Later bookings dent profits at On The Beach, shares slide

(Sharecast News) - Shares in On The Beach Group tumbled in morning trading on Monday, after it confirmed that full-year profits would miss forecasts. Updating on trading, the online package holiday specialist said it had been a "record" year, with the total transaction value up 11% at £1.23bn and summer 2025 bookings 12% stronger year-on-year. Winter bookings were also ahead 12%.

However, bookings for summer 2026 were faring less well, as consumers opted to book far nearer to departure.

The group also announced it would wind down Classic Collection, its business-to-business brand, allowing it to focus solely on business-to-consumer. Classic Collection made a "small" loss during the year, it added.

As a result, full-year adjusted pre-tax profits - excluding the B2B operations - are now slated to come in between £34.5m and £35.5m. Consensus, which includes Classic Collection, had been for adjusted pre-tax profits of £38.4m.

As at 0830 BST, shares in On The Beach had slumped 15% at 218.5p.

Shaun Morton, chief executive, said: "Our core B2C business has again outperformed the market, underpinned by the group's asset light, cash-generative model and balance sheet strength.

"It remains clear that customers are still prioritising their holidays, with winter 2025 bookings up 12%, and we remain confident that summer 2026 will continue to build, notwithstanding later booking patterns."