Overview
- The CMA named Hilton, IHG, Marriott and CoStar in a Competition Act investigation into suspected sharing of competitively sensitive information via the STR platform.
- Officials are assessing whether STR’s benchmarking data reduced market uncertainty and made coordinated pricing easier for rival hotel groups.
- The inquiry is at an early information‑gathering stage through August 2026 with no findings to date, and a statement of objections may follow only if a provisional infringement is identified.
- CoStar said it was surprised and is cooperating, and IHG said it will cooperate; the watchdog noted the UK case proceeds independently of any actions in other jurisdictions.
- IHG shares fell around 5% after the announcement, reflecting investor concern over potential antitrust exposure linked to data‑driven pricing tools.