Who Owns Expedia?

When exploring the world of online travel and booking, a common question arises: who owns Expedia? This travel giant, Expedia Group, Inc., stands as a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol EXPE. The ownership landscape of Expedia is primarily dominated by institutional investors, while individual shareholders and company insiders hold smaller shares.

Institutional Ownership Dominates

As of Q4 2024, approximately 92–95% of Expedia Group’s shares are owned by institutional investors. These include major investment firms like Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation. Specifically, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co. holds 12.41% of shares, BlackRock Advisors LLC owns 6.45%, and State Street Corporation maintains a 4.70% stake. Such significant institutional ownership underscores the confidence and strategic investment these entities have in Expedia’s operations and market future.

Insider Ownership

While a major portion of shares is institutionally controlled, insiders like board members and executives collectively own around 5% of the company. Notably, Barry Diller, a long-term chairman, has historically exerted substantial influence over Expedia’s direction despite not owning a majority of shares personally. This insider influence is pivotal in steering the strategic direction as well as the innovative future of the company.

The Impact of Liberty Expedia Holdings

Previously, Liberty Expedia Holdings, linked to John Malone and Liberty Media, played a significant role as a key shareholder. However, in a strategic move in 2019, Expedia acquired Liberty Expedia Holdings. This acquisition was aimed at simplifying the ownership structure, thereby increasing the sway of public and institutional shareholders in the company’s decision-making processes.

Expedia’s Strategic Headquarters

The brain of Expedia’s operations is located at its headquarters at 1111 Expedia Group Way West, Seattle, Washington. This serves as a central hub for leading innovative strides in the travel industry and hosting the minds behind one of the most influential travel platforms globally.

In conclusion, understanding who owns Expedia reveals a complex structure with a predominant share held by institutional investors, supplemented by insights and leadership from company insiders. This diverse ownership pool ensures a dynamic balance of strategic investment with operational governance and innovation, propelling Expedia Group to thrive in the competitive travel industry.