InterContinental share price: Full-year results out

InterContinental Hotels Group Plc (LON:IHG) has this morning updated investors on its performance in 2014. Here are the highlights from the company statement with more to follow:

**Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, said:**
“2014 was an excellent year for IHG as we delivered against our long-term winning strategy for high quality growth. We achieved strong RevPAR performance of 6.1%, and our best net system size growth since 2009 of 3.4%, increasing our operating profit on an underlying2 basis by 10%.
We remain committed to reducing the capital intensity of the business and maintaining an efficient balance sheet with disposal proceeds received in the year of almost $400m and shareholder returns, including ordinary dividends, of over $1bn. We are proposing an increase in the total dividend for the year of 10%.

We expanded our brand portfolio and strengthened our position in boutique hotels, the fastest growing segment in the industry over the last five years, with the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. The first properties for our innovative, consumer focused, EVEN Hotels and HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts brands are now open. Significant growth milestones were achieved across our established brands as we continue to strengthen our scale positions in the most important global markets.

Looking into 2015, we face many macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, but are confident that our strategy for high quality growth coupled with the momentum in the business positions us well for continued strong performance.”
**Strong underlying financial performance**
– Strong annual RevPAR performance with global comparable RevPAR up 6.1%, led by 7.4% growth in the Americas. Q4 global comparable RevPAR growth of 5.1%, with 7.0% growth in the Americas.
– $23bn total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s system (up 6% year on year; 7% CER).
– Underlying2 fee revenue up 7% and operating profit up 10% driven by strong trading and enhanced productivity. Reported operating profit down 3% reflecting owned hotel disposals and 2013 liquidated damages.
– Group fee-based margin up 1.5%pts to 44.7%, benefiting from strong growth in our scale markets. We will continue to invest for long-term growth in developing markets in 2015.
As of 07:03 GMT, Tuesday, 17 February, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC share price is 2,588.00p.