H World Group Limited research snapshot

HTHT AI Stock Analysis

HTHT AI stock analysis reads H World Group Limited as one of China's largest multi-brand hotel operators, converting economy and midscale room nights plus manachise and franchise fees, and a smaller Europe and APAC hotel base, into recurring lodging cash flow. The August 3, 2026 setup is not a buy signal: the latest verified close used here was $42.69 on July 31, 2026, with a verified market capitalization of about $13.13 billion, about 18.69x trailing earnings, 8.26x book value, about a 12.21x price to free cash flow, an 8.19% free cash flow yield, and a 4.94% dividend yield. The HTHT AI stock forecast depends on whether China blended RevPAR keeps improving, manachised and franchised revenue keeps compounding near the 2026 guidance of 12% to 16%, whether HWI operations reach sustained profitability, and whether investors keep a mid-teens to high-teens multiple on China lodging cash returns. This page is informational only and is not investment advice.

Current price

$42.69

Market cap

$13.13 billion verified market cap

AI score

71 / 100

Rating

China asset-light hotel leader with improving RevPAR, strong cash returns, and a stock still below its 2026 highs

Trend status

Mixed recovery above the 20-day average near $41.67 but below the 50-day near $42.97, the 100-day near $46.81, and the 200-day near $47.02

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
A-level information richness. H World has a long public history as Huazhu and H World, official IR earnings releases, NASDAQ and Hong Kong disclosure, StockAnalysis.com and S&P Global market data, analyst consensus from 18 covering analysts, and broad China lodging coverage.
bias Check
The main AI research bias is over-weighting hotel count growth and asset-light margins while under-weighting China consumer and business travel softness, same-hotel RevPAR pressure, HWI losses, lease and debt leverage, and foreign-exchange translation into USD ADS prices. The reverse check asks whether Q1 2026 blended RevPAR improvement and strong capital returns justify the price gap between HTHT and its 52-week high near $56.64.
ai Confidence
High for FY2025 revenue, net income, hotel count, Q1 2026 results, share count, market-cap math, free cash flow level, analyst targets, and management guidance ranges, cross-checked across the H World earnings releases, the Q4 2025 earnings call, StockAnalysis.com, and financial_rigor.py. Medium for technical levels, forward multiples, and Europe segment durability because price and macro data can change quickly.
investment Certainty
Medium. The China manachise and franchise engine and the roughly 5% dividend yield are attractive, but the outcome still depends on China travel demand, HWI profitability, capital returns versus growth reinvestment, and the multiple investors assign to China hospitality ADRs.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityH World monetizes travel demand through leased and owned hotels plus a growing manachised and franchised network, with 12,858 hotels and about 1.26 million rooms at year-end 2025, rising to 13,215 hotels and 1,303,563 rooms by March 31, 2026.High
MoatThe moat is brand density in China, operating systems, franchisee economics, membership scale, and supply-chain standardization across HanTing, JI Hotel, Orange, and other brands. Switching costs for guests are low, so value and consistency must keep winning.Medium-high
ManagementFounder Qi Ji remains Executive Chairman, with Jin Hui as CEO. Arthur Yu took over as CFO in March 2026, Jie Zheng stepped down as executive Director in May 2026, and Yanjun Sun joined as an independent Director in July 2026. Capital allocation has emphasized asset-light expansion, cash dividends, and buybacks, including about US$760 million returned in 2025.Medium-high
Financial trendFY2025 revenue rose to RMB25.31 billion (about US$3.61 billion), net income rose to RMB5.08 billion (US$726 million), M&F revenue rose 23.1% to RMB11.7 billion, and adjusted EBITDA rose 24.2% to RMB8.5 billion. Q1 2026 revenue rose 11.1% while GAAP net income fell 8.6% year over year.High
ValuationAt $42.69, HTHT trades near 18.69x trailing earnings, 15.07x forward earnings, 8.26x book value, 12.21x trailing free cash flow, and about a 4.94% dividend yield, which is moderate if network growth and cash returns continue.High
Technical trendHTHT closed at $42.69 on July 31, 2026, above the 20-day average near $41.67 but below the 50-day near $42.97, the 100-day near $46.81, and the 200-day near $47.02, with RSI near 53, so the trend is mixed after a 2026 peak above $54.Medium
Risk levelKey risks are China consumer and travel demand, same-hotel RevPAR pressure, franchisee quality at high opening pace, HWI and Europe hotel performance, lease and balance-sheet leverage, FX translation, and China ADR policy or sentiment shocks.Medium-high
AI confidenceDescriptive confidence is high because company IR releases, the Q4 2025 earnings call, StockAnalysis.com, and share-count sources align on the main operating and market facts.High data confidence
Investment certaintyBusiness quality, free cash flow, and the roughly 5% dividend yield are stronger than the recent price action implies, but certainty is capped by China macro sensitivity and a market that can re-rate China lodging multiples quickly.Medium

HTHT AI stock forecast

HTHT AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The HTHT AI stock forecast uses scenario math rather than a guaranteed price target. Using the $42.69 July 31, 2026 close, TTM-style EPS of about $2.36 from net income and share count, and a three-year earnings multiple model, Pineify financial_rigor.py produced a bearish area near $28, a base area near $48, and a bullish area near $73. The forecast is most sensitive to China RevPAR, manachise openings, HWI profitability, capital returns, and the multiple investors apply to China hotel cash flows.

Bullish case

$62 to $78

More likely if China blended RevPAR turns solidly positive, M&F revenue keeps double-digit growth, HWI delivers sustained profit, capital returns stay large, and the market pays a premium lodging multiple near 20x to 22x earnings.

Base case

$45 to $52

More likely if revenue grows in the low-to-mid single digits as guided for 2026, EPS compounds near mid-teens, openings stay net positive, and the market values HTHT near a mid-teens to high-teens earnings multiple.

Bearish case

$27 to $35

More likely if China travel demand weakens, same-hotel RevPAR falls further, HWI profits reverse, leverage or lease costs pressure free cash flow, or the market re-rates HTHT toward a low-teens earnings multiple.

HTHT AI technical analysis

HTHT AI Technical Analysis

HTHT AI technical analysis is mixed as of the August 3, 2026 cutoff. The July 31, 2026 close of $42.69 sits above the 20-day average near $41.67 and the 5-day near $42.57, but below the 50-day average near $42.97, the 100-day near $46.81, and the 200-day near $47.02, with RSI near 53 and a 52-week range of $30.41 to $56.64. This page does not fetch request-time market data, so traders should confirm levels on a live chart before acting.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$42.69Latest verified close used for this page as of the August 3, 2026 data cutoff.
Immediate support$41.60 to $42.00Area around the 20-day moving average near $41.67 and the July 28 low near $41.64.
Secondary support$39.80 to $40.50Lower support zone near the July 21 to July 24 lows around $39.86 to $40.08. A sustained break would weaken the recovery.
Near resistance$43.30 to $43.70Area near the July 29 and July 30 highs around $43.29 to $43.70. A move above this zone needs volume confirmation.
Next resistance$44.90 to $45.50Area near mid-June closes around $44.86 to $45.50 before the 100-day average.
50-day moving averageAbout $42.97Barchart and StockAnalysis.com both placed the 50-day average near $42.97 as of July 31, 2026, just above the close.
100-day moving averageAbout $46.81Barchart placed the 100-day average near $46.81, which is now resistance above the recovery zone.
200-day moving averageAbout $47.02Barchart and StockAnalysis.com both placed the 200-day average near $47.02, the key trend line for a full bull case.
MomentumRSI about 53, ADX about 21RSI is near the neutral midline and ADX near 21 signals a weak trend, so momentum is not yet confirming a breakout.
VolumeAbout 1.51 million shares on July 31; 20-day average about 1.49 millionRecent volume is near the 20-day average, so a reversal should be confirmed by rising participation.
VolatilityATR about $1.17, 14-day historic volatility near 32%Position sizing should allow for normal daily movement around the $42.69 price.
InvalidationClose below $41.60, then $39.86A close below the immediate support area would weaken the recovery. A break below the July low near $39.86 would challenge the medium-term base.

HTHT AI trading strategy

HTHT AI Trading Strategy Framework

The HTHT AI trading strategy is a rules-based framework, not personalized advice. It combines filing-backed business evidence, technical confirmation, position sizing, and clear invalidation levels.

Trend-following setup

Look for HTHT to reclaim the 50-day moving average near $42.97 and then the $43.30 to $43.70 zone with improving volume before treating momentum as confirmed, with the next targets near $44.90 to $45.50.

A failed breakout or daily close below the $41.60 support area should reduce confidence in the setup.

Mean-reversion setup

If HTHT pulls back toward $41.60 to $42.00 or $39.80 to $40.50 without a thesis break, compare price stabilization with Q2 earnings due around August 19, 2026, China RevPAR commentary, and capital return updates.

Do not average down solely because H World is a high-quality China hotel operator. Define maximum loss and review valuation first.

Fundamental monitor

Track Q2 2026 results, hotel openings and closures, M&F revenue growth, HWC versus HWI profit, blended and same-hotel RevPAR, the $2.11 annual dividend and buyback pace, and China travel demand data.

Lower the rating if network growth continues while same-hotel economics and free cash flow deteriorate.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay H World for reliable, value-oriented hotel stays across China economy and midscale brands, with a smaller international portfolio under Steigenberger and related labels. Shareholders own a hotel system that converts brand density and franchisee relationships into manachise fees, franchise fees, and owned-hotel operating profits.

Moat

The moat is China brand recognition, hotel density, standardized operating playbooks, the H Rewards membership program, and franchisee economics. It is not protected by high guest switching costs, so price, location, and consistency remain the daily contest.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis fails if China travel demand weakens, same-hotel RevPAR stays under pressure, franchise openings lower quality, HWI or Europe hotels lose money again, leverage absorbs free cash flow, capital returns shrink, or the market loses patience with China ADR multiples.

Management

Qi Ji built the company after earlier roles co-founding Ctrip and Home Inns. Jin Hui has led as CEO while the company shifted harder into asset-light growth and shareholder returns, with a CFO transition in March 2026 and new independent directors in 2026. Key-person risk remains real, but the operating system is broader than one executive.

Industry trend

H World sits inside China domestic travel, midscale hotel upgrading, franchise chain consolidation, and gradual international expansion. The long-term chain professionalization trend is durable, but the cycle is sensitive to consumer confidence, property costs, and tourism policy.

Valuation and margin of safety

At about 18.69x trailing earnings, 15.07x forward earnings, and an 8.19% free cash flow yield, the price is not extreme if mid-single-digit growth and cash returns persist. A fair setup still needs either better China demand evidence or a clearer path back above the major moving averages.

Source-backed data

HTHT Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
HTHT price$42.69 close on July 31, 2026StockAnalysis.com real-time quoteAugust 3, 2026
Market capitalization$13.13 billion, verified as $42.69 x 307.52 million sharesfinancial_rigor.py market-cap verificationAugust 3, 2026
Shares outstanding307.52 million shares, down 1.09% year over year; insider ownership 32.39%, institutional ownership 61.92%StockAnalysis.com share statisticsAugust 3, 2026
FY2025 total revenueRMB25.31 billion (about US$3.61 billion), up 5.93% year over year, cross-checked at 0.01% deviationH World FY2025 earnings release and StockAnalysis.comAugust 3, 2026
FY2025 net income attributableRMB5.08 billion (US$726 million), up 66.67% from RMB3.05 billion in 2024H World FY2025 earnings release and StockAnalysis.comAugust 3, 2026
FY2025 M&F revenue and profitM&F revenue rose 23.1% to RMB11.7 billion and M&F gross operating profit rose 20.8% to RMB7.6 billionH World FY2025 earnings release and Q4 2025 earnings callAugust 3, 2026
FY2025 adjusted EBITDA and net incomeAdjusted EBITDA rose 24.2% to RMB8.5 billion with a 33.5% margin, and adjusted net income rose 32.9% to RMB4.9 billionH World Q4 2025 earnings callAugust 3, 2026
Hotel network12,858 hotels and about 1.26 million rooms at Dec 31, 2025; 13,215 hotels and 1,303,563 rooms at March 31, 2026H World FY2025 and Q1 2026 earnings releasesAugust 3, 2026
Q1 2026 revenueRMB6.0 billion (US$870 million), up 11.1% year over year, with M&F revenue up 20.3% to RMB3.0 billionH World Q1 2026 earnings releaseAugust 3, 2026
Q1 2026 net income attributableRMB817 million (US$118 million), down 8.6% year over year, with HWC adjusted EBITDA of RMB1.9 billion and an HWI adjusted EBITDA loss of RMB56 millionH World Q1 2026 earnings releaseAugust 3, 2026
Q1 2026 RevPARHWC blended RevPAR rose 3.0% to RMB214 with same-hotel RevPAR down 2.3%; HWI blended RevPAR rose 5.0% to US$80 on a constant currency basisH World Q1 2026 earnings releaseAugust 3, 2026
FY2025 free cash flow contextFY2025 operating cash flow was RMB8.4 billion with about RMB15.4 billion of cash and RMB9.6 billion of net cash at year endH World Q4 2025 earnings callAugust 3, 2026
Shareholder returns FY2025About US$760 million total, including about US$400 million second-half dividend, about US$250 million interim dividend, and about US$110 million share repurchases; more than 75% of the US$2 billion three-year plan completeH World Q4 2025 earnings callAugust 3, 2026
2026 company guidanceGroup revenue growth 2% to 6% (5% to 9% excluding DH), M&F revenue growth 12% to 16%, open 2,200 to 2,300 hotels and close 600 to 700 hotels, with 2026 RevPAR expected flat to slightly positiveH World Q4 2025 earnings callAugust 3, 2026
Cash and debt contextQ1 2026 balance sheet showed about RMB12.4 billion cash and equivalents plus RMB141 million restricted cash, RMB6.2 billion total debt, and about RMB6.3 billion net cashH World Q1 2026 earnings releaseAugust 3, 2026
Dividend$2.11 annual dividend, 4.94% yield, ex-dividend May 4, 2026StockAnalysis.com statistics and dividend pagesAugust 3, 2026
Valuation math18.69x trailing PE, 15.07x forward PE, 3.50x sales, 8.26x book, 12.21x P/FCF, 8.19% FCF yield, 4.94% dividend yield, EV/EBITDA 12.81 from financial_rigor.pyStockAnalysis.com statistics and financial_rigor.pyAugust 3, 2026
Analyst consensusStrong Buy with an average target of $58.96 across 18 analysts, low $43.62 and high $65.35StockAnalysis.com forecastAugust 3, 2026
Analyst rating mix, July 202615 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, 0 Hold, 0 Sell out of 18 analystsStockAnalysis.com forecast recommendation trendsAugust 3, 2026
Short interest11.30 million shares short, 4.83% of shares outstanding, 5.94 days to coverStockAnalysis.com statistics short sellingAugust 3, 2026
Moving averages and momentum5-day MA near $42.57, 20-day MA near $41.67, 50-day MA near $42.97, 100-day MA near $46.81, 200-day MA near $47.02, RSI near 53, ADX near 21, ATR about $1.17Barchart and StockAnalysis.com technical snapshotsAugust 3, 2026
Recent corporate eventYanjun Sun appointed independent Director effective July 28, 2026; Jie Zheng resigned as executive Director effective May 15, 2026H World GlobeNewswire releasesAugust 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This HTHT AI stock analysis is an informational tool for research and education only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a guarantee of future performance. Forecast ranges are scenarios based on available data as of August 3, 2026 and can be wrong.