BofA Post-TripAdvisor Spin-Off Valuation for Expedia

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By Jon C. Ogg Published

Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is going to see its shares trade on a WHEN ISSUED basis for it and for its TripAdvisor unit, which shareholders approved the spin-off for on Tuesday afternoon.  The details of this spin-off have been out for some time, but we have one view cautious or “Neutral” view on this special situation.

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch has a report this morning noting that the TripAdvisor spin-off could add $2 to $3 per share as both stocks will trade on a WHEN ISSUED basis starting today.  The report noted, “TripAdvisor is a high growth, high margin asset with a defensible lead in the advertising supported travel vertical that may be undervalued within the larger and much slower growing Expedia.

The report also noted Expedia’s current stock price of about $29 is valuing TripAdvisor at 7.5 to 10.5-times 2013 expected EBITDA assuming a 5 to 6.4-times multiple for the remainder of Expedia. 

The firm’s combined Expedia price target objective is unchanged at $33.00.

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About the Author Jon C. Ogg →

Jon Ogg has been a financial news analyst since 1997. Mr. Ogg set up one of the first audio squawk box services for traders called TTN, which he sold in 2003. He has previously worked as a licensed broker to some of the top U.S. and E.U. financial institutions, managed capital, and has raised private capital at the seed and venture stage. He has lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as New York and Chicago, and he now lives in Houston, Texas. Jon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance at University of Houston in 1992. www.247wallst.com.

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