Hyatt Profit Up In Q2

　　Hyatt saw its profit increase to US$39 million in the second quarter of 2012, up from US$37 million in the second quarter of 2011.

　　Hyatt Hotels Corp., Chicago, had its earnings boosted by stronger RevPAR in the second quarter, up 7.6% year-on-year. North American hotels saw an 8.7% RevPAR uptick, while international hotel RevPAR increased 3.8% year-on-year (8.5% excluding the effect of currency).

　　“Our second quarter results were strong, with adjusted EBITDA increasing over 19% compared to last year. RevPAR increased over 8% in North America as we experienced strong transient demand,” said Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt Hotels Corp. president and CEO. “Looking ahead, we are encouraged by recent trends in transient travel and positive group pace as compared to last year.”

　　Group rooms revenue at comparable North American full service hotels increased= approximately 6% in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, as a result of strong corporate revenue offset by slightly lower association revenue. Transient rooms revenue at comparable North American full service hotels increased approximately 10% in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, driven by strength from corporate customers.

　　“Hyatt has significantly less exposure to international markets than peers, close to 75% of rooms are in the U.S. — a positive in the near term, in our opinion,” David Loeb, an analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co., wrote in a note to investors. “Owned and leased RevPAR growth (in both constant and nominal dollars) also eclipsed our expectations. Fundamentals strong across the board.”