Global Mobility/Transport, Equity Long-Short

Mohshin Aziz

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>We compare the performance of the top-4 global online travel agents (OTA) from the recently concluded 2023 result</li>
<li>All the OTAs recorded strong 2023 and 4Q23, but the forward outlook indicates growth rate is slowing in North America and Europe while Asia is picking up speed  </li>
<li>Trip.com is indeed comparatively most attractive among the big-4 global OTAs; our fellow Smartkarma Insight provider’s conviction is justified</li>
</ul>


We compare the performance of the top-4 global online travel agents (OTA) from the recently concluded 2023 result
All the OTAs recorded strong 2023 and 4Q23, but the forward outlook indicates growth rate is slowing in North America and Europe while Asia is picking up speed  
Trip.com is indeed comparatively most attractive among the big-4 global OTAs; our fellow Smartkarma Insight provider’s conviction is justified


Comparing Performance of Online Travel Agents, Trip.com Is Indeed Attractive

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com Group (9961 HK)</a> has a remarkable 4Q23 with adjusted net profit surged 437.1% YoY. Higher volume and better market efficiency have resulted in massive margin expansion.</li>
<li>Net cash has ballooned to about 15% of its share price, and this has allowed it to carry out a massive US$300m Capital Return Program in 2024.</li>
<li>Business has outperformed the industry in CNY, with domestic hotel and air business volume increased by 60% and 50% YoY. Its overseas platform also saw double-digit growth.</li>
</ul>



Trip.com Group (9961 HK) has a remarkable 4Q23 with adjusted net profit surged 437.1% YoY. Higher volume and better market efficiency have resulted in massive margin expansion.
Net cash has ballooned to about 15% of its share price, and this has allowed it to carry out a massive US$300m Capital Return Program in 2024.
Business has outperformed the industry in CNY, with domestic hotel and air business volume increased by 60% and 50% YoY. Its overseas platform also saw double-digit growth.


Trip.com (9961 HK): Looks to Reap More Recovery Benefits

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/juniper-hotels" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40186:1" rel="noopener">Juniper Hotels</a> is looking to raise up to US$217m in its upcoming India IPO.</li>
<li>Juniper Hotels is the largest owner by no. of keys of Hyatt affiliated hotels in India as of 2Q23 (30th Jun 23), according to Horwath.</li>
<li>We have looked at the company’s past performance in our previous note. In this note, we provide our thoughts on valuations.</li>
</ul>



Juniper Hotels is looking to raise up to US$217m in its upcoming India IPO.
Juniper Hotels is the largest owner by no. of keys of Hyatt affiliated hotels in India as of 2Q23 (30th Jun 23), according to Horwath.
We have looked at the company’s past performance in our previous note. In this note, we provide our thoughts on valuations.


Juniper Hotels IPO - Looks Somewhat Fairly Valued

Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst, Pennock Idea Hub

Cam Hui

Cross-Asset Strategist & Quantitative Analyst

Pennock Idea Hub

We are creators of independent equity research. The Pennock Idea Hub team are veterans of the investment industry. Much of our team has spent their careers at Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, RBC Capital Markets and Wood Gundy. We have taken every aspect of research back to the studs and returned to first principles. The Pennock Idea Hub marries the interests of the sell and buy side. 

We offer the best research for institutional investors by:

-Only publishing research from veteran analysts
-Eliminate the inherent conflicts of the traditional sell and buy side relationship
-Ensure our team is always accessible; collaboration with clients nurtures our collective success

Cross-Asset & Quantitative Research

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>A bottom-up driven scan of stock charts shows over 29 stocks with bullish technical patterns consisting of uptrends or breakouts from multi-month bases with strong potential upsides.</li>
<li>Bullish patterns are broadly based, primarily concentrated in technology and cyclicals, which argue for a continuation of the AI-related bull and an economic rebound.</li>
<li>This bottom-up analysis also pointed to bullish macro conclusions about the economy.</li>
</ul>


A bottom-up driven scan of stock charts shows over 29 stocks with bullish technical patterns consisting of uptrends or breakouts from multi-month bases with strong potential upsides.
Bullish patterns are broadly based, primarily concentrated in technology and cyclicals, which argue for a continuation of the AI-related bull and an economic rebound.
This bottom-up analysis also pointed to bullish macro conclusions about the economy.


<ul>
<li>China is expanding its list of countries allowed to enter visa-free. A good gesture to make China more friendly to foreigners and one step closer to global best practices </li>
<li>Chinese major airlines and airports can become more desirable global aviation hubs, assuming they play their cards right </li>
<li>Doubt much can change in a year, but the seeds are sown for stiffer competition for airlines with a hub-and-spoke strategy in North Asia</li>
</ul>


China is expanding its list of countries allowed to enter visa-free. A good gesture to make China more friendly to foreigners and one step closer to global best practices 
Chinese major airlines and airports can become more desirable global aviation hubs, assuming they play their cards right 
Doubt much can change in a year, but the seeds are sown for stiffer competition for airlines with a hub-and-spoke strategy in North Asia


China to Provide Visa-Free for Six Countries - Why and The (Possible) Impact

United States

Booking Holdings Inc. operates as an online travel company. The Company offers a platform that allows to make travel reservations with providers of travel services, as well as provides accommodation reservations, rentals cars, airline tickets, and vacation packages. Booking Holdings serves customers worldwide.

Price Gauge
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Booking Holdings (BKNG US)

Comparing Performance of Online Travel Agents, Trip.com Is Indeed Attractive

Top global online travel agents had strong 2023 results, with Trip.com showing the most attractive performance and growth in Asia while the growth...

Mohshin Aziz

Trip.com (9961 HK): Looks to Reap More Recovery Benefits

Trip.com's adjusted net profit soared 437.1% YoY in 4Q23. Net cash equals 15% of its share price, enabling a US$300m 2024 Capital Return Program....

Osbert Tang, CFA

Juniper Hotels IPO - Looks Somewhat Fairly Valued

Juniper Hotels is looking to raise up to US$217m in its upcoming India IPO. We have looked at the past performance earlier. In this note, we talk...

Sumeet Singh

29 Reasons to Be Bullish

A bottom-up scan of stock charts shows over 29 stocks with bullish technical patterns consisting of uptrends or breakouts from multi-month bases...

Cam Hui

China to Provide Visa-Free for Six Countries - Why and The (Possible) Impact

China is opening visa-free entry for more countries, aiming to improve its global image and become a preferred aviation hub in North Asia. Could...

Mohshin Aziz

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Comparing Performance of Online Travel Agents, Trip.com Is Indeed Attractive

​Top global online travel agents had strong 2023 results, with Trip.com showing the most attractive performance and growth in Asia while the growth...

Mohshin Aziz

Trip.com (9961 HK): Looks to Reap More Recovery Benefits

​Trip.com's adjusted net profit soared 437.1% YoY in 4Q23. Net cash equals 15% of its share price, enabling a US$300m 2024 Capital Return Program....

Osbert Tang, CFA

Juniper Hotels IPO - Looks Somewhat Fairly Valued

Juniper Hotels is looking to raise up to US$217m in its upcoming India IPO. We have looked at the past performance earlier. In this note, we talk...

Sumeet Singh

29 Reasons to Be Bullish

A bottom-up scan of stock charts shows over 29 stocks with bullish technical patterns consisting of uptrends or breakouts from multi-month bases...

Cam Hui

China to Provide Visa-Free for Six Countries - Why and The (Possible) Impact

​China is opening visa-free entry for more countries, aiming to improve its global image and become a preferred aviation hub in North Asia. Could...

Mohshin Aziz

Top global online travel agents had strong 2023 results, with Trip.com showing the most attractive performance and growth in Asia while the growth...

Trip.com's adjusted net profit soared 437.1% YoY in 4Q23. Net cash equals 15% of its share price, enabling a US$300m 2024 Capital Return Program....

China is opening visa-free entry for more countries, aiming to improve its global image and become a preferred aviation hub in North Asia. Could...