Why did the Flight Centre share price trounce the ASX 200 today?

Flight Centre's shares rose as one of its travel peers delivered enouraging news.

| More on:
Woman in red smiles as she pushes trolley with suitcases across the road at an airport.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Flight Centre's shares beat the market today, despite there being no news from the company
  • There are clues that some aspects of travel demand are accelerating to above pre-pandemic levels
  • Fellow ASX travel share Webjet reported impressive figures in its half-yearly results for FY23 today

The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price gained 1.49% on Thursday, closing at $16.38.

The ASX travel share comfortably outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which finished 0.19% higher.

It also narrowly beat the performance of its 'home' sector, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) rising 1.26%.

Flight Centre's shares lifted higher despite there being no news from the company today.

However, one of its travel peers reported some positive steps toward a full recovery this morning. Let's cover the highlights.

What happened with Flight Centre today?

The Flight Centre share price lifted along with those of fellow ASX travel share Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB), which reported its half-year results for FY23 this morning.

The results appear to have impressed investors, with the Webjet share price ending the day 10.14% higher at $6.19.

The online travel agent noted that some aspects of its business are trading ahead of pre-COVID levels as pent-up demand continues to be released.

Revenue increased 217% year over year to $175.7 million. Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 557% to $72.5 million.

Webjet's WebBed business led the charge in turning the company around after it posted a $15.9 million loss for 1H22.

WebBeds contributed $1.42 billion in total transaction value (TTV) and $114.4 million in revenue to the company's top and bottom lines.

Webjet's managing director John Guscic described its performance as a "spectacular turnaround", and said it's expected the company will exceed pre-pandemic profitability for FY23.

Flight Centre share price snapshot

Webjet's results could come as welcome news to the Flight Centre share price, which took a beating amid the company releasing its trading update on 14 November.

Flight Centre's revenue growth for the first four months of FY23 apparently came in lower than expected, as its shares dropped 4% on the day.

The Flight Centre share price is now down 7% since the start of the year. The ASX 200 is down 4% over the same period.

The company's market capitalisation is around $3.22 billion.

Motley Fool contributor Matthew Farley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited and Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Happy couple doing online shopping.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

What's Macquarie's price target on Premier Investments shares?

The broker has given its verdict on this retailer after its update.

Read more »

Ship carrying cargo
Technology Shares

Macquarie tips 50% upside for Wisetech Global shares

Wisetech is on a mission to reshape global logistics, and it can actually do that, the team at Macquarie says.

Read more »

A man sitting at a computer is blown away by what he's seeing on the screen, hair and tie whooshing back as he screams argh in panic.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Why are Premier Investments shares crashing 12% today?

The Peter Alexander and Smiggle owner's shares are deep in the red on Friday.

Read more »

3 men at bar betting on sports online 16.9
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Why are BetMakers shares charging higher today?

BetMakers has struck a major deal with CrownBet, which put a rocket under its shares today.

Read more »

Woman thinking in a supermarket.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

This retail stock could deliver healthy double-digit returns after a steep fall this week

This retailer's shares have taken a tumble, but that’s created a buying opportunity according to the team at Jarden.

Read more »

Looking down on a workstation with three people working on their tech devices.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

3 top consumer discretionary shares from Bell Potter

Here's three consumer discretionary stocks to watch.

Read more »

A young man looks like he his thinking holding his hand to his chin and gazing off to the side amid a backdrop of hand drawn lightbulbs that are lit up on a chalkboard.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Bell Potter just initiated coverage with a buy rating on this consumer discretionary stock

What's behind the buy recommendation for this retailer?

Read more »

Man with cookie dollar signs and a cup of coffee.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Macquarie tips 28% upside for Breville shares

Macquarie has a strong opinion on this one...

Read more »