New York, February 13, 2026, 12:13 EST — Regular session
- Airbnb shares climbed roughly 4.5% in midday action following its latest results and outlook.
- The company noted that bookings for premium accommodations held up, while demand from budget travelers softened.
- Analysts remain divided: can increased product spending actually drive growth, or will it just end up pressuring margins?
Airbnb Inc (ABNB.O) was trading up 4.5% at $121.17 on the Nasdaq by midday Friday. The stock had started the session at $125.90, moving in a range from $119.73 to $127.26.
This shift is resonating with travel stocks at the moment. Investors, eyeing 2026 demand, are piecing things together on the fly—and so far, the signals from consumers have been all over the map.
Airbnb on Thursday said travelers are opting for pricier listings, despite some budget travelers holding off. The company also projected first-quarter revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations, backing up what hotel chains and airlines have been saying about strong demand for premium options. 1
Airbnb told shareholders that fourth-quarter revenue climbed 12%, landing at $2.78 billion. Gross booking value, which tracks total dollar bookings on the platform, jumped 16% to $20.4 billion. Looking ahead, the company expects first-quarter revenue between $2.59 billion and $2.63 billion, with adjusted EBITDA margin forecast to stay about flat compared to last year.
During the earnings call, CEO Brian Chesky highlighted that Airbnb’s in-house AI customer support agent is now handling about a third of support issues on its own, no human specialist required. A broader launch is coming. Chesky framed this as a move to hold onto guests and hosts as chat-based search takes off across the industry. 2
Deutsche Bank bumped Airbnb up to a buy rating from hold, lifting the price target to $154 from $128, according to CNBC. The call pointed to tweaks like “Reserve Now, Pay Later” and changes to the fee structure. 3
Even so, disagreement lingers among the group. Expedia shares slipped after its latest report, Barron’s noted, flagging concerns that rising costs and a shaky jobs outlook might dampen travel budgets and change how online travel platforms draw users. 4
Airbnb’s comeback isn’t without its hazards. The company is doubling down on product development and marketing—spending that needs to translate into real bookings. Should demand falter, margins could take a hit.
Regulation is still an overhang. Restrictions on short-term rentals in major urban areas can tighten supply, which ends up curbing growth—even if demand holds up.
Over the next few sessions, traders are eyeing booking trends and pricing, scanning for any sign that higher-end demand is spreading past just a select few markets. They’re also watching how peers move on the same themes; lately, sector sentiment has been shifting quickly.
Airbnb’s first-quarter numbers are up next, with May 12 circled on MarketScreener’s calendar. 5
