Both Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) delivered solid first-half results this week, but the real question is, are the stocks worth buying at current levels?
We've had a look at the broker reports, and the good news is that the shares in each company look like a good buy at the moment, at least according to the brokers we've checked in with.
So let's look a bit closer at what they're saying.
Helloworld Travel
This company reported its first-half results this week and said that its total transaction volume came in at $2.1 billion, "with strong forward bookings for the remainder of FY26 and well into FY27".
The company said it was on track to achieve its full-year guidance, and the underlying EBITDA for the half of $30.5 million was up 12.1% on the previous corresponding period.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Burnes said it was a "solid performance in the first half, underpinned by continued investment in the business".
He added:
We progressed the expansion of our retail networks, our technology offering and wholesale product range, while further strengthening our core capabilities in air ticketing and consolidation. Helloworld remains the largest network of independent travel agents and brokers across Australia and New Zealand. We continue to leverage our scale, industry expertise and strong partner relationships to drive sustainable long‑term growth.
The team at Shaw & Partners ran the ruler over the Helloworld result and likes what they see. They have a $2.80 per share price target on the company, compared with $1.79 currently, and reminded their clients that the company also pays a dividend yield of 6.3%.
Flight Centre Travel Group
This company is more than 10 times the size of the former, but the growth story is much the same.
Flight Centre this week reported an underlying profit before tax of $125 million, "above expectations", on revenue of $1.411 billion, up 6%.
Flight Centre said the expectation had been for a "broadly flat" profit, and it had surpassed this "comfortably".
The company's total transaction value hit a record $12.5 billion, up 7%, and it had a record-low cost margin of 9.6%, "reflecting disciplined cost management and productivity gains".
Interestingly, the company also said it was investing in artificial intelligence, which is seen as a major driver for the business going forward.
The team at Canaccord Genuity had a look at this week's result and has maintained its price target of $16 on Flight Centre shares, compared with $12.66 currently.
The analysts said this week's results were "modestly stronger" than expected and that the company can hit its targets for the second half.
The team over at Macquarie have an even more bullish price target of $17.95 for Flight Centre shares.
The Macquarie team said the company was "well on track to deliver FY26 guidance, with solid total transaction volume growth across both segments''.
They added:
Valuation (is) attractive, and we see material upside to the current share price over a 12-month view.
The post Brokers think these two travel shares could take off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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