Booking Flags Coronavirus Threat to Outlook as Guidance Falls Short

Investing.com – Booking on Wednesday reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, but its guidance fell short of estimates amid concerns about the coronavirus’ impact on travel demand.

“While the outlook for global travel in the near term is uncertain due to the coronavirus, we will manage the business appropriately to enhance long-term value for our stakeholders,” says CEO Glenn Fogel. “The coronavirus has had a significant and negative impact across our business during the first quarter. It is not possible to predict where, and to what degree, outbreaks of the coronavirus will disrupt travel patterns.”

Booking (NASDAQ:) forecasts first-quarter revenue within a range of $2.64 billion to $2.75 billion, adjusted earnings (EBITDA) in a range of $560 million to $590 million, compared with consensus estimates for revenue of $2.98 and EBITDA of $722 million.

Booking (NASDAQ:) announced earnings per share of $23.3 on revenue of $3.34B. Analysts polled by Investing.com anticipated EPS of $22.03 on revenue of $3.29B. That compared with EPS of $22.49 on revenue of $3.21B in the same period a year before. Booking had reported EPS of $45.36 on revenue of $5.04B in the previous quarter.

Profit for the quarter was supported by better-than-expected room nights growth,

Room nights were up 11.8%, topping consensus estimates of 9.5%, with rental car days 11.9% higher and Airline tickets up 11.3% on a unit basis.

Booking shares are down 18% from the beginning of the year , still down 19.61% from its 52 week high of $2,094.00 set on January 10. They are under-performing the Nasdaq which is down 0.65% year to date.

Booking follows other major Services sector earnings this month

Booking’s report follows an earnings beat by Amazon.com on January 30, who reported EPS of $6.47 on revenue of $87.44B, compared to forecasts EPS of $4.04 on revenue of $86.03B.

Alibaba ADR had beat expectations on February 13 with third quarter EPS of $18.19 on revenue of $161.46B, compared to forecast for EPS of $15.91 on revenue of $159.7B.

Stay up-to-date on all of the upcoming earnings reports by visiting Investing.com’s earnings calendar

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