Airbnb posts $4.4 billion 3Q profit with help from a tax break and higher-than-expected revenue

Airbnb says it made nearly $4.4 billion in the third quarter on better-than-expected revenue and a tax benefit. But the company gave a fourth-quarter revenue outlook Wednesday that fell short of Wall Street expectations. For the third quarter, revenue rose 18% to $3.40 billion on a 14% increase in bookings. Airbnb is predicting fourth-quarter revenue between $2.13 billion and $2.17 billion, below Wall Street’s forecast of $2.18 billion. The company says it's seeing more volatility in its business than it did over the summer.