priceline-logo.gifWeb travel site Priceline (PCLN) beat Wall
Street's Q4 expectations, led by a big increase in travel
bookings and a fast growing international business.  Priceline
reported $335 million in Q4 sales, up 29% y/y, and beating Wall
Street's $329 million consensus. Pro forma EPS came in at 96
cents, up from 58 cents a year ago, and handily beating the
Street's 84 cents per share estimate. Pro forma net income more
than doubled to $46.2 million. Gross travel bookings increased
62% y/y while international gross travel bookings increased 113%
y/y. Shares are up more than 9% in after-hours trading, hovering
around $112.  For Q1, Priceline said it expects gross travel
bookings to increase 60-65%, revenue to increase 30%, ahead of
the Street's projected 20% growth, and EPS to come in between 50
cents and 60 cents, in line with the Street's 53 cents
consensus. Release.