Group 1: Lam Research Corp (LRCX) - Lam Research Corp has been a strong performer among large-cap semiconductor stocks, with shares trading at $172.27, up 137% year to date [2] - The rally is driven by a recovery in wafer fabrication equipment spending, estimated to reach about $105 billion in 2025, significantly up from the previous year [4] - Lam's focus on deposition and etch tools for advanced logic and memory manufacturing has positioned it favorably amid increased capital spending by chipmakers targeting artificial intelligence and high-performance computing [4] - The company has consistently beaten earnings expectations, with revenue growth accelerating into the high single-digit to low double-digit range year over year, and operating margins remaining above 30% [5] - Lam's free cash flow reached $5.4 billion in fiscal 2025, approximately 29% of revenue, indicating strong internal cash generation [5] - Cramer has noted Lam's valuation as attractive, describing the shares as inexpensive relative to their earnings power and industry position [6] Group 2: Expedia Group (EXPE) - Expedia Group has provided significant shareholder value in 2025, benefiting from a recovery in travel demand and improved operational performance, with shares trading at $289.25, up 56% year to date [7] - The company reported revenue of $4.41 billion in Q3 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, and adjusted earnings per share of $7.57, reflecting a 23% increase from the prior year [10] - Gross bookings rose approximately 12% to $30.73 billion, and booked room nights increased by 11% to 108.2 million, indicating sustained consumer engagement [11] - Cramer highlighted Expedia's relative valuation, noting it trades at a lower earnings multiple compared to competitors like Booking Holdings, which supports interest in the stock despite industry challenges [10]

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how hotel rooms may soon be searched and booked, as emerging platforms like DirectBooker seek to give AI agents direct, real-time access to hotel rates, availability, and amenities.Online travel agencies, including Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) , Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) , and TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) , remain well-positioned to benefit from AI-driven booking, according to BTIG analyst Jake Fuller.Fuller discussed AI’s impact on travel wi ...

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how hotel rooms may soon be searched and booked, as emerging platforms like DirectBooker seek to give AI agents direct, real-time access to hotel rates, availability, and amenities.Online travel agencies, including Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) , Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) , and TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) , remain well-positioned to benefit from AI-driven booking, according to BTIG analyst Jake Fuller.Fuller discussed AI’s impact on travel wi ...

Key Takeaways U.S. travel spending is forecast to grow 2.2% in 2026, supported by leisure demand and major global events.Federal Reserve rate cuts have improved consumer spending capacity, creating a favorable backdrop for travel.Online platforms benefit from resilient leisure, rebounding international travel and steady business travels.American travel spending is poised for acceleration in 2026 as sustained consumer demand and supportive monetary policy converge to drive sector growth. Per the U.S. Travel ...

Tiqets, the Amsterdam-based platform for museum and attraction tickets, ran an extended sales process before Expedia announced a deal to acquire it last week, Skift has learned. A source familiar with the sales process told Skift that Barclays advised Tiqets on the sale, while Morgann Lesné, a partner at Cambon Partners, confirmed that Tiqets founder Luuc Elzinga and the board explored multiple paths to find a buyer. In a formal sales process, the bank solicits bids from multiple parties. One factor sha ...

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets have experienced a significant rally in 2023, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, with notable performance from non-tech companies as well [1][2] Group 1: Company Highlights - General Motors Co. (GM) holds a 17% market share as the top-selling U.S. automaker, benefiting from strong demand across its brands and a 10% year-over-year sales increase in China [6][7] - GM's software and services division generated $2 billion in revenue by the end of Q3 2025, with 11 million OnStar subscribers, indicating a shift towards software-led growth [7] - Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) is seeing improved trading activity and higher net interest income, with a focus on product diversification to enhance its market position [10][11] - Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE) operates a robust platform that connects travelers and suppliers, leading to stable demand and increased gross bookings, supported by a strong brand portfolio [13][14] - Dillard's Inc. (DDS) is enhancing its customer base through store and online improvements, with a focus on fashionable merchandise driving traffic and better-than-expected earnings [15][16] - Five Below Inc. (FIVE) is experiencing strong momentum with traffic gains and improved marketing effectiveness, leading to an upward revision of its full-year sales expectations to $4.62-$4.65 billion [18][19] Group 2: Financial Performance and Projections - GM has an expected revenue growth rate of -0.3% and an earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the next year, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [8] - HOOD's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 21% and 17.9%, respectively, with a 1.8% improvement in the earnings estimate [12] - EXPE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 6.3% and 20.8%, respectively, with a 3.2% improvement in the earnings estimate [14] - DDS has an expected revenue growth rate of 0.7% and an earnings decline of -8.2%, with a 5.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [17] - FIVE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively, with a 1.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [20]

Industry Overview - The global travel industry is entering a new growth phase, driven by durable demand and structural shifts in consumer behavior [1][5] - Travel activity is supported by pent-up demand, leading to record bookings and a broadening opportunity set beyond traditional tourist hotspots [2][4] Air Travel - Air travel volumes are nearing or exceeding pre-2020 levels, with strong hotel occupancy and room rates across leisure and business destinations [2] - Airlines are managing capacity more carefully, focusing on premium cabins and international routes, which positions them for sustained demand [3][7] - Delta Air Lines is highlighted for its emphasis on premium offerings and disciplined growth, with projected sales growth of 3.6% and earnings growth of 20.2% by 2026 [9][10] Online Travel Platforms - Expedia Group is benefiting from travelers increasingly booking entire trips online, leveraging its scale and technology to drive growth [12][13] - The company is projected to see sales rise by 6.3% and earnings grow by 20.8% year over year by 2026, reflecting strong market positioning [14] Hotel Industry - Hilton is experiencing strong net unit growth and hotel conversions, with a focus on expanding its luxury portfolio and maintaining a capital-light model [15][16] - The company anticipates 9% sales growth and 14.2% earnings growth by 2026, supported by a robust development pipeline [17] Conclusion - The travel industry is transitioning to a durable growth cycle, with Delta Air Lines, Expedia Group, and Hilton positioned to capitalize on sustained tourism growth and deliver steady earnings momentum through 2026 and beyond [18][19]

Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE) is a major travel technology company and one of the world’s largest online travel platforms. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, it operates a broad portfolio of travel brands and digital services that enable consumers and partners to research, plan, book, and manage travel across flights, hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, cruises, and activities With a market cap of $34.7 billion, the company is firmly positioned in the large-cap segment. It generates revenue from trans ...

Summary of Key Points from J.P. Morgan's US Internet 2026 Outlook Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **US Internet** sector, providing insights into market performance, macroeconomic factors, and company-specific forecasts for 2026. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **2025 Performance Recap**: - The internet sector outperformed the S&P 500 by 17% in 2025, with average performance across market caps showing significant variation: - Large Cap: +19% - Mid-Cap: +42% - Small Cap: +21% - Smaller Cap (<$2B): -16% [12][13] 2. **2026 Macro Outlook**: - J.P. Morgan economists estimate a **35% risk of recession** in 2026, with expectations of resilient global growth driven by fiscal stimulus and capital expenditure [19][23]. - Key economic indicators include: - GDP Growth: 1.8% in 2026 - Inflation: Expected to remain above 3% CPI - Unemployment: Projected to peak at 4.5% in Q1 2026 [21][19]. 3. **Investment Recommendations**: - **Top Picks for 2026** include: - Alphabet (Overweight, $385 PT): Growth driven by AI and cloud services [46]. - Amazon (Overweight, $305 PT): Expected growth in AWS and retail segments [51]. - DoorDash (Overweight, $300 PT): Anticipated GOV growth of 18% CAGR from 2025-2028 [57]. - Spotify (Overweight, $805 PT): Projected revenue growth driven by premium subscriptions [66]. 4. **AI and Cloud Growth**: - AI is expected to significantly drive cloud growth, with Google Cloud projected to grow in the mid-40% range and AWS adding the highest estimated revenue in 2026 [101][102]. - The report highlights the importance of AI in enhancing operational efficiencies and driving revenue growth across various sectors [78]. 5. **Valuation Metrics**: - The S&P 500 is projected to have a price target of **$7,500** by the end of 2026, suggesting a 9% upside [26]. - Internet companies are trading at an average of **10.2x 2027E EV/EBITDA**, with expected revenue growth of approximately **13% CAGR** from 2025 to 2027 [40]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Market Dynamics**: - The report discusses the competitive landscape in the AI space, noting that leading model developers like Google and OpenAI are pushing the frontier, but competition remains intense [89][94]. - The potential for AI-driven advertising and e-commerce growth is highlighted, with expectations for significant market share shifts in the online ad market [112]. 2. **Company-Specific Catalysts**: - Alphabet's AI tools are expected to enhance productivity and revenue, while Amazon's AWS is set to double its capacity by 2027 [56][88]. - DoorDash is focusing on expanding its marketplace and improving unit economics, while Spotify is ramping up its free cash flow and operating margins [60][68]. 3. **Key Questions for 2026**: - The report raises critical questions regarding AI monetization, the impact of AI on cloud growth, and the potential for disruption in various sectors, including travel and e-commerce [76][124]. This summary encapsulates the essential insights and projections for the US Internet sector as outlined in the J.P. Morgan report, providing a comprehensive overview of the anticipated trends and investment opportunities for 2026.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the Online Travel Agents (OTAs) sector, specifically analyzing companies such as Airbnb (ABNB), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Expedia (EXPE), and Tripadvisor (TRIP) [1][2][3][4][5]. Core Insights and Arguments Demand and Traffic Trends - Q4 demand for OTAs is strong, with traffic data indicating volumes are running 1-2% ahead of consensus expectations [1]. - Specific traffic growth estimates for Q4 include: - TRIP: 1% beat - ABNB/BKNG: 1.5% beat - EXPE: 2% beat [2]. - Booking and Expedia have experienced double-digit web traffic growth in November, while Airbnb has not seen similar acceleration [2]. Company-Specific Insights Airbnb (ABNB) - Airbnb's stock has been stagnant due to decelerating top-line growth, but there are signs of potential acceleration with QTD data suggesting a growth increase from 18% to 20% [3]. - New initiatives, including natural language search and partnerships, are expected to drive growth [3]. - Q4 projections indicate 119.1 million nights booked, slightly ahead of consensus [38]. Booking Holdings (BKNG) - Booking is expected to beat its Q4 targets, driven by a growing B2B push and strong web traffic [4]. - The company is focusing on AI opportunities, including a widening Total Addressable Market (TAM) and launching tools for better cross-selling [39]. - Estimated room night growth for Q4 is 7.8%, ahead of guidance [19]. Expedia (EXPE) - Expedia has turned a corner operationally, with strong Q4 traffic trends and expected room night growth of 9.5% [49]. - Despite this, revenue growth remains slower than Booking, raising concerns about its higher valuation multiple [5]. Tripadvisor (TRIP) - Tripadvisor's traffic is mixed, with Viator showing growth while TheFork has slowed [60]. - Total revenue expectations for Q4 are slightly ahead of consensus, driven by Viator's performance [61]. Additional Important Insights - The ongoing debate about AI's impact on the OTA sector remains a key risk, with concerns about AI agents potentially disrupting pricing and data access [1]. - The World Cup is anticipated to provide a boost to Airbnb's volumes, with a potential $3.6 billion impact [51]. - Booking's CFO highlighted a $170 million investment program aimed at growth initiatives, indicating a proactive approach to market challenges [39]. Investment Ratings - Ratings for the companies are as follows: - Airbnb: Outperform - Tripadvisor: Outperform - Booking: Market-Perform - Expedia: Market-Perform [7]. Conclusion - The OTA sector shows promising demand trends heading into Q4, with individual companies positioned differently based on their growth strategies and market dynamics. The potential impact of AI and macroeconomic factors will be critical to monitor in the coming quarters.