SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: TCOM; HKEX: 9961) ("Trip.com Group" or the "Company"), a leading one-stop travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours, and corporate travel management, today announced that it is notifying holders of its 1.50% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2027 (CUSIP No. G9066FAA9) (the "Exchangeable Notes") that pursuant to the Indenture dated as of July 20, 2020 (the "Indenture") and the Supplemental ...

21 May 2025 CMB International Global Markets | Equity Research | Company Update Trip.com (TCOM US) Resilient revenue growth with investment on track for overseas expansion Trip.com Group (TCOM) released (20 May) 1Q25 results: total revenue was RMB13.9bn, up 16% YoY, inline with both our forecast and Bloomberg consensus estimates; non-GAAP operating income (OP) was RMB4.0bn, 7% better than both our estimates and consensus, mainly thanks to more optimized- than-expected sales and marketing spend. Overall trav ...

Core Insights - Trip.com Group Ltd reported a 16% revenue growth in its first-quarter earnings, which is a slowdown from the previous quarter's 23% growth [2][4] - The company continues to gain market share domestically and is experiencing rapid growth internationally, particularly in Asia [2][4] - Analysts maintain a positive outlook with Buy ratings, with price targets raised to $73 and $80 by TD Cowen and Benchmark respectively [2][4] Financial Performance - Trip.com reported solid quarterly results with a year-on-year revenue growth of 16% and better-than-expected profitability [4] - The company reiterated its guidance for the second quarter and full year, targeting mid-teens growth, with international travel as a core driver [4] Marketing and Strategy - The company has increased its advertising spend to boost its international business, focusing on aggressive marketing strategies [3][5] - AI integration is expected to enhance user engagement and operational efficiency, improving both user experience and scalability [5] Stock Performance - Shares of Trip.com declined by 6.29% to $62.88 at the time of publication [5]

Group 1 - Trip.com Group Limited reported strong Q1 results, indicating continued momentum in the travel industry, particularly driven by favorable conditions in China [1] - The online travel agency operator's performance reflects a broader recovery trend in the travel sector as demand surges [1] Group 2 - The company is positioned well within the market, benefiting from the rebound in travel activities post-pandemic [1] - Analysts are observing the company's growth potential, especially in the context of the increasing travel demand in China [1]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a 12-month rating of "Buy" for Trip.com with a price target of US$76.00, while the current price is US$65.54 [7][26]. Core Insights - Trip.com reported 1Q25 revenues of Rmb13.8 billion, reflecting a 16.2% year-over-year increase, which was largely in line with expectations. The operating expenses were 3.9% below estimates, primarily due to reduced marketing spending, leading to a non-GAAP operating profit of Rmb4.0 billion and a non-GAAP operating profit margin of 29.2%, exceeding expectations [2][3]. - The company demonstrated strong performance across segments, with accommodation revenue rising by 23%, transportation by 8%, and corporate travel by 12% year-over-year. Outbound hotel and air ticket bookings have recovered to over 120% of pre-COVID levels, significantly outperforming the industry's international flight capacity recovery of 83.9% [3][4]. - Management remains optimistic about sustaining growth, supported by resilient demand and favorable policies, indicating confidence in the company's outlook [4][5]. Financial Metrics - Key financial metrics for 1Q25 include net revenue of Rmb13.8 billion, non-GAAP operating profit of Rmb4.0 billion, and non-GAAP net profit of Rmb4.2 billion, which exceeded consensus estimates by 2.2% and 9.2% respectively [6]. - Forecasted revenues for Trip.com are projected to grow from Rmb20.0 billion in 2022 to Rmb96.8 billion by 2029, with net earnings expected to increase from Rmb1.3 billion in 2022 to Rmb34.4 billion by 2029 [6]. - The company is expected to maintain a strong EBIT margin, projected at 28.2% for 2025, with a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 20.4% [6]. Market Position - Trip.com is positioned as a leading travel service provider in China and internationally, operating multiple brands including Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. The company aims to generate 15-20% of total revenue from international businesses in the next three to five years [11].

Group 1 - Trip.com Group Limited held its Q1 2025 earnings conference call on May 19, 2025, featuring key executives including the Executive Chairman, CEO, and CFO [1][3] - The call included a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session, indicating an interactive format for discussing the company's performance and outlook [2] Group 2 - The company emphasized that the discussion would include forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, and results may differ from those expressed [4]

Company Performance - Trip.com reported quarterly earnings of $0.82 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.86 per share, and showing a slight decrease from $0.83 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of -4.65% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.91 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.25%, but an increase from $1.65 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Trip.com has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Outlook - Trip.com shares have declined approximately 5.4% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 1.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.01 on revenues of $2.04 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.44 on revenues of $8.45 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Trip.com is mixed, leading to a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Leisure and Recreation Services industry, to which Trip.com belongs, is currently ranked in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, Trip.com Group reported a net revenue of RMB 13.8 billion, representing a 16% increase year over year and a 9% increase quarter over quarter, driven by strong travel consumption and resilient demand across segments [23] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 7% year over year, reaching RMB 4.2 billion, compared to RMB 4 billion in the same period last year [13][27] - Diluted earnings per ordinary share were RMB 6.09 (US$0.84), while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were RMB 5.90 (US$0.82) [27][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Accommodation reservation revenue for Q1 was RMB 5.5 billion, a 23% increase year over year and a 7% increase quarter over quarter [23] - Transportation ticketing revenue was RMB 5.4 billion, reflecting an 8% year over year increase and a 13% increase quarter over quarter [24] - Packaged tour revenue reached RMB 947 million, representing a 7% increase year over year and a 9% increase quarter over quarter [25] - Corporate travel revenue was RMB 573 million, a 12% increase year over year but an 18% decrease quarter over quarter, consistent with normal seasonality [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Inbound travel bookings surged by approximately 100% year over year, with hotel bookings from key visa-free countries in APAC increasing by over 240% [15][16] - Overall bookings on the international OTA platform grew by over 60% year over year, with APAC remaining a major growth engine [14] - Outbound air bookings returned to more than 120% of 2019 levels, outperforming the market by 30-40% [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its AI capabilities to improve user experience and streamline the travel booking process, with AI tools integrated throughout the customer journey [10][11] - Trip.com aims to capture the growing inbound travel market by enriching its offerings and improving service capabilities, including multilingual support and personalized itineraries [9] - The company is committed to expanding its market presence in both mature and emerging markets, leveraging strategic partnerships and localized operations [8][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of travel demand, supported by strong consumer confidence and favorable policies [29] - The company anticipates continued growth in inbound travel due to favorable visa policies and increased accessibility to China [16][72] - Management noted that leisure travel demand remains strong, with corporate users expecting their travel budgets to grow or remain unchanged by 2025 [48] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased approximately US$84 million of its shares, demonstrating a commitment to delivering value to shareholders [28][80] - Trip.com has launched free city tours for transit travelers in Shanghai and Beijing to enhance visitor experience [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on AI in the travel industry - Management discussed the strengths of vertical AI agents in providing real-time travel data and enhancing the travel experience, while general AI agents offer broader information [31][32] Question: Performance during the Labor Day holiday - Domestic hotel bookings increased by over 20% year over year, with inbound bookings surging by approximately 150% [36][37] Question: Outbound travel trends and expectations - Outbound bookings have consistently outperformed the industry, with strong growth in long-haul destinations like Europe [39][40] Question: Hotel price trends and outlook - Hotel ADR decreased by high single digits in Q1, but prices stabilized during the Labor Day holiday, with expectations for stabilization due to increasing travel demand [43][44] Question: Consumer sentiment amid macroeconomic conditions - Travel demand remains resilient, with leisure travel demand strong and corporate travel budgets expected to grow or remain stable [47][48] Question: Domestic competitive landscape - Competition in the domestic market is rationalized, with a strong focus on loyalty programs and customer service [51][52] Question: International business marketing strategies - The company is intensifying marketing efforts in Asia, leveraging mobile app user acquisition as a key growth strategy [59][60] Question: Inbound business developments - Inbound travel has seen strong momentum due to favorable policies, with significant growth in bookings [70][72] Question: Sales and marketing expenses outlook - Marketing expenses may fluctuate due to seasonality, but the company aims to improve marketing efficiencies in the long term [75][76] Question: Capital return program updates - The company plans to continue share buybacks and has approved a total amount of US$600 million for this purpose [79][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, Trip.com Group reported net revenue of RMB 13.8 billion, a 16% increase year over year and a 9% increase quarter over quarter, driven by strong travel consumption and resilient demand across segments [24][29] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was RMB 4.2 billion, compared to RMB 4 billion in the same period last year and RMB 3 billion in the previous quarter, indicating continued operational efficiency improvement [27][29] - Diluted earnings per ordinary share were RMB 6.09 (US$0.84), while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were RMB 5.90 (US$0.82) for Q1 2025 [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Accommodation reservation revenue for Q1 was RMB 5.5 billion, representing a 23% increase year over year and a 7% increase quarter over quarter [24] - Transportation ticketing revenue for Q1 was RMB 5.4 billion, reflecting an 8% increase year over year and a 13% increase quarter over quarter [25] - Packaged tour revenue for Q1 was RMB 947 million, a 7% increase year over year and a 9% increase quarter over quarter [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Inbound travel bookings surged by approximately 100% year over year, with hotel bookings from key visa-free countries in APAC increasing by over 240% [15][16] - Outbound hotel and air bookings returned to more than 120% of 2019 levels, outperforming the market by 30-40% [17] - Domestic hotel bookings continued to see double-digit growth year over year, indicating strong consumer appetite for local exploration [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its AI capabilities to improve user experience and streamline the travel booking process, with AI tools like TripGenie seeing a 50% increase in average user session duration [9][11] - Trip.com aims to capture the growing inbound travel market by enriching its offerings and improving service capabilities, including multilingual support and personalized itineraries [8][15] - The company is committed to sustainable travel and rural revitalization, having built 34 country retreats to stimulate local economies [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of travel demand, supported by strong consumer confidence and favorable policies [29] - The company anticipates continued growth in both inbound and outbound travel, with a focus on capturing opportunities in emerging markets [7][24] - Management noted that leisure travel demand remains strong, with corporate users expecting their travel budgets to grow or remain unchanged by 2025 [50] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased approximately US$84 million of its shares, demonstrating a commitment to delivering value to shareholders [28][82] - The balance of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, was RMB 92.9 billion (US$12.8 billion) [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on AI in the travel industry - Management discussed the strengths of vertical AI agents in providing real-time travel data and enhancing user experience, while general AI agents offer broader information [31][33] Question: Performance during Labor Day holiday - Domestic hotel bookings increased by over 20% year over year, with inbound bookings surging by approximately 150% [37] Question: Outbound travel trends and expectations - Outbound bookings have consistently outperformed the industry, with expectations for double-digit annual growth [40] Question: Hotel industry performance and pricing outlook - Hotel ADR decreased by high single digits in Q1, but prices stabilized moving into Q2, with expectations for stabilization due to increasing travel demand [44] Question: Consumer sentiment amid macro environments - Travel demand remains resilient, with leisure travel demand strong and business travel showing stable demand [50] Question: Domestic competitive landscape - Competition in the domestic market is rationalized, with a strong focus on loyalty programs and customer retention [54] Question: Insights into first quarter performance - Overall bookings increased by more than 60% year over year, with APAC as a top priority for growth [57] Question: International business marketing strategies - The company is intensifying marketing efforts in Asia, with a focus on direct app user acquisition proving most effective [61] Question: Inbound business developments - Inbound travel has seen strong momentum due to favorable policies, with significant growth in bookings [72] Question: Sales and marketing expenses outlook - Marketing expenses may fluctuate due to seasonality, but the company aims to improve efficiencies through increased direct mobile traffic [78] Question: Capital return program - The company plans to continue share buybacks and has already returned US$200 million in cash dividends to shareholders [82]

Core Insights - Trip.com Group Limited reported strong growth in its international businesses, with overall reservations on its international OTA platform increasing by over 60% year-over-year and inbound travel bookings surging by around 100% year-over-year [2][3] - The company achieved net revenue of RMB13.8 billion (US$1.9 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, representing a 16% increase from the same period in 2024, driven by stronger travel demand [4] - The travel industry maintained strong momentum in the first quarter of 2025, supported by resilient consumer demand and favorable travel policies [3] Financial Performance - Accommodation reservation revenue for Q1 2025 was RMB5.5 billion (US$764 million), a 23% increase from Q1 2024 [5] - Transportation ticketing revenue for Q1 2025 was RMB5.4 billion (US$747 million), an 8% increase from Q1 2024 [6] - Packaged-tour revenue for Q1 2025 was RMB947 million (US$131 million), a 7% increase from Q1 2024 [7] - Corporate travel revenue for Q1 2025 was RMB573 million (US$79 million), a 12% increase from Q1 2024 [8] - Net income for Q1 2025 was RMB4.3 billion (US$596 million), unchanged from Q1 2024 [14][15] Cost Structure - Cost of revenue for Q1 2025 increased by 21% to RMB2.7 billion (US$373 million) compared to Q1 2024 [9] - Product development expenses for Q1 2025 increased by 13% to RMB3.5 billion (US$486 million) from Q1 2024 [10] - Sales and marketing expenses for Q1 2025 increased by 30% to RMB3.0 billion (US$413 million) from Q1 2024 [11] - General and administrative expenses for Q1 2025 increased by 11% to RMB1.0 billion (US$143 million) from Q1 2024 [12] Cash Position and Shareholder Returns - As of March 31, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents totaling RMB92.9 billion (US$12.8 billion) [17] - The company repurchased 1.6 million ADSs for a total gross consideration of US$84 million as part of its share repurchase plan [18]