The Street's lodging estimates need to come down. The only questions in my mind are when (are they going to get it) and by how much. The analysts are still projecting positive EBITDA growth and flat EBITDA margins. Shall we take a look at some of the important factors affecting the lodging industry?
- Labor Costs - up Commodity Costs - up Energy Costs - up Airfares - up Airline Capacity - down Leisure Travel - down Domestic Economic Growth - stagnant World Economic Growth - slowing With these unhealthy trends where is the Street math? Lodging Analysts' 2009 EBITDA projections - up Lodging Analysts' 2009 EBITDA margins - flat
- What are you, on dope? Whatever these analysts are smoking should be banned. Sorry for the Fast Times at Ridgemont High reference but it was a good movie. The analysis from my posting last week showed that peak to trough EBITDA margins fell 850 bps during the last cycle. Sure we don't have 9/11 this time but most of the factors above were in much better shape back in 2002. I'm not suggesting we'll see that kind of drop next year but even a 3% drop in margins would be devastating to EBITDA and earnings.
- Per Reuters, consensus EBITDA projections for HOT, MAR, HST, and OEH show 2009 EBITDA and EPS growing at an average of 9% and 17%, respectively. Despite the factors listed above, these analysts are essentially projecting flat EBITDA margins. In a more likely scenario of a 3% drop in EBITDA margin, EBITDA and EPS would decline an average of 10% and 30%, respectively. These are big deltas from consensus. Look for some new Street math in the coming months.