In this podcast, Airbnb Chief Financial Officer Ellie Mertz joins Motley Fool CEO and co-founder Tom Gardner and Chief Investment Officer Andy Cross for a conversation about:Why Airbnb is focusing on experiences and services.The stock's long-term performance.How ideas develop at Airbnb.To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. When you're ready to invest, check out this top 10 list of stocks to buy.A full transcript is below. This podcast was recorded on J ...

Airbnb (ABNB -0.64%) has been a disruptive force in the travel market ever since its inception. With its revolutionary home-sharing model, the company has grown to $81.8 billion in gross spending on its platform in 2024, which equates to $11.1 billion in total revenue. The platform is available in many countries around the globe. However, did you know that 70% of Airbnb's spending comes from only a few Western markets like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and France? Over the next five years, m ...

Core Insights - Airbnb is expanding its brand beyond home-sharing by launching new marketplaces, particularly focusing on Airbnb Services, which includes offerings like personal training, catering, and makeup [1][6] - The services marketplace is designed for both locals and travelers, potentially broadening the market significantly, although the company aims to maintain a travel-focused brand [2][9] - The company has the potential to evolve similarly to Amazon, moving from a niche market to a broader service provider, with a largely uncontested market for local services [8][11] Airbnb Services - Airbnb Services includes local offerings such as meals by chefs, photography, massage, and nail services, alongside a revamped Airbnb Experiences platform featuring quality-vetted tours and limited-edition experiences hosted by celebrities [6][7] - The global market for hair salon services alone is valued at $247 billion, indicating significant potential for Airbnb to capture a portion of various service categories [7] Market Response - Following the announcement of the services launch, Airbnb's stock rose nearly 1%, closing the day up 2.9%, reflecting positive investor sentiment towards the company's strategic direction [8] Long-term Strategy - While the core home-sharing marketplace remains crucial, the introduction of services and revamped experiences demonstrates the company's ability to innovate and explore new revenue streams [9][10] - The management's focus on long-term growth is evident despite current challenges in the travel market, with the services launch indicating a commitment to diversifying the business [10][11]

Airbnb Inc ABNB issued its 2025 Summer Release, where it made several announcements.Here are some key analyst takeaways.Goldman Sachs On AirbnbAnalyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Neutral rating and price target of $139.The analyst mentioned three main announcements by the company:Introduction of Airbnb Services: These include 10 services, such as chefs, prepared meals and photography, that guests can book during their stay.Introduction of Airbnb Experiences: "After rolling back their prior Experiences offeri ...

If you use Airbnbs to avoid booking a cramped hotel space, you've been missing out on the associated amenities that are fundamental to a good vacation. But even if you don't get any room service, the new Airbnb Services feature strives to help you find other ways to relax -- allowing you to book spas, massages and more near where you're staying.Airbnb Services is designed to help you book services you would get at a more traditional hotel. The initial rollout of the feature includes 10 distinct categories i ...

Core Insights - Airbnb is set to unveil a significant initiative to expand its business beyond its core home-sharing model on May 13, as indicated in its first-quarter shareholder letter [1] - The company has previously hinted at diversifying its offerings, which may include enhancing its Experiences platform and introducing new services for hosts [3][4] Expansion Opportunities - The Experiences platform, launched in 2016, allows users to offer local activities, which could complement Airbnb's core business by attracting travelers seeking unique experiences [3][4] - There is potential for Airbnb to introduce a marketplace for service providers, such as cleaners and handymen, which would benefit hosts and create an additional revenue stream for the company [5][6] - Advertising presents another revenue opportunity, as Airbnb could attract advertisers from various sectors, including airlines and local entertainment, while also considering the introduction of a loyalty program to enhance customer retention [7] Financial Performance - Despite being the leading home-sharing platform, Airbnb's stock has underperformed since its IPO in 2020, with revenue growth slowing to just 6% in the first quarter and profitability declining due to investments in new ventures [8][10] - The company's business appears to be maturing, making it logical to explore related businesses and leverage its large user base for growth [9] Market Outlook - Although revenue growth has slowed, Airbnb's valuation remains attractive, trading at less than 18 times free cash flow, suggesting potential for future growth [10] - The upcoming announcement on May 13 could serve as a catalyst for investors, potentially driving stock performance and accelerating growth in the following years [10][11]