Jacobson's Highfields Takes Stake in Hilton, Adds to Marriott

By Publications Checkout
Jacobson's Highfields Takes Stake in Hilton, Adds to Marriott

Highfields Capital Management, the investment firm run by Jon Jacobson, bought a new stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings and added to its position in Marriott International in the second quarter.

The Boston-based firm purchased 21.4 million shares of Hilton for a stake valued at $482 million at the end of the second quarter, according to regulatory filing Monday. The purchase made the global hospitality company its sixth-largest US. public equity holding. The firm also added about 2.4 million shares in Marriott, bringing its stake to $612 million and making it the firm’s second-largest holding.

Highfields’ purchase of its stake in Hilton comes as executives foresee consolidation in the hotel industry. Jon Gray, global head of real estate for Blackstone Group, the largest shareholder in Hilton, said in June that he expects the industry will continue to consolidate as operators try to create efficiencies and capture customers. Marriott is in the process of merging with Starwood Hotel & Resorts Inc., which would make it the largest hotel operator. Hilton is also planning to spin off its real estate and timeshare business later this year.

Money managers who oversee more than $100 million in equities must file a Form 13F within 45 days of each quarter's end to list their US-traded stocks, options and convertible bonds. The filings don’t show non-US. securities or how much cash the firms hold.

News by Bloomberg, edited by Hospitality Ireland

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