On Tuesday, TD Cowen showed confidence in Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ: TCOM) by increasing the company's price target from $53.00 to $63.00 while maintaining a Buy rating.
The firm's analyst highlighted Trip.com's first-quarter revenue, which surpassed expectations with a 29% year-over-year increase, attributed to an easy comparison from the previous year. The non-GAAP operating income (NGOI) saw a notable 44% rise due to operational expenditure leverage.
The analyst noted that despite a recent downturn in China pricing, which fell to -10% year-over-year, the volume remained robust. Revenue estimates for 2024 are projected to grow by 14-19%, slightly adjusted from the previous 15-20% forecast. However, profits are reportedly ahead of the schedule.
The revenue estimates remain largely the same, excluding foreign exchange impacts, but the 2024 and 2025 NGOI forecasts have been raised by 7% and 6%, respectively, in RMB terms.
The upward adjustment in Trip.com's earnings per share (EPS) is significant, according to TD Cowen, due to the equity in affiliates line as the company's investments begin to yield returns. The new price target of $63.00 is based on a 20X multiple of the 2025 estimated earnings per share, excluding cash and investments. This revision reflects a more optimistic outlook on the travel service provider's financial performance and growth prospects.
InvestingPro Insights
As Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ: TCOM) garners a positive outlook from TD Cowen with an increased price target, real-time data from InvestingPro further enriches our understanding of the company's financial health. Trip.com's market capitalization stands strong at $36.89 billion, showcasing its substantial presence in the market. The company's impressive gross profit margin over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, at 81.75%, underscores its efficiency in maintaining profitability amidst operational costs. Moreover, Trip.com's revenue growth of 122.12% during the same period signals a robust expansion in its business operations.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Trip.com holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a reassuring sign of financial stability for investors. Additionally, the company has been successful in raising its dividend for 4 consecutive years, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders. For those looking to delve deeper into Trip.com's investment potential, InvestingPro offers a plethora of additional tips, with 13 more available that could aid in making a well-informed decision. To access these insights and more, consider a subscription to InvestingPro, and use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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