Which Stock Will Rally: Booking or Expedia?
Even as Expedia surged 18% during the past Day, its peer Booking may be a better choice. Consistently evaluating alternatives is core to sound investment approach. Booking (BKNG) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Expedia (EXPE) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in BKNG
- BKNG’s quarterly revenue growth was 12.7%, vs. EXPE’s 6.4%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 13.0%, ahead of EXPE’s 5.7%.
- BKNG leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 34.5% and 3-year average of 31.4%.
A single stock can be risky, but there is a huge value to a broader, diversified approach. Quiz time: Over the last 5 years, which index do you think the Trefis High Quality Portfolio outperformed — the S&P 500, the S&P 1500 Equal Weighted, or both? The answer might surprise you. See how our advisory framework helps stack the odds in your favor.
EXPE operates as a global online travel company with retail, B2B, and trivago segments, offering services through brands like Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, and CheapTickets. BKNG provides global online travel and restaurant reservations, including accommodation, car rentals, and price comparison services through multiple platforms.
Valuation & Performance Overview
- Why Expedia Stock Is Soaring After Q3 Results?
- Better Value & Growth: CCL Leads Expedia Stock
- Better Bet Than Expedia Stock: Pay Less To Get More From CCL
- With EXPE Up 19% in a Month, Is It Time to Compare It Against CCL?
- Better Bet Than Expedia Stock: Pay Less To Get More From CCL
- S&P 500 Stocks Trading At 52-Week High
| EXPE | BKNG | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 19.2 | 17.8 | BKNG |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 6.4% | 12.7% | BKNG |
| Last 12 Months | 5.7% | 13.0% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 9.6% | 17.8% | BKNG |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 12.1% | 34.5% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 11.6% | 31.4% | BKNG |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 190.1% | 173.3% | EXPE |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: EXPE Revenue Comparison | BKNG Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: EXPE Operating Income Comparison | BKNG Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell BKNG Stock to see if Booking’s edge holds up under the hood or if Expedia still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell EXPE Stock).
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| EXPE Return | 23% | 36% | -52% | 73% | 23% | 19% | 105% | ||
| BKNG Return | 8% | 8% | -16% | 76% | 41% | -1% | 142% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 108% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| EXPE Win Rate | 67% | 58% | 33% | 50% | 67% | 60% | 56% | ||
| BKNG Win Rate | 50% | 58% | 50% | 75% | 58% | 50% | 57% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| EXPE Max Drawdown | -58% | -7% | -54% | 0% | -28% | -27% | -29% | ||
| BKNG Max Drawdown | -44% | -15% | -32% | 0% | -6% | -16% | -19% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/7/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read BKNG Dip Buyer Analyses and EXPE Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Whatever your view on either of these stocks, investing in one or two stocks remains a risky proposition. Instead, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.