22 Feb, 2012

Chinese Online Travel Giant Ctrip Revenue Soars 21% in 2011

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SHANGHAI, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTRP), a leading travel service provider of hotel accommodations, airline tickets, packaged tours and corporate travel management in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2011.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2011

Net revenues were RMB926 million (US$147 million) for the fourth quarter of 2011, up 18% year-on-year.

Gross margin was 76% for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 78% in the same period in 2010.

Income from operations was RMB231 million (US$37 million) for the fourth quarter of 2011, down 21% year-on-year. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), income from operations was RMB325 million (US$52 million), down 8% year-on-year.

Operating margin was 25% for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 37% in the same period in 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), operating margin was 35%, compared to 45% in the same period in 2010.

Net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB253 million (US$40 million) in the fourth quarter of 2011, down 16% year-on-year. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB347 million (US$55 million), down 4% year-on-year.

Diluted earnings per ADS were RMB1.67 (US$0.27) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), diluted earnings per ADS were RMB2.30 (US$0.37) for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Share-based compensation charges were RMB95 million (US$15 million), accounting for 10% of the net revenues, or RMB0.63 (US$0.10) per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Highlights for the Full Year 2011

Net revenues were RMB3.5 billion (US$556 million) in 2011, up 21% from 2010. In 2011, Wing On Travel and ezTravel contributed 1% for the year-on-year growth for net revenues.

Gross margin was 77% in 2011, compared to 78% in 2010.

Income from operations was RMB1.1 billion (US$169 million) in 2011, up 1% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), income from operations was RMB1.4 billion (US$224 million) in 2011, up 9% from 2010.

Operating margin was 30% in 2011, compared to 37% in 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), operating margin was 40%, compared to 45% in 2010.

Net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB1.1 billion (US$171 million) in 2011, up 3% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB1.4 billion (US$225 million), up 10% from 2010.

Diluted earnings per ADS were RMB7.08 (US$1.12) in 2011, compared to RMB6.97 (US$1.06) in 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), diluted earnings per ADS were RMB9.33 (US$1.48), compared to RMB8.59 (US$1.30) in 2010.

Share-based compensation charges were RMB343 million (US$54 million), accounting for 10% of the net revenues, or RMB2.25 (US$0.36) per ADS in 2011.

“Despite a high 2010 comparison base, the Ctrip team delivered solid results in 2011. We increased our sales and marketing investment to further penetrate the leisure market during the fourth quarter,” said Min Fan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ctrip. “In 2012, Ctrip will invest further to enhance the competitive edge of each business line in order to offer the best product with the best service at the best price. Ctrip will work tirelessly to strengthen our leadership of the travel industry and rise far beyond the competition.”

Recent Development

In September 2011, Ctrip announced a plan to execute up to US$15 million share repurchase program approved by board of directors and shareholders in 2008. In September 2011, Ctrip announced a new share repurchase program up to US$100 million approved by board of directors. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Ctrip purchased approximately 1 million ADSs with a total consideration of US$25 million from open market under these two plans.

To support future business expansion, Ctrip acquired the land use right to a piece of land in Chengdu, Sichuan province in November 2011. Ctrip plans to build its regional head office in Sichuan province, which is enjoying a robust increase in tourism and offers plentiful labor resources. In addition, in December 2011, Ctrip entered into an agreement to acquire an office building in Shanghai to expand headquarter in order to satisfy increasing travel demands from the Shanghai traffic hub. The forecast for the two projects is approximately RMB700 million.

In February 2012, Ctrip entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining 10% of share capital of Wing On Travel, at a consideration of US$9 million. Upon completion of this share purchase, Ctrip will hold 100% of the share capital of Wing On Travel.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Ctrip reported total revenues of RMB987 million (US$157 million), representing an 18% increase from the same period in 2010. Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased by 5% from the previous quarter primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, total revenues were RMB3.7 billion (US$592 million), representing a 22% increase from 2010.

Hotel reservation revenues amounted to RMB400 million (US$63 million) for the fourth quarter of 2011, representing an 11% increase year-on-year primarily driven by an increase in hotel reservation volume year-on-year. Hotel reservation revenues decreased 3% quarter-on-quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, hotel reservation revenues were RMB1.5 billion (US$236 million), representing a 16% increase from 2010. The hotel reservation revenues accounted for 40% of the total revenues in 2011, compared to 42% in 2010.

Air ticket booking revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were RMB378 million (US$60 million), representing an 18% increase year-on-year, primarily driven by an increase in air ticketing sales volume. Air ticket booking revenues decreased 2% quarter-on-quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, air ticket booking revenues were RMB1.4 billion (US$228 million), representing a 19% increase from 2010. The air ticket booking revenues accounted for 39% of the total revenues in 2011 and remained consistent with that in 2010.

Packaged-tour revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were RMB130 million (US$21 million), representing a 29% increase year-on-year due to the increase of leisure travel volume. Packaged-tour revenues decreased 24% quarter-on-quarter, primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, packaged tour revenues were RMB535 million (US$85 million), representing a 41% increase from 2010. Wing On Travel and ezTravel contributed 3% for the year-on-year growth for packaged-tour revenues. The packaged tour revenues accounted for 14% of the total revenues in 2011, compared to 12% in 2010.

Corporate travel revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were RMB47 million (US$8 million), representing a 32% increase year-on-year and a 9% increase quarter-on-quarter, primarily driven by the increased corporate travel demand from business activities.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, corporate travel revenues were RMB162 million (US$26 million), representing a 25% increase from 2010. The corporate travel revenues accounted for 4% of the total revenues in 2011, remaining consistent with that in 2010.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, net revenues were RMB926 million (US$147 million), representing an 18% increase from the same period in 2010. Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased by 5% from the previous quarter due to seasonality.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, net revenues were RMB3.5 billion (US$556 million), representing a 21% increase from 2010. In 2011, Wing On Travel and ezTravel contributed 1% for the year-on-year growth for net revenues.

Gross margin was 76% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 78% in the same period in 2010 and 77% in the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, gross margin was 77%, compared to 78% in 2010.

Product development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 43% to RMB173 million (US$27 million) from the same period in 2010 and increased by 7% from the previous quarter, primarily due to an increase in product development personnel and share-based compensation charges. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), product development expenses accounted for 16% of the net revenues, increased from 13% in the same period in 2010 and increased from 14% in the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, product development expenses were RMB601 million (US$96 million), representing an increase of 33% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), product development expenses accounted for 14% of the net revenues, remaining consistent with those in 2010.

Sales and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 45% to RMB185 million (US$29 million) from the same period in 2010, primarily due to an increase in sales and marketing related activities and an increase in sales and marketing personnel. Sales and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 6% from the previous quarter, primarily due to an increase in sales and marketing related activities. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), sales and marketing expenses accounted for 19% of the net revenues, increased from 15% in the same period in 2010 and increased from 17% in the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, sales and marketing expenses were RMB625 million (US$99 million), representing an increase of 38% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), sales and marketing expenses accounted for 16% of the net revenues, increasing from 15% in 2010.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 46% to RMB113 million (US$18 million) from the same period in 2010, primarily due to an increase in administrative personnel and share-based compensation charges.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 4% from the previous quarter, primarily due to the increase in administrative personnel. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), general and administrative expenses accounted for 6% of the net revenues, increased from 5% in the same period in 2010 and remained consistent with that in the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, general and administrative expenses were RMB401 million (US$64 million), representing a 36% increase from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), general and administrative expenses accounted for 6% of the net revenues, increasing from 5% in 2010.

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2011 was RMB231 million (US$37 million), representing a decrease of 21% from the same period in 2010 and a decrease of 24% from the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), income from operations was RMB325 million (US$52 million), representing a decrease of 8% from the same period in 2010 and a decrease of 18% from the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, income from operations was RMB1.1 billion (US$169 million), representing an increase of 1% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), income from operations was RMB1.4 billion (US$224 million), increasing by 9% from 2010.

Operating margin was 25% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 37% in the same period in 2010, and 31% in the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), operating margin was 35%, decreased from 45% in the same period in 2010 and 41% in the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, operating margin was 30%, compared to 37% in 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), operating margin was 40%, compared to 45% in 2010.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 23%, increased from 19% in the same periods of 2010 and increased from 21% in the previous quarter, primarily due to the increase in the amount of non tax-deductible share-based compensation as a percentage to our income as a whole.

The effective tax rate for the full year ended December 31, 2011 was 20%, compared to 17% in 2010, primarily due to the increase in the amount of non tax-deductible share-based compensation as a percentage to our income as a whole.

Net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2011 was RMB253 million (US$40 million), representing a decrease of 16% from the same period in 2010 and a decrease of 22% from the previous quarter. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB347 million (US$55 million), representing a decrease of 4% from the same period in 2010 and a decrease of 16% from the previous quarter.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB1.1 billion (US$171 million), representing an increase of 3% from 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), net income attributable to Ctrip’s shareholders was RMB1.4 billion (US$225 million), representing an increase of 10% from 2010.

Diluted earnings per ADS were RMB1.67 (US$0.27) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), diluted earnings per ADS were RMB2.30 (US$0.37) for the fourth quarter of 2011.

For the full year ended December 31, 2011, diluted earnings per ADS were RMB7.08 (US$1.12), compared to RMB6.97 (US$1.06) in 2010. Excluding share-based compensation charges (non-GAAP), diluted earnings per ADS were RMB9.33 (US$1.48), compared to RMB8.59 (US$1.30) in 2010.

As of December 31, 2011, the balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investment was RMB5 billion (US$795 million).

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2012, the Company expects to continue the net revenue growth year-on-year at a rate of approximately 15-20%. This forecast reflects Ctrip’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Conference Call

Ctrip’s management team was to host a conference call at 9:00AM on February 21, 2012 in the Shanghai/HK time zone) following the announcement. The conference call will be available on Webcast live and replay at: http://ir.ctrip.com. The call will be archived for one month at this website.