HTHT - H World Group Limited Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

• A total of 9,394 hotels or 912,444 hotel rooms in operation as of December 31, 2023.
• Hotel turnover ¹ increased 55.0% year-over-year to RMB20.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding Steigenberger Hotels GmbH and its subsidiaries (“ DH ”, or “ Legacy-DH ”), hotel turnover increased 60.6% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased 65.9% year-over-year for the full year of 2023.
• Revenue increased 50.7% year-over-year to RMB5.6 billion (US$786 million) ² in the fourth quarter of 2023, surpassing the revenue guidance previously announced of a 41% to 45% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, and increased 57.9% year-over-year to RMB21.9 billion (US$3.1 billion) for the full year of 2023. Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB4.4 billion, which increased 59.0% year-over-year, exceeding the revenue guidance previously announced of a 48% to 52% increase.
• Net income attributable to H World Group Limited was RMB743 million (US$105 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB124 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and a net income attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB1.3 billion in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited was RMB4.1 billion (US$575 million) for the full year of 2023, compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB1.8 billion for the full year of 2022. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB827 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment of RMB84 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and a net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment of RMB1.4 billion in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB4.4 billion for the full year of 2023, compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment of RMB1.4 billion for the full year of 2022.
• EBITDA (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.4 billion (US$191 million), compared with RMB529 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2023 was RMB6.8 billion (US$961 million), compared with RMB164 million for the full year of 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), which excluded share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities from EBITDA (non-GAAP), was RMB1.3 billion (US$178 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB398 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.2 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2023 was RMB6.9 billion (US$966 million), compared with RMB610 million for the full year of 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA is a segment measure. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB1.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB397 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB6.8 billion for the full year of 2023, compared with RMB728 million for the full year of 2022.
• For the first quarter of 2024, H World expects its revenue growth to be in the range of 12%-16% compared to the first quarter of 2023 or in the range of 11%-15% excluding DH.
• For the full year of 2024, H World expects revenue growth to be in the range of 8%-12% compared to the full year of 2023, or in the range of 8%-12% excluding DH.
• For the full year of 2024, H World expects to open around 1,800 hotels and close around 650 hotels.

SINGAPORE and SHANGHAI, China, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT and HKEX: 1179) (“ H World ”, the “ Company ”, “ we ” or “ our ”), a key player in the global hotel industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, H World’s worldwide hotel network in operation totaled 9,394 hotels and 912,444 rooms, including 131 hotels from DH. During the fourth quarter of 2023, our Legacy-Huazhu business opened 460 hotels, including 4 leased and owned hotels, and 456 manachised and franchised hotels, and closed a total of 225 hotels, including 5 leased and owned hotels and 220 manachised and franchised hotels. As of December 31, 2023, H World had a total of 3,098 unopened hotels in the pipeline, including 3,061 hotels from the Legacy-Huazhu business and 37 hotels from the Legacy-DH business.

Legacy-Huazhu – Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023 Operational Highlights

As of December 31, 2023, Legacy-Huazhu had 9,263 hotels in operation, including 607 leased and owned hotels, and 8,656 manachised and franchised hotels. In addition, as of the same date, Legacy-Huazhu had 885,630 hotel rooms in operation, including 86,691 rooms under the lease and ownership model, and 798,939 rooms under the manachise and franchise models. Legacy-Huazhu also had 3,061 unopened hotels in its pipeline, including 9 leased and owned hotels, and 3,052 manachised and franchised hotels. The following discusses Legacy-Huazhu’s revenue per available room (“ RevPAR ”), average daily room rate (“ ADR ”) and occupancy rate for its leased and owned hotels, as well as manachised and franchised hotels for the periods indicated.

• The ADR was RMB284 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB240 in the fourth quarter of 2022, RMB324 in the previous quarter, and RMB232 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• The occupancy rate for all the Legacy-Huazhu hotels in operation was 80.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 66.2% in the fourth quarter of 2022, 85.9% in the previous quarter, and 82.2% in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Blended RevPAR was RMB229 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB159 in the fourth quarter of 2022, RMB278 in the previous quarter, and RMB191 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• For all the Legacy-Huazhu hotels which had been in operation for at least 18 months, the same-hotel RevPAR was RMB230 in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a 40.8% increase from RMB164 in the fourth quarter of 2022, with a 16.7% increase in same-hotel ADR and a 13.9 percentage-point increase in same-hotel occupancy rate.

Legacy-DH – Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023 Operational Highlights

As of December 31, 2023, Legacy-DH had 131 hotels in operation, including 84 leased hotels, and 47 manachised and franchised hotels. In addition, as of the same date, Legacy-DH had 26,814 hotel rooms in operation, including 16,303 rooms under the lease model, and 10,511 rooms under the manachise and franchise models. Legacy-DH also had 37 unopened hotels in the pipeline, including 21 leased hotels and 16 manachised and franchised hotels. The following discusses Legacy-DH’s RevPAR, ADR and occupancy rate for its leased as well as manachised and franchised hotels (excluding hotels temporarily closed) for the periods indicated.

• The ADR was EUR115 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with EUR122 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and EUR114 in the previous quarter.
• The occupancy rate for all Legacy-DH hotels in operation was 63.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 59.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 69.0% in the previous quarter.
• Blended RevPAR was EUR73 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with EUR72 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and EUR79 in the previous quarter.

Jin Hui, CEO of H World commented: “We finished the year with robust performance. Our Legacy-Huazhu’s 2023 RevPAR recovered to 122% of the 2019 level, driven by a strong demand for leisure travel and the continued recovery for business travel. While ADR growth was the key driver of the RevPAR recovery in 2023, the recovery of occupancy rate also improved sequentially throughout the year. Our ADR growth primarily reflected a combination of product mix change and product upgrades. Looking ahead, while continuing to execute our ‘Sustainable Growth Strategy' and carry through high-quality network expansion, we will put more emphasis on enhancing service quality and improving the guest experience to achieve 'Service Excellence'.”

“Regarding our business outside China, our Legacy-DH recorded 14.5% year-over-year RevPAR increase in 2023. Thanks to the continued business recovery and our cost control efforts, Legacy-DH achieved positive EBITDA for the full year of 2023. Looking into 2024, we aim to transform our Legacy-DH business to a more asset-light model, continue the focus on cost reduction and efficiency improvement, strengthen direct sales via H Reward global loyalty program, and seek growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East.”

Fourth Quarter and Full year of 2023 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB5.6 billion (US$786 million), representing a 50.7% year-over-year increase and a sequential decrease of 11.2% due to seasonality effects. Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB4.4 billion, representing a 59.0% year-over-year increase and a 14.3% sequential decline. The 59.0% year-over-year increase exceeds the previously announced revenue guidance of a 48% to 52% increase, which was mainly supported by our continued product upgrades and operational optimization via our regional headquarters, as well as our enhanced sales capability. Revenue from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.2 billion, representing a 26.6% year-over-year increase and a 2.2% sequential increase.

Revenue for the full year of 2023 was RMB21.9 billion (US$3.1 billion), representing an increase of 57.9% over the full year of 2022. Revenue from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 was RMB17.4 billion, representing a 63.7% year-over-year increase. Revenue from the Legacy-DH segment for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.4 billion, representing a 38.6% year-over-year increase.

Revenue from leased and owned hotels in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB3.5 billion (US$486 million), representing a 40.9% year-over-year increase and an 11.0% sequential decrease. Revenue from leased and owned hotels from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.3 billion, representing a 48.9% year-over-year increase. Revenue from leased and owned hotels from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.2 billion, representing a 27.6% year-over-year increase.

For the full year of 2023, revenue from our leased and owned hotels was RMB13.8 billion (US$1.9 billion), representing a 50.8% year-over-year increase. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu leased and owned hotels for the full year of 2023 was RMB9.5 billion, representing a 57.1% year-over-year increase. Revenue from our Legacy-DH leased and owned hotels for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.3 billion, representing a 38.5% year-over-year increase.

Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.0 billion (US$284 million), representing a 74.1% year-over-year increase and a 11.1% sequential decline. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu segment from manachised and franchised hotels in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.0 billion, representing a 76.3% year-over-year increase. Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels from the Legacy-DH segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB24 million, representing a 14.3% year-over-year decrease.

For the full year of 2023, revenue from manachised and franchised hotels was RMB7.7 billion (US$1.1 billion), representing a 74.7% year-over-year increase. These hotels accounted for 35.2% of revenue, compared to 31.8% of revenue for the full year of 2022. Revenue from our Legacy-Huazhu manachised and franchised hotels for the full year of 2023 was RMB7.6 billion, representing a 75.7% year-over-year increase.

Other revenue represents revenue generated from businesses other than our hotel operations, which mainly includes revenue from the provision of IT products and services and Huazhu Mall™ and other revenue from the Legacy-DH segment, totaling RMB116 million (US$16 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB98 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB142 million in the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, other revenue was RMB392 million (US$55 million), compared to RMB309 million for the full year of 2022.

Hotel operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB4.0 billion (US$563 million), compared to RMB3.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB3.6 billion in the previous quarter. The year-over-year cost increase was mainly due to our business recovery, as well as less rental reduction. The quarter-over-quarter cost increase was mainly attributable to an impairment loss of RMB362 million booked in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to RMB5 million impairment loss in the previous quarter. Hotel operating costs from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB2.9 billion, which represented 67.0% of revenue, compared to RMB2.4 billion or 88.7% of the revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.7 billion or 52.0% of revenue for the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, hotel operating costs were RMB14.3 billion (US$2.0 billion), compared to RMB12.3 billion for the full year of 2022. Hotel operating costs from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 were RMB10.5 billion, which represented 60.4% of revenue, compared to 86.1% for the full year of 2022.

Selling and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB326 million (US$46 million), compared to RMB169 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB289 million in the previous quarter. The year-over-year expense increase was mainly due to higher commissions and promotional expenses associated with business recovery. Selling and marketing expenses from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB202 million, which represented 4.6% of revenue, compared to RMB88 million or 3.2% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022, and RMB177 million or 3.5% of revenue in the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, selling and marketing expenses were RMB1.1 billion (US$151 million), compared to RMB613 million for the full year of 2022. Selling and marketing expenses from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 were RMB649 million, which represented 3.7% of revenue, compared to RMB336 million or 3.2% of revenue for the full year of 2022.

General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB644 million (US$91 million), compared to RMB440 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB539 million in the previous quarter. The year-over-year expense increases were mainly attributable to higher headquarters personnel costs along with our business recovery. General and administrative expenses from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB484 million, which represented 11.0% of revenue, compared to RMB320 million or 11.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB417 million or 8.2% for the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, general and administrative expenses were RMB2.1 billion (US$294 million), compared to RMB1.7 billion for the full year of 2022. General and administrative expenses from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 were RMB1.6 billion, which represented 9.0% of revenue, compared to RMB1.3 billion or 11.8% of revenue for the full year of 2022.

Pre-opening expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were primarily related to the Legacy-Huazhu segment and totaled RMB3 million, compared to RMB14 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB11 million in the previous quarter. The decrease was attributable to more selective openings of leased and owned hotels.

Pre-opening expenses for the full year of 2023 were RMB35 million (US$5 million), compared to RMB95 million for the full year of 2022. Pre-opening expenses from Legacy-Huazhu as a percentage of revenue were 0.2% for the full year of 2023, compared to 0.9% for the full year of 2022.

Other operating income, net in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB155 million (US$22 million), compared to RMB276 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB80 million in the previous quarter.

Other operating income, net for the full year of 2023 was RMB404 million (US$57 million), compared to RMB549 million for the full year of 2022.

Income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB757 million (US$106 million), compared to losses from operations of RMB93 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and income from operations of RMB1.9 billion in the previous quarter. Income from operations from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB821 million, compared to losses from operations of RMB3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and income from operations of RMB1.9 billion in the previous quarter. The Legacy-DH segment had losses from operations of RMB64 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to losses from operations of RMB90 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and income from operations of RMB3 million in the previous quarter.

Income from operations for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.7 billion (US$662 million), compared to losses from operation of RMB294 million for the full year of 2022. Income from operations from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.9 billion, compared to RMB51 million for the full year of 2022. Loss from operations from Legacy-DH for the full year of 2023 was RMB185 million, compared to losses of RMB345 million for the full year of 2022.

Operating margin, defined as income from operations as a percentage of revenue, was 13.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a negative 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 30.4% for the previous quarter. Operating margin from the Legacy-Huazhu segment in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 18.7%, compared with a negative 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 37.3% in the previous quarter.

Operating margin for the full year of 2023 was 21.5%, compared with a negative 2.1% for the full year of 2022. Operating margin from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 was 28.1%, compared with 0.5% for the full year of 2022.

Other income, net in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2 million, compared to an expense of RMB65 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and an income of RMB24 million for the previous quarter.

Other income, net for the full year of 2023 was RMB573 million (US$81 million) which was mainly due to gains from selling Accor shares, compared to RMB10 million for the full year of 2022.

Gains from fair value changes of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB124 million (US$18 million), compared to gains of RMB140 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and losses of RMB9 million in the previous quarter. Gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities mainly represent the unrealized gains (losses) from our investment in equity securities with readily determinable fair values.

For the full year of 2023, gains from fair value changes of equity securities were RMB109 million (US$15 million), compared to losses of RMB359 million for the full year of 2022, which were mainly due to gains from fair value changes of UBOX in 2023 as well as losses from holding Accor shares in 2022. We sold all of the Company’s holdings of Accor shares in March 2023.

Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB281 million (US$39 million), compared to RMB203 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB421 million in the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, income tax expense was RMB1.2 billion (US$168 million), compared to RMB207 million for the full year of 2022.

Net income attributable to H World Group Limited in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB743 million (US$105 million), compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB124 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net income attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB1.3 billion in the previous quarter. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB827 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment of RMB84 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net income attributable to H World Group Limited from the Legacy-Huazhu segment of RMB1.4 billion in the previous quarter.

Net income attributable to H World Group Limited for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.1 billion (US$575 million), compared with a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB1.8 billion for the full year of 2022. Net income attributable to H World Group Limited from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 was RMB4.4 billion, compared to a net loss attributable to H World Group Limited of RMB1.4 billion for the full year of 2022.

EBITDA (non-GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.4 billion (US$191 million), compared with RMB529 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP), which excluded share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities from EBITDA (non-GAAP), was RMB1.3 billion (US$178 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB398 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.2 billion in the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA from the Legacy-Huazhu segment, which is a segment measure, was RMB1.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with RMB397 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.1 billion in the previous quarter.

EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2023 was RMB6.8 billion (US$961 million), compared to RMB164 million for the full year of 2022. Excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the full year of 2023 was RMB6.9 billion (US$966 million), compared with RMB610 million for the full year of 2022. The adjusted EBITDA from Legacy-Huazhu for the full year of 2023 was RMB6.8 billion, compared with RMB728 million for the full year of 2022.

Cash flow. Operating cash inflow in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.4 billion (US$339 million). Investing cash outflow in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB277 million (US$38 million). Financing cash outflow in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB744 million (US$105 million).

Operating cash inflow for the full year of 2023 was RMB7.7 billion (US$1.1 billion), compared to RMB1.6 billion for the full year of 2022. Investing cash outflow for the full year of 2023 was RMB1.5 billion (US$207 million), compared to RMB522 million for the full year of 2022. Financing cash outflow for the full year of 2023 was RMB3.7 billion (US$523 million), compared to RMB1.4 billion for the full year of 2022.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a total balance of cash and cash equivalents of RMB6.9 billion (US$978 million) and restricted cash of RMB764 million (US$108 million).

Debt financing. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a total debt and net cash balance of RMB5.3 billion (US$749 million) and RMB2.4 billion (US$337 million), respectively; the unutilized credit facility available to the Company was RMB2.8 billion.

Guidance
For the first quarter of 2024, H World expects its revenue growth to be in the range of 12%-16% compared to the first quarter of 2023, or in the range of 11%-15% excluding DH.

For the full year of 2024, H World expects revenue growth to be in the range of 8%-12% compared to the full year of 2023, or in the range of 8%-12% excluding DH.

For the full year of 2024, H World expects to open around 1,800 hotels and close around 650 hotels.

The above forecast reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call
H World’s management will host a conference call at 9 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (9 a.m. Hong Kong time on Thursday, March 21, 2024) following the announcement.

To join by phone, all participants must pre-register this conference call using the Participant Registration link of https://register.vevent.com/register/BI6c40e138e35f49faab0334b5e7db2048 . Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers, conference call passcode and a unique access PIN.

A live webcast of the call can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/55zwtf8m or the Company’s website at https://ir.hworld.com/news-and-events/events-calendar .

A replay of the conference call will be available for twelve months from the date of the conference at the Company’s website, https://ir.hworld.com/news-and-events/events-calendar .

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial results presented in accordance with U.S. Generally-Accepted Accounting Principles (“ GAAP ”), the Company uses the following non-GAAP measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”): adjusted net income (loss) attributable to H World Group Limited excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities; adjusted basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share/ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Company performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities that may not be indicative of Company operating performance. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Company performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to the Company’s historical performance. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are also useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used regularly by Company management in financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures excluding share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities is that share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities have been and may continue to be significant and recurring in the Company’s business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company believes that EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess the operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes, given the significant investments that the Company has made in leasehold improvements, depreciation and amortization expense that comprise a significant portion of the Company’s cost structure. In addition, the Company believes that EBITDA is widely used by other companies in the lodging industry and may be used by investors as a measure of financial performance. The Company believes that EBITDA information provides investors with a useful tool for comparability between periods because it excludes depreciation and amortization expense attributable to capital expenditures. The Company also uses adjusted EBITDA to assess operating results of its hotels in operation. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities helps facilitate year-over-year comparisons of the results of operations as the share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities may not be indicative of Company operating performance.

The Company believes that gains and losses from changes in fair value of equity securities are generally less significant in understanding the Company’s reported results or evaluating the economic performance of its businesses. These gains and losses have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility in reported periodic earnings.

Therefore, the Company believes adjusted EBITDA more closely reflects the financial performance capability of our hotels. The presentation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains considered to be outside the ordinary course of business.

The use of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets (including land use rights), income tax, interest expense and interest income have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of EBITDA. Share-based compensation expenses and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of the results. The Company compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of depreciation and amortization, interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, share-based compensation expenses, and gains (losses) from fair value changes of equity securities and other relevant items both in the reconciliations to the U.S. GAAP financial measures and in the consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating the performance of the Company.

The terms EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and neither EBITDA nor adjusted EBITDA is a measure of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing the operating and financial performance, investors should not consider these data in isolation or as a substitute for the Company’s net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the Company’s EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA in the same manner as the Company does.

Reconciliations of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release.

About H World Group Limited
Originated in China, H World Group Limited is a key player in the global hotel industry. As of December 31, 2023, H World operated 9,394 hotels with 912,444 rooms in operation in 18 countries. H World’s brands include Hi Inn, Elan Hotel, HanTing Hotel, JI Hotel, Starway Hotel, Orange Hotel, Crystal Orange Hotel, Manxin Hotel, Madison Hotel, Joya Hotel, Blossom House, Ni Hao Hotel, CitiGO Hotel, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, MAXX, Jaz in the City, IntercityHotel, Zleep Hotels, Steigenberger Icon and Song Hotels. In addition, H World also has the rights as master franchisee for Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles, and co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel, in the pan-China region.

H World’s business includes leased and owned, manachised and franchised models. Under the lease and ownership model, H World directly operates hotels typically located on leased or owned properties. Under the manachise model, H World manages manachised hotels through the on-site hotel managers that H World appoints, and H World collects fees from franchisees. Under the franchise model, H World provides training, reservations and support services to the franchised hotels, and collects fees from franchisees but does not appoint on-site hotel managers. H World applies a consistent standard and platform across all of its hotels. As of December 31, 2023, H World operates 11 percent of its hotel rooms under the lease and ownership model, and 89 percent under the manachise and franchise model.

For more information, please visit H World’s website: https://ir.hworld.com .

Safe Harbor Statement Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information in this release contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Such factors and risks include our anticipated growth strategies; our future results of operations and financial condition; economic conditions; the regulatory environment; our ability to attract and retain customers and leverage our brands; trends and competition in the lodging industry; the expected growth of demand for lodging; and other factors and risks detailed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, which may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “forecast,” “project” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Readers should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or results.

H World undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

—Financial Tables and Operational Data Follow—

Operating Results: Legacy-Huazhu ⁽¹⁾