TRIP.COM(US:TCOM) 2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-11-20 10:58Core Insights - Ctrip Group reported a significant increase in net profit for Q3 2025, reaching 19.9 billion RMB, a year-on-year growth of 194%, marking a rare instance where net profit exceeded revenue [1] - The profit surge was primarily driven by a strategic exit from a cross-border investment, specifically the sale of part of its stake in Indian online travel giant MakeMyTrip, yielding approximately 17 billion RMB [1][5] - Excluding this investment gain, Ctrip's Q3 net profit was substantially lower than the previous year's 6.8 billion RMB [1] Investment in MakeMyTrip - Ctrip's investment in MakeMyTrip began in January 2016, with an initial investment of 180 million USD in convertible bonds, positioning Ctrip as a significant player in the Indian market [1][2] - The investment was based on the strong growth potential of the Indian economy and the rapid rise of its middle class, which was estimated to have reached 140 million people [2] - MakeMyTrip was already the largest OTA in India at the time of investment, holding a 15% market share in domestic flights and experiencing a 50% growth in hotel revenue [2] Strategic Developments - Ctrip's stake in MakeMyTrip was further solidified through a series of strategic equity operations, culminating in Ctrip holding approximately 49% of the voting rights by the end of 2024 [3] - The investment's value increased over the nine years, with Ctrip reporting a book value of 6.2 billion RMB and 7.1 billion RMB for its stake in MakeMyTrip by the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively [3] - In June 2025, Ctrip sold part of its Class B shares in MakeMyTrip for 2.5 to 3 billion USD, reducing its voting rights from 45.3% to 16.9%, transitioning from a strategic to a financial investor [3][4] Market Position and Future Growth - Despite relinquishing control over MakeMyTrip, Ctrip remains the largest minority shareholder, allowing it to benefit from the growth of the Indian online travel market, which has seen MakeMyTrip achieve over 50% market share in the OTA sector [4] - MakeMyTrip's total gross booking value (GBV) for FY2025 is projected to reach 9.8 billion USD, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 23.1% [4] Ctrip's Growth Engines - Ctrip's management highlighted three key growth engines: AI technology, inbound tourism, and targeted market segmentation [6][7] - The company is leveraging AI to enhance customer service and operational efficiency, with its AI travel assistant, TripGenie, experiencing over 200% user growth in the first half of 2025 [6] - Inbound tourism is identified as a rapidly growing segment, with significant potential for growth compared to developed countries, where inbound tourism revenue constitutes 1% to 5% of GDP [7] Market Challenges - Ctrip faces challenges from intensified price competition in the online travel industry, exacerbated by competitors like JD.com and Douyin [10] - Despite a strong Q3 performance, the overall market conditions remain challenging, with domestic hotel and flight prices showing only slight declines [10] - The recovery of international business is also constrained, with global airline capacity only reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels, impacting Ctrip's growth potential [10] Competitive Strategy - In response to market challenges, Ctrip is adopting a differentiated competitive strategy, emphasizing high-quality service over price competition [11] - The company has announced a new 5 billion USD stock buyback plan, indicating a commitment to shareholder returns [11] - Ctrip's ongoing investment in technology and customer support services is crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in the evolving travel market [11]