Global Business Travel (US:GBTG)2025-08-05 14:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved over €500,000,000 in adjusted EBITDA over the last twelve months, with adjusted EBITDA growth of 4% to €133,000,000 and an adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of 70 basis points year over year to reach 21% [4][11][22] - Revenue for the quarter was up 1% year over year, reaching $631,000,000, which was above guidance midpoint [11][20] - Total transaction value (TTV) grew 3% on a workday adjusted basis to reach $7,900,000,000, driven by transaction growth and higher average ticket prices [11][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total new wins value reached €3,200,000,000 over the last twelve months, with €2,200,000,000 from SME customers, and a high customer retention rate of 95% [5][11] - Air transactions stabilized in May and June after a decline in April, while hotel transactions grew by 4% in May and June, outpacing air transactions [12][13] - Transaction growth for global multinational customers was up 3% in May and June, while SME customers saw a 2% growth, a significant improvement from April [12][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Transaction growth in The Americas reached 2% in May and June, while EMEA transactions improved dramatically to 3% [14] - The company noted that industries with greater exposure to tariffs, such as mining and oil, continued to see slower demand, while technology and financial services showed strong performance [15][17] - The meetings and events business is performing well, with an anticipated 5% year-over-year increase in the number of meetings in the second half of the year [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on efficiency gains and driving operating leverage, which is reflected in flat adjusted operating expenses and strong margin expansion [4][22] - The pending acquisition of CWT is expected to create significant value, with an anticipated $155,000,000 in identified net synergies over three years [6][9][40] - The company plans to accelerate share repurchases and maintain a strong balance sheet post-acquisition [7][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the improved demand environment, noting that macroeconomic uncertainty seems to be moderating [16] - The company raised and narrowed its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting revenue growth of 2% to 4% year over year, with a midpoint of $2,488,000,000 [25][26] - Management indicated that the second half of the year is expected to show continued share gains and improved transaction growth, particularly in the SME segment [34][35] Other Important Information - The company has nearly $1,000,000,000 in available liquidity and has reduced net debt, with a leverage ratio of 1.6 times as of June 30, 2025 [6][23] - The acquisition of CWT is valued at $540,000,000 on a cash-free, debt-free basis, with $50,000,000 of shares to be issued to CWT shareholders [9][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Does the ongoing low single-digit FX neutral revenue growth underwrite ongoing share gains? - Management confirmed that continued share gains are expected in the second half of the year, with increased sales and marketing investments to accelerate net new wins [33][34] Question: Do you have visibility into CWT's 2025 performance? - Management stated that detailed information about CWT's financial performance will be provided post-close, with an expectation of $155,000,000 in net synergies over three years [39][40] Question: What drove the deceleration in APAC? - The deceleration in APAC was primarily driven by Australia, influenced by the timing of tariffs and the mining vertical [44] Question: Are the declines in April recoverable? - Management indicated that April's weaker transaction volumes were driven by macroeconomic uncertainty, and those transactions are not necessarily recoverable [47] Question: How are July trends looking? - Management reported positive trends in July, consistent with guidance for the second half of the year, but emphasized the importance of September for Q3 volumes [52]