Webjet flags lift in FY earnings

The online travel firm expects to increase earnings by 20pct to $33.5m this financial year, helped by strong growth in all its business units.

Online travel firm Webjet expects to lift its earnings by about one fifth this financial year, despite a $3 million investment in its business-to-business division.

The company is now forecasting earnings of $33.5 million for 2015/16, an increase of about 20 per cent on last financial year.

"Our guidance number reflects the fact that all of our business units are exhibiting strong growth," Managing director John Guscice said in a statement, ahead of the company's annual general meeting on Wednesday.

Shares in the company jumped more than 19 cents, or 3.8 per cent, to close at 5.23.

Webjet said so far this year total transaction values were up 15 per cent in Australia and New Zealand, driven by a jump in online bookings and more sales of higher margin products like packages and travel insurance.

A recovery in the Asian market also helped the company report more than 20 per cent growth in transaction values from the region.

In the business-to-business travel segment, Webjet said a growing customer base and cheaper offerings has helped it more than double transaction values at its Middle East and Africa-focused Lots of Hotels unit.

The SunHotels business, which it acquired in August 2014, is growing transaction values at more than 20 per cent so far this year, and is investing $2 million to expanding its offerings in Europe.

Webjet said it plans to spend $1 million to launch its Lots of Hotels business in the North American market during the third quarter of the financial year.

The company said is also on the lookout for attractive acquisition opportunities in the B2B segment.

Meanwhile, Webjet's board has extended Mr Guscic's contract to mid 2018.


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Source: AAP



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