Airbnb, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, significantly down. The bulls are confused.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bulls.

Средний индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из лонгов на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from longs at a high level.

Key Points
Most IPOs underperform the market over a three-year period.
Some new issues, like SpaceX, are often overhyped and crash after an initial pop.
Other stocks go public with little fanfare and deliver steady growth.
IPO stands for initial public offering.
This is the process by which most companies enter the public markets, meaning their stock can be owned by a willing buyer. Start-ups and private companies typically go public with the help of investment banks, which underwrite the offering. The process takes several weeks. First, a company files a detailed prospectus, also known as an S-1, with the SEC, and then goes on a roadshow to pitch the IPO to investors.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Shortly before the offering, a listing price, or what the IPO buyers are paying, is set based on investor demand, and then the stock begins trading publicly. Once it's listed on an exchange, it can be bought and sold like any other stock.
Should you buy an IPO?
The traditional investing advice is to avoid IPOs. IPO stocks, typically defined as stocks that have gone public within the last year, are more volatile than the broad market, and they also underperform the S&P 500 on average. Historically, IPOs jump about 19% on their first day of trading, according to research shared in The Wall Street Journal. However, the average return of an IPO held from the end of its first trading day for three years is 21% lower than a comparable market index.
A lot of IPOs enter the market overhyped at high valuations and crash after an initial pop. We saw this recently with Space Exploration Technologies (NASDAQ: SPCX), which is now trading slightly above its IPO price of $135 but lost more than 50% of its value from peak to trough after popping out of the gate.
There's a slew of other IPOs that went public during the pandemic, only to crash in the 2022 bear market. Some of those have bounced back to new heights, while others have struggled.
My contrarian take on buying an IPO
In general, I think investors should steer clear of IPOs. I think that's especially true of overhyped issues like SpaceX, which typically crash after an initial pop. We saw something similar with Figma, another recent high-profile IPO, which is now trading below its IPO price even as it more than tripled in its initial trading days.
If you are going to buy this kind of IPO, you should wait until the initial hype cycle has completed, as the initial pop is almost always followed by a pullback. Some IPO stocks, like Airbnb, remain significantly above their IPO price but still underperform the market. Don't chase a hot IPO, and remember that valuation always matters over the long term.
However, other less-hyped IPOs don't have an initial pop and do go on to be big winners. With the benefit of two decades of hindsight, we can see that Netflix would have been a great IPO purchase. The streaming stock, which went public in 2002 when the market was still reeling from the dot-com bust, jumped just 12% on its opening day and then headed lower over the following months. Since then, it's been one of the best-performing stocks this century with market cap growth of roughly 1,000x. Netflix has a higher price-to-sales ratio now than it did when it went public.
Chipotle, which went public in 2006, doubled on its opening day but then delivered only modest growth over the next year. Additionally, the stock traded at a price-to-earnings ratio similar to levels we've seen in recent years, suggesting investors were ignoring its growth potential.
More recently, I think Viking Holdings (NYSE: VIK), the parent of the cruise line of Viking Cruises, is a good example of a winning IPO. The company went public with little fanfare, but had a strong business model, differentiated positioning in its industry, and a reasonable valuation.
The stock rose a modest 9% on its opening day and has continued to march higher since then, as the chart below shows.
What it means for investors
Overall, IPOs are best treated with caution, especially in an era when so much of the gains accrue to the company before it goes public, as we saw with SpaceX, and are likely to see with OpenAI and Anthropic, which are aiming to go public in the coming months.
However, there are still winners to be found. Look for companies that have reasonable valuations, competitive advantages, and relatively little media attention as they go public. Viking Holdings won't be the last steady IPO winner.
Should you buy stock in Viking right now?
Before you buy stock in Viking, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Viking wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $414,015!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,385,459!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 960% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 213% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 9, 2026.
Jeremy Bowman has positions in Airbnb, Figma, and Netflix. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Figma, Netflix, and Viking. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

What Is an IPO, and Should You Buy One? My Contrarian Take After 15 Years at The Fool.

Key Points
Airbnb continues to generate substantial free cash flow from its global host network and unique property listings.
Shopify has maintained rapid revenue growth by providing essential multi-channel infrastructure for millions of global merchants.
Which of these high-growth technology leaders is a better addition to your portfolio for 2026?
Deciding between a leader in travel and a titan of e-commerce requires comparing two distinct business models. Both Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ:ABNB) and Shopify Inc (NASDAQ:SHOP) represent powerful trends in the digital economy.
Airbnb revolutionized the travel industry by connecting homeowners with travelers, focusing on unique experiences. Shopify provides the underlying software that allows businesses to sell products across various online and physical channels. While they serve different markets, both compete for growth-oriented capital in a changing economic landscape.
The case for Airbnb
Airbnb operates a massive global marketplace that connects over 5 million hosts with guests seeking unique accommodations. As a major player among consumer discretionary stocks, the company facilitates bookings in more than 220 countries and regions. The business relies on a two-sided network where high-quality listings attract guests, and the platform uses artificial intelligence to enhance customer service and fraud detection.
In its latest annual report, filed Feb. 12, 2026, the company showed significant financial progress. In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $12.2 billion, which represented a growth rate of roughly 10.3% over the prior year. The company reported net income of approximately $2.5 billion for the period, resulting in a net margin of close to 21%.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio, which compares total debt to shareholder equity, stood at approximately 0.3x. The so-called current ratio, which measures the ability to cover short-term debts with short-term assets, was roughly 1.4x. Free cash flow reached nearly $4.6 billion, though stock-based compensation represented roughly 34% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since it is a non-cash expense.
The case for Shopify
Shopify provides the essential internet infrastructure for modern commerce through an all-in-one platform. It enables millions of merchants to sell across online stores, social media, and physical retail locations. The company offers both subscription-based services and merchant solutions, such as payment processing, serving a diverse customer base, with 44% of merchants located in the United States.
In FY 2025, revenue reached approximately $11.6 billion, indicating a robust growth rate of roughly 30%. While the company is focused on scaling its platform, it reported net income of more than $1.2 billion for the fiscal year. This resulted in a net margin of approximately 11%, reflecting the costs of its aggressive expansion and investments in merchant solutions.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, Shopify reported a debt-to-equity ratio of zero, as total liabilities did not exceed shareholders' equity to the extent that traditional debt would be required. The so-called current ratio was exceptionally high at roughly 6x, suggesting a very strong liquidity position. Free cash flow for the year was slightly more than $2 billion, and stock-based compensation represented roughly 22% of operating cash flow, which also inflates reported cash generation.
Risk profile comparison
Airbnb faces significant risks from the shifting regulatory environment for short-term rentals, particularly as cities like New York implement restrictive legislation. The company is also involved in high-stakes tax litigation with the IRS regarding international intellectual property, with potential assessments exceeding $1.3 billion. Furthermore, it faces intense competition from established travel giants like Booking Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:BKNG) and Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE).
Shopify deals with legal risks involving class action lawsuits related to consumer data collection and intellectual property disputes in international markets. The company operates in a highly competitive software market, facing pressure from well-resourced technology companies like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Additionally, Shopify is dependent on third-party cloud providers and faces reputational risks if merchants use the platform for illegal or fraudulent activities.
Valuation comparison
Airbnb appears to be the more conservatively valued option for investors based on both revenue and future earnings estimates. Here is how the two companies compare.
Forward P/E
31.5x
59.6x
P/S ratio
8.6x
14.3x
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Airbnb reported an excellent second-quarter fiscal 2026, rallying shares sharply over the past four weeks of trading. The business beat consensus revenue estimates by $100 million, reporting $3.6 billion in sales, up 17% from the same period in 2025, driven by a strong increase in booked nights. Foreign markets like India and Latin America, two markets in which Airbnb is seeking growth, were exceptionally strong.
The business is finding ways to expand its popular travel business, embracing features like buy now, pay later (BNPL) on reservations, a form of short-term lending. The network advantage of Airbnb's history, over 2 billion guest arrivals since 2008, and the lack of host presence on AI (meaning a competitor using AI has little data and information to scrape in order to form a competing product), give it a competitive moat.
For the full year, management expects sales of $14.1 billion with net income of $3.2 billion.
Shopify, meanwhile, is also coming off an excellent quarterly report, tallying third quarter fiscal 2026 of $3.58 billion, up 34% year over year. It's the business's third-ever quarter of more than $3 billion in revenue, a mark it first chalked up in 2025. It is interesting to note that the business is growing much faster than the retail industry it serves.
Shopify appears ready to benefit from the age of agentic AI merchandising, which is just getting off the ground. Shopify supports Google's UCP, designed to enable agentic AI commerce by allowing AI agents to interact with merchant systems throughout the shopping journey. That and other trends have management projecting low-30% annual revenue growth for the current year. Long-term, management aims to expand in Europe to drive additional growth.
So, which is the best tech-driven consumer services platform to buy? Here, we have to go with pricing, seeing as Airbnb has a more reasonable P/S and forward P/E ratios than Shopify. Buying a good business at a reasonable price is one way to ensure one's investment turns out profitable in the long haul.
Should you buy stock in Airbnb right now?
Before you buy stock in Airbnb, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Airbnb wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $421,997!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,413,876!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 213% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 7, 2026.
Brendan Coffey has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Alphabet, Booking Holdings, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Airbnb vs. Shopify: Which Consumer Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Key Points
Airbnb maintains a high net margin while expanding its global network of unique listings.
Spotify Technology recently achieved meaningful net income while growing its massive audio streaming user base.
Which of these digital marketplace leaders is the better pick for your portfolio?
Choosing between a travel powerhouse and an audio streaming leader involves balancing profitability and growth. Investors are asking whether Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) or Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) offers more value today.
Airbnb dominates the short-term rental market through its unique host network, while Spotify has evolved from a music platform into a diversified audio ecosystem. Both companies rely on digital marketplaces to scale efficiently. This comparison evaluates their financials and risks to help you decide which stock fits your strategy.
The case for Airbnb
In its latest annual report, filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, Airbnb explains how it operates an online marketplace connecting millions of hosts with guests. The company is a prominent player among consumer discretionary stocks, facilitating travel experiences in 220 countries and regions. Airbnb generates revenue primarily by charging service fees on bookings and continues to innovate with AI-powered customer support.
In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $12.2 billion, representing a growth rate of approximately 10.3% compared to the previous year. The company reported net income of close to $2.5 billion, which resulted in a net margin of roughly 20.5%. Revenue growth continues to be driven by a recovery in international travel and increased host listings across almost every country across the globe.
Regarding the balance sheet, the December 2025 data shows a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.3x, which measures total debt relative to shareholder equity. The current ratio, measuring a company's ability to pay short-term debts with short-term assets, was roughly 1.4x. Airbnb generated free cash flow of about $4.6 billion, though stock-based compensation represented roughly 34.3% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense.
The case for Spotify Technology
In its latest annual report, filed for the fiscal year 2025, Spotify highlights how it provides audio streaming for music and podcasts to 777 million users. The company offers both ad-supported and premium subscription tiers to its global audience, including over 300 million premium subscribers. By expanding into audiobooks and video podcasts, it aims to become a central hub for all digital audio content.
In FY 2025, revenue reached approximately $20.1 billion, a 9.7% increase over the previous fiscal period. Spotify achieved net income of close to $2.6 billion, a significant rise that led to a net margin of roughly 12.9%. The company has focused on controlling operating costs while steadily increasing its average revenue per user through price adjustments and new tier offerings.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was roughly 0.3x, showing a similar leverage profile to its peers. The current ratio stands at approximately 1.7x, suggesting the company maintains a healthy cushion of liquid assets. Spotify reported free cash flow of nearly $3.4 billion, which is the cash remaining after the business pays for its operations and capital investments.
Risk profile comparison
Airbnb faces a fragmented global regulatory landscape, including strict rules or bans in major cities. The company is also managing significant tax audits, including a $1.3 billion dispute with the U.S. IRS regarding international intellectual property valuation. Competitive pressure remains high from online travel agencies like Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG), which can impact market share and booking volume.
Spotify faces intense competition from large technology firms like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) that offer competing audio services. The company must also manage the rising costs of licensing content from music labels and creators, which can pressure its net margin. Additionally, the business remains sensitive to broader economic trends that could affect consumer spending on monthly entertainment subscriptions.
Valuation comparison
Spotify currently offers a lower P/S ratio, though both companies trade at nearly identical Forward P/E multiples relative to their future earnings estimates.
Metric
Airbnb
Spotify Technology S.A.
Forward P/E
36.0x
36.9x
P/S ratio
9.2x
5.5x
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Spotify generates impressive revenue from its 777 million monthly active users, including 300 million Premium subscribers. Revenue, margins, and free cash flow have all been improving. However, Spotify operates in a highly competitive audio market, facing major rivals such as Apple and Amazon, as well as smaller music, podcast, and audiobook platforms. Its long-term success will depend on maintaining subscriber growth while preserving the royalty economics that shape its margins.
Airbnb has become a popular alternative to traditional hotels and has built a highly scalable, asset-light marketplace. Because it does not own most of the properties listed on its platform, the company can grow without the capital requirements of a hotel operator. That model has supported strong margins and free cash flow, while the company continues to expand both domestically and internationally. Airbnb still faces meaningful competition from Booking Holdings and other travel platforms, as well as a significant regulatory risk: Cities can restrict short-term rentals, limiting available listings in key markets.
Even with those risks, I would choose Airbnb. Its marketplace model, strong balance sheet, and durable free-cash-flow generation give it an attractive foundation for long-term compounding. Spotify's recent improvement is encouraging, but Airbnb appears to offer the more resilient combination of profitability, capital efficiency, and growth potential.
Should you buy stock in Airbnb right now?
Before you buy stock in Airbnb, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Airbnb wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $446,157!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,377,357!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 984% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 212% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 3, 2026.
Pamela Kock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, Booking Holdings, and Spotify Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Airbnb vs. Spotify Technology: Which Consumer Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (Symbol: GARP) where we have detected an approximate $221.4 million dollar inflow -- that's a 7.4% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 35,700,000 to 38,350,000). Among the largest underlying components of GARP, in trading today Airbnb Inc (Symbol: ABNB) is up about 0.1%, Arista Networks Inc (Symbol: ANET) is off about 3%, and Royal Caribbean Group (Symbol: RCL) is lower by about 0.8%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the GARP Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of GARP, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, GARP's low point in its 52 week range is $61.025 per share, with $85.47 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $82.50. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Further GARP Research:

GARP, ABNB, ANET, RCL: ETF Inflow Alert

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (Symbol: XLY) where we have detected an approximate $133.8 million dollar outflow -- that's a 0.6% decrease week over week (from 199,306,504 to 198,156,504). Among the largest underlying components of XLY, in trading today TJX Companies (Symbol: TJX) is off about 1.7%, Starbucks Corp. (Symbol: SBUX) is up about 1%, and Airbnb Inc (Symbol: ABNB) is up by about 2.6%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLY Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLY, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLY's low point in its 52 week range is $105.19 per share, with $125.01 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $118.36. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Further XLY Research:

XLY, TJX, SBUX, ABNB: Large Outflows Detected at ETF

Key Points
SpaceX completed the largest IPO in history in June.
SpaceX has made progress on its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure business, yet its capex budget remains heavily scrutinized by Wall Street.
Historical analysis of high-profile tech IPOs suggests SpaceX stock could return from orbit before blasting higher.
Space Exploration Technologies (NASDAQ: SPCX) completed its long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) in June. SpaceX stock opened on the Nasdaq at $150, delivering an immediate 11% lift from the offering price of $135. The company ultimately raised about $85.7 billion, far above the previous record set by Saudi Aramco.
In the days that followed, shares of SpaceX continued climbing -- closing the first session near $161 and briefly touching an intraday high of more than $225 shortly thereafter. The initial enthusiasm, however, was fleeting. Subsequent trading sessions came with selling pressure as early momentum faded and valuation questions mounted.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
As of this writing (Aug. 17), SpaceX stock has rebounded to its first-day trading range of about $150. This trajectory underscores a familiar pattern among high-profile IPOs: An opening-day pop driven by scarcity and narrative, followed by a period of price consolidation in which reality and expectations start to align.
How do IPO stocks typically perform?
During the past 15 years or so, there have been a number of major technology IPOs that show a consistent pattern of significant drawdowns during the first year as a public company. Across a cohort of roughly 30 companies, the median maximum share price decline within the first 12 months of being public was 54%.
Facebook (now Meta Platforms) experienced a peak-to-trough decline of 54% in its first year as a public company. Uber fell as much as 68%. Airbnb held up better on a relative basis, yet still retreated 39% at its worst point. Even eventual long-term winners such as Shopify and Snowflake endured declines in the mid-50% range before recovering.
These figures are not outliers. Rather, they represent a typical experience for heavily hyped IPO stocks once the initial liquidity event ends and lock-up expirations, earnings scrutiny, and competitive realities take center stage.
Where is SpaceX stock headed over the next year?
Applying the same historical trends to SpaceX stock points to a wide range of plausible outcomes over the next year. Across the cohort mentioned above, the median one-year return from the IPO price stood at negative 9%, while the average return was 14%. The maximum declines, in contrast, represent a worst-case peak-to-trough scenario.
Under the median-return path, shares would finish their first year at about $135. In contrast, the average-return path would propel them closer to $170. In a more severe case that mirrors the historical maximum-drawdown experience, SpaceX stock could temporarily bottom at about $100, or even about $70 if measured from today's levels.
Taken together, these scenarios imply a realistic 12-month trading range between $100 and $170. Even at the lower end of this band, SpaceX would still boast a frothy enterprise value, since the business is still scaling revenue and hemorrhaging cash.
Is SpaceX a good investment right now?
It's important to understand that none of the historical analogies explored above are guaranteed. Markets can and often do reward exceptional execution, and SpaceX's vertical integration featuring regular rocket launches, Starlink growth, and artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions is unique.
In my eyes, a more probable near-term path for SpaceX stock will involve continued volatility as the first major lock-up agreements expire, letting insiders and early investors sell their shares, and the company works to prove that its AI and space-based compute initiatives justify a premium valuation.
Against this backdrop, I think smart investors are better served waiting for a more attractive entry point, rather than buying into momentum at current levels. SpaceX stock has already shown how quickly early gains can evaporate. Patience for a deeper consolidation offers both a lower valuation and a clearer view of whether the underlying business can convert its inspiring narrative into durable free cash flow.
Should you buy stock in Space Exploration Technologies right now?
Before you buy stock in Space Exploration Technologies, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Space Exploration Technologies wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $409,970!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,381,040!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 969% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of August 19, 2026.
Adam Spatacco has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Meta Platforms, Shopify, and Snowflake. The Motley Fool recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

SpaceX Is Back Trading Near Its Opening-Day Price. History Says Shares Will Be Worth This Much in 1 Year.

Looking at options trading activity among components of the S&P 500 index, there is noteworthy activity today in Xcel Energy Inc (Symbol: XEL), where a total volume of 20,410 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 2.0 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 44.5% of XEL's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 4.6 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $65 strike put option expiring January 15, 2027, with 20,001 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 2.0 million underlying shares of XEL. Below is a chart showing XEL's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $65 strike highlighted in orange:
Lumentum Holdings Inc (Symbol: LITE) saw options trading volume of 23,252 contracts, representing approximately 2.3 million underlying shares or approximately 44.5% of LITE's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 5.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $1000 strike call option expiring August 21, 2026, with 1,893 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 189,300 underlying shares of LITE. Below is a chart showing LITE's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $1000 strike highlighted in orange:
And Airbnb Inc (Symbol: ABNB) options are showing a volume of 20,610 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 2.1 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 41.2% of ABNB's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 5.0 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $197.50 strike call option expiring August 21, 2026, with 10,122 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.0 million underlying shares of ABNB. Below is a chart showing ABNB's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $197.50 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for XEL options, LITE options, or ABNB options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Further XEL Research:

Noteworthy Tuesday Option Activity: XEL, LITE, ABNB

Key Points
Axon is becoming a full operating system for public safety, shifting from hardware to recurring software and services.
Airbnb’s massive supply of listings and capital-light model drive strong margins and free cash flow.
Building wealth in the stock market is straightforward when you focus on buying and holding shares of industry-leading companies with steady growth. And sometimes the market gives investors the chance to buy shares of quality growth stocks at a discount.
Public safety and travel are two expanding markets that could reward patient investors, and Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ: AXON) and Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB) look best positioned to benefit. Their stocks are trading below their previous highs even as their businesses are seeing strong momentum in 2026.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Axon Enterprise
Axon Enterprise is increasingly becoming the operating system for law enforcement and public safety. It's delivering strong revenue growth as it expands into new markets and shifts from selling hardware (like TASER devices) to software-based services. Yet the stock is trading 30% below its previous all-time high, creating an attractive entry point for new investors.
Revenue grew 35% year over year in the second quarter, marking Axon's 10th straight quarter of 30%-plus growth. The company has been producing numbers like these for years. Its stock is up nearly 2,000% over the past decade, and its current momentum suggests it could once again outperform the major indexes over the next 10 years.
The biggest indicator of the opportunity is the 36% year-over-year increase in software and services revenue. That growth highlights the shift from hardware to higher-margin, recurring services. Demand remains strong for its AI Era Plan, which automates time-consuming tasks such as drafting police reports.
Axon is also gaining traction beyond its core market. International bookings tripled year over year last quarter. Future contracted bookings rose 41% to $15 billion, pointing to a long runway for growth.
Overall, Axon is building an end-to-end platform spanning sensors, devices, and AI-powered software. Its high forward price-to-earnings multiple of 78 signals high expectations, but analysts also project 29% annualized earnings growth in the years ahead. If Axon continues to execute on its broader public safety platform strategy, the stock offers market-beating potential over the next decade.
Travel and tourism have been resilient industries over the last five years, with consumers spending more each year on getaway experiences. Airbnb's competitive edge is the millions of properties on its platform, a selection that's difficult for traditional hotel chains to match. The stock is surging after strong second-quarter results, but it still trades about 15% below its previous all-time high.
In the first half of 2026, the company delivered its strongest growth in years. Revenue rose 17% year over year in the second quarter to $3.6 billion, while gross booking value increased 16% to $27 billion.
Airbnb is attracting more guests, helped by rising interest among Gen Z. First-time bookers grew by 11% last quarter. That momentum is also being supported by expansion into newer markets, which are growing faster than its more mature regions.
Results are also being boosted by productivity gains from the internal use of AI, enabling Airbnb to launch updates more often. AI-generated listings and highlights are making it easier for guests to discover and book places to stay, which appears to be contributing to the acceleration of growth this year.
Airbnb produced $4.8 in trailing-12-month free cash flow, a strong 37% margin on revenue. The stock trades at 23 times trailing free cash flow and 35 times forward earnings, with analysts expecting earnings to grow at a 19% annualized rate over the next several years.
A favorable long-term outlook for travel is a tailwind for the business. By 2035, the World Travel and Tourism Council expects the industry to face a worker shortage as demand grows. With solid momentum and a reasonable valuation, Airbnb looks like a promising growth stock to hold for the next 10 years.
Should you buy stock in Axon Enterprise right now?
Before you buy stock in Axon Enterprise, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Axon Enterprise wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
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*Stock Advisor returns as of August 16, 2026.
John Ballard has positions in Axon Enterprise. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb and Axon Enterprise. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2 Stocks Down 15% and 30% to Buy Right Now and Hold for the Next Decade

Key Points
MercadoLibre currently looks stronger and more consistent in generating continuous revenue expansion than Airbnb.
Over the course of the last eight quarters, MercadoLibre has demonstrated steadily increasing quarter-over-quarter growth, whereas Airbnb consistently displays a recurring seasonal pattern that causes regular fluctuations throughout each fiscal year.
Individual investors should closely watch whether the absolute revenue gap between the two companies continues to widen steadily, or if periodic seasonal spikes eventually help narrow the overall difference in upcoming reporting periods.
Airbnb: Ongoing Seasonal Fluctuations in Its Quarterly Revenue
Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) primarily manages a global digital marketplace that effectively connects independent hosts offering unique local accommodations with international travelers looking to book short-term vacation rentals or distinct private rooms.
While introducing its new Summer Release to expand third-party travel support services and simultaneously integrating diverse boutique hotel listings across multiple regions, it reported a 21% operating margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
MercadoLibre: Upward Momentum Throughout Its Quarterly Revenue
MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:MELI) primarily operates an automated digital commerce platform and a comprehensive financial technology system that allows various businesses and private individuals to list merchandise, finalize retail sales, and securely process online digital payments.
While officially completing the regional rollout of new technical developer tools for its marketplace sellers and simultaneously managing ongoing federal regulatory scrutiny, it reported a 7% operating margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
Why Tracking Quarterly Revenue Matters for Everyday Investors
Revenue provides a critical baseline that helps investors evaluate the total volume of incoming cash a business collects from its core commercial operations before any necessary operational costs, local taxes, or general administrative expenses are deducted.
Closely tracking this top-line financial figure helps investors understand the total scale and top-line growth trajectory of a business.
Comparing Quarterly Revenue Trends for Airbnb and MercadoLibre
Q3 2024 (Sept. 2024)
$3.7 billion
$5.3 billion
Q4 2024 (Dec. 2024)
$2.5 billion
$6.1 billion
Q1 2025 (March 2025)
$2.3 billion
$5.9 billion
Q2 2025 (June 2025)
$3.1 billion
$6.8 billion
Q3 2025 (Sept. 2025)
$4.1 billion
$7.4 billion
Q4 2025 (Dec. 2025)
$2.8 billion
$8.8 billion
Q1 2026 (March 2026)
$2.7 billion
$8.8 billion
Q2 2026 (June 2026)
$3.6 billion
$10.2 billion
Data source: Company filings. Data as of Aug. 12, 2026.
Foolish Take
The revenue trends for Airbnb and MercadoLibre reveal a lot about these companies. The former sees sales spikes during the key summer travel months. The latter's e-commerce revenue soars during the holiday shopping season in the fourth quarter.
Both are experiencing consistent year-over-year sales growth, demonstrating their businesses continue to expand. That said, MercadoLibre is seeing exceptional increases compared to Airbnb.
For example, in the second quarter, MercadoLibre reported impressive 50% year-over-year growth to $10.2 billion. Airbnb's $3.6 billion represented a 17% increase over Q2 of 2025.
This demonstrates the strength of MercadoLibre's ecosystem approach. It was able to broaden the availability of free shipping, which drove up the number of unique active buyers by 26% year over year to 89.3 million in Q2.
Airbnb's strategy to add hotels and guest services, such as food delivery, to its platform contributed to sales expansion. However, its niche focus on the travel accommodations sector does not lend itself to the level of growth MercadoLibre is able to achieve.
Should you buy stock in Airbnb right now?
Before you buy stock in Airbnb, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Airbnb wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $421,943!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,382,819!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 983% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 216% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Airbnb. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb and MercadoLibre. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Airbnb vs. MercadoLibre: Evaluating Revenue Trajectories Between These Consumer Companies

Key Points
CEO Brian Chesky is integrating AI throughout Airbnb's operations.
The company's bountiful free cash flow gives shareholders multiple ways to win.
Shares of Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB) furthered their ascent on Thursday, as investors continue to price in the vacation rental company's strong second-quarter report and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered expansion initiatives.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
AI-driven gains
Airbnb's revenue jumped 17% year over year to $3.6 billion in the second quarter, boosted by higher travel demand for the FIFA World Cup.
Nights and seats booked on its platform increased 10% to 148.3 million, fueling a 16% rise in gross booking value to $27.2 billion.
CEO Brian Chesky said AI was also helping to drive Airbnb's sales and profits higher. AI is making it easier for hosts to list properties and for guests to find them. It's also enabling Airbnb to roll out new features faster.
"We've rebuilt Airbnb from the ground up to be an AI-native company, and it's showing up in our results," Chesky said in a letter to shareholders.
All told, Airbnb's free cash flow surged 30% to $1.25 billion.
Acquisitions could accelerate Airbnb's growth
That robust cash flow provides Airbnb with considerable optionality.
The travel platform is expanding beyond short-term house rentals to include hotel stays, car rentals, grocery deliveries, and other services. All of which offer Airbnb potential acquisition prospects.
"Entrepreneurs would love to be part of Airbnb and to hold stock," Chesky said during a conference call with analysts. "So, I think there's a huge number of opportunities for us."
Should you buy stock in Airbnb right now?
Before you buy stock in Airbnb, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Airbnb wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $400,209!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,375,393!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 964% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Airbnb, Inc.

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