Airbnb (ABNB): analysis in plain words
Is Airbnb cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Airbnb (ABNB) is listed on the Nasdaq and we classify it in travel, leisure and gaming. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Airbnb according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Airbnb (ABNB) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $176.37 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 40.2x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +16.5% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 20.4% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | Net cash (more cash than debt) | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $105.6 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Airbnb figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any ABNB figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Airbnb makes money
Airbnb earns a service fee on every booking made through its platform, which connects hosts renting out homes and rooms with travelers, and it now also offers experiences and services. Fees come from both guests and hosts, so revenue tracks nights booked. North America is its largest region, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Over the last 12 months, Airbnb brought in revenue of $13.2 billion. For every 100 it sells, Airbnb keeps 82.9 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 21.0 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 8,200 full-time employees, that is about $2 million of revenue per employee.
Airbnb against its sector
To know whether a Airbnb figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Airbnb with the median of the 13 travel, leisure and gaming companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Airbnb | travel, leisure and gaming median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 40.2x | 17.8x (13) |
| Revenue growth | +16.5% | +8.8% (14) |
| Net margin | 20.4% | 11.6% (14) |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.31% (14) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | -3.5x | 2.8x (14) |
In short, against the typical travel, leisure and gaming company, Airbnb trades on a higher P/E, grows faster and earns a wider margin. By size, Airbnb ranks number 3 of 11 travel, leisure and gaming companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Airbnb
These are the strengths in the Airbnb figures as of November 4, 2026:
- Airbnb is selling more than a year ago: +16.5% in its latest quarter (the typical travel, leisure and gaming company grew +8.8%).
- Its net margin over the last 12 months is 20.4% (sector median: 11.6%): Airbnb turns a large share of its sales into profit.
- Airbnb earns 34.5% a year on its shareholders' money (return on equity).
The main risk for Airbnb
The price already assumes a lot: Airbnb trades at 40.2x its last 12 months of earnings, against 17.8x for the travel, leisure and gaming median. If growth disappoints, the multiple can shrink and the share price with it.
And, like the rest of travel, leisure and gaming, Airbnb is exposed to people travelling and spending less on leisure if the economy worsens, plus fuel prices.
Frequently asked questions about Airbnb
Is it a good time to buy Airbnb stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Airbnb, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Airbnb stock trades at $176.37, 9% below its 52-week high ($193.45) and 59% above its low ($110.81). Its P/E is 40.2x against a travel, leisure and gaming median of 17.8x, and 28.4x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Airbnb, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Airbnb pay a dividend?
No. As of November 4, 2026, Airbnb does not pay a dividend: what it earns stays in the company to grow, invest or, where it does so, buy back shares. Anyone buying Airbnb today is counting on the share price rising, not on income.
Is Airbnb stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Airbnb trades at 40.2x its last 12 months of earnings: more expensive than the travel, leisure and gaming median (17.8x). Including its debt, Airbnb is valued at 32.2x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Airbnb expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Airbnb's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Airbnb with Marriott, Hilton and Booking Holdings, which are also in travel, leisure and gaming. As of November 4, 2026, Marriott is worth $109.4 billion and trades on a P/E of 42.4; Hilton is worth $83.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 50.8; Booking Holdings is worth $128.5 billion and trades on a P/E of 19.0. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Airbnb below.
Airbnb competitors
- Marriott (MAR) analysis · Airbnb vs Marriott comparison
- Hilton (HLT) analysis · Airbnb vs Hilton comparison
- Booking Holdings (BKNG) analysis · Airbnb vs Booking Holdings comparison
To understand Airbnb better
- How to Read a Balance Sheet: A Beginner's Guide
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like Airbnb: travel, leisure and gaming stocks and S&P 500 companies. Open the full ABNB analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Airbnb, not investment advice.