BKNG · 8-K · 20260804PR000036

Operating Expense Trends

Booking Holdings Inc. · 2026-08-04 · Importance 52 · Surprise 30

Total operating expenses increased 7% to $4.852 billion from $4.548 billion, below the 8% revenue increase. Marketing expense rose 11% to $2.371 billion from $2.139 billion, while marketing expense as a percentage of gross bookings increased to 4.7% from 4.6%. Information-technology expense increased 20% to $263 million from $219 million, and personnel expense was essentially flat at $900 million versus $896 million. Adjusted fixed operating expenses increased 6% to $1.381 billion, driven by higher cloud-computing costs, software-license fees, and adverse foreign-currency changes.

Key facts

• Three months ended June 30, 2026 Total operating expenses: $4,852 million; Operating income: $2,500 million. source
• Adjusted fixed operating expenses increased 6% year-over-year, driven by higher cloud computing costs and software license fees, as well as adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. source
• Total operating expenses increased 7% year-over-year in Q2 2026. source
• Total operating expenses growth year-over-year 7% and Adjusted fixed operating expenses growth year-over-year 6% for the three months ended June 30, 2026. source
• Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026: $(300) million and interest and dividend income: $201 million. source
• Marketing expense as a percentage of gross bookings was 4.7% in Q2 2026 (4.6% in Q2 2025). source