Priceline (NASDAQ: PCLN)'s unbelievable quarter, which saw the company best earnings estimates by $0.12, may mean that investors pay attention to CTRIP.com (NASDAQ: CTRP) numbers due out next week. While numbers were up across the board international bookings surged.
Priceline's gross bookings growth momentum continued in the fourth quarter with international growth accelerating to 113.0% year-over-year and the domestic growth rate increasing sequentially to 24.2% led by increasing retail airline ticket bookings," said Jeffery H. Boyd, Priceline's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Internationally, we believe that our wide geographic reach, new market initiatives and extensive inventory are providing sustained impetus for growth. We believe that in the United States, our value positioning and brand promotion through offline and online channels is driving above-category growth rates in an uncertain economic environment.
CTRIP.com is the Chinese equivalent of Priceline. The company has also seen earnings grow nicely, and with a growing Chinese middle class, leisure activities are becoming more and more in demand. Throw in the Olympics this summer, and CTRIP may very well benefit from all this as it is the leader in bookings fields in China. With the stock beaten down, investors may want to take a closer look at this interesting Chinese travel play.
Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer has no position in any stock mentioned as of 2/18/08.
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