TripAdvisor stock under pressure as Citi cuts target amid slowing revenue growth By Investing.com

On Tuesday, Citi adjusted its outlook on TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:), reducing the price target from the previous $20.00 to $16.00, while keeping a Neutral rating on the stock. The revision follows TripAdvisor’s second quarter of 2024 financial results, which led to changes in Citi’s analytical model.

The firm’s analyst cited persistent demand headwinds for Hotel Meta (NASDAQ:) searches in July as a key factor for the adjustment. These headwinds are expected to continue, influencing the full-year revenue projections to increase at a lower single-digit rate.

Additionally, the analyst anticipates TripAdvisor’s adjusted EBITDA margin to contract by 100 to 200 basis points, influenced by the company’s focus on strategic transformation initiatives within the Brand Tripadvisor .

Despite lowering revenue and margin projections, Citi’s stance on TripAdvisor remains Neutral. The analyst’s commentary highlighted an expectation for positive growth trends from Viator and TheFork, two of TripAdvisor’s businesses. The maintained Neutral rating reflects a balanced view of the company’s prospects amidst the adjustments.

The updated price target of $16 reflects a more conservative valuation of TripAdvisor’s stock, taking into account the revised expectations for the company’s financial performance. This new target is based on the latest available data and Citi’s assessment of TripAdvisor’s near-term outlook in the context of current market conditions.

In other recent news, TripAdvisor has seen a flurry of activity. Analyst firm Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on TripAdvisor’s shares with an Underweight rating, citing concerns about the company’s eroding fundamentals and questioning its ability to sustain growth or expand margins. TD Cowen also adjusted its outlook, reducing the price target for TripAdvisor due to a disappointing Q2 performance and anticipated further deceleration in the third quarter.

In terms of earnings, TripAdvisor reported a modest 1% year-over-year increase in Q2 revenue, reaching $497 million, and an adjusted EBITDA of $97 million. Despite a 10% decline in Brand TripAdvisor revenue, its subsidiaries Viator and TheFork registered revenue growth of 13% and 11% respectively. The company also repurchased 1.4 million shares at an average price of $18.28, spending approximately $25 million.

Looking forward, TripAdvisor’s outlook for Q3 predicts flat to slightly down revenue growth, with a decrease in adjusted EBITDA margins. The full-year revenue is expected to grow in the low single digits, with declines in Brand TripAdvisor but improved profitability in Viator and TheFork. These are some of the recent developments in the company.

InvestingPro Insights

InvestingPro data and tips provide a deeper understanding of TripAdvisor’s current market position. With a market capitalization of approximately $2.02 billion and an adjusted P/E ratio over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 standing at 50.18, TripAdvisor’s valuation reflects investor sentiment towards its future growth potential. The company’s impressive gross profit margin of 91.18% over the same period indicates a strong ability to retain earnings from its revenue, which is a positive sign for investors considering the stock’s fundamentals.

Despite recent price volatility, with the stock having taken a significant hit over the last six months with a decrease of 48.95%, TripAdvisor holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a reassuring sign of financial stability. Additionally, the company’s net income is expected to grow this year, according to InvestingPro Tips. This anticipated growth, combined with the company’s efforts to maintain liquidity, as evidenced by liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations, may provide a buffer against ongoing market challenges.

For those seeking a more comprehensive analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights on earnings revisions and dividend policies. For instance, while TripAdvisor does not pay a dividend, potentially aligning with investors looking for reinvestment of profits into the company, 11 analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, which may warrant attention. To explore these nuanced perspectives, investors can find further details on https://www.investing.com/pro/TRIP.

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