Zero Hedge | August 7, 2024
Shares of Airbnb plummeted in premarket trading in New York after the company reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations, and issued a warning about slowing demand from US vacationers. This development comes amid rising recession risks in the US, with the consumer downturn worsening for the working poor and middle class due to elevated inflation and high interest rates.
Airbnb warned that it is “seeing shorter booking lead times globally and some signs of slowing demand from US guests.”
Bookings increased 8.7% in the second quarter to 125.1 million, missing analysts’ estimates of 126.33 million. Airbnb expects “sequential moderation” of booking growth in the third quarter.
In a consumer downturn, vacation spending is some of the first discretionary spending households cut to preserve cash. The problem is, as we’ve already cited numerous Goldman notes, explaining low/mid-income consumers are under severe financial stress. Airbnb’s earnings and dismal outlook are ominous signs that the consumer slowdown will likely worsen through the end of the year.
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