BMO raises TripAdvisor stock target to $18 on Viator growth

Published 21/02/2025, 00:38
BMO raises TripAdvisor stock target to $18 on Viator growth

On Thursday, BMO Capital Markets updated its outlook on TripAdvisor shares, increasing the price target to $18 from the previous $17. The firm kept its Market Perform rating on the travel platform. BMO Capital’s analyst cited adjustments in growth expectations for the Brand TripAdvisor segment due to challenging pricing comparisons in the first quarter of 2025. According to InvestingPro data, TripAdvisor maintains impressive gross profit margins of nearly 91% and holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, suggesting financial stability despite market challenges. However, the analyst sees a brighter future for TripAdvisor’s Viator, a booking service for travel experiences, with growth estimates climbing to 16% from 15%, bolstered by marketing efforts and product initiatives.

Despite these adjustments, the analyst expects TripAdvisor’s revenue forecasts for 2025 and 2026 to remain largely the same. The minor alteration in the price target reflects slightly lower projections for EBITDA, attributed to ongoing initiatives aimed at stimulating demand. InvestingPro analysis indicates the company is currently undervalued, with a strong financial health score and positive net income growth expectations for the coming year. The analyst’s statement provided insight into the rationale behind the new price target: "Given tough 1Q25E pricing comps, we slightly lower our 2025E Brand TripAdvisor growth. Our 2025E Viator growth estimate rises to 16% from 15%, given marketing/product initiatives."

TripAdvisor has been navigating a competitive travel market, with its Brand segment facing stiff pricing competition early in the year. Nonetheless, the company’s focus on enhancing Viator appears to be paying off, as reflected in the increased growth forecast. This optimism about Viator’s prospects is a key factor behind BMO’s decision to raise the price target. The company’s current market capitalization stands at $2.29 billion, with a healthy current ratio of 1.85, indicating strong liquidity to support its growth initiatives.

The updated analysis by BMO Capital Markets indicates that while TripAdvisor may encounter some headwinds with its Brand segment, the company’s overall financial health is not expected to deviate significantly from prior estimates. The slight reduction in EBITDA expectations suggests that TripAdvisor’s investment in demand generation is an ongoing strategy to solidify its market position.

In conclusion, BMO Capital Markets’ revision of TripAdvisor’s price target to $18, up from $17, while maintaining a Market Perform rating, is driven by a nuanced view of the company’s business segments. With a more robust outlook for Viator, TripAdvisor’s efforts in marketing and product development are recognized as potential catalysts for growth, even as the company continues to invest in demand generation initiatives. For deeper insights into TripAdvisor’s financial health and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.

In other recent news, Tripadvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) Inc. reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, exceeding analyst expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.30, compared to the forecasted $0.21. The company also reported a consolidated revenue of $411 million, slightly above the expected $401.19 million, marking a 5% year-over-year growth. Despite these positive results, Tripadvisor’s stock fell by 7.91% in pre-market trading, reflecting investor concerns over other aspects of the report. The company’s Viator and TheFork segments showed strong revenue growth of 16% and 18%, respectively, while the Brand Tripadvisor segment experienced a 6% decline in revenue. Tripadvisor is investing heavily in AI and product enhancements, anticipating a challenging year ahead with modest revenue growth. Looking forward, Tripadvisor projects a consolidated revenue growth of 5-7% for 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16-18%. Additionally, a planned merger agreement with Liberty TripAdvisor is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in the retirement of approximately 27 million shares.

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