Airbnb reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings, with profits reaching $1.03 per share (versus $0.93 forecast) and revenue climbing to $3.1 billion, surpassing estimates. Despite the strong performance, shares fell 6% in premarket trading as growth concerns overshadowed results. Analysts remain split: one firm maintains a bullish $165 price target, citing robust margins (83.2% gross margin) and strong free cash flow (107% of revenue), while another downgraded expectations, slashing 2025–2026 bookings and revenue forecasts due to slowing demand in core markets.
Conflicting Signals Fuel Volatility
Confusion persists as conflicting data circulates—some reports suggest earnings dropped to $0.86 per share with revenue plunging to $2.75 billion, exacerbating investor uncertainty. Airbnb’s Q3 revenue guidance ($4.02–4.1 billion) also fell at the lower end of expectations, with warnings of a Q4 slowdown. The company announced a $6 billion stock buyback program to signal confidence, but shares remain volatile, trapped between opposing analyst views at around $130.