Back to catalogue
HSW

Hostelworld Group PLC

Travel and Leisure First-pass screen £132m
410/1000 Overall fit
AI beneficiary 35% 20
Operating leverage 25% 63
Valuation 25% 30
Downside protection 15% 72

First-pass take

Hostelworld dominates its niche but with zero AI exposure and declining revenue (-4% YoY; supporting brands down 53%). Strong operating leverage shown by EBITDA margin expansion 28%→30% despite revenue decline. Fortress balance sheet (€24.6m net cash, zero debt) and robust FCF conversion (90%) provide protection, but cyclical travel exposure and geopolitical sensitivity evident in 2016.

Flags

no-ai-exposurenet-cashno-valuation-datalow-growthcyclicalgeopolitical-sensitive