Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Revenue growth in Q3 (+15.5% Y/Y) held up reasonably well for Trip.com</li>
<li>But core margins continue to deteriorate: Adjusted EBITDA margin down -120 bps Y/Y</li>
<li>We still feel TCOM shares are pricey, and that earnings growth is unimpressive</li>
</ul>


Revenue growth in Q3 (+15.5% Y/Y) held up reasonably well for Trip.com
But core margins continue to deteriorate: Adjusted EBITDA margin down -120 bps Y/Y
We still feel TCOM shares are pricey, and that earnings growth is unimpressive


Trip.com Q325 Results | Revenue Growth OK | Core Margins Still Falling | Avoid

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/klook-technology-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36548:1" rel="noopener">Klook (KLK US)</a>, the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO.    </li>
<li>Founded in 2014, Klook connects travellers with merchants, providing a vast array of activities, tours, attractions, and other travel services across the globe.</li>
<li>The investment case rests on market leadership, healthy GTV growth, establishing a path to sustainable profitability, improving FCF profile and a debt-free balance sheet.  </li>
</ul>



Klook (KLK US), the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO.    
Founded in 2014, Klook connects travellers with merchants, providing a vast array of activities, tours, attractions, and other travel services across the globe.
The investment case rests on market leadership, healthy GTV growth, establishing a path to sustainable profitability, improving FCF profile and a debt-free balance sheet.  


<ul>
<li>Growth rates of outbound and domestic air travel slowed again in September</li>
<li>Initial read on Golden Week demand: weak activity growth, weaker spending</li>
<li>In our view, it's increasingly difficult to retain an upbeat view of the sector</li>
</ul>


Growth rates of outbound and domestic air travel slowed again in September
Initial read on Golden Week demand: weak activity growth, weaker spending
In our view, it's increasingly difficult to retain an upbeat view of the sector


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Pace of Growth Slowed, Again | Golden Week? | October 2025

<ul>
<li>Weak travel growth getting weaker, now years out from steepest part of recovery</li>
<li>Most airlines &amp; hotel chains have benefitted little from improved travel demand</li>
<li>In recent months, appears momentum shifting back to travel intermediaries </li>
</ul>


Weak travel growth getting weaker, now years out from steepest part of recovery
Most airlines &amp; hotel chains have benefitted little from improved travel demand
In recent months, appears momentum shifting back to travel intermediaries 


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Momentum Shifts From Airlines to TCOM | September 2025

<ul>
<li>Led by Accommodation activity, Q225 net revenue growth was a solid +16% Y/Y </li>
<li>Some progress on OpEx control, but core margins declined <em>again</em> in Q225</li>
<li>Even with big buyback, is it worth US$75/ADS? We think fair value near US$60</li>
</ul>


Led by Accommodation activity, Q225 net revenue growth was a solid +16% Y/Y 
Some progress on OpEx control, but core margins declined again in Q225
Even with big buyback, is it worth US$75/ADS? We think fair value near US$60


Trip.com Q225 Results | Big Buyback a Surprise | But Margins Still Under Pressure | Fair Value US$60

Hong Kong

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Limited is an investment holding company providing travel-related services in the People's Republic of China. It offers accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, online advertising, hotel management, tourist attraction tickets, and packaged tours through its online platforms, mobile apps, and websites. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Suzhou, the People's Republic of China.

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Tongcheng Travel (780 HK)

Trip.com Q325 Results | Revenue Growth OK | Core Margins Still Falling | Avoid

Trip.com reported Q3 results on Monday after the US close. Revenue growth was fine, but core margins continue to fall. We view the shares as...

Tracking Traffic

Klook IPO (KLK US): The Investment Case

Klook, the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO. In this...

Arun George

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Pace of Growth Slowed, Again | Golden Week? | October 2025

Chinese travel activity in September slowed, and a first look at Golden Week activity also suggests weak growth in travel and spending. We see few...

Tracking Traffic

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Momentum Shifts From Airlines to TCOM | September 2025

Chinese air travel growth continues to slow. Chinese airlines have been unable to lift margins as aircraft utilization improves, and we no longer...

Tracking Traffic

Trip.com Q225 Results | Big Buyback a Surprise | But Margins Still Under Pressure | Fair Value US$60

Trip.com announced a big share buyback last week, but its Q225 core results were unimpressive. Given modest growth expectations, we put fair value...

Tracking Traffic

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