21 August Tripadvisor under investor pressure: Should Viator be spun off?
Tripadvisor is once again facing pressure from investors. Just six weeks after activist fund Starboard Value took a 9 percent stake, British investor Palliser Capital has now also come forward. They believe the company is stifling its own potential by trying to be both a “value” and a “growth” business simultaneously – and ultimately failing at both.
Palliser claims the whole company is currently worth less than $2 billion, while Viator itself, the experiences platform and fastest-growing part of the Tripadvisor group, could be worth between $2 and $2.5 billion. Their estimate is that the entire company, with proper restructuring, could reach a valuation of around $3.7 billion.
Focus on Viator and TheFork
In the past year, Viator and TheFork have generated as much as 60 percent of the company's revenue, whereas two years ago this share was less than 50 percent. Management highlights that these segments are bringing the biggest growth and that they expect further strengthening through innovation and better app monetisation.
Investors are looking for changes
Palliser Capital, which owns 1.1% of the shares, is publicly calling on the Board to seriously consider spinning off Viator or selling it. Similar messages have previously been sent by Starboard Value, which is seeking stricter cost cuts and a focus on the most profitable brands.
On the other hand, Tripadvisor's management highlights that they value constructive suggestions, but believe they are already taking necessary steps to ensure long-term growth and shareholder benefit.
The pressures clearly show that shareholders want faster and more concrete action. Viator is emerging as a key asset, and the question is whether Tripadvisor will be able to leverage its potential on its own, or whether it will be forced to spin it off under investor pressure.
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