Expedia's Dara Khosrowshahi sells $1.85 million in stock

Dara Khosrowshahi, a director at Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE) Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE), has sold shares worth approximately $1.85 million, according to a recent SEC filing. The transactions, reported on January 2, 2025, involved the sale of common stock across several transactions at prices ranging from $183.68 to $187.61 per share. The sales come as Expedia, currently valued at $23.74 billion, trades near its 52-week high of $192.34, with an impressive gross profit margin of 89.19%.

The sales, conducted under a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, totaled 10,000 shares. Following these transactions, Khosrowshahi retains direct ownership of 168,505 shares of Expedia Group. Additionally, he holds 21,910 shares indirectly through a children's trust, for which he disclaims beneficial ownership. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock currently trades at a P/E ratio of 23.19, suggesting moderate valuation levels. Subscribers can access 12 additional exclusive ProTips and comprehensive insider trading analysis.

Khosrowshahi also acquired 60.377 stock units at no cost, under the company's Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, which converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis. These units are to be settled after his service as a director ends. For detailed valuation metrics and a comprehensive analysis of Expedia's financial health, investors can access the full Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, covering over 1,400 US stocks.

In other recent news, Expedia Group Inc. has seen a series of upgrades from financial analysts. BofA Securities upgraded the company's stock from Neutral to Buy, influenced by signs of improvement in U.S. travel trends and potential growth under new leadership. The firm also increased its price target for Expedia's shares from $187 to $221. DA Davidson and Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities also revised their price targets to $190 and $165 respectively, maintaining Neutral ratings. These adjustments follow Expedia's Q3 2024 financial results, which revealed a 3% increase in revenue and a 7% rise in gross bookings.

On the regulatory front, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has implemented a Junk Fees Rule aimed at prohibiting deceptive pricing and hidden fees in the live-event ticketing and short-term lodging industries. This rule mandates upfront disclosure of the total price, including all fees, for businesses such as Expedia.

Meanwhile, Booking.com's CFO, Ewout Steenbergen, noted that inflation is still affecting U.S. travel plans, with American consumers delaying their vacation planning. In contrast, European travelers are making travel arrangements earlier, positively influencing Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG)' outlook.

Finally, Expedia reported a 3% increase in EBITDA to $1.25 billion for Q3 2024, attributing this to effective expense management. The company also raised its full-year guidance, indicating confidence in its strategic execution and ongoing demand. These are recent developments that reflect Expedia's resilience amid macroeconomic turbulence and its focus on operational efficiencies for long-term growth opportunities.

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