Sabre Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Core Insights - Sabre is positioning itself as an "AI-native" company, leveraging its extensive travel data and proprietary capabilities to enhance its marketplace and support agentic AI solutions [6][4][5] Company Developments - Virgin Australia is the first airline to implement Sabre's Concierge IQ solution, which can manage complex inquiries and tasks like rebooking and refunds, and is also available through a ChatGPT plugin for other travel partners [1] - BizTrip, an AI-native travel management company, is utilizing Sabre's travel marketplace and APIs to streamline corporate travel processes, with a conversational interface planned for launch in Q2 2026 [2] - Sabre's executives highlighted the launch of agentic APIs and a multi-channel platform designed for large language model (LLM) consumption, indicating a significant shift in travel commerce [3] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Sabre reported a 3% year-over-year increase in total revenue, with distribution revenue rising by $27 million (5%) due to higher bookings and favorable rates [8] - The company's normalized adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $119 million, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase, with a margin expansion of 107 basis points to 18% [9] - For the full year, Sabre's revenue reached $2.8 billion, a 1% increase year-over-year, with normalized adjusted EBITDA of $536 million, also up 10% [10] Strategic Initiatives - Sabre has made significant progress in deleveraging, paying down over $1 billion in debt during 2025, resulting in a pro forma net leverage decline of approximately 25% [12] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit volume and revenue growth for 2026, driven by share gains and new solutions, with IT solutions revenue expected to grow in the same range [14] - Sabre's leadership changes include the promotion of Garry Wiseman to President of Product and Engineering, indicating a focus on innovation and AI [13] Future Outlook - For 2026, Sabre expects pro forma adjusted EBITDA of approximately $585 million, while maintaining flat technology and SG&A expenses through an inflation offset program [15] - The company projects negative free cash flow of $70 million for 2026, primarily due to restructuring costs, but anticipates near breakeven cash flow excluding these costs [16] - Management is optimistic about mid-single-digit revenue growth in 2027, with sustained adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow expected [17]