Roundup | Asia CNY: Trend Tracker #1 Round Up 22 Feb 2026 19:55:39 ET Citi Asia Research AC +852-2501-2751 RoundUp China Economics - Solid CNY Spend Sets the Stage; NPC Policy Catalysts Next The Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday delivered a broadly firm demand signal, with upbeat retail sales, resilient mobility & travel and improved home sales. The slump in the box office is not a concern, given the lack of blockbuster releases. This better-than-expected household spending suggests a steady economic start. Wi ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising trend of stock splits in the market, highlighting Booking Holdings as a key player that has recently announced a significant forward stock split, and suggests that Meta Platforms may be the next major company to follow suit. Group 1: Stock Splits Overview - A stock split allows a company to adjust its share price and outstanding share count without affecting its market capitalization or operating performance [2] - Forward stock splits are generally favored by investors as they make shares more affordable for retail investors [3] - Companies that announce forward splits tend to outperform the S&P 500 in the following year, indicating a positive correlation between stock splits and company performance [5] Group 2: Booking Holdings - Booking Holdings announced a historic 25-for-1 forward stock split, reducing its share price from approximately $4,076.79 to around $163, effective April 2 [7][8] - The company has seen a remarkable 1,600% increase since its IPO and has a market cap of $123 billion [10][6] - Booking Holdings has a strong competitive position in the online travel market, particularly in Europe and Asia, and has implemented a Connected Trip strategy to enhance user engagement and profitability [11][12] Group 3: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms, with over 30% of its shares held by retail investors and a current share price of $656, is positioned to potentially announce a stock split in 2026 [16] - As the only member of the "Magnificent Seven" that has not previously split its shares, a split could be significant given its 1,620% return over nearly 14 years [17] - Meta's strong social media presence, with 3.58 billion daily users across its platforms, supports its advertising pricing power, while its cash-rich balance sheet allows for aggressive investments in growth initiatives [19][21]

Core Insights - Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate but increasing year-over-year, while total revenues surpassed estimates and also increased from the prior year [1][4][10] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter were $5.35, missing the consensus estimate of $5.38, but up 9.4% from $4.89 in the same quarter last year [4] - Total revenues reached $1,535.7 million, exceeding the consensus mark of $1,516 million, and increased by 6.4% year-over-year [4][10] - Global retail sales (excluding foreign currency impact) rose 4.9% year-over-year, driven by a 5.5% increase in U.S. store sales and a 4.5% increase in international store sales [6] Operational Highlights - The company achieved 392 net store openings during the fourth quarter, contributing to its global expansion [5][10] - Comps at domestic stores increased by 3.7% year-over-year, while international store comps rose by 0.7% [6][8] Margin Analysis - Gross margin expanded by 50 basis points year-over-year to 39.7%, although the gross margin for U.S. company-owned stores contracted by 540 basis points to 10.1% due to rising costs [9][10] Balance Sheet and Capital Management - As of December 28, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $125.7 million, down from $186.1 million a year earlier, while long-term debt increased to $4.81 billion from $3.83 billion [11] - Capital expenditure for the quarter was $120.6 million, up from $112.9 million in the prior year, and the company repurchased 188,526 shares for $80 million [12] Annual Performance - For fiscal 2025, total revenues were $4.94 billion, up from $4.71 billion in 2024, and net income increased to $601.7 million from $584.2 million [13]

Core Insights - Booking Holdings Inc. is recognized as one of the best consumer discretionary stocks to buy currently, despite a recent target price reduction by JPMorgan from $6,250 to $5,600, which represents a 10.4% decrease while maintaining an Overweight rating [1] Financial Performance - Booking Holdings reported strong Q4 earnings with GAAP net income increasing by 34% year-over-year to $1.4 billion and GAAP earnings per share rising by 38% year-over-year to $44.22 [2] - Non-GAAP metrics also showed significant growth, with adjusted EBITDA up 19% year-over-year to $2.2 billion and adjusted earnings per share increasing by 17% year-over-year to $48.80 [2] Revenue and Profitability - The company's revenue grew by 16% year-over-year to $6.3 billion, driven by a 9% increase in room nights booked to 285 million and a 6% rise in average daily rates to $151 per night [3] - Net income margins improved by 300 basis points year-over-year to 22.5%, aided by approximately $550 million in annualized run-rate savings from the company's "Transformation Program" [3]

We recently published an article titled 10 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy Right Now. On January 21, Citi lowered its price target on MakeMyTrip Limited (NASDAQ:MMYT) to $96 from $108 while maintaining a Buy rating following the company’s third-quarter results. Although estimates were revised to reflect more conservative margin assumptions, the firm characterized underlying growth as solid, given a challenging operating environment, and views the current valuation as attractive. In the same quarter, MakeMyTri ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the latest insights from technology companies regarding AI's impact on their industries, particularly focusing on Adyen and Airbnb's advancements in AI technology and its applications in their business models [1][2]. Adyen - Adyen has introduced Dynamic Identification, which enhances real-time decision-making for payments, improving conversion rates and reducing costs while managing risks more effectively [2][4]. - During peak shopping events, approximately 95% of shoppers were recognized through Dynamic Identification, showcasing its effectiveness in both online and in-store channels [2][4]. - Dynamic Identification is designed to combat the limitations of traditional, document-based identity verification methods, allowing for more adaptive and precise risk assessments [2][6]. - The new Personalize module within Adyen Uplift, developed in the second half of 2025, helps merchants balance payment costs and conversion rates by personalizing the payment experience based on shopper behavior [4][10]. - Pilot tests of the Personalize module showed a 6% improvement in conversion rates and a 3% reduction in transaction costs for merchants [10]. Airbnb - Airbnb has deployed an AI agent for customer support, which currently resolves one-third of support issues, significantly speeding up resolution times [11][12]. - The company plans to expand the AI agent's capabilities globally, aiming to enhance customer support quality while reducing costs [12][13]. - Airbnb is developing an AI-native experience within its app to personalize user interactions, helping guests plan trips and assisting hosts in managing their businesses more effectively [13][14]. - Management believes that integrating AI will not negatively impact profitability, as the company focuses on cost-efficient innovations without significant capital expenditures [13][14]. - Airbnb's strategy includes leveraging AI to enhance search functionalities, with ongoing tests for AI search capabilities aimed at improving user experience [16][17]. Arista Networks - Arista Networks has exceeded its AI center networking revenue goal of $1.5 billion for 2025 and anticipates doubling this figure to $3.25 billion in 2026 [18][19]. - The company is positioning itself as a leading provider for AI data centers, focusing on interoperability with major players like NVIDIA and AMD [20][28]. - Arista's networking products are designed to handle both training and inference for AI models, with a focus on reducing congestion and improving performance metrics [22][23]. - The company has seen a significant increase in purchase commitments, reaching $6.8 billion by the end of Q4 2025, primarily driven by demand for AI-related products [25][26]. Cloudflare - Cloudflare has secured significant contracts with leading AI companies, establishing itself as a preferred infrastructure provider for AI applications [36][39]. - The company is witnessing a shift towards AI-driven demand for its services, with AI agents generating significantly more outbound requests compared to traditional applications [42][43]. - Cloudflare's management emphasizes the efficiency of its infrastructure, claiming it can achieve up to 10 times the workload from the same GPU compared to hyperscalers, thus attracting more AI compute spending [45].

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) (the “Company”), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation e-commerce ecosystem, and its majority owned subsidiary, NusaTrip Incorporated (Nasdaq: NUTR) (“NusaTrip”), the leading SEA and Asia-Pacific-based (APAC) integrated travel technology platform, announces that NusaTrip filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 3, 2026 regarding the status of trading in NusaTrip’s securities on The Na ...

Economic Indicators - The number of Americans filing for initial jobless claims fell by 23,000 to 206,000, compared to the expected 223,000 [1] - The U.S. Philly Fed manufacturing index rose to a 5-month high of 16.3 in February, exceeding expectations of 7.5 [1] - The U.S. December trade deficit widened to $70.3 billion, worse than the expected $55.5 billion [1] - U.S. pending home sales unexpectedly fell by 0.8% month-over-month in January, contrary to expectations of a 1.4% increase [1] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's major indexes ended in the red, with EPAM Systems dropping over 17% after issuing soft FY26 revenue growth guidance [2] - Chip stocks, including Microchip Technology and Texas Instruments, slid more than 2% [2] - Booking Holdings slumped over 6% after posting weaker-than-expected Q4 EPS [2] - Omnicom Group jumped over 15% after reporting better-than-expected Q4 revenue [2] Federal Reserve Insights - Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari indicated that interest rates are likely near "neutral" [5] - San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly stated that monetary policy is "in a good place" [5] - U.S. rate futures show a 94% probability of no rate change and a 6% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the next central bank meeting in March [5] European Market Developments - The Euro Stoxx 50 Index rose by 0.47% due to stronger-than-expected PMI data from the region [8] - Luxury stocks outperformed, with Moncler Spa jumping over 12% after reporting better-than-expected Q4 revenue [8] - Eurozone business activity grew faster than expected in February, driven by a rebound in manufacturing [8] Corporate Earnings and Forecasts - Siegfried Holding AG slumped over 8% after posting weaker-than-expected annual revenue [9] - Opendoor Technologies jumped over 18% in pre-market trading after better-than-expected Q4 revenue [14] - Akamai Technologies plunged over 10% after issuing below-consensus Q1 and FY26 adjusted EPS guidance [15]

Core Insights - Booking Holdings reported Q4 results that exceeded both revenue and earnings estimates, with revenue of $6.35 billion, a 16% year-over-year increase [1] - The company announced a 25-to-1 stock split, its first forward split in history, aimed at increasing liquidity and attracting retail investors [1] - Despite strong performance, the stock has declined 27% year-to-date and 32% from its 52-week high, leading to questions about its future outlook [1] Financial Performance - Gross bookings reached $43 billion, up 16% year-over-year, driven by favorable currency effects and strong demand for accommodations and flights [1] - Room nights grew 9%, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of acceleration, exceeding the company's guidance of 4% to 6% [1] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $2.2 billion, with margins expanding to 34.6% from 33.8% a year ago, aided by $250 million in savings from a transformation program [1] Shareholder Returns - The quarterly dividend was raised by 9.4% to $10.50 per share, alongside $2.1 billion in stock buybacks, with $21.8 billion still authorized for future buybacks [1] - For the full year 2025, the company returned $8.2 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends [1] Guidance and Market Reaction - Guidance for 2026 includes projected Q1 revenue growth of 14% to 16% and full-year adjusted revenue growth in the low double digits [1] - Citi analysts reduced their price target from $6,500 to $6,250, citing market volatility and slightly weaker-than-expected earnings guidance [1] - The stock's decline post-announcement indicates investor skepticism despite the company's solid fundamentals [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Travelzoo's consolidated Q4 revenue was $22.5 million, up 9% from the prior year, while in constant currencies, revenue was $22.1 million, up 7% from the prior year [3] - Operating income decreased to $0.6 million, or 3% of revenue, down from $4.9 million in the prior year [3] - Non-GAAP operating profit for Q4 2025 was $0.9 million, or 4% of revenue, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising and commerce revenue was $18.3 million for Q4 2025, while membership fees increased to $4.1 million, expected to account for around 25% of revenue this year [7] - The average acquisition cost for a full-paying club member was $34 in Q4, down from $40 in Q3 [4] - G&A expenses increased due to a one-time expense related to a global company meeting [7][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Membership growth rate was 180% year to date, with new club members coming from both legacy members and new customers [6] - The company experienced a loss in Europe due to investments in member acquisition [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its global reach and trusted brand to negotiate more club offers for members, focusing on affluent and active travelers [10] - Plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, expecting to maintain a positive return and quick payback [22] - The introduction of new benefits for club members, such as a travel hotline and curated culinary journeys, is expected to enhance member retention [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The travel industry is experiencing a divergence, with luxury travel booming while lower-end travel faces challenges [40] - Management anticipates continued revenue growth in subsequent quarters as membership fees are recognized ratably over the subscription period [9] - There is an expectation for profitability to increase as recurring membership fees revenue will be recognized [9] Other Important Information - As of December 31, 2025, consolidated cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $10.8 million, with cash flow from operations at $1.5 million [8] - The membership fee increased to $50 for new members starting January 1, 2026, while existing members had the opportunity to renew at the old rate of $40 [45] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue trends in advertising and commerce - Management acknowledged that advertising and commerce revenue was soft in Q4 and expected this trend to continue into Q1, attributing it to a focus on membership growth [16] Question: G&A expenses - A one-time expense related to a global company meeting was cited as the reason for higher G&A expenses in Q4 [18] Question: Marketing expenses and profitability - Management plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, which may impact EPS in the short term but is expected to improve profitability over time [22] Question: Churn rates for new members - It was noted that it is too early to assess churn rates for new members added in 2025, as renewals are just beginning [25] Question: Trends in advertising revenue - Management indicated that as the member base grows, it allows for maintaining and improving advertising rates, although the impact is less controllable compared to membership revenue [30] Question: Customer acquisition costs - The lower cost per acquisition in Q4 was attributed to optimizations in user experience and cautious spending [34]