Tuniu Corporation (TOUR) on Q1 2021 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

Operator: Good morning, and welcome to Tuniu First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call. Please note that this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mary Chen, Investor Relations Director. Please go ahead. Mary Chen: Thank you, Kate, and welcome to our 2021 first quarter earnings conference call. Joining me on the call today are Donald Yu, Tuniu's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Anqiang Chen, Tuniu's Financial Controller. For today's agenda, management will discuss business updates, operation highlights and financial performance for the first quarter of 2021. Before we continue, I refer you to our safe harbor statement in the earnings press release, which applies to this call as we will make forward-looking statements. Donald Yu: Thank you, Mary. Good day, everyone. Welcome to our first quarter 2021 earnings conference call. This spring, the domestic tourism industry has been experiencing a rapid recovery. Tuniu also experienced a strong recovery during the April and May holidays. The number of people traveling during the Qingming festival was nearly 3x that of the same period last year. And our total travel GMV during the Labor Day holiday was more than 4x than that of the same period last year. Also, for the first quarter, our operating expenses decreased over 17% year-over-year, and the net loss was narrowed significantly. Based on these encouraging things, for the second quarter, we anticipate net revenues will grow more than 300% year-over-year, delivering the first period of growth since the COVID-19 outbreak. We see great potential for growth in the travel industry with the release of pent-up tourist travel demand. However, we continue to face new challenges under the ever-changing market environment. Despite the strong demand for travel after enduring the pandemic restrictions, customers have become more demanding when selecting products with higher expectation for travel insurances and security and increase in new destinations and activities. This drives us to constantly develop innovative new products and enhance our service quality. We're always committed to develop high quality products that satisfy customers' demand. Our focus is to maximize customer satisfaction so as to raise repurchase rate for each products instead of creating the highest number of SKUs. Currently, all of Tuniu's new products are required to reach a 90% satisfaction rate for product launch, and we are expecting to increase this threshold in the future. We are fully leveraging the advantages of our integrated business model to accelerate the development of our own products. By vertically integrating across the industry, we have been able to accumulate rich resources and experience on both the supply and the demand side, which has benefited us in the development of our own products. Anqiang Chen: Thank you, Donald. Hello, everyone. Now I'll walk you through our first quarter of 2021 financial results in greater detail. Please note that all the monetary amounts are in RMB unless otherwise stated. You can find the U.S. dollar equivalents of the numbers in our earnings release. For the first quarter of 2021, net revenues were RMB77.4 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of 56% for the corresponding period in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the negative impact brought by the outbreak and spread of COVID-19. Revenues from packaged tours were down 62% year-over-year to RMB45.4 million and accounted for 59% of our total net revenues for the quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in travel to international destinations, impacted by the outbreak and spread of COVID-19. Other revenues were down 40% year-over-year to RMB32 million and accounted for 41% of our total net revenues. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in revenues generated from financial services. Operator: Our first question is from , a private investor. Unidentified Analyst: Congratulations on the strong recovery of the second quarter. Would you please give us more color on the performance in this quarter and the future quarters? What is your strategy for the coming 6 seasons? Donald Yu: Operator: At this time, we have no more questions. So this concludes our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Mary Chen for closing remarks. Mary Chen: Once again, thank you for joining us today. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to speaking with you in the coming months. Operator: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.
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Tuniu Corporation's Financial Performance and Competitive Positioning

Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) is a leading Chinese online leisure travel company, offering a comprehensive range of travel-related services through its robust online platform. As the travel industry in China continues to expand, Tuniu navigates a competitive landscape populated by other online travel agencies and service providers.

In assessing Tuniu's financial health, two critical metrics stand out: the Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). Tuniu's ROIC is reported at 4.06%, juxtaposed with a WACC of 14.68%. This discrepancy signals that Tuniu is currently not generating returns above its cost of capital, a potential red flag for investors. The ROIC to WACC ratio, sitting at 0.28, further underscores the company's inefficiency in capital utilization.

When placed in comparison with its industry counterparts, such as Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM), Leju Holdings Limited (LEJU), Xunlei Limited (XNET), and Phoenix New Media Limited (FENG), Tuniu's financial performance is somewhat more encouraging. Despite the industry-wide trend of negative ROICs, Tuniu's relatively better ROIC to WACC ratio suggests a more efficient use of capital, albeit still below its WACC. This comparative analysis highlights the broader challenges faced by companies in this sector in generating adequate returns to cover their capital costs.

For investors evaluating Tuniu's financial health and its potential for future improvement, the company's ability to enhance its capital efficiency could be a critical factor. Despite the current underperformance in generating returns above its cost of capital, Tuniu's position relative to its peers suggests there may be room for optimization and growth.

Tuniu Corporation's Financial Performance and Competitive Analysis

  • Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) is struggling to generate returns above its cost of capital with a ROIC of -4.36% and a WACC of 10.78%.
  • Among its peers, Xunlei Limited (XNET) stands out with a positive ROIC to WACC ratio, indicating better capital efficiency and potential for growth.
  • The majority of Tuniu's competitors, including Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM) and Phoenix New Media Limited (FENG), also show negative ROIC to WACC ratios, highlighting industry-wide challenges in generating profitable returns.

Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) is a Chinese online leisure travel company that offers a wide range of travel-related services, including packaged tours, accommodation reservations, and transportation ticketing. The company operates primarily through its online platform, catering to the growing demand for travel services in China. Tuniu faces competition from other travel service providers and online platforms in the region.

The analysis of Tuniu's financial performance, particularly its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), reveals some concerns. Tuniu's ROIC is -4.36%, while its WACC is 10.78%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -0.40. This negative ratio indicates that Tuniu is not generating returns above its cost of capital, which can be a red flag for investors.

When comparing Tuniu to its peers, Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM) has a ROIC of -13.34% and a WACC of 11.17%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -1.19. Leju Holdings Limited (LEJU) shows a ROIC of -0.07% and an exceptionally high WACC of 366.63%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -0.00019. Both companies, like Tuniu, are struggling to generate returns above their cost of capital.

Xunlei Limited (XNET) stands out among the peers with a positive ROIC of 0.86% and a WACC of 8.95%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.096. This indicates that Xunlei is the only company in the group generating returns above its cost of capital, suggesting better capital efficiency and potential for growth. Investors may find Xunlei more attractive based on this metric.

Phoenix New Media Limited (FENG) also shows a negative ROIC of -7.19% against a WACC of 6.70%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -1.07. This further highlights the challenges faced by Tuniu and its peers in achieving profitability above their respective costs of capital. The analysis suggests that Xunlei Limited is currently the most efficient in generating returns relative to its cost of capital.

Tuniu Corporation's Financial Performance and Competitive Analysis

  • Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) is struggling to generate returns above its cost of capital with a ROIC of -4.36% and a WACC of 10.78%.
  • Among its peers, Xunlei Limited (XNET) stands out with a positive ROIC to WACC ratio, indicating better capital efficiency and potential for growth.
  • The majority of Tuniu's competitors, including Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM) and Phoenix New Media Limited (FENG), also show negative ROIC to WACC ratios, highlighting industry-wide challenges in generating profitable returns.

Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) is a Chinese online leisure travel company that offers a wide range of travel-related services, including packaged tours, accommodation reservations, and transportation ticketing. The company operates primarily through its online platform, catering to the growing demand for travel services in China. Tuniu faces competition from other travel service providers and online platforms in the region.

The analysis of Tuniu's financial performance, particularly its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), reveals some concerns. Tuniu's ROIC is -4.36%, while its WACC is 10.78%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -0.40. This negative ratio indicates that Tuniu is not generating returns above its cost of capital, which can be a red flag for investors.

When comparing Tuniu to its peers, Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM) has a ROIC of -13.34% and a WACC of 11.17%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -1.19. Leju Holdings Limited (LEJU) shows a ROIC of -0.07% and an exceptionally high WACC of 366.63%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -0.00019. Both companies, like Tuniu, are struggling to generate returns above their cost of capital.

Xunlei Limited (XNET) stands out among the peers with a positive ROIC of 0.86% and a WACC of 8.95%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.096. This indicates that Xunlei is the only company in the group generating returns above its cost of capital, suggesting better capital efficiency and potential for growth. Investors may find Xunlei more attractive based on this metric.

Phoenix New Media Limited (FENG) also shows a negative ROIC of -7.19% against a WACC of 6.70%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -1.07. This further highlights the challenges faced by Tuniu and its peers in achieving profitability above their respective costs of capital. The analysis suggests that Xunlei Limited is currently the most efficient in generating returns relative to its cost of capital.

Tuniu Corporation's Financial Efficiency in the Competitive Online Travel Industry

  • Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) has a negative ROIC/WACC ratio, indicating inefficiency in generating returns above its cost of capital.
  • Xunlei Limited (NASDAQ:XNET) stands out with a positive ROIC/WACC ratio, showcasing its efficiency in value creation for investors.
  • Comparative analysis reveals Tuniu's need for strategic adjustments to improve its financial health and operational efficiency.

Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) operates in the highly competitive online travel industry, offering a broad range of travel-related services. This sector is known for its tight margins and intense competition, not just from direct peers but also from larger, diversified companies with travel divisions. Understanding the financial health and efficiency of Tuniu Corporation requires a comparison with its closest peers, particularly through metrics like Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). These metrics are vital as they provide insight into how well a company is using its capital to generate returns, a crucial aspect for investors.

Tuniu's ROIC stands at -4.33%, with a WACC of 9.48%, resulting in a ROIC/WACC ratio of -0.457. This negative ratio indicates that Tuniu is currently not generating returns above its cost of capital. In the competitive landscape of online travel agencies, where efficient capital utilization is key to sustaining operations and achieving growth, this places Tuniu at a disadvantage. It suggests that the company is struggling to use its invested capital efficiently to create value, a situation that requires strategic adjustments to improve its financial health.

When compared to its peers, Tuniu's position is somewhat in the middle of the pack. For instance, Xunlei Limited (NASDAQ:XNET) showcases a positive ROIC/WACC ratio of 0.045, the only company among the compared peers to generate a return above its cost of capital. This indicates that Xunlei Limited is more efficient at creating value for its investors, making it a potentially more attractive investment opportunity based on this metric alone. On the other hand, companies like Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE:CMCM) and Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE:FENG) have even lower ratios than Tuniu, highlighting greater challenges in generating value over their cost of capital.

The analysis of these companies, especially in the context of their ROIC and WACC ratios, is crucial for investors looking to understand which companies are efficiently managing and utilizing their capital to generate returns. While Tuniu Corporation is not at the bottom of the list, its negative ROIC/WACC ratio signals a need for improvement in its operations and financial strategies to enhance its value creation capabilities. This comparison sheds light on the competitive dynamics within the online travel industry and highlights the importance of financial efficiency in sustaining business growth and investor confidence.

Tuniu Corporation's Financial Efficiency in the Competitive Online Travel Industry

  • Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) has a negative ROIC/WACC ratio, indicating inefficiency in generating returns above its cost of capital.
  • Xunlei Limited (NASDAQ:XNET) stands out with a positive ROIC/WACC ratio, showcasing its efficiency in value creation for investors.
  • Comparative analysis reveals Tuniu's need for strategic adjustments to improve its financial health and operational efficiency.

Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) operates in the highly competitive online travel industry, offering a broad range of travel-related services. This sector is known for its tight margins and intense competition, not just from direct peers but also from larger, diversified companies with travel divisions. Understanding the financial health and efficiency of Tuniu Corporation requires a comparison with its closest peers, particularly through metrics like Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). These metrics are vital as they provide insight into how well a company is using its capital to generate returns, a crucial aspect for investors.

Tuniu's ROIC stands at -4.33%, with a WACC of 9.48%, resulting in a ROIC/WACC ratio of -0.457. This negative ratio indicates that Tuniu is currently not generating returns above its cost of capital. In the competitive landscape of online travel agencies, where efficient capital utilization is key to sustaining operations and achieving growth, this places Tuniu at a disadvantage. It suggests that the company is struggling to use its invested capital efficiently to create value, a situation that requires strategic adjustments to improve its financial health.

When compared to its peers, Tuniu's position is somewhat in the middle of the pack. For instance, Xunlei Limited (NASDAQ:XNET) showcases a positive ROIC/WACC ratio of 0.045, the only company among the compared peers to generate a return above its cost of capital. This indicates that Xunlei Limited is more efficient at creating value for its investors, making it a potentially more attractive investment opportunity based on this metric alone. On the other hand, companies like Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE:CMCM) and Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE:FENG) have even lower ratios than Tuniu, highlighting greater challenges in generating value over their cost of capital.

The analysis of these companies, especially in the context of their ROIC and WACC ratios, is crucial for investors looking to understand which companies are efficiently managing and utilizing their capital to generate returns. While Tuniu Corporation is not at the bottom of the list, its negative ROIC/WACC ratio signals a need for improvement in its operations and financial strategies to enhance its value creation capabilities. This comparison sheds light on the competitive dynamics within the online travel industry and highlights the importance of financial efficiency in sustaining business growth and investor confidence.