Hyatt Hotels Corporation has lowered its full-year adjusted EBITDA forecast to the low end of its prior range of $1.09 billion to $1.11 billion after Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe damage on seven of its Jamaican properties. The Category 5 storm, the strongest recorded in the nation’s history, prompted property closures and event cancellations extending into late 2026. As a result, occupancy and food and beverage revenues at those locations are expected to decline by approximately 40% in fiscal 2025 compared with initial projections.

The company’s shares have relinquished a recent three-week advance, with trading volumes indicating growing pessimism among options traders. Short interest has risen by 1.3% in the latest reporting period, bringing the total to 6.14 million shares sold short—equivalent to 14.3% of Hyatt’s available float. The 50-day put/call volume ratio of 1.37 ranks above 97% of its annual readings, signaling elevated bearish bets, even as the Schaeffer’s Volatility Index sits near its lowest annual percentile, suggesting relatively subdued implied volatility expectations.

In a move to bolster its balance sheet, Hyatt finalized the sale of the real estate portfolio acquired from Playa Hotels & Resorts for approximately $2.0 billion to Tortuga Resorts. The deal includes an earn-out provision of up to $143 million if specified operating thresholds are achieved over the next two years. Proceeds are earmarked for debt reduction and reinvestment in high-growth pipeline projects across Asia Pacific and Europe, where the company targets to open 15 new properties by 2027.