Summary
Booking Holdings Inc. (formerly The Priceline Group Inc.) reported strong top-line growth in the first quarter of 2016, with total revenues increasing 16.7% year-over-year to $2.15 billion. This growth was primarily driven by a significant 25.1% increase in agency revenues, largely from its Booking.com platform, while merchant revenues saw a slight decline. Gross profit also saw a healthy increase of 20.8% to $2.02 billion, indicating improved margins. The company's financial performance was bolstered by strong accommodation room night reservations, up 30.5%, and rental car day reservations, up 10.9%. Despite a stronger U.S. dollar impacting reported international results, the company demonstrated solid underlying performance on a constant currency basis. Net income for the quarter was $374.4 million, a 12.3% increase from the prior year, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $7.47. The company maintained a strong liquidity position with $1.86 billion in cash and cash equivalents. However, investors should note the significant impairment charge of $50 million related to a cost-method investment in Hotel Urbano and ongoing legal and tax matters, particularly the substantial tax assessment from French authorities for approximately 356 million Euros. The company also continued its share repurchase program, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
Financial Highlights
54 data points| Revenue | $2.15B |
| Cost of Revenue | $128.67M |
| Gross Profit | $2.02B |
| Operating Expenses | $1.47B |
| Operating Income | $550.32M |
| Interest Expense | $46.89M |
| Net Income | $374.42M |
| EPS (Basic) | $7.54 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $7.47 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 49.63M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 50.13M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenues increased by 16.7% to $2.15 billion.
- 2Gross profit increased by 20.8% to $2.02 billion, with gross margin improving to 94.0%.
- 3Accommodation room night reservations grew by 30.5% year-over-year.
- 4Net income rose by 12.3% to $374.4 million, with diluted EPS at $7.47.
- 5The company holds a strong cash position of $1.86 billion.
- 6A significant impairment charge of $50 million was recognized for an investment in Hotel Urbano.
- 7Significant tax assessments from French authorities related to Booking.com remain a notable risk.