Financial Information

PART II

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

International includes properties, regardless of brand, that are located outside the United States and Canada.

2015 Compared to 2014

In 2015, across our International regions we added 70 properties (16,490 rooms) and 20 properties (2,110 rooms) left our system.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, RevPAR for comparable systemwide international properties increased by 5.1 percent to $124.13, occupancy for these properties increased by 2.1 percentage points to 72.5 percent, and average daily rates increased by 2.1 percent to $171.20. See “Business and Overview” for a discussion of trends in the various International regions.

The $3 million decrease in segment profits in 2015, compared to 2014, consisted of $12 million of lower gains and other income, net, $9 million of lower equity in earnings, $6 million of lower incentive management fees, and $4 million of higher general, administrative, and other expenses, partially offset by $18 million of higher base management and franchise fees, $8 million of higher owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses, and $2 million of lower depreciation, amortization, and other expense.

Base management and franchise fees increased due to stronger RevPAR, driven by both occupancy and rate, and unit growth, partially offset by the impact of $16 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Lower incentive management fees reflected $15 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by higher net house profit at managed hotels and unit growth.

Higher owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses largely reflected favorable operating results at several of our properties, including $4 million of lower lease payments for properties that moved to managed, franchised, or left our system, and $7 million of increased termination fees, partially offset by $4 million in lower branding fees, and $2 million from a property that converted to managed.

Lower depreciation, amortization, and other expense was driven by amortization true-ups and lower depreciation from an International property sold in 2015, partially offset by $5 million of higher depreciation at several of our leased properties.

General, administrative, and other expenses increased primarily due to higher costs for branding and service initiatives to grow our brands globally.

Lower gains and other income, net primarily reflected an $11 million loss on the sale of an International property discussed in Footnote No. 3, “Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

Lower equity in earnings reflected an unfavorable variance to a $9 million benefit recorded in 2014 for two of our International investments, following the reversal of their liabilities associated with a tax law change in a country in which they operate, and a $6 million impairment charge relating to an International joint venture, partially offset by a $5 million benefit recorded in 2015 following an adjustment to an International investee's liabilities.

Cost reimbursements revenue and expenses for our International properties totaled $1,282 million in 2015, compared to $1,305 million in 2014.

2014 Compared to 2013

In 2014, across our International regions we added 170 properties (26,737 rooms) and 16 properties (3,130 rooms) left our system.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, RevPAR for comparable systemwide international properties increased by 5.1 percent to $133.37, occupancy for these properties increased by 2.0 percentage points to 71.9 percent, and average daily rates increased by 2.1 percent to $185.39. See “Business and Overview” for a discussion of results in the various International regions.

The $67 million increase in segment profits in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily consisted of $22 million in higher incentive management fees, $21 million of higher base management and franchise fees, $17 million of higher equity in earnings, and $11 million of higher owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses, partially offset by $6 million higher general, administrative, and other expenses.

The increase in base management and franchise fees was driven by unit growth and higher RevPAR, partially offset by the impact of $3 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates and $4 million from terminated units. Increased incentive management fees were primarily driven by higher net house profit at managed hotels and unit growth, partially offset by the impact of $4 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

The increase of equity in earnings was driven by a $9 million reversal of deferred tax liabilities associated with a tax law change in a country in which two of our International joint ventures operate and $7 million in increased earnings at three of our joint ventures.

The increase in owned, leased, and other revenue, net of direct expenses largely reflected $10 million from Protea Hotels programs and leases acquired in the 2014 second quarter, $5 million in higher costs in 2013 related to three leases we terminated, $5 million of pre-opening costs in 2013, $4 million from new units, and $4 million of favorable operating profits, partially offset by an unfavorable variance of $12 million in termination fees recognized in 2013, and $6 million in earnings from properties that converted to managed or franchised.

The increase in general, administrative, and other expenses was primarily due to $5 million related to the Protea Hotels acquisition and $5 million in higher compensation, partially offset by a $5 million performance cure payment for one property in 2013.

Cost reimbursements revenue and expenses for our International properties totaled $1,305 million in 2014, compared to $1,071 million in 2013.