Filipino hospitality firm ends first Nasdaq week on uptrend

Hotel101 Global Pte. Ltd. concluded its historic first week of trading on the US Nasdaq Stock Exchange with signs of early momentum, as the stock bounced back from a volatile debut to end the week higher.

The company, a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corp., became the first Filipino-owned firm to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “HBNB.” It began trading on July 1, 2025, with shares opening strong before dipping nearly 10 percent to close the first day at $3.28.

Despite the initial decline, the stock regained ground over the next few days, closing its first week at $3.40—up nearly 8 percent from its debut close.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., noted that while the stock initially surged to $4.17 before settling lower on Day 1, its fundamental appeal remains intact.

“Hotel101’s asset-light model and expanding international footprint may offer long-term promise, but investors will need to monitor execution closely. We expect range-bound trading in the near term until more catalysts emerge,” Limlingan said.

Hotel101’s Nasdaq listing is part of a broader global strategy that includes a target of one million rooms across 100 countries. It is currently building projects in Spain, Japan, and the United States, with a goal of entering 25 countries in the next three years.

The company’s entry into Nasdaq has been hailed as a landmark moment for Philippine businesses, signaling their potential to tap international capital markets and compete on a global scale.

“This is a signal that Philippine companies, especially relatively newer ones, can globalize their business operations and fundraising activities at the same time,” said RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort.

He added that improved market conditions, as reflected in record highs for the Nasdaq and S&P 500, created favorable timing for the listing, despite ongoing geopolitical risks.

Hotel101 is positioning itself as a disruptive force in global hospitality with its one-room, tech-integrated model. Company executives remain optimistic that the listing will accelerate growth and elevate the Filipino brand of hospitality on the world stage.