On Friday, Evercore ISI, a prominent investment firm, announced an increase in the price target for Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE) to $210 from the previous $175, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. This decision comes after Expedia reported its third-quarter results for 2024, which presented a mix of slight revenue miss and stronger-than-expected bookings and room nights.
The company's performance, particularly in room nights, stood out as Expedia achieved a 9% growth, surpassing its Online Travel Agency (OTA) competitors, Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG) and Airbnb (ABNB), both of which reported an 8% increase. This marks the second consecutive quarter where Expedia has outperformed its peers in this metric.
Expedia's forward-looking statements for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 also indicated a positive trajectory. Bookings are expected to surpass projections, while revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) are predicted to meet the expectations of Wall Street analysts.
The investment firm highlighted that, based on their 2025 EBITDA estimates, Expedia's stock is currently trading at approximately 8 times EBITDA, which is significantly lower than its competitors, Booking Holdings and Airbnb. Despite this, Expedia's execution is showing signs of improvement, driven by momentum in its Vrbo vacation rental platform, B2B initiatives, and advertising growth.
In summary, Evercore ISI reiterated its confidence in Expedia's stock by maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm closed out its TAP Outperform Call, signaling a positive outlook for the company's continued growth and market performance.
InvestingPro Insights
Expedia's recent performance aligns with several key metrics and insights from InvestingPro. The company's market cap stands at $22.67 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the online travel industry. Expedia's impressive gross profit margin of 89.19% for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024 supports the InvestingPro Tip highlighting its "impressive gross profit margins." This robust profitability metric underscores the company's efficiency in managing costs while generating revenue.
The stock's recent performance has been particularly strong, with InvestingPro data showing a 47.61% price total return over the past three months and a 56.11% return over the last six months. This aligns with the InvestingPro Tip noting a "significant return over the last week" and "strong return over the last three months." These metrics reinforce Evercore ISI's bullish stance and increased price target.
It's worth noting that Expedia is trading near its 52-week high, with its price at 99.83% of the 52-week high value. This information, combined with the InvestingPro Tip that the stock is "trading near 52-week high," suggests strong investor confidence in Expedia's current trajectory.
For readers interested in a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 16 additional tips for Expedia, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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