=Marriott (MAR) reported earnings on Mon 8 May 2017 (a/h)

(Reuters) - Marriott International Inc, the world's largest hotel chain, reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, driven by higher room rates and occupancy.

The hotel chain, which owns the Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis luxury hotel brands, said it expects revenue per available room (revPAR), a key metric that measures hotel health, to rise 1-3 percent this year, up from its previous forecast of 0.5 to 2.5 percent.

RevPAR is calculated by multiplying a hotel's average daily room rate by its occupancy rate.

"RevPAR exceeded our expectations in North America and Europe due to stronger group attendance and higher-rated business transient demand," Chief Executive Arne Sorenson said in a statement.

Marriott's North American and worldwide systemwide RevPAR rose 3.1 percent, in the first quarter ended March 31.

The company, whose brands also include the JW Marriott, Autograph and Courtyard, said its room rates edged up 0.6 percent while occupancy increased 1.7 percent.

Net income rose to $365 million, or 94 cents per share, in the quarter, from $219 million, or 85 cents per share, a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, the company earned $1.01 per share, beating estimates of 91 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Total revenue for the company rose 47.4 percent to $5.56 billion.

Up to Monday's close, shares of the Bethesda, Maryland-based company had risen 16.6 percent this year. 

=Marriott (MAR) reported Q1 earnings on Wed 27 Apr 2016 (a/h)

Marriott beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q2 EPS below consensus; raises FY16 EBITDA slightly; acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (HOT) is on track to close mid-2016.  :

• Reports Q1 (Mar) earnings of $0.87 per share, excluding non-recurring items,$0.03 better than the Capital IQ Consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 7.4% year/year to $3.77 bln vs the $3.67 bln Capital IQ Consensus. 
  • North American comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR rose 2.4 percent in the first quarter; on a constant dollar basis, worldwide comparable systemwide RevPAR rose 2.6 percent in the first quarter; the co's adjusted operating income margin increased to 52 percent compared to 48 percent in the year-ago quarter.
• Co issues downside guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.96-1.00 vs. $1.02 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate. For the 2016 second quarter, the company expects comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 3 to 5 percent in North America, 2 to 4 percent outside North America and 3 to 5 percent worldwide.
• For full year 2016, the company expects comparable systemwide RevPAR on a constant dollar basis will increase 3 to 5 percent in North America, outside North America and worldwide. The company estimates that incentive fees for the full year will include $9 million of unfavorable foreign exchange. Not including the impact of the Starwood transaction, the company expects full year 2016 operating income could total $1,520 million to $1,585 million, a 13 to 17 percent increase year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA could total $1,900 million to $1,965 million (up from $1.885-1.95 bln), an 11 to 14 percent increase year-over-year.