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Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Study: This BMW Is The Most Satisfying New Car
View post: Toyota and Kia Will Love What Honda Just Did to the Odyssey's Price BMW owners are still a passionate bunch J.D. Power just released the results of its 2025 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which is a measure of how satisfied consumers are with their new vehicles. The study takes into account 37 attributes, including performance, technology, comfort, and personalization. This year, owners of 2025 model year cars were surveyed on how they felt about their vehicles after 90 days of ownership. Not only are brands ranked, but the different vehicle segments demonstrate some interesting winners. The highest-rated vehicle in the entire study comes from BMW, and while it's a vehicle many people love to hate, its owners are clearly smitten with it. BMW X6 Is The Most Satisfying Individual Model Yes, the coupe-style X6 that was a trailblazer for the sporty body style back in the 2000s is still massively appealing today. It was the X6 that launched the brand's sports activity coupe (SAC) moniker, a term that mostly goes right over the head of the average motorist. The X6's top ranking is based on the 2025 model, which received tech updates like a new hands-free driving assistant and improved navigation. That came after the more substantial 2024 update, when the X6 received fresh styling and a more powerful base six-cylinder engine. Despite not being as practical as the X5, the X6 benefits from similarly sharp handling and superb powertrains, topped by the 523-horsepower V8 in the M60i. There's still the mighty X6 M for those in need of more power, at the expense of some comfort. Impressively, the X6 is the top-rated individual model in the study for 2025 despite this generation of the SUV arriving back in 2019. BMW Is Most Awarded Automaker, But Porsche Tops Overall Brand Rankings It's not only the X6 that impressed in this year's APEAL study. The 4 Series, X1, and X4 also topped their segments, while the three-row X7 was a runner-up in the large premium SUV category. Looking at the BMW Group as a whole, the Countryman added another win for the company in the small SUV segment. In the premium brand rankings, BMW came third with a score of 881 out of a maximum 1,000 points. Only Land Rover (886) and Porsche (890) accumulated more points. In the premium sporty car and upper midsize premium car categories, Porsche emerged victorious with the 911 and Taycan, respectively. 2025 Porsche Taycan — Source: Porsche J.D. Power said that overall vehicle satisfaction increased by 4 index points compared to a year ago, and is also at the highest level since the study was redesigned in 2020. 'For three decades, the APEAL Study has tracked which new vehicles excite and delight owners the most,' said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. 'Manufacturers have made significant advancements that continue to redefine the vehicle ownership experience and have become more adept at translating innovation into meaningful customer engagement.' Although overall levels of satisfaction increased, the results do show that owners of new cars are less enthused with new vehicle technologies, especially infotainment menu complexity and setting up a new vehicle. BMW will be thrilled with the latest results, though, and this is also reflected on the sales charts, where the brand is handsomely outselling key rivals. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
30 Years of APEAL: All Vehicle Areas Improve for First Time in Nearly a Decade, J.D. Power Finds
Porsche (Premium) and MINI (Mass Market) Highest-Ranking Brands for Second Consecutive Year TROY, Mich., July 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New-vehicle owners today are more passionate about their vehicle than ever, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study,SM released today. Overall satisfaction is 851 (on a 1,000-point scale), an increase of 4 index points from a year ago and the highest level since the study was last redesigned in 2020. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The Insurance Savings You Expect Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You Scores in all 10 categories in the study improve compared with last year—an achievement for the industry that has not occurred in almost a decade. The gains are led by a 13-point improvement in satisfaction with fuel economy, followed by infotainment and interior, which each increase by 6 points. "For three decades, the APEAL Study has tracked which new vehicles excite and delight owners the most," said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. "Manufacturers have made significant advancements that continue to redefine the vehicle ownership experience and have become more adept at translating innovation into meaningful customer engagement. However, the study finds that owners of new models have lower levels of satisfaction with vehicle setup and startup—as well as infotainment systems—compared with owners of carryover models. This suggests that increasing technology and menu complexity remain persistent challenges for the industry." Now in its 30th year, the APEAL Study complements the annual J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) and the J.D. Power U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) StudySM by measuring owners' emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle. The APEAL Study asks owners to consider 37 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort they feel when climbing into the driver's seat to their exhilaration when they step on the accelerator. Vehicle owners' responses to queries about these attributes are aggregated to compute an overall APEAL Index score. Following are some key findings of the 2025 study: Premium brands outpace mass market brands in emotional satisfaction gains, led by Tesla: While emotional satisfaction among owners of mass market brands improves 2 points, it rises 11 points among owners of premium vehicles, largely driven by Tesla. The brand has achieved a year-over-year improvement of 20 points or more across all categories in the study, with the exception of powertrain (+6 points), which has consistently remained its area of greatest strength. Complicated technology derails owner satisfaction with new-model launches: Owners of carryover models express more emotional affinity for their vehicle than do owners of new-model launches (852 vs. 846, respectively) for a second consecutive year. Similarly, new models—which make up 14% of the industry this year—suffered from lower quality performance in this year's J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. Also, in this year's APEAL Study, the largest satisfaction gaps for launch vehicles are in vehicle setup/startup (via the app) and infotainment—gaps that are especially pronounced in the premium segment, where carryover models score 48 points higher for setup/startup and 26 points higher for infotainment. Satisfaction more consistent among ICE and hybrid owners: The study indicates that among new-vehicle owners, internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles deliver more consistent satisfaction, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) exhibit greater year-over-year fluctuations. Notably, satisfaction among owners of BEVs (860, excluding Tesla) drops 17 points from a year ago when comparing across fuel types, while PHEVs (855) improve 14 points. Customers indicate that PHEVs and hybrids hit the sweet spot for pleasing them with regard to fuel economy, range and charging speed. Individual user profiles boost vehicle appeal: Just over half (55%) of vehicle owners are creating individual user profiles in their vehicle—features that allow personalization of settings such as seat position and climate control. The study reveals that premium vehicle owners are adopting this feature at twice the rate of mass market owners, and that when profiles are set up, owners across both segments cite increased emotional satisfaction. Highest-Ranking Brands Porsche ranks highest among premium brands for a second consecutive year, with a score of 890. Land Rover (886) ranks second and BMW (881) ranks third. MINI ranks highest among mass market brands for a second consecutive year, with a score of 876. Dodge (868) ranks second and GMC (852) ranks third. Model-Level APEAL Awards The corporation receiving the most model-level awards (for models ranking highest in their respective segment) is BMW AG (five segment awards and highest-ranking model), followed by Hyundai Motor Group (four segment awards), and Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG, each with three segment awards. The complete list of award recipients is: BMW AG: BMW X6, BMW X1, BMW 4 Series, BMW X4 and MINI CountrymanHyundai Motor Group: Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Kia K4 and Kia K5Ford Motor Company: Ford Super Duty, Ford Mustang and Lincoln NautilusVolkswagen AG: Volkswagen Porsche Taycan and Porsche 911General Motors Company: Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Hummer EVNissan Motor Co., Ltd: Nissan Rogue and Nissan MuranoJaguar Land Rover Limited: Land Rover Range RoverToyota Motor Corporation: Lexus ESStellantis NV: Dodge Durango BMW X6 is the highest-ranking individual model. Kia K5 receives a model-level award for a fifth consecutive year. BMW X4, MINI Countryman, Land Rover Range Rover and Porsche Taycan each receive model-level awards for a third consecutive year. Hyundai Sante Fe and Ford Super Duty each receive model-level awards for a second consecutive year. See the rank charts and list of model-level award winners at The 2025 U.S. APEAL Study is based on responses from 92,964 owners of new 2025 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from June 2024 through May 2025 based on vehicles registered from March 2024 through February 2025. For more information about the U.S. APEAL Study, visit About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance. J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules: View source version on Contacts Media Relations Contacts Geno Effler, J.D. Power; West Coast; 714-621-6224; Shane Smith; East Coast; 424-903-3665; ssmith@
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verizon raises financial guidance for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS and free cash flow after strong Q2 performance
Delivers industry-leading wireless service revenue and grows customer base America's #1 network with the most mobility and broadband customers continues to extend its market leadership position Key 2Q 2025 Highlights Grew industry-leading wireless service revenue1 to $20.9 billion Expanded high-quality customer base, adding more than 300,000 net additions across mobility and broadband Increased Consumer postpaid phone gross additions, both sequentially and year-over-year Continued to take broadband market share with both fixed wireless access and best in class Fios offerings Deepened customer relationships with segmentation and innovative products and services like Best Value Guarantee, myPlan, myHome, My Biz Plan and the customer service transformation J.D. Power, for the 35th time, recognized Verizon for best wireless network quality2, and RootMetrics' 1H 2025 Awards named Verizon the nation's best, fastest, and most reliable 5G network3 NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), serving the most mobility and broadband customers in the U.S.4, reported strong financial performance and customer growth for second-quarter 2025. The company's diversified wireless and broadband portfolio, tailored to all market segments, and its diverse revenue streams continue to drive financial success. Verizon also made key moves to attract and retain customers in the second quarter with its 3-year price lock and free phone guarantee, and the industry-leading launch of AI-powered innovations for personalized customer service and an enhanced customer experience. Verizon will continue to focus on its three priorities of growing wireless service revenue, expanding adjusted EBITDA5 and generating strong free cash flow5 as it heads into the second half of the year with momentum. "Verizon's strong second-quarter financial performance reflects our high-quality, industry-leading customer base, our multiple growth paths, the success of our disciplined, segmented approach, and the inherent strength of our company,' said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. "Our unmatched and award-winning network combined with our financial strength enables us to continually innovate and enhance our products and services, empowering how people live, work and play. With momentum and a clear path forward, we are raising our full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA5, adjusted EPS5 and free cash flow5 as we move into the second half of the year and advance toward closing the Frontier acquisition." 2Q 2025 HighlightsConsolidated: Strong financial performance with significant increases in net income, adjusted EBITDA5, earnings per share (EPS) and cash flow EPS of $1.18 in second-quarter 2025 compared to EPS of $1.09 in second-quarter 2024; adjusted EPS5, excluding special items, of $1.22 compared to $1.15 in second-quarter 2024. Total operating revenue of $34.5 billion in second-quarter 2025, up 5.2 percent year-over-year. Cash flow from operations totaled $16.8 billion in first-half of 2025, up from $16.6 billion in first-half of 2024. Free cash flow5 was $8.8 billion in first-half of 2025, up from $8.5 billion in first-half of 2024. Consolidated net income for second-quarter 2025 was $5.1 billion compared to $4.7 billion in second-quarter 2024. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA5 was $12.8 billion in second-quarter 2025 compared to $12.3 billion in second-quarter 2024. Wireless service revenue1 in second-quarter 2025 was an industry-leading $20.9 billion, up 2.2 percent year-over-year. Wireless equipment revenue of $6.3 billion in second-quarter 2025, up 25.2 percent year-over-year. Verizon's total unsecured debt as of the end of second-quarter 2025 was $119.4 billion, compared to $117.3 billion at the end of first-quarter 2025 and $125.3 billion at the end of second-quarter 2024. The company's net unsecured debt5 at the end of second-quarter 2025 was $116.0 billion. At the end of second-quarter 2025, Verizon's ratio of unsecured debt to consolidated net income (LTM) was 6.4 times and its net unsecured debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA ratio5 was 2.3 times. Broadband: Verizon continued to take broadband market share by offering customers unparalleled choice and flexibility Delivered 293,000 broadband net additions in second-quarter 2025. Total fixed wireless access net additions of 278,000 in second-quarter 2025, growing the base to over 5.1 million fixed wireless access subscribers. The company is well-positioned to achieve the next milestone of 8 to 9 million fixed wireless access subscribers by 2028. Total broadband connections grew to more than 12.9 million as of the end of second-quarter 2025, representing a 12.2 percent increase year-over-year. Verizon is expanding its Fios footprint and remains on track to achieve 650,000 new passings in 2025. Verizon Consumer: Customer engagement with offerings fueled a 6.9 percent year-over-year increase in Consumer revenue, which reached $26.6 billion in second-quarter 2025 Consumer wireless service revenue in second-quarter 2025 was $17.4 billion, up 2.3 percent year-over-year. Consumer wireless retail postpaid churn was 1.12 percent in second-quarter 2025, and wireless retail postpaid phone churn was 0.90 percent. Consumer wireless postpaid average revenue per account (ARPA) of $147.50 in second-quarter 2025, an increase of 2.3 percent year-over-year. In second-quarter 2025, Consumer reported 51,000 wireless retail postpaid phone net losses compared to 109,000 postpaid phone net losses in second-quarter 2024. In second-quarter 2025, Consumer reported 50,000 wireless retail core prepaid6 net additions compared to 12,000 net losses in second-quarter 2024. In second-quarter 2025, Consumer operating income was $7.6 billion, an increase of 0.5 percent year-over-year, and segment operating income margin was 28.7 percent, compared to 30.5 percent in second-quarter 2024. Segment EBITDA5 in second-quarter 2025 was $11.2 billion, an increase of 2.1 percent year-over-year. These results were driven by improvements in Consumer wireless service revenue. Segment EBITDA margin5 in second-quarter 2025 was 42.1 percent compared to 44.1 percent in second-quarter 2024. Verizon Business: Strong execution increased operating income 27.6 percent year-over-year Total Verizon Business revenue was $7.3 billion in second-quarter 2025, a decrease of 0.3 percent year-over-year. Business wireless service revenue in second-quarter 2025 was $3.6 billion, an increase of 1.6 percent year-over-year. Business reported 65,000 wireless retail postpaid net additions in second-quarter 2025. This result included 42,000 postpaid phone net additions. Business wireless retail postpaid churn was 1.61 percent in second-quarter 2025, and wireless retail postpaid phone churn was 1.26 percent. In second-quarter 2025, Verizon Business operating income was $638 million, an increase of 27.6 percent year-over-year, resulting in segment operating income margin of 8.8 percent, an increase from 6.8 percent in second-quarter 2024. Segment EBITDA5 in second-quarter 2025 was $1.7 billion, an increase of 5.8 percent year-over-year. Segment EBITDA margin5 in second-quarter 2025 was 22.9 percent, an increase from 21.6 percent in second-quarter 2024. Outlook and guidance The company does not provide a reconciliation for certain of the following adjusted (non-GAAP) forecasts because it cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the special items that could arise, and the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Strong operational execution in the first half of 2025 coupled with favorable tax reform gives Verizon the confidence to provide the following updated guidance for the full year: Adjusted EBITDA5 growth of 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent. Adjusted EPS5 growth of 1.0 percent to 3.0 percent. Cash flow from operations of $37.0 billion to $39.0 billion. Free cash flow5 of $19.5 billion to $20.5 billion. In addition, for 2025, Verizon continues to expect the following: Total wireless service revenue1 growth of 2.0 percent to 2.8 percent. Capital expenditures of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion. Our 2025 financial guidance does not reflect any assumptions regarding the pending acquisition of Frontier. 1 Total wireless service revenue represents the sum of Consumer and Business segments. Reflects the reclassification of recurring device protection and insurance related plan revenues from other revenue into wireless service revenue in the first quarter of 2025. Where applicable, historical results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation. 2 Verizon is #1 for Network Quality in 4 regions (tied in the Southwest and North Central regions). Verizon has also received the highest number of awards in network quality for the 35th time as compared to all other brands in the J.D. Power 2003-2025 Volume 1 and 2 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Studies. Network Quality measures customers' satisfaction with their network performance with wireless carriers. For J.D. Power 2025 award information, visit for more details. 3 Based on RootMetrics® US National RootScore® Report 1H2025. RootMetrics conducts rigorous, independent, and scientific testing to provide a comprehensive view of network performance. For more information on the RootMetrics methodology and results, visit 4 Measurement is focused on retail connections and excludes reseller activity. Industry leading claims are based on publicly reported customer information or consensus expectations if results are not yet reported. 5 Non-GAAP financial measure. See the accompanying schedules and for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document to most directly comparable financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 6 Represents total prepaid results excluding SafeLink brand. Includes both phone and non-phone net additions. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon's world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit or find a retail location at VERIZON'S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit Forward-looking statementsIn this communication we have made forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the words 'anticipates,' 'assumes,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'forecasts,' 'hopes,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'targets' or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The following important factors, along with those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate, including the inability to successfully respond to competitive factors such as prices, promotional incentives and evolving consumer preferences; failure to take advantage of, or respond to competitors' use of, developments in technology, including artificial intelligence, and address changes in consumer demand; performance issues or delays in the deployment of our 5G network resulting in significant costs or a reduction in the anticipated benefits of the enhancement to our networks; the inability to implement our business strategy; adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies, including inflation and changing interest rates in the markets in which we operate; changes to international trade and tariff policies and related economic and other impacts; cyberattacks impacting our networks or systems and any resulting financial or reputational impact; damage to our infrastructure or disruption of our operations from natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, acts of war, terrorist attacks or other hostile acts and any resulting financial or reputational impact; disruption of our key suppliers' or vendors' provisioning of products or services, including as a result of geopolitical factors, natural disasters or extreme weather conditions; material adverse changes in labor matters and any resulting financial or operational impact; damage to our reputation or brands; the impact of public health crises on our business, operations, employees and customers; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks or businesses; allegations regarding the release of hazardous materials or pollutants into the environment from our, or our predecessors', network assets and any related government investigations, regulatory developments, litigation, penalties and other liability, remediation and compliance costs, operational impacts or reputational damage; our high level of indebtedness; significant litigation and any resulting material expenses incurred in defending against lawsuits or paying awards or settlements; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets affecting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of further financing; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; changes in tax laws or regulations, or in their interpretation, or challenges to our tax positions, resulting in additional tax expense or liabilities; changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; and risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, including our ability to consummate the proposed acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. and obtain cost savings, synergies and other anticipated benefits within the expected time period or at all. Media contacts:Katie Jamie Reconciliations - Consolidated Verizon Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (dollars in millions) Unaudited 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 3 Mos. Ended 3/31/25 3 Mos. Ended 12/31/24 3 Mos. Ended 9/30/24 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 3 Mos. Ended 3/31/24 Consolidated Net Income $ 5,121 $ 4,983 $ 5,114 $ 3,411 $ 4,702 $ 4,722 Add: Provision for income taxes 1,488 1,490 1,454 891 1,332 1,353 Interest expense 1,639 1,632 1,644 1,672 1,698 1,635 Depreciation and amortization expense(1) 4,635 4,577 4,506 4,458 4,483 4,445 Consolidated EBITDA $ 12,883 $ 12,682 $ 12,718 $ 10,432 $ 12,215 $ 12,155 Add/(subtract): Other (income) expense, net(2) $ (79 ) $ (121 ) $ (797 ) $ (72 ) $ 72 $ (198 ) Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated businesses 3 (6 ) 6 24 14 9 Severance charges — — — 1,733 — — Asset and business rationalization — — — 374 — — Legacy legal matter — — — — — 106 (76 ) (127 ) (791 ) 2,059 86 (83 ) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,807 $ 12,555 $ 11,927 $ 12,491 $ 12,301 $ 12,072 Footnotes: (1) Includes Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. (2) Includes Pension and benefits remeasurement adjustments, where applicable. Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) (dollars in millions) Unaudited 12 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 12 Mos. Ended 12/31/24 Consolidated Net Income $ 18,629 $ 17,949 Add: Provision for income taxes 5,323 5,030 Interest expense 6,587 6,649 Depreciation and amortization expense(1) 18,176 17,892 Consolidated EBITDA $ 48,715 $ 47,520 Add/(subtract): Other income, net(2) $ (1,069 ) $ (995 ) Equity in losses of unconsolidated businesses 27 53 Severance charges 1,733 1,733 Asset and business rationalization 374 374 Legacy legal matter — 106 1,065 1,271 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 49,780 $ 48,791 Footnotes: (1) Includes Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. (2) Includes Pension and benefits remeasurement adjustments, where applicable. Net Unsecured Debt and Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (dollars in millions) Unaudited 6/30/25 3/31/25 12/31/24 6/30/24 Debt maturing within one year $ 22,067 $ 22,629 $ 22,633 $ 23,255 Long-term debt 123,929 121,020 121,381 126,022 Total Debt 145,996 143,649 144,014 149,277 Less Secured debt 26,600 26,336 26,138 24,015 Unsecured Debt 119,396 117,313 117,876 125,262 Less Cash and cash equivalents 3,435 2,257 4,194 2,432 Net Unsecured Debt $ 115,961 $ 115,056 $ 113,682 $ 122,830 Consolidated Net Income (LTM) $ 18,629 $ 17,949 Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Net Income Ratio 6.4x 6.6x Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) $ 49,780 $ 48,791 Net Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio 2.3x 2.3x Adjusted Earnings per Common Share (Adjusted EPS) (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Unaudited 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 Pre-tax Tax After-Tax Pre-tax Tax After-Tax EPS $ 1.18 $ 1.09 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets $ 192 $ (49 ) $ 143 0.03 $ 219 $ (55 ) $ 164 0.04 Severance, pension and benefits charges — — — — 136 (34 ) 102 0.02 $ 192 $ (49 ) $ 143 $ 0.03 $ 355 $ (89 ) $ 266 $ 0.06 Adjusted EPS $ 1.22 $ 1.15 Footnote: Adjusted EPS may not add due to rounding. Free Cash Flow (dollars in millions) Unaudited 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 16,757 $ 16,569 Capital expenditures (including capitalized software) (7,953 ) (8,071 ) Free Cash Flow $ 8,804 $ 8,498 Free Cash Flow Forecast for Full Year 2025 (dollars in millions) Unaudited Revised Forecast Original Forecast Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Forecast $ 37,000 - 39,000 $ 35,000 - 37,000 Capital expenditures forecast (including capitalized software) (17,500 - 18,500) (17,500 - 18,500) Free Cash Flow Forecast $ 19,500 - 20,500 $ 17,500 - 18,500 Non-GAAP Reconciliations - Segments Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA Margin Consumer (dollars in millions) Unaudited 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 Operating Income $ 7,643 $ 7,604 $ 15,067 $ 14,976 Add Depreciation and amortization expense 3,582 3,394 7,125 6,703 Segment EBITDA $ 11,225 $ 10,998 $ 22,192 $ 21,679 Year over year change % 2.1 % 2.4 % Total operating revenues $ 26,648 $ 24,927 $ 52,266 $ 49,984 Operating Income Margin 28.7 % 30.5 % 28.8 % 30.0 % Segment EBITDA Margin 42.1 % 44.1 % 42.5 % 43.4 %Business (dollars in millions) Unaudited 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 3 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/25 6 Mos. Ended 6/30/24 Operating Income $ 638 $ 500 $ 1,302 $ 899 Add Depreciation and amortization expense 1,031 1,078 2,051 2,206 Segment EBITDA $ 1,669 $ 1,578 $ 3,353 $ 3,105 Year over year change % 5.8 % 8.0 % Total operating revenues $ 7,275 $ 7,300 $ 14,561 $ 14,676 Operating Income Margin 8.8 % 6.8 % 8.9 % 6.1 % Segment EBITDA Margin 22.9 % 21.6 % 23.0 % 21.2 %
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Best Hotel Chains For 2025, According To A New Report
A new J.D. Power report reveals the best hotel chains in 2025—based on real guest feedback from across North America. getty Looking for the best hotel chains in the U.S. and Canada? A highly anticipated annual report from J.D. Power reveals which brands are rising to the top in 2025—and what travelers really care about right now. J.D. Power is a trusted consumer research company that also ranks the best airlines, airports, rental car companies and more. In its 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, J.D. Power evaluates the performance of 102 hotel brands based on factors like food and beverage, guest rooms, facilities, staff service, value for price and more. Using the feedback from more than 39,000 guests, the chains are then ranked across nine key market segments—from luxury to economy extended stay. Compare this year's list to 2024 and 2023, when I also reported on the top hotel chains and emerging trends. 'J.D. Power's hotel research emphasizes the voice of the customer. That allows hoteliers to target performance improvement initiatives that can help increase guest satisfaction,' Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power. 'All this improves the bottom line. It also allows consumers to make an informed choice about which hotels and brands are doing well in delivering guest satisfaction.' One of the biggest trends this year? Despite record-high room rates—averaging $158.67 a night—hotel guests across North America say they're getting more value for their money. Even in the budget categories, travelers are feeling better about what they're getting for the price. Perceived value is up across all hotel segments, from economy to luxury. And the good news—hotel rates aren't expected to keep increasing. 'We're at an important inflection point in the travel marketplace where several years of record-high hotel demand and the pace of room rate increases is starting to slow,' says Stokes. Another big trend, according to the report: Guest satisfaction with hotel rooms is improving. Hotels are upgrading decor, furniture and bathrooms—and guests are noticing. 'Across many hotel segments, study results show improvement in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, which declined during the pandemic a few years ago,' says Stokes. Since the pandemic, J.D. Power has been advising hotel chains and hotel operators to re-start or initiate capital investments and renovations that have the greatest impact on guest satisfaction. 'Even less expensive investments, like upgrading in-room televisions to smart TVs with streaming capabilities or adding more accessible USB outlets, can make the hotel room feel modern and refreshed,' says Stokes. Another interesting find: Guests who use a brand's mobile app report significantly higher satisfaction—68 points higher, on average—than those who don't. The Top Hotel Chains For 2025 The J.D. Power report also ranks the top hotel brands in various segments based on guest satisfaction—and certain strengths stand out. 'The hotel brands with the highest overall guest satisfaction scores exceed segment competitors in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, staff service, the hotel facility and connectivity,' says Stokes. There are some familiar names on the 2025 list. 'Some brands continue to hover at or around the top of the list. In this year's study, in the nine categories, we have five brands that have consecutive wins,' says Stokes. 'Many different brands are performing well when it comes to delivering guest satisfaction, but some continue to excel more than others year after year.' Five brands earned repeat wins in their segments. Hyatt House leads the Upscale Extended Stay Hotels list for the fourth consecutive year. In the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay Hotels, Home2 Suites by Hilton tops the list for the third year in a row. Midscale's winner is Tru by Hilton for a third consecutive year. In the Economy division, Microtel by Wyndham takes the top spot for a second year. Finally, in Economy Extended Stay, WoodSpring Suites is the winner for the third year in a row. In the Luxury division, the top three hotel brands this year are the same as last year, just in a different order. Coming in at the top of the list is Ritz Carlton, followed by Waldorf Astoria at number two. Last year's winner—The Luxury Collection—lands in the number three spot. For Upper Upscale, Omni comes out on top, rising from the fifth spot last year. Hard Rock Hotels is at number two. Last year's winner, Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, is in the third spot. In the Upscale category, Drury Hotels is the winner (last year, Drury was classified as an Upper Midscale and won that division). This year, the top brand in the Upper Midscale division is Hampton by Hilton. Keep reading to see where various hotel chains ranked in the J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study for 2025. Ritz Carlton won the Luxury hotel division. Pictured here: Half Moon Bay on the Pacific Ocean Coastline. getty Ranked: Luxury Hotels The scores listed here are based on a scale of 1000. 1. The Ritz-Carlton – 779 2. Waldorf Astoria – 773 3. The Luxury Collection – 757 4. JW Marriott – 746 5. Four Seasons – 740 (tie) 5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – 740 (tie) 7. Loews Hotels – 730 8. Grand Hyatt – 722 9. W Hotels – 716 10. Destination by Hyatt – 70 11. Conrad Hotels & Resorts – 705 12. Fairmont – 692 Omni Hotels & Resorts took the top spot in the Upper Upscale category. Pictured: Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza in downtown L.A. getty Ranked: Upper Upscale Hotels 1. Omni Hotels & Resorts – 731 2. Hard Rock Hotels – 727 3. Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts – 716 4. Le Méridien – 713 5. Marriott – 711 (tie) 5. Westin Hotels & Resorts – 711 (tie) 7. Embassy Suites by Hilton – 710 8. Royal Sonesta – 708 9. Tapestry Collection by Hilton – 706 10. Hyatt Centric – 704 11. Hyatt Regency – 702 12. Canopy by Hilton – 701 13. Hotel Indigo – 700 14. Hilton Hotels & Resorts – 698 15. Curio Collection by Hilton – 690 16. Renaissance Hotels – 686 17. Kimpton – 684 18. Autograph Collection – 682 19. Sheraton – 681 20. Graduate Hotels – 678 Drury Hotels topped the Upscale category in 2025. Pictured: Drury Plaza Hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. getty Ranked: Upscale Hotels 1. Drury Hotels – 738 2. Best Western Premier – 713 3. Cambria Hotels – 703 4. Hilton Garden Inn – 701 5. Delta Hotels – 699 6. AC Hotels by Marriott – 693 7. Aloft Hotels – 687 8. Element – 686 9. Crowne Plaza – 684 10. Courtyard by Marriott – 681 11. DoubleTree by Hilton – 678 (tie) 11. Wyndham Hotels – 678 (tie) 13. Hyatt Place – 676 14. Sonesta Hotels & Resorts – 667 15. Ascend Hotel Collection – 665 16. Radisson – 663 17. SpringHill Suites – 661 18. Four Points – 651 19. Sonesta Select – 636 Hyatt House led the Upscale Extended Stay category for the fourth year in a row. Pictured: Hyatt House in downtown Redmond, Washington. getty Ranked: Upscale Extended Stay Hotels 1. Hyatt House – 705 2. Staybridge Suites – 680 3. Residence Inn – 679 4. Homewood Suites by Hilton – 673 Hampton by Hilton ranked first in the Upper Midscale category. Pictured: Hampton Inn property in Hornell, New York. getty Ranked: Upper Midscale Hotels 1. Hampton by Hilton – 694 2. Fairfield by Marriott – 678 3. Holiday Inn Express – 667 4. Best Western Plus – 665 5. Holiday Inn – 653 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – 646 7. Wyndham Garden – 643 8. Comfort Suites – 641 9. Comfort Inn – 631 (tie) 9. Trademark Collection by Wyndham – 631 (tie) 11. La Quinta – 625 12. Clarion – 618 Home2 Suites by Hilton took top honors in the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay category for the third year in a row. Pictured: Home2 Suites in Indianapolis. getty Ranked: Upper Midscale and Midscale Extended Stay Hotels 1. Home2 Suites by Hilton – 711 2. Candlewood Suites – 673 3. TownePlace Suites – 665 4. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham – 653 5. MainStay Suites – 620 6. Sonesta ES Suites – 611 7. Sonesta Simply Suites – 584 8. Extended Stay America – 558 Tru by Hilton led the Midscale category for the third consecutive year. Pictured: Tru by Hilton in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. getty Ranked: Midscale Hotels 1. Tru by Hilton – 723 2. Wingate by Wyndham – 656 3. Best Western – 646 4. Sleep Inn – 616 5. AmericInn – 608 6. Ramada – 589 7. Quality Inn – 583 8. Baymont – 575 Microtel by Wyndham claimed the top spot in the Economy category for the second year in a row. Microtel by Wyndham Ranked: Economy Hotels 1. Microtel by Wyndham – 619 2. Days Inn – 588 (tie) 2. SureStay – 588 (tie) 4. Howard Johnson – 584 5. Americas Best Value Inn – 576 6. Econo Lodge – 558 7. Super 8 – 546 8. Studio 6 – 540 9. Red Roof Inn – 533 10. Travelodge – 522 11. Motel 6 – 519 12. Rodeway Inn – 468 13. OYO – 386 Sanford, Florida, Woodspring Suites hotel exterior. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Ranked: Economy Extended Stay Hotels 1. WoodSpring Suites – 600 2. Extended Stay America Select Suites – 538 3. InTown Suites – 512 4. HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof – 492 5. Suburban Studios – 467 MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes How This Hospitality Visionary Is Rewriting The Rules Of Luxury Travel By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes The 20 Best Cities To Live In The World, According To A 2025 Report By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes 17 Of The World's Greatest Places To Visit In 2025, According To A New Report By Laura Begley Bloom
Skift
20-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Hotel Construction Volume Falls to 20-Quarter Low
CoStar said the volume of US hotel rooms under construction decreased year over year for a sixth consecutive month, down by almost 12%. The DJIA ended Friday down 142 points while Nasdaq was up 10, the S&P 500 fell close to a point, and the 10-year treasury yield was down .03 to 4.43%. Lodging stocks were mixed. We are back after a rare week of rest, and we have a lot of news to go through. Please be patient as we try to catch up in the next couple of days ahead of the start of earnings season. CoStar said the volume of US hotel rooms under construction decreased year over year for a sixth consecutive month, down by almost 12%. This is a 20-quarter low and a real difference from a year ago. CoStar said the impact of hotel demand trending downward, unrelenting economic uncertainty, and rising construction costs are contributing to this plunge. The majority of the rooms under development are in the Southern US states, most in secondary and tertiary markets. JD Power's 2025 Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index was released for North America. The top spot by segments included Ritz-Carlton for Luxury; Omni Hotels & Resorts for Upper-Upscale; Drury Hotels for Upscale; Hyatt House for Upscale Extended Stay for a fourth consecutive year; Hampton by Hilton in Upper Midscale; Home2 Suites by Hilton for a third consecutive year in Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay; Tru by Hilton for a third consecutive year in Midscale; Microtel by Wyndham for a third consecutive year in Economy; and in Economy Extended Stay, WoodSpring Suites was named at the top for the third consecutive year. Portman Holdings revealed that a new Marriott convention center hotel will be built in Cincinnati, just south of the Duke Energy Convention Center, expected to be one of the largest and highest-profile hotel developments in the region. The Marriott will open in 2028 with 700 rooms, more than 62,000 square feet of meeting space and a 17,445 square foot events terrace with group, business, and recreational travelers in focus. The convention district is undergoing a $828 million project, including $264 million to renovate the Duke Energy Convention Center, with the Marriott to be attached by a sky bridge. The REMI, Scottsdale, Autograph Collection will open on July 22nd in the heart of Scottsdale, AZ's Hospitality District. The boutique-style hotel will be operated by Crescent Hotels & Resorts and will include five dining destinations curated by Alliance Hospitality Group. TownePlace Suites by Marriott announced the grand opening of TownePlace Suites Bozeman West, a newly constructed 107-suite extended stay hotel located just outside Bozeman, Montana. The hotel is co-owned by Braxton Development and includes a bar and restaurant. Construction took 18 months. The AC Hotel Wichita Downtown opened in an Art Deco building that was once home to a Russell Stover candy shop. The renovations turned the 11-story building into a 118-room boutique hotel, the first AC Hotel by Marriott in Kansas. The hotel includes a fitness center, event space, lounge and kitchen offering breakfast in the morning and tapas and cocktails at night. Wichita's government insists it needs more hotel rooms. The Wichita City Council recently approved a 110-room downtown hotel development. Downtown Wichita believes it needs another 500 rooms. Excel Group purchased the Hampton Inn & Suites Coconut Creek and the neighboring Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Coconut Creek. The latest is the $21.17 million purchase of the 105-room Florida Coconut Creek Residence Inn. The seller was Coconut Creek Hotel M-RI, a partnership between Butters Construction & Development and Morlin Group. The same party had sold the Hampton Inn Coconut Creek to Excel as well for $17.28 million. Coury Hospitality said they assumed the management of Plunge Beach Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, on July 1, followed by Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle in Alexandria, VA on July 8th. Plunge Beach is a 163-room oceanfront boutique property, while the Residence Inn Alexandria is a 181-suite extended stay hotel. After many delays, New York's Waldorf Astoria is supposed to finally open in August. The renovation lasted nearly eight years and cost $2 billion. Hilton retains a long-term lease on the hotel. When it closed for renovation, it had 1,400 rooms with 372 private residences. It is now said to be a 375-room hotel and has 372 residences. The rooms and suites are expected to be some of the largest in Manhattan. The hotel's 43,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces will return on September 1. Hilton announced the signing of Spark by Hilton Ponce, marking the debut of the premium economy Spark brand in the Caribbean and Latin America. The 120-room hotel is expected to open in late 2025, owned by Ponce Resorts Inc. It will be managed by HI Development P.R. Corp. Azul Hospitality announced the addition of the Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs Downtown to its portfolio. The 168-room hotel is located in the heart of Colorado Springs' downtown with amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, and almost 5,000 square feet of meeting space, along with a rooftop bar that will open in the fall. HHM Hotels announced its 25th managed hotel in Florida, the 126-key Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa-Brandon. Dreamscape Hospitality announced it assumed management of three premium-branded hotels in Houston, Texas. The newly added properties include the Hilton Garden Inn Houston/The Woodlands; Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston NW at Beltway 8; and the Hyatt Place Houston/The Woodlands. The hotels are owned by New Horizons Hospitality. Separately, Dreamscape also announced it will assume management of Ambros Daytona, a boutique oceanfront retreat in Daytona Beach, FL. Hyatt Regency Times Square has opened, the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Manhattan. The property is owned by Argent Ventures and is managed by Highgate. The 795-room hotel includes an exclusive Mamma Mia!-themed guestroom. The show returns to Broadway on August 2nd. The newly reimagined Hyatt Regency Times Square noted that they have one of the largest hotel fitness centers in Manhattan. Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC, in partnership with Basis Investment Group, announced the opening of the Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center. The 184-room hotel is located steps from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel is operated and managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services. Later this fall, the hotel will unveil an all-weather rooftop bar and lounge. Aimbridge Hospitality has been selected to manage a new addition to Nashville's skyline. The 600-foot tower was developed by DAC Developments and will feature 53 floors, 400 guest rooms, 100 luxury residences and 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The full-service hotel will open at 319 Peabody in 2026 and will include a rooftop pool, multiple dining and retail outlets and more. Pendry Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with SomeraRoad and Trestle Studio, has officially broken ground on the Pendry Nashville and Pendry Residences Nashville. Slated to open in 2027 in the Paseo South Gulch district, the hotel will feature 180 rooms and suites along with 146 Pendry Residences. Sales for the Residences are expected to launch this fall. Additional partners of Pendry Nashville include JE Dunn Capital Partners and Clark Construction. Extended Stay America announced the opening of the Extended Stay America Select Suites Wildwood - The Villages. The hotel is located in Wildwood, FL, and was developed by Southern Hospitality. The 124-room property is the first to feature the Select Suites' new construction prototype. The Cambria Hotel Templeton-Paso Robles, franchised by Choice Hotels International, announced its grand opening in California's Central Coast. The Filipponi family locally owns the property in partnership with the principals of Pacific Templeton. The 132-room boutique-style hotel, which soft-opened in late June, is now officially open to the public. Pacifica Hotels manages the property. Ensemble Investments, LLC announced the completion of the $15 million-plus renovation and repositioning of the former Vintners Resort into Vinarosa Resort & Spa, a new hospitality offering in Sonoma County, CA's Russian River Valley. The 92-acre working vineyard property has been fully reimagined with a new vision, introducing elevated guest accommodations, a redefined arrival and lobby experience, enhanced culinary and wellness offerings, and more. Ensemble acquired the property in May 2023 in partnership with the Jackson family. JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group announced the $5.6 million sale of the Grand Eastonian Hotel & Suites, a historic 50-room hotel located in downtown Easton, PA, in the Lehigh Valley. JLL represented Nature Nurture Founding, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which sold the property to CanalHouse Hospitality Enterprises LLC. JLL also announced its Hotels & Hospitality Group sold the Clarion Hotel Airport, a 149-room hotel in Portland, Maine. JLL represented the seller in the transaction. Jamsan Hotel Management will manage the hotel for the new ownership group. Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of the 133-key SpringHill Suites Baltimore BWI Airport. A local investor acquired the property in a court-appointed receiver sale on June 24, 2025. The hotel was renovated in 2015. Hunter Hotel Advisors also announced the sale of the 139-key Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport. Nexgen Management purchased the property from an institutional seller on June 25, 2025. Finally, Hunter announced the sale of the 124-key Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral. Baywood Hotels purchased the property on June 26th for an undisclosed amount. HREC Investment Advisors announced it arranged the sale of the 126-guestroom Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon. An institutional buyer acquired the property. HREC exclusively represented the seller in the transaction. Alchemy Real Estate Advisors announced the sale and closing of the 100-room La Quinta Inn & Suites in Portland, Maine. Alchemy said they represented an institutional seller in the transaction with a private investor buying the hotel, sold through a competitive, traditional marketing process that generated multiple offers. White Lodging announced it expects to top out the 258-room Trinity Hotel, Autograph Collection hotel in Austin, Texas, by the end of the year, with a projected opening before the end of 2026. White Lodging owns or operates 12 other hotels and more than 220,000 square feet of meeting space in the Austin metro area. Personnel News Marriott International announced that Leeny Oberg will retire from the company on March 31, 2026, after 26 years with the company. Oberg is currently Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Development with MAR. Jen Mason, a 33-year MAR veteran, will assume the role of Executive Vice President and CFO when Oberg steps down. Mason is currently Global Officer, Treasurer, and Risk Management, and previously held the role of CFO of MAR's largest segment, US & Canada. MAR also said Shawn Hill will be Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Hill has been with MAR for nearly 28 years and is currently the Chief Development Officer for MAR's Asia Pacific Excluding China region. White Lodging announced the hiring of Noah Hoppe as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Jared Garner as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. Bruce Hoffmann, currently EVP and CFO, will transition to an Emeritus role to ensure an orderly transition over the next year. Hoppe joins White Lodging after spending nearly two decades with Hyatt Hotels, most recently SVP of Transactions. Garner joins White Lodging from Concord Hospitality, where he is the immediate-past General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He was previously VP, Legal for Radisson Hotel Group. Remington Hospitality announced the return of Lisa Carlson as Senior Vice President of Operations. Carlson originally joined Remington in 2022 as part of the company's merger with Chesapeake Hospitality.
