TripAdvisor shares jump on Q1 earnings report

TripAdvisor’s (TRIP) shares took off after the company posted 2% gains in its first-quarter 2018 revenue, despite seeing profits wiped out. Shares of the travel portal rallied 18.88% during the aftermarket hours today as the company beat both revenue and EPS estimates.

Revenue during the quarter came in at $378 million, helped by the strong business in the non-hotel segment, which includes attractions, vacation rentals, and restaurants. The company witnessed a 36% growth in its non-hotel revenues. The company, however, reported a decline in revenue of its core-hotel business to 5%.

Earnings of the Massachusetts-based company fell 56% to $0.04 a share. Excluding items, the company earned 30 cents, an increase of 25% from the prior-year period.

Considering the preference shift from offline to online systems, the company’s non-hotel segment is expected to reap more benefits in the coming quarters. This also explains the company’s sudden interest in its non-hotel segment.

Off late, the online-travel business has become highly competitive, forcing major companies like TripAdvisor, Expedia (EXPE) and Booking Holdings (BKNG) to step up their marketing efforts to generate more bookings.

The non-hotel business, which accounted for just 9% of total revenue in 2014, today makes up over 23% of the company’s total revenue.

Average monthly unique visitors on TripAdvisor-branded websites and apps grew 12% year-over-year to approx 433 million, but average monthly unique hotel shoppers remained flat year-over-year at about 149 million.

“We are expanding our global platform for the benefit of users and partners and we are executing along our key product, supply and marketing initiatives that position our business for long-term profitable growth,” said CEO Steve Kaufer.