Booking Profit, Sales Fall as Global Conflicts Wear on Travel Demand

By Katherine Hamilton

Booking Holdings logged lower profit and sales in the third quarter, as global travel demand slowed down due to persistent geopolitical tensions.

The online travel agency posted a profit of $2.72 billion, or $3.61 a share, compared with $2.75 billion, or $3.38 a share, a year earlier.

Stripping out certain one-time items, adjusted per-share earnings were $4.66, ahead of the $4.49 anticipated by analysts, according to FactSet.

Revenue fell 1% to $8.89 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast revenue of $9.55 billion

Gross bookings were $54.4 billion, ahead of the $52.63 billion analysts expected. Room nights were also ahead of estimates.

Booking said it recorded a reduction in revenue of $900 million and a loss of $100 million related to a Federal Trade Commission matter.

Global travel demand moderated toward the end of the third quarter, reflecting slower international travel. Domestic travel remains resilient, Booking said.

In October, disruptions to travel through the Middle East, as well as the Iran war's broader impact on fuel costs and airfares, weighed on travel demand. Local unrest in certain European cities, including Paris, also contributed to headwinds.

Booking expects room nights to increase 1% to 3% in the fourth quarter, with 2% to 4% gross bookings growth.

Booking maintained its full-year outlook for gross bookings and adjusted earnings per share.

Write to Katherine Hamilton at katherine.hamilton@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 03, 2026 16:48 ET (21:48 GMT)