on 15-Jan-2026 15 January 2026 Global Hotels & Leisure The Age of Agents: Online travel and Agentic AI - how will it shake up travel distribution? Richard J. Clarke, FCA +44 20 7676 6850 richard.clarke@bernsteinsg.com Mark Shmulik +1 917 344 8508 mark.shmulik@bernsteinsg.com Nikhil Devnani, CFA +1 917 344 8425 nikhil.devnani@bernsteinsg.com Harshita Rawat, CFA +1 917 344 8485 harshita.rawat@bernsteinsg.com Zhihan Ma, CFA +1 917 344 8303 zhihan.ma@bernsteinsg.com Niall Mitchelson +44 20 7676 7144 niall.mitch ...

Core Viewpoint - Expedia (EXPE) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in stock price movements due to their large transactions [4]. Recent Performance and Outlook - Expedia's earnings estimates have been rising, with a 13.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months, projecting earnings of $15.09 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, showing no year-over-year change [8]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 places Expedia in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks are considered for strong buy recommendations, highlighting their superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10].

Seattle, Washington-based Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE) is an online travel company that provides travel booking and technology services through a portfolio of well-known brands, including Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Hotwire. Valued at a market cap of $36.3 billion, the company is scheduled to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 in the near future. Ahead of this event, analysts expect this travel services provider to report a profit of $2.72 per share, up 47.8% from $1.84 per sh ...

Core Insights - The article discusses how top executives from various companies have navigated crises and transformed their organizations, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making in uncertain business environments [1][2]. Group 1: Executive Strategies - Ted Sarandos of Netflix made a pivotal decision to invest $100 million in original content, marking a significant shift in strategy when licensing from studios decreased [3][5]. - Danny Meyer, founder of Shake Shack, created a fund to support employees during the pandemic after laying off 95% of his staff, demonstrating a commitment to employee welfare [6][7]. - Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, prioritized safety and transparency following a crisis involving faulty ignition switches, fostering a culture of open communication [12][14]. - Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, focused on rebuilding trust by addressing the company's internal issues and promoting a culture of change [16][20]. - Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, responded to a major advertising boycott by hiring thousands of human reviewers and investing in technology to manage harmful content, establishing a balance between free expression and community guidelines [21]. - Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, took decisive action during a crisis by implementing a property damage guarantee, which evolved from $50,000 to $3 million, showcasing leadership in times of adversity [22][23]. - Barry Diller, chairman of IAC and Expedia, chose to proceed with a $1 billion acquisition of Expedia despite the 9/11 crisis, believing in the resilience of the travel industry [24][27]. - Marvin Ellison, CEO of Lowe's, focused on supply chain transformation and employee investment, which allowed the company to adapt quickly during the pandemic [28][30]. Group 2: Lessons Learned - Executives emphasized the need for a culture that encourages dissent and open dialogue to foster innovation and adaptability [5][6]. - The importance of making bold decisions during critical moments was highlighted, as many leaders faced existential threats that required immediate and decisive action [3][22]. - A common theme among these leaders is the recognition that crises can present opportunities for significant change and improvement within their organizations [19][20].

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment positions held by analysts in companies such as EXPE and BKNG, indicating a positive outlook on these stocks [1]. Group 1 - Analysts have disclosed beneficial long positions in EXPE and BKNG, suggesting confidence in the future performance of these companies [1]. - The article emphasizes that the opinions expressed are personal and not influenced by external compensation, highlighting the independence of the analysis [1]. Group 2 - The predictions and projections mentioned are median estimates by financial analysts, which come with inherent uncertainties [2]. - The article notes that past performance does not guarantee future results, indicating a cautious approach to investment advice [3].

Argus Research将在线旅游平台Expedia的目标价从300美元上调至340美元。该行预计，Expedia将从其 Vrbo度假租赁业务及其忠诚度计划的增长中获益。 本文源自：金融界AI电报 ...

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – December 26, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE) and Amazon, Inc. (AMZN) .Industry: e-CommerceLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2808394/weak-macro-cant-stop-e-commerce-stocks-expedia-and-amazonWhile macroeconomic challenges mount, the e-commerce market is growing through innovation, technology and insight, as it continues to take away slices of the total retail pie. Commerce Department numbers are proof of this trend: ecommerce sal ...

Core Insights - The e-commerce market is experiencing growth through innovation and technology, with Q3 2025 e-commerce sales increasing by 5.1% compared to Q3 2024, while total retail sales rose by 4.1% [1] - E-commerce now represents approximately 16.4% of total U.S. retail sales, with a trend towards blending online and offline shopping experiences [2] - Companies that can effectively operate in both online and offline channels are positioned to compete successfully in the future [2] Industry Trends - The convenience of online shopping is a primary driver of e-commerce growth, particularly among Gen-Z consumers who are accustomed to high levels of digitization [4] - Social media platforms are influencing shopping behaviors, with digital influencers playing a significant role in shaping consumer preferences [5] - AI is becoming a major enabler of e-commerce, with Adobe estimating a 515-520% increase in AI-driven traffic to retail websites during the 2025 holiday season [9] Company Insights - **Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE)**: The company is experiencing growth in both B2C and B2B segments, with total gross bookings increasing by 12% and B2B bookings rising by 26% [23] [24] - Analysts are optimistic about Expedia, with earnings estimates for 2025 increasing by 6.8% and for 2026 by 9.2% [26] - **Amazon, Inc. (AMZN)**: Amazon maintains a dominant position in the online marketplace and is leveraging its Prime loyalty program to drive sales [28] - Despite recent challenges, including a settlement with the FTC and layoffs, analysts expect Amazon to achieve double-digit revenue and earnings growth in the coming years [30][32]

Key Takeaways Global e-commerce is projected to grow from about $31.2T in 2025 to nearly $37T in 2026.AI tools, faster delivery and social commerce reduce friction and help boost online conversion rates.E-commerce momentum into 2026 highlights Amazon, Expedia and Fiverr across retail, bookings and services.The digital transformation of retail continues to reshape consumer behaviour as online commerce remains a dominant force heading into 2026. Per Mordor Intelligence, the global e-commerce market is project ...

Market Performance - U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining approximately 300 points as investor optimism around the AI theme continued [1] - The Dow Jones increased by around 183 points, closing at 48,134.89, while the S&P 500 rose by 0.88% to 6,834.50, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped by 1.31% to 23,307.62 during the session [1] Analyst Ratings and Stock Picks - Benzinga's Analyst Ratings API provides high-quality stock ratings through partnerships with major sell-side banks, offering insights that can serve as trading indicators for outperforming the stock market [3] - Recent stock picks from top analysts include: - **Viavi Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:VIAV)**: Buy rating maintained with a price target increase from $18 to $20, indicating a potential upside of around 9% [6] - **Analog Devices Inc (NASDAQ:ADI)**: Hold rating maintained with a price target raised from $258 to $291, suggesting a potential upside of around 5% [6] - **Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU)**: Outperform rating maintained with a price target increase from $300 to $320, expecting a surge of around 17% [6] - **Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)**: Buy rating maintained with a price target raised from $285 to $326, indicating a potential gain of around 13% [6] - **Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU)**: Overweight rating maintained with a price target increase from $300 to $335, expecting a jump of around 22% [7]