Starwood Reports Net Income of $40 million

Revenue Decreased 21% to $1.22 billion

. October 26, 2009

WHITE PLAINS, NY, October 22, 2009 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today reported third quarter 2009 financial results.

Third Quarter 2009 Highlights

Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.14. Including special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.22.
Adjusted EBITDA was $179 million.
Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $26 million. Including special items, income from continuing operations was $41 million.
Special items totaled a benefit of $15 million ($0.08 per share) and included impairment charges of $27 million which were more than offset by a $44 million tax benefit primarily related to hotel sales.
Worldwide System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels decreased 20.3% (down 17.6% in constant dollars) compared to the third quarter of 2008. System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels in North America decreased 19.7% (down 19.0% in constant dollars).
Management and franchise revenues decreased 15.2% compared to 2008.
Worldwide REVPAR for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels decreased 23.7% (down 20.7% in constant dollars) compared to the third quarter of 2008. REVPAR for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America decreased 24.0% (down 23.0% in constant dollars).
Operating income from vacation ownership and residential declined $47 million compared to 2008.
The Company signed 19 hotel management and franchise contracts in the quarter representing approximately 4,200 rooms.

Third Quarter 2009 Earnings Summary

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (“Starwood” or the “Company”) today reported EPS from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2009 of $0.22 per share compared to $0.62 in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding special items, which net to a benefit of $15 million in 2009 and a charge of $16 million in 2008, EPS from continuing operations was $0.14 for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $0.71 in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding special items, the effective income tax rate in the third quarter of 2009 was a benefit of 7.1% compared to a charge of 29.7% in the same period of 2008 primarily due to a $10 million tax benefit for the reversal of deferred taxes related to interest which is no longer deemed necessary.

Special items in the third quarter of 2009 totaled $15 million of net benefits ($0.08 per share) and included impairment charges of $27 million and restructuring charges of $2 million which were more than offset by a $44 million tax benefit primarily related to hotel sales.

Income from continuing operations was $41 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $113 million in 2008. Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $26 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $129 million in 2008.

Net income was $40 million and EPS was $0.22 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $113 million and EPS of $0.62 in the third quarter of 2008.

Frits van Paasschen, CEO said, “Over the past twelve months we have focused on cost containment and debt reduction, which positions us well to 'Own the Upswing'. Our increasingly fee-based, capital-efficient business model will grow as REVPAR recovers and as our pipeline translates into unit additions. Our owned hotels are skewed towards the high end and have been particularly hard-hit over the past twelve months, implying they are poised for a strong rebound as the world economy recovers. And with half of our hotels outside of the United States, we will benefit from secular growth in international markets.”

“With the $6 billion Sheraton Revitalization Program nearly complete, I can't think of a better time to aggressively re-launch the brand than into the early stages of an upcycle.”

Third Quarter 2009 Operating Results

Management and Franchise Revenues Worldwide System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels decreased 20.3% (down 17.6% in constant dollars) compared to the third quarter of 2008. International System-wide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels decreased 21.0% (down 16.0% in constant dollars). Worldwide System-wide REVPAR decreases by region were: 17.9% in Africa and the Middle East, 18.6% in Asia Pacific, 19.7% in North America, 22.1% in Europe and 31.3% in Latin America. Worldwide System-wide REVPAR decreases by brand were: Westin 17.9%, Sheraton 19.9%, Four Points by Sheraton 22.3%, Le Meridien 22.8%, W Hotels 22.9%, and St. Regis/Luxury Collection 23.2%.

Worldwide comparable company-operated gross operating profit margins declined approximately 400 basis points in the third quarter driven by REVPAR declines partially offset by continued cost-cutting efforts at the property level. International gross operating profit margins for comparable company-operated properties declined approximately 260 basis points, and North American comparable company-operated gross operating profit margins declined approximately 560 basis points.

Management fees, franchise fees and other income were $181 million, down $37 million, or 17.0%, from the third quarter of 2008. Management fees decreased 25.6% to $87 million and franchise fees decreased 15.9% to $37 million. The Company continued to work closely with its owner/partners to aggressively reduce costs, helping to minimize impact from the weak REVPAR environment.

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company signed 19 hotel management and franchise contracts representing approximately 4,200 rooms of which 15 are new builds and four are conversions from other brands. At September 30, 2009, the Company had over 350 hotels in the active pipeline representing over 85,000 rooms.

During the third quarter of 2009, 27 new hotels and resorts (representing approximately 5,200 rooms) entered the system, including the W Washington D.C. (317 rooms), the Sheraton Jinan (China, 410 rooms), the St. Regis Mexico City (189 rooms), the W Santiago (Chile, 196 rooms) and seven Aloft hotels in the United States. Eleven properties (representing approximately 3,000 rooms) were removed from the system during the quarter.

Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Venture Hotels Worldwide REVPAR for Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels decreased 23.7% (down 20.7% in constant dollars). REVPAR at Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America decreased 24.0% (down 23.0% in constant dollars). Internationally, Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotel REVPAR decreased 23.3% (down 17.1% in constant dollars). The Company's Latin America region was hard hit by H1N1 as REVPAR decreased 39.7%.

The Company's continued rigorous cost cutting programs helped mitigate the impact of sharp revenue declines during the quarter.

Revenues at Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America decreased 23.6% (down 22.6% in constant dollars) while costs and expenses decreased 14.8% when compared to 2008.

Revenues at Starwood branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide decreased 23.4% (down 20.4% in constant dollars) while costs and expenses decreased 17.1% when compared to 2008.

Revenues at owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels were $396 million when compared to $575 million in 2008.

Vacation Ownership Total vacation ownership reported revenues decreased 31.7% to $125 million when compared to 2008. With significant cost reductions, the core vacation ownership operating income declined $6 million. Originated contract sales of vacation ownership intervals decreased 35.7% primarily due to an overall decline in demand due to the current economic climate. The average price per vacation ownership unit sold decreased 21.9% to approximately $15,000, driven by a higher sales mix of lower-priced inventory, including a higher percentage of biennial inventory. The number of contracts signed decreased 17.1% when compared to 2008.

Selling, General, Administrative and Other Selling, general, administrative and other expenses decreased 9.7% to $102 million compared to the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the Company's focus on reducing its cost structure. A majority of the Company's cost containment initiatives have been completed and implemented during previous quarters, including identifying reductions across the corporate departments and divisional headquarters, for which the benefits are now being realized. These actions are expected to yield an annual run rate savings of approximately $100 million.

Asset Sales

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company sold two wholly-owned hotels for cash proceeds of approximately $96 million.

Capital Gross capital spending during the quarter included approximately $19 million of maintenance capital and $21 million of development capital. Investment spending on gross vacation ownership interest (“VOI”) and residential inventory was $18 million, primarily in Bal Harbour. The run rate of capital spending on development and investment capital has declined throughout the year as in-flight projects have been completed.

Balance Sheet At September 30, 2009, the Company had total debt of $3.362 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $155 million (including $42 million of restricted cash), or net debt of $3.207 billion, compared to net debt of $3.626 billion and $3.517 billion as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

At September 30, 2009, debt was approximately 70% fixed rate and 30% floating rate and its weighted average maturity was 4.3 years with a weighted average interest rate of 6.39%. The Company had cash (including current restricted cash) and availability under the domestic and international revolving credit facility of approximately $1.724 billion.

In January 2009, the Company and the IRS reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation pertaining to the tax treatment of the Company's 1998 disposition of World Directories, Inc. Under the proposed settlement, the Company expects to receive a refund of over $200 million as a result of tax payments previously made.

Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 EPS from continuing operations decreased to $0.98 compared to $1.60 in 2008. Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.50 compared to $1.71 in 2008. Income from continuing operations was $179 million compared to $299 million in 2008. Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $92 million compared to $318 million in 2008. Net income was $180 million and EPS was $0.99 compared to $250 million and $1.33, respectively, in 2008. Total Company Adjusted EBITDA, which was impacted by the sale or closure of 14 hotels since the beginning of 2008, was $546 million compared to $884 million in 2008.

Outlook

For the three months ended December 31, 2009: * Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $190 million to $200 million assuming: -- REVPAR decline at Same-Store Company Operated Hotels Worldwide of 9% to 11% (11% to 13% in constant dollars). -- REVPAR decline at Branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide of 12% to 14% (15% to 17% in constant dollars). -- Management and franchise revenues will be down approximately 8% to 10%. -- Operating income from our vacation ownership and residential businesses will be down $10 million to $15 million. If market conditions permit, the Company anticipates completing a securitization in the fourth quarter with cash proceeds of $125 million to $150 million.

  * Income from continuing operations, before special items, is expected to be approximately $32 million to $39 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 30%.
* EPS before special items is expected to be approximately $0.17 to $0.21.

For the Full Year 2009: Based on our third quarter results and our expectations for the fourth quarter, full year 2009 REVPAR at Same-Store Company Operated Hotels Worldwide declines 20% and REVPAR at Branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide declines 25%: * Adjusted EBITDA would be approximately $735 million to $745 million. * EPS before special items would be approximately $0.67 to $0.71. * Management and franchise revenues will decline approximately 15%. * Selling, General and Administrative expenses will decline approximately $80 million. * Operating income from our vacation ownership and residential business will be down $70 million to $75 million. * Full year depreciation and amortization will be approximately $345 million. * Full year interest expense will be approximately $235 million and cash taxes will be approximately $25 million. * Full year effective tax rate will be approximately 20%. * Full year capital expenditures (excluding vacation ownership and residential inventory) would be approximately $150 million for maintenance, renovation and technology. In addition, in-flight investment projects, including Bal Harbour, and prior commitments for joint ventures and other investments will total approximately $175 million. Vacation ownership and Residential, excluding the Bal Harbour project, is expected to generate approximately $150 million in positive cash flow, including proceeds from the Company's June securitization.

For the Full Year 2010: It is very difficult at this time to provide any definitive point of view on 2010. While business conditions have clearly stabilized, it is very hard to forecast the pace of recovery, especially rate. While group bookings have picked up for 2011 and beyond, booking pace for 2010 has continued to lag below 2009. And booking windows for both transient and group business have shortened considerably. As such, late breaking business is a larger component of what will drive our performance next year making forward looking predictions four quarters out particularly challenging. What we can provide are broad guidelines that we are using for internal planning purposes: * REVPAR at Same-Store Company Operated Hotels Worldwide flat to down 5% in local currency when compared to 2009. The REVPAR change in developed markets (U.S. and Western Europe) is likely to be at the lower end of the range and REVPAR change in emerging markets at the higher end of the range. If exchange rates remain at current levels, REVPAR as reported in dollars would be approximately 200 bps higher. Management and franchise revenue growth should be in line with worldwide REVPAR growth, with same store fee declines offset by fees from new hotels. * REVPAR at Branded Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide also flat to down 5% in local currency when compared to 2009. Since most owned hotels are in developed markets, the REVPAR change is likely to be at the lower end of the range. If exchange rates remain at current levels, REVPAR as reported in dollars would be approximately 200bps higher. Despite the Company's focus on productivity to help mitigate the impact from wage and general inflation, margins and EBITDA at owned hotels will likely be down year over year given anticipated REVPAR declines. * Flat originated sales in our vacation ownership business. Vacation ownership EBITDA will likely be down year over year due to lost interest income assuming we complete two securitizations in 2009. The Company expects to adopt FAS 166 and 167 at the beginning of 2010, which will impact the accounting for securitized timeshare loans. Assuming the consolidation of the existing portfolio of securitized loans, the company expects assets to increase by $225 million to $250 million and, liabilities to increase by $250 million to $275 million when compared to 2009. As a result of the accounting change, vacation ownership pretax earnings in 2010 are estimated to increase by $10 million to $15 million and EBITDA in 2010 is estimated to increase by $25 million to $30 million, but no change in cash flow is anticipated. * Modest increases to sales, general and administrative expenses due to adjustments in base and incentive compensation. * To the extent additional asset selling is completed before the end of the year and into 2010, EBITDA would have to be adjusted accordingly.

Special Items

The Company's special items netted to a benefit of $15 million (after-tax) in the third quarter of 2009 compared to a $16 million (after-tax) charge in the same period of 2008.

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