H World Group Stock Is Up 49% in a Year: Why a Conviction Buy Has Emerged
Key Points
Singapore-based Serenity Capital Management increased its holding in HTHT by 710,431 shares.
The overall position value increased by about $30.7 million from the previous period.
As of September 30, the fund reported holding nearly 1.3 million HTHT shares valued at $49.8 million, making it the fund's fourth-largest holding.
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Singapore-based Serenity Capital Management disclosed a significant buy of H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT), increasing its stake by 710,431 shares last quarter and contributing to a value change of approximately $30.7 million from the previous period.
What Happened
According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated November 13, Singapore-based Serenity Capital Management increased its position in H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) by 710,431 shares during the most recent quarter. The fund’s total holding in the company rose to nearly 1.3 million shares, reflecting a post-trade value of $49.8 million. The increase accounted for approximately 6.3% of the fund’s total reportable AUM.
What Else to Know
The buy lifted H World Group Limited to 12.7% of the fund’s AUM, ranking as the fourth-largest holding after the filing.
Top holdings after the filing:
- NASDAQ: BZ: $117.6 million (29.9% of AUM)
- NYSE: ZTO: $97.1 million (24.6% of AUM)
- NYSE: TAL: $53 million (13.4% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: HTHT: $49.8 million (12.6% of AUM)
- NYSE: EDU: $34.9 million (8.8% of AUM)
As of Friday, shares were priced at $48.95, up 49% over the past year and well outperforming the S&P 500's 16.5% gain in the same period.
Company Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | $15.1 billion |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.4 billion |
| Net Income (TTM) | $534 million |
| Dividend Yield | 3.7% |
Company Snapshot
- H World Group Limited operates a diversified portfolio of hotel brands, including HanTing, JI Hotel, Orange Hotel, and Steigenberger, spanning economy to upscale segments.
- The company generates revenue primarily through leased and owned hotels, as well as manachised and franchised operations, leveraging brand scale and operational efficiency.
- It serves a broad spectrum of travelers in China and internationally, with over 12,700 hotels.
H World Group Limited is a leading hotel operator in China. The company’s strategy centers on expanding its network through a mix of direct ownership and asset-light franchising, which supports scalable growth and margin expansion. With a strong presence in the domestic market and a growing international footprint, H World Group leverages brand diversity and operational expertise to maintain a competitive edge in the hospitality sector.
Foolish Take
After collapsing more than 55% from its 2021 peak, H World Group has quietly rebuilt earnings power through scale, cost discipline, and an aggressive shift toward an asset-light model. That is the kind of reset long-term investors look for.
The latest quarter supports that view. Revenue rose 8.1% year over year to about $978 million, beating guidance, while manachised and franchised revenue jumped more than 27%, reinforcing the strategy of expanding margins without tying up capital. Non-GAAP EBITDA held steady at roughly $346 million, and operating margins improved to nearly 30%, a meaningful signal of operating leverage as growth resumes. The hotel network now spans more than 12,700 locations, with a pipeline of roughly 2,700 additional hotels that supports multi-year visibility.
Within the portfolio, this position sits behind larger logistics and internet holdings, but it stands out as a reopening and domestic consumption play with improving fundamentals rather than pure multiple expansion. Shares may still sit about 20% below pre-crackdown highs, but the balance sheet, earnings mix, and growth model are far healthier today.
Glossary
Assets Under Management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a fund or firm.
Reportable Assets: The portion of a fund's assets required to be disclosed in regulatory filings.
Position: The amount of a particular security or investment held by an individual or institution.
Dividend Yield: Annual dividends paid by a company divided by its share price, expressed as a percentage.
Forward Price-to-Earnings Ratio: A valuation metric comparing a company's current share price to its forecasted earnings per share.
Trailing Twelve Months (TTM): The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Manachised: A hotel management model combining management and franchising, where the brand manages franchised properties for owners.
Asset-light Franchising: A business strategy focusing on franchising rather than owning physical assets, reducing capital requirements.
Operational Efficiency: The ability of a company to deliver products or services cost-effectively while maintaining quality.
Margin Expansion: An increase in the difference between revenue and costs, leading to higher profitability.
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Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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