Global Business Travel Group Achieves Profitable Transformation

American Express Global Business Travel posts $111M profit for 2025, reversing a $134M loss. The company doubles its share repurchase program amid strong travel demand and CWT integration.

The corporate travel specialist operating as American Express Global Business Travel has completed a decisive financial turnaround. Preliminary figures for the 2025 fiscal year reveal a company that has not only returned to profitability but is also aggressively returning capital to shareholders, signaling strong management confidence in its ongoing recovery.

A Year of Significant Financial Improvement

For the full 2025 fiscal year, Global Business Travel Group generated a net profit of $111 million. This result marks a dramatic reversal from the prior year’s loss of $134 million, underscoring a successful strategic shift. The company’s fourth-quarter performance was particularly robust, with revenue climbing 34% to $792 million and net income reaching $83 million. This strong finish contrasts sharply with the loss-making position reported for the same period a year earlier.

Capitalizing on this operational strength, the company’s board has authorized a major expansion of its share repurchase initiative. The existing program has been doubled to a total of $600 million. This move toward enhanced shareholder returns is underpinned by two key drivers: a sustained rebound in corporate travel demand and the strategic acquisition of competitor CWT, which was finalized in September 2025.

Strategic Integration and Technology Focus

Management attributes part of its renewed optimism to the successful integration of CWT. The market, however, appears to be still assessing the full potential of this combination. Despite the positive operational developments, the share price closed at $5.43 last Friday, a level approximately 35% below its 52-week high.

Looking ahead to 2026, the group has reaffirmed its ambitious outlook, projecting revenue growth in the range of 19% to 21%. To hit these targets, the company is placing a heightened emphasis on artificial intelligence-driven innovation and rigorous cost management. The broader industry tailwinds, including a move toward simplified travel programs and more transparent fee structures, are also expected to support this growth trajectory.

Awaiting Final Confirmation

Investors and analysts are now looking toward the next key milestone: the release of the final, audited financial statements for 2025, scheduled for March 9, 2026, before the U.S. market opens. This report will provide crucial validation of the preliminary numbers and, more importantly, detail the concrete progress made in capturing synergies from recent acquisitions. Market participants will be keenly focused on whether the company’s technology initiatives are successfully expanding its operating margin as planned.