Priceline’s Mind Blowing Performance

Priceline (PCLN) blew past first-quarter estimates as per its report after market close on Thursday. It also raised its outlook on soaring European bookings and a hefty boost from consumers hunting for travel bargains. I earlier mentioned that I am bullishly biased, and that’s how I played at OPNewsletter. I shall update trade results once market opens and I close my trades. As per after market hours trading, it was up nearly $17.

The online travel provider posted earnings of $18.2 million, or 37 cents a share, in the first quarter. That compared to a loss of $16.3 million, or 44 cents, a year ago, primarily due to one-time litigation. Pro-forma earnings totaled $37.3 million, or 76 cents a share, which was well above Wall Street estimates of 60 cents a share.

First-quarter revenue for Priceline was $403.2 million, up from $301.3 million a year ago. That was well above analysts’ revenue expectations of $377 million. Gross bookings, the dollar value of all travel services bought in the quarter, jumped 76% to $1.76 billion. International bookings soared 100% to $1 billion, while domestic bookings rose 51% to $721 million, its biggest jump in more than three years.

For the full year, Priceline expects to generate $7.5 billion to $7.9 billion in gross travel bookings and earn $3.50 a share to $3.90 a share. Pro-forma earnings for the year are expected to be $5.25 a share to $5.65 a share. Analysts had expected full year earnings of $5.11 a share. For the second quarter, Priceline expects to earn 80 cents a share to 95 cents a share. Pro-forma earnings are expected to be $1.25 and $1.40. Analysts expect second-quarter earnings of $1.29.

So here we go, it was my last earning play of this week, hope to close it at solid note when market opens,

Profitable trading, OP