After the Daily Mail said that Blackstone (BX) has been approached by Chinese investors who are offering $45 per share for its controlling stake in Hilton (HLT), Wells Fargo said Blackstone's lack of Hilton stock sales in Q1 could be viewed as lending credibility to the report and may fuel investor speculation that a deal is actually being worked on. Wells added that the report implies a transaction might involve InterContinental (IHG), but the firm is skeptical that it would be an ideal fit for a such a deal. The firm has an Outperform rating on Hilton shares.

Truist analyst C. Patrick Scholes raised the firm's price target on Hilton to $209 from $199 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares after its Q1 earnings beat. The company reported "powerful" earnings earnings growth in spite of the "choppy" RevPAR macro backdrop, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Truist adds however that while it continues to view Hilton's business model as among the best-in-class, it is retaining its Hold rating as it sees the stock being "fairly valued at a premium valuation".

Macquarie raised the firm's price target on Hilton to $205 from $192 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares following what the firm calls "another strong EBITDA beat" in Q1. Management also increased its 2024 EBITDA guidance, notes the firm, which still awaits a better entry point.