What caused Booking Holdings' other item fluctuations in 2024?

**Booking Holdings' 2024 Performance Analysis**: 1. **Q2 Earnings and Revenues Beat**: - **Earnings**: Booking Holdings reported non-GAAP earnings of $41.90 per share for Q2 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.4%. This figure reflected an 11% increase from the previous year. - **Revenues**: Total revenues for the quarter were $5.86 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.78 billion. This marked a 7% year-over-year growth on a reported basis and a 9% increase on a constant-currency basis. - **Business Segment Performance**: The company's merchant business showed strong growth, with a 10% increase in rental cars and a 27.7% surge in the airline tickets unit. However, agency business model weakness was a concern, as agency revenues declined by 11.7%. 2. **Q3 Earnings and Revenue Beat**: - **Earnings**: In Q3 2024, Booking Holdings reported earnings of $83.89 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.63%. This figure reflected a 16% year-over-year increase. - **Revenues**: Total revenues for the quarter were $7.994 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.76% and marking an 8.9% increase year-over-year on a reported basis and 9% on a constant currency basis. - **Business Segment Performance**: Gross bookings increased by 9%, driven by improved European market conditions and an expanded booking window. Alternative accommodations segment outperformed, with 14% room night growth, now constituting 35% of Booking.com's global mix. 3. **Overall Performance and Challenges**: - **Growth Drivers**: Booking Holdings' performance was bolstered by strategic initiatives and expanded service offerings. Alternative accommodations emerged as a particularly strong growth driver. - **Challenges**: The agency business model showed weakness, with agency bookings declining by 14% year-over-year. Additionally, high costs and stiff competition are potential headwinds, although menu price increases and a loyalty program may help balance the downside. In conclusion, Booking Holdings' performance in 2024 was marked by strong growth in key business segments, particularly in merchant bookings, which was partially offset by weakness in the agency business model. The company's strategic initiatives and expanded service offerings have been key factors in its success.