The ASX travel share sector could be a good place to look for recovery ideas as earnings start heading into profitable territory again.
It has been a difficult 18 months for the ASX travel share sector with limited travel, restrictions and big losses.
However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel with talk of borders reopening and a growing number of people being vaccinated – bringing the opening up targets of NSW and VIctoria closer.
With that in mind, these two ASX travel shares could be ones to consider:
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Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB)
Webjet is currently rated as a buy by the broker UBS with a price target of $6.35. The broker believes that Webjet's medium-term outlook is looking stronger. UBS believes that Webjet may be able to increase its market share.
According to UBS, Webjet shares are valued at 19x FY23's estimated earnings.
A few weeks ago the ASX travel share told investors that its divisions had been profitable before the lockdowns in Australia and New Zealand. The WebBeds business was profitable in July and August, it was also on track to be profitable in September. WebBeds has seen strong demand as travel restrictions ease in North America and Europe. Management suggested this showed significant upside as more international markets reopen.
Its online travel agency and Online Republic businesses were profitable in April and May, but both have been impacted by lockdowns. Webjet believes that both businesses will return to profitability as soon as domestic markets reopen.
Webjet thinks that it can expand into new market segments and benefit from customers buying travel online. Management said the business is on track to reduce costs by at least 20% once the company gets back to scale. Once markets reopen, Webjet thinks it will have lower costs and greater profitability.
Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD)
Corporate Travel is currently rated as a buy by the broker Morgans, with a price target of $25.25.
Morgans was attracted to the Corporate Travel Management's last few months of FY21 which revealed a good performance in the northern hemisphere. Market share growth and a return to profitability in the second half of FY21 were highlights.
In the second half of FY21, the ASX travel share generated underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $8.1 million, with $13.6 million of positive EBITDA generated in the fourth quarter of FY21.
The business points to the acquisition of Travel & Transport in the US as a very helpful reason why it will be a much larger business after COVID travel restrictions are removed. It thinks it's now the fourth largest corporate travel business in the world.
In North America, FY21 fourth quarter revenue increased 47% to $39.6 million compared to the third quarter result.
Corporate Travel Management managing director Jamie Pherous said:
Through our recent acquisitions, realised synergies and permanent reductions of our cost base we expect the business will deliver material accretion to group earnings after COVID-19.
According to Morgans, the Corporate Travel Management share price is valued at 22x FY23's estimated earnings.
