Airbnb forecast revenue above estimates on premium rentals demand

Core Viewpoint - Airbnb forecasts first-quarter revenue between $2.59 billion and $2.63 billion, exceeding Wall Street estimates of $2.53 billion, driven by demand for premium rentals despite a decline in cost-conscious customer bookings [1] Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter, Airbnb reported earnings per share of 56 cents, down from 73 cents a year earlier, with quarterly revenue of $2.78 billion, surpassing expectations of $2.71 billion [1] Revenue Projections - The company anticipates revenue growth of "at least low double-digits" for 2026, while analysts project a growth rate of 10.24% [1] Market Strategy - Airbnb has launched a new segment for booking services like private chefs and yoga instructors to compete with hotels, where half of the experiences booked in the fourth quarter were not linked to accommodation [1] - The company is expanding its offerings by partnering with boutique and independent hotels in cities with limited rental supply, such as New York and Madrid, to increase its total addressable market [1] Industry Context - Other travel companies, including Marriott and United Airlines, are also seeing strong performance from high-end travelers, while lower-end customers face challenges due to inflation and economic uncertainty [1]