What happened
Travel stock Expedia Group (EXPE 0.16%) jumped by as much as 16.9% in trading on Friday after reporting third-quarter 2021 financial results. Shares closed the day up 15%.
So what
Revenue was up 97% to $2.96 billion on the back of a 117% increase in gross bookings. A net loss of $221 million in the prior-year period swung to a net income of $362 million, or $2.26 per share, this time around. Analysts were expecting revenue of $2.73 billion and earnings of $1.65 per share, so results easily topped estimates.
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Lodging is by far Expedia's biggest business, and revenue in that segment was up 87% versus a year ago while air revenue was up 128%, and advertising and media revenue were up 116%. Across the board, people are spending more on travel, and that's good news for a business like Expedia's.
Now what
Across the board, results have shown that travel spending is up everywhere this quarter, and companies are reporting strong pricing and volume. The story was no different for Expedia.
While this travel frenzy may not last forever, money is freely flowing in the economy, and people are spending what they have, so I don't see any signs that a slowdown is near. If its revenue growth continues, this could be a great value stock to hold for the long term, given its strong earnings and its forward price-to-earnings multiple of just 28 -- and that doesn't factor in the adjustments that will need to be made after this huge earnings beat.
