franchises, operates or owns hotels throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Promus is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee and has approximately 40,000 employees.

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations, which in turn are based on information currently available to management. Actual performance and results could differ from those expressed in, or contemplated by, the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Promus' ability to predict or control, including changes in the general economy, customer demand, interest rates and competition. For further information on factors which could impact Promus and the statements contained herein, we refer you to the filings made by Promus with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K.

PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Quarters Ended June 30,

1999(A)

1998(B)

Revenues:
Franchise and management fees

$57,270

$59,088

Owned hotel revenues

110,627

102,010

Leased hotel revenues

100,599

109,187

Purchasing and service fees

5,146

6,198

Joint venture income & other revenue

13,469

14,244

Total revenues

287,111

290,727

Operating costs and expenses:
General and administrative

21,202

20,059

Owned hotel expenses

69,522

62,071

Leased hotel expenses

88,741

94,810

Depreciation and amortization

21,688

19,357

Total operating costs and expenses

201,153

196,297

Operating income

85,958

94,430

Interest and dividend income

4,940

5,007

Interest expense

(16,380)

(14,923)

Gain on sale of real estate and securities

(440)

2,289

Income before income taxes and minority interest

74,078

86,803

Minority interest share of net income

(868)

(824)

Income before income taxes

73,210

85,979

Income tax expense

(27,527)

(33,790)

Net income

$45,683

$52,189

Basic earnings per share

$0.56

$0.60

Diluted earnings per share

$0.56

$0.59

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

80,995

87,202

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

81,266

88,137

  1. During the quarter ended June 30, 1999, Promus realized on a pre-tax basis, (a) a $1.3 million charge for retention and employment-related expenses associated with the management change following the Promus/Doubletree merger and (b) losses of $0.4 million on the sale of real estate. Excluding the net effect of these items, second quarter 1999 net income and diluted earnings per share would have been $46.8 million and $0.58, respectively.
  2. During the second quarter of 1998, Promus experienced the following unusual items: (a) a $1.3 million gain on the sale of excess joint venture land, (b) gains of $1.3 million on the prior sale of hotels, and (c) gains of $1.0 million on the sale of securities. Excluding the net effect of these items, second quarter 1998 net income and diluted earnings per share would have been $50.0 million and $0.57, respectively.

PROMUS HOTEL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Six Months Ended June 30,

1999(A)

1998(B)

Revenues:
Franchise and management fees

$109,360

$108,432

Owned hotel revenues

212,117

193,591

Leased hotel revenues

191,255

207,666

Purchasing and service fees

10,005

11,288

Joint venture income & other revenue

24,515

24,293

Total revenues

547,252

545,270

Operating costs and expenses:
General and administrative

44,988

38,594

Owned hotel expenses

135,237

119,737

Leased hotel expenses

171,351

184,069

Depreciation and amortization

42,730

38,537

Total operating costs and expenses

394,306

380,937

Operating income

152,946

164,333

Interest and dividend income

9,774

10,625

Interest expense

(32,831)

(30,228)

Gain on sale of real estate and securities

(708)

2,285

Income before income taxes and
minority interest

129,181

147,015

Minority interest share of net income

(1,416)

(1,703)

Income before income taxes

127,765

145,312

Income tax expense

(48,040)

(57,107)

Net income

$79,725

$88,205

Basic earnings per share

$0.97

$1.02

Diluted earnings per share

$0.97

$1.00

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

82,219

86,773

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

82,553

87,830

  1. During the six months ended June 30, 1999, Promus experienced certain unusual items, including the following pre-tax items: (a) a $1.3 million gain on the sale of a joint venture hotel, (b) $9.0 million in charges relating to employee retention agreements, and (c) losses of $0.7 million on the sale of real estate. Excluding the effect of these unusual items, net income for the first half of 1999 and diluted earnings per share would have been $84.9 million and $1.03 respectively.
  2. During the six months ended June 30, 1998, Promus experienced certain unusual items, including the following pre-tax items: (a) a $1.3 million gain on the sale of excess joint venture land, (b) gains of $1.3 million on the prior sale of hotels and (c) gains of $1.0 million on the sale of securities. Excluding the effect of these unusual items, 1998 first half net income and diluted earnings per share would have been $86.0 million and $0.98, respectively.

PERFORMANCE STATISTICS (a)

Second Quarter Change vs

Six Months Change vs.

Quarter Ended
June 30, 1999

Quarter Ended
June 30, 1998

Six Mos. Ended
June 30, 1999

Six Mos. Ended
June 30, 1998

Doubletree Hotels:
Occupancy

73.2%

(0.9) pts.

70.4%

(0.1) pts.

ADR*

$ 106.14

1.5 %

$ 106.89

1.9 %

RevPAR**

$ 77.67

0.3 %

$ 75.23

1.8 %

Embassy Suites:
Occupancy

76.4%

0.8 pts.

74.6%

0.9 pts.

ADR*

$ 122.06

0.0%

$ 123.19

0.4 %

RevPAR**

$ 93.27

1.1 %

$ 91.94

1.7 %

Hampton Inn:
Occupancy

72.6%

(1.8) pts.

68.6%

(1.4) pts.

ADR*

$ 70.98

4.2 %

$ 70.02

3.8 %

RevPAR**

$ 51.56

1.7 %

$ 48.00

1.7 %

Hampton Inn & Suites:
Occupancy

74.3%

0.6 pts.

71.4%

1.3 pts.

ADR*

$ 90.73

3.2 %

$ 85.53

2.3 %

RevPAR**

$ 67.43

4.1 %

$ 61.03

4.3 %

Homewood Suites:
Occupancy

76.8%

1.9 pts.

74.5%

(0.4) pts.

ADR*

$ 96.87

(0.2) %

$ 97.04

0.0 %

RevPAR**

$ 74.43

2.3 %

$ 72.29

(0.5) %

Other Hotels (b)
Occupancy

71.6%

(1.0) pts.

67.9%

(1.3) pts.

ADR*

$ 103.78

3.5 %

$ 101.84

3.2 %

RevPAR**

$ 74.26

2.1 %

$ 69.11

1.2 %


Average daily rate
* Revenue per available room
(a) Revenue statistics are for comparable hotels, and include information only for those hotels in the system as of June 30, 1999 and managed or franchised by Promus or managed by Doubletree since April 1, 1998 for the quarterly comparison and since January 1, 1998 for the year-to-date comparison. Doubletree franchised hotels are not included in the statistical information.
(b) Includes results for 15 Red Lion hotels as well as the results for hotels managed/leased under other franchisors' brands or as
independent hotels and conference centers.

SYSTEM SIZE

Number of Hotels

Number of Rooms/Suites

Change Since

Change Since

Jun 30,1999 Mar 31,1999 Dec 31,1998 Jun 30,1999 Mar 31,1999 Dec 31,1998
Doubletree Hotels:
Company owned

16

--

--

4,649

(98)

(97)

Leased

14

--

(4)

3,877

--

(935)

Joint ventures (a)

4

--

--

1,100

98

98

Management contracts

91

1

4

25,085

34

761

Franchised

50

--

(1)

11,812

23

(115)

175

1

(1)

46,523

57

(288)

Embassy Suites:
Company owned

6

--

--

1,299

--

--

Joint ventures(a)

19

1

--

5,098

321

154

Management contracts

60

--

2

15,050

230

625

Franchised

63

2

1

14,227

450

322

148

3

3

35,674

1,001

1,101

Hampton Inn:
Company owned

10

(1)

(1)

1,378

(126)

(126)

Leased

18

--

--

2,250

--

--

Management contracts

7

--

--

929

--

--

Franchised

835

27

45

85,641

2,431

4,243

870

26

44

90,198

2,305

4,117

Hampton Inn & Suites:
Management contracts

3

--

--

408

--

--

Franchised

53

3

8

6,135

399

952

56

3

8

6,543

399

952

Homewood Suites:
Company owned

22

1

3

2,605

137

373

Management contracts

4

(1)

(1)

471

(83)

(83)

Franchised

58

4

8

6,114

655

1,033

84

4

10

9,190

709

1,323

Other Hotels (b)
Company owned

10

--

--

1,620

--

--

Leased

41

--

--

6,433

--

--

Management contracts

14

(1)

(3)

2,345

(176)

(722)

65

(1)

(3)

10,398

(176)

(722)

Total System:
Company owned

64

--

2

11,551

(87)

150

Leased

73

--

(4)

12,560

--

(935)

Joint ventures (a)

23

1

--

6,198

419

252

Management contracts

179

(1)

2

44,288

5

581

Franchised

1,059

36

61

123,929

3,958

6,435

1,398

36

61

198,526

4,295

6,483


(a) For statistical purposes only, Promus classifies unconsolidated joint ventures in which it holds less than a 20% interest as "Management Contracts" and consolidated joint ventures in which it owns more than a 50% interest as "Company Owned" hotels.
(b) Includes 15 Red Lion hotels as well as hotels managed/leased under other franchisors' brands or as independent hotels and conference centers.