Wyndham’s a Global Leader

Article Excerpt

WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE $17.85 (New York symbol WYN; SI Rating: Extra risk) (973- 753-6000; www.wyndhamworldwide.com; Shares outstanding: 177.5 million; Market cap: $3.2 billion) reports 2.9% higher revenues in the three months ended June 30, 2008, to $1.13 billion from $1.10 billion. Excluding one-time items, earnings per share rose 8.2%, to $0.53 from $0.49. Comparable revenue per available room rose 1.4%. In the latest quarter, results were boosted by strong growth from its international hotels, which offset weakness in the United States. Wyndham is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. It owns 6,560 franchised hotels plus various other vacation resorts, rental properties, luxury clubs and timeshares. The company’s diverse exposure to the hospitality industry also gives it more consistent cash flow than most hotel management companies. Wyndham expects earnings per share of between $2.18 and $2.32 this year. The stock now trades at just 7.9 times the midpoint of that estimate. Wyndham Worldwide is still a buy. buy…