Starwood Reports Strong First Quarter 2008 Results

WHITE PLAINS, NY | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today reported strong first quarter 2008 financial results.

First Quarter 2008 Highlights

  • Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.44. Including special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.42.

  • Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $83 million. Income from continuing operations, including special items, was $79 million.

  • Total Company Adjusted EBITDA was $255 million.

  • Worldwide System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels increased 8.4% compared to the first quarter of 2007. System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels in North America increased 2.9%.

  • Management and franchise revenues increased 17.7% when compared to 2007.

  • Worldwide REVPAR for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels increased 9.7% compared to the first quarter of 2007. REVPAR for Starwood branded Same- Store Owned Hotels in North America increased 8.2%.

  • Margins at Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide and in North America were flat when compared to the first quarter of 2007.

  • Reported revenues from vacation ownership and residential sales decreased 16.8% when compared to 2007.

  • The Company signed 43 hotel management and franchise contracts in the quarter representing approximately 13,000 rooms.

  • During the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 6.1 million shares at a cost of $277 million.

Finance Finance

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St.