Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) is scheduled to release its third-quarter fiscal 2023 results on Thursday, November 2. Investors are keenly awaiting the report to assess the company’s performance, particularly given the ongoing recovery in global travel demand. Booking Holdings operates within various sectors of the online travel market, including hotel rooms, rental cars, airline tickets, and cruise bookings.
### Anticipated Q3 Performance
The company’s third-quarter results are expected to benefit from the general increase in global travel demand. Management previously provided guidance indicating expectations for strong gross travel bookings growth during the quarter, following a robust start to the summer travel season. This outlook included anticipated year-over-year growth in both room nights and overall gross bookings.
However, several factors could influence Booking Holdings’ financial outcomes. Macroeconomic uncertainties, such as persistent inflation and higher interest rates, might impact consumer discretionary spending on travel. Challenges in the rental car business and the competitive nature of the travel industry are also noted as potential headwinds that could affect the company’s performance.
### Analyst Expectations and Website Traffic
According to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, Booking Holdings is projected to report revenues of $7.33 billion for the third quarter of 2023. This estimate suggests an anticipated growth of 17.65% compared to the figure reported in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for earnings per share (EPS) stands at $77.83, which would represent an expected surge of 25.35% from the prior year’s reported number. Booking Holdings currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Website traffic data provides additional insight into user engagement during the quarter. For Booking.com, estimated monthly unique visitors were 179.9 million in July, 212.7 million in August, and 183.8 million in September, averaging 192.13 million for the quarter. Similarly, for KAYAK, the estimated monthly unique visitors were 37.7 million in July, 39.5 million in August, and 33.7 million in September, averaging 36.97 million unique visitors over the three-month period.
### Key Points
* Earnings release date: Thursday, November 2
* Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q3 2023 revenues: $7.33 billion
* Expected revenue growth (year-over-year): 17.65%
* Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q3 2023 earnings per share (EPS): $77.83
* Expected EPS surge (year-over-year): 25.35%
* Zacks Rank for Booking Holdings: #3 (Hold)
* Booking.com estimated monthly unique visitors (July): 179.9 million
* Booking.com estimated monthly unique visitors (August): 212.7 million
* Booking.com estimated monthly unique visitors (September): 183.8 million
* Booking.com estimated monthly unique visitors (Q3 average): 192.13 million
* KAYAK estimated monthly unique visitors (July): 37.7 million
* KAYAK estimated monthly unique visitors (August): 39.5 million
* KAYAK estimated monthly unique visitors (September): 33.7 million
* KAYAK estimated monthly unique visitors (Q3 average): 36.97 million
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