# Holiday Inn owner opens 443 hotels as sales grow despite ‘turbulent’ conditions

By Russ Mould — 2026-02-17

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “InterContinental Hotels has dangled two big rewards to get investors to check in with the business in the form of a double-digit dividend increase and substantial new share buyback.

“IHG’s ability to demonstrate generosity towards shareholders reflects a strong showing in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia which reflects a better-than-expected 2025 showing for the group as whole.

“It wasn’t all good news. Trading in the Americas was only a little better than flat and its Chinese business remains stuck in reverse.

“Overall, this was a solid showing from IHG, particularly given the softness in its largest market.

“The company will be hoping the World Cup can help revive a US tourist trade which has been affected by recent tensions across the Atlantic.

“Because InterContinental only owns a small proportion of its hotels and instead focuses on franchising and managing premises, it can generate strong margins and grow without employing lots of capital.

“The company is taking advantage of that flexibility as it develops a growing pipeline of new sites.”

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