Priceline Group (NASDAQ:PCLN) was a top contributor during the first quarter as they continue to execute their strategy of connecting the supply of heavily fragmented, independent hospitality providers—primarily in international markets—with demand from the Company's rapidly expanding user base. While we recognize that the online travel agency (OTA) market in the U.S. has matured, there remains a sizable addressable international market in which Priceline continues to aggressively reinvest, primarily, in organic growth opportunities. From a supply perspective, Priceline Group's Booking.com site has amassed listings on over 500,000 "alternative" properties—all of which are available for online booking-in addition to well over 600,000 conventional hospitality properties. We believe the value proposition of renting a private residence (i.e., alternative property) is still substantially different from traditional hospitality services, and represents an incremental revenue opportunity for Booking.com. Last, while the multiple on the stock has expanded over the past few quarters, we continue to view Priceline’s valuation as one of the more attractive multiples in our universe, relative to the Company’s exceptional growth, and cash-rich balance sheet.
From David Rolfe (Trades, Portfolio)'s Wedgewood Partners first-quarter 2017 shareholder letter.
