Bank of America predicts this hotel stock will thrive due to the World Cup.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 16 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Bank of America Outlook: Bank of America has a positive outlook on InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), raising its price target to $156 and maintaining a buy rating, anticipating an 11% upside due to the World Cup boosting U.S. travel recovery next year.
Revenue Growth Projections: Analyst Kate Xiao estimates that the World Cup could increase IHG's revenue per available room (RevPAR) by 50 to 200 basis points, with expectations of improved performance in the Greater China market as well.
Strengthening Brand and Market Position: IHG's brand power is growing, supported by a larger loyalty program and a more comprehensive brand portfolio, which positions it favorably against competitors like Hilton.
Long-term Financial Potential: The company is expected to benefit from increased monetization opportunities through non-RevPAR fees, alongside a strong balance sheet that supports ongoing buybacks, contributing to a 13% increase in stock value in 2025.
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Analyst Views on IHG
Wall Street analysts forecast IHG stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IHG is 135.00 USD with a low forecast of 135.00 USD and a high forecast of 135.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
1 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 137.320
Low
135.00
Averages
135.00
High
135.00
Current: 137.320
Low
135.00
Averages
135.00
High
135.00
About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is a United Kingdom-based global hospitality company. The Company has a diverse portfolio of differentiated brands. With 20 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, which is a hotel loyalty program, the Company has approximately 6,600 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,200 properties. The Company’s brands include Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Garner hotels, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, and Ruby. Ruby brand operates approximately 20 hotels (3,483 rooms) in cities across Europe and has another 10 pipeline hotels (2,235 rooms).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
InterContinental Hotels Group's Brand Evolution and Market Position
- Brand Diversity: InterContinental Hotels Group boasts nearly 24 brands, including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, offering over 1 million rooms across 100 countries, showcasing its significant influence in the global hotel market.
- Market Presence: Approximately two-thirds of InterContinental's hotels are located in the Americas, with 866 hotels and over 200,000 rooms in Greater China, indicating a strategic focus on the rapidly growing Chinese market.
- Development Potential: The group has 2,300 hotels in the pipeline, planning to add over 340,000 rooms, reflecting its proactive response to future market demand and expansion intentions.
- Financial Context: With a market cap of $20 billion and a current stock price of $136.25, along with a gross margin of 23.06%, InterContinental demonstrates robust financial performance and sustained profitability within the industry.
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InterContinental Hotels Group Plans to Expand to 400 Hotels in India
- Expansion in India: InterContinental Hotels Group currently operates 50 hotels in India with another 80 under development, aiming to increase its portfolio to 400 hotels and over 12,000 rooms in the next five years, reflecting strong confidence and commitment to the Indian market.
- Sustained Growth Momentum: India has become a record growth engine for IHG with three consecutive years of record signings, indicating that strong domestic demand and favorable demographics will continue to drive the company's long-term growth ambitions.
- Brand Diversification: IHG's expansion in India includes multiple brands such as Six Senses, InterContinental, and Crowne Plaza, showcasing its comprehensive positioning across luxury, premium, and midscale segments, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- New Brand Launch: IHG plans to debut its Vignette Collection brand in early 2026, marking an expansion of its product line in the Indian market aimed at meeting evolving consumer demands and enhancing brand influence.
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