DBS Stock Pulse: Booking Holdings’ soft US results cast a shadow on Expedia
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Group Research - Equities30 Jul 2025
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Stocks to Watch

Expedia Group

Booking Holdings’ soft US results cast a shadow on Expedia

Revenue growth forecasts (%)

Company Name

Ticker

CY-2024

CY-2025

CY-2026

CY-2027

Booking Holdings Inc

BKNG_US

11.11%

9.59%

8.56%

8.73%

Expedia Group Inc

EXPE

6.64%

3.60%

6.27%

7.11%

Source: Visible Alpha, DBS


EBITDA growth forecasts (%)

Company Name

Ticker

CY-2024

CY-2025

CY-2026

CY-2027

Booking Holdings Inc

BKNG_US

16.79%

13.27%

11.95%

12.30%

Expedia Group Inc

EXPE

9.48%

7.72%

8.83%

10.22%

Source: Visible Alpha, DBS

  • Booking Holdings’ US growth continued to lag other regions in 2Q25, highlighting regional disparities
    • US room night growth was up low single digits, trailing Europe and rest-of-the-world’s high single-digit gains and Asia’s robust low double-digit jump
  • Signs of a more value-conscious US traveler was also evident this quarter
    • Lower average daily rates and shorter stays reflect increased price sensitivity, suggesting travelers are trimming budgets amid economic uncertainty
    • Booking Holdings also reported tighter booking windows, indicating consumers’ reluctance to commit far in advance
  • Booking Holdings' soft US trends could be an early read-through for Expedia’s upcoming results, given Expedia’s significantly higher revenue exposure to the US market (around 60% vs Booking's 10%)
    • Consensus forecasts for Expedia’s CY25/26 revenue and EBITDA growth currently lag Booking Holdings, reflecting investor concerns over its US market concentration
    • Unless Expedia can offset this with international gains or market share growth, its near-term performance may trail peers with more diversified revenue bases

 

ESR REIT – Earnings (+), TP (+)

Core strengthening exercise yielding results

  • 1H25 DPU of 11.239 Scts consists mainly of core earnings; in line with our FY25 projections
  • Strong positive rental reversions of +9.7% in 1H25 to drive core profits
  • Overall financing costs have improved c.40bps since the start of the year, and is expected to continue improving
  • Maintain BUY with slightly higher TP of SGD3.20

 

Hotel Properties Ltd

Monetising its diamonds

  • HPL reportedly in talks to sell majority stakes in Forum mall and voco Orchard hotel, while retaining ownership of HPL House
  • This will allow HPL to crystallise the value without taking on the full development and execution risk
  • Assuming up to a 75% stake sale, we estimate up to SGD 3.49/share potential
  • Share price up close to 50% since our report in May'25; redevelopment of 3 assets to lift RNAV to SGD10.00 from SGD7.30/share

 

Keppel REIT

Solid leasing momentum

  • 1H25 DPU of 2.72 Scts was slightly below our estimates due mainly to partial payment of manager’s fees in cash; would have been in line otherwise
  • Sustained strong positive rental reversions of +12.3% for the portfolio, and Singapore continues to underpin overall portfolio performance
  • Gearing and borrowing costs reported marginal improvement q/q
  • Maintain BUY with TP of SGD1.10

 

Far East Hospitality

Tourist downtrading continues to bite

  • 1H gross revenue declined 4.2% y/y to SGD51.6m; DPU declined 9% y/y to 1.78 Scts and in line with our estimates
  • SG hotels and SR saw RevPAR declines of 5.7% and 6.5% respectively on lower MICE uplift and higher hotel supply
  • High floating rate and JPY debt undertaken for Nagoya acquisition saw a 30bps h/h decline in borrowing cost to 3.40%
  • Maintain BUY with TP of SGD0.75

 

CDL Hospitality

Missing earnings on soft operational performance

  • Adjusted DPS missed expectations, falling 21.1% y/y to 1.98 cents due to softer NPI and ramp-up costs at The Castings
  • Singapore Hotels RevPAR dipped 14.2% y/y amid a strong base effect and weak corporate demand; UK and Japan portfolios provided partial offset
  • Management expects stronger 2H from asset stabilisation, rate cuts, and tourism tailwinds, though macro and supply-side risks linger
  • TP and recommendation under review

 

AEM Holdings

Key takeaways from analyst briefing on change of CEO

  • The decision to appoint a new CEO was unanimous at the board level and mutual with outgoing CEO Amy
  • Leadership transition is well-received by customers, with no change in strategy or customer confidence
  • New CEO Samer Kabbani brings strong operational continuity and execution credibility
  • Maintain BUY with TP SGD2.10

 

Keppel Infrastructure Trust

1H25 results not inspiring, distributable income lags expectations

  • 1H25 DPU in line at SGD1.97Scts, a 1% y/y increase, but cash flow generation lags
  • Gearing falls below 40% level for now; higher maintenance and growth capex commitments will be watched though
  • Recent divestment proceeds need to be redeployed for growth
  • Maintain HOLD with TP of SGD0.45

 

CapitaLand China Trust

1H25 results first look

  • 1H25 topline revenue declined 6.3% y/y to RMB867.6mn, led by ongoing AEI works at three retail malls and softer occupancy from business parks
  • Excluding CapitaMall Yuhuating distribution, DPU declined 17.3% y/y to 2.49Scts, below estimates
  • Negative reversions noted across all three business segments: retail at -2.7%, business parks -8.0%, and logistics park -24.7%
  • We currently have a BUY recommendation with TP SGD0.85

 

Starhill Global REIT

FY25 results first take

  • Higher 2H25 revenue (+0.7% y/y) of SGD95.8mn and flat NPI at SGD74.5mn, dragged by absence of income from divestment; excluding divestment effect, 2H25 NPI would have increased 0.6% y/y
  • Portfolio remains close to full occupancy at 94.6%; except Australia (86.9%), properties in its remaining countries are fully occupied
  • Healthy capital structure with 1) steady leverage at 36%, 2) 76% of borrowings hedged to fixed rates, and 3) cost of debt falling to 3.67% from 3.87%
  • We currently have a BUY recommendation with TP SGD0.68

 

Legend

 

(+)

(-)

Earnings

Positive earnings revision

Negative earnings revision

Recommendation

Upgrade

Downgrade

TP

Increase

Decrease

 

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