Top Internet Stock Picks For 2011 (GOOG, BIDU, PCLN)

As the year 2010 drawing to a close, let's take a look at some internet stocks that could give better returns to the investors in 2011.

ThinkEquity has listed out its leading internet stock picks for 2011 that includes Google (GOOG), Baidu (BIDU) and Priceline (PCLN). Following are those stocks.

Google (GOOG): The brokerage expect outperformance for Google, given continued strength in the paid search market driven by a modestly improving economy and online share gains and traction with non-search businesses, primarily display and mobile.

The brokerage expects growth of 18 percent in revenue and 19 percent in earnings per share (EPS) in 2011.

The brokerage believes Google's current valuation at 17x 2011 proforma EPS or 15 times excluding cash, is discounting much lower growth rates.

"We believe continued solid search growth, traction in non-search businesses, and the introduction of 2012 estimates could serve as catalysts for shares," ThinkEquity analysts wrote in a note to clients.

ThinkEquity has a 'buy' rating and a price target of $760 on Google stock.

GSI Commerce (GSIC): The brokerage expects continued solid top line results for GSIC driven by eCommerce segment and expects GSIC to continue to outperform the broader eCommerce sector. Further, continued strength in the higher margin marketing services business and traction with the RueLaLa private sales business would also benefit the company.

"Further, we believe recent investor concerns over's GSIC's competitive position are overblown and the separating of its tech platform should expand GSIC's addressable market," analysts wrote in a note to clients.

The brokerage has a 'buy' rating and $31 price target on GSIC stock.

Baidu (BIDU): ThinkEquity expects another strong year of growth for Baidu in 2011 driven by continued consumer Internet adoption as it expects China to add another 70 million Internet users in 2011 up from about 450 million at the end of 2010.

Baidu is also expected to benefit from continued merchant adoption coupled with strong growth in emerging categories including eCommerce.

"We believe these factors should lead to 60 percent plus growth in 2011 and we expect continued strong incremental margins which we expect to lead to 70 percent plus EPS growth," analysts said.

The brokerage has a 'buy' rating and $130 price target on Baidu stock.

Ctrip (CTRP): ThinkEquity sees the China travel market should remain robust in 2011, with approximately mid-teens growth. While recent China travel data was softer than expected in November, the brokerage's recent checks indicated a rebound in December.

Additionally, while concerns linger with CTRP regarding high speed train rollouts, tougher comps in 2011 due to the Shanghai expo, and airline commission rates, it believes these concerns have created an attractive entry point in Ctrip.

"We believe Ctrip should be able to sustain mid-20's long-term revenue growth," analysts wrote in a note to clients.

The brokerage has a 'buy' rating and $56 price target on Ctrip stock.

Marchex (MCHX). ThinkEquity said though it is favorable on the 2011 prospects of a number of companies in the online marketing services ecosystem, it believes that Marchex has a relatively open-ended opportunity as the early leader in the emerging market for call-based advertising.

"We are particularly favorable on the company's partnership with Skype, by which the company is selling and providing technology to enable advertiser-sponsored Skype Out calling over PCs," analysts said.

The brokerage has a 'buy' rating and $10 price target on Marchex stock.

Priceline (PCLN): The brokerage said Priceline remains well positioned for continued International market share gains given its supplier-friendly hotel model (agency model and reasonable commission rate) and attractive consumer offering (largest number of European hotels, TripAdvisor-like hotel reviews).

For 2011, ThinkEquity expects international bookings growth of about 40 percent or approximately 2 times the market growth for online bookings.

"In aggregate, we expect 2011 revenue and pro forma EPS growth of 24 percent and 33 percent. In addition to our expectation for strong organic growth, we may see upward 2011 EPS revisions in part due to new tax rules," thee analysts wrote in a note to clients.

In mid-2010, Booking.com was notified by Dutch tax authorities that it is eligible to apply for the Innovation Box Tax (5 percent tax rate vs. statutory rate of 25.5 percent).

"We note that a 5% lower tax rate to Priceline would add approximately $1 or 6% to EPS," the analysts said.

The brokerage has a 'buy' rating and $530 price target on Priceline stock.

ThinkEquity's Other Top Predictions For 2011

* Expects 11 percent eCommerce Growth Driven by Share Gains - believe Amazon will continue to be key beneficiary of market share gains.

* Expects 17 percent Global Search Growth and continue to highlight Google as a top pick and believe Google's stock is currently pricing in a much lower growth outlook.

* Expects the U.S. display market to reach $10 billion in 2011, representing 10 percent growth.

* Online Travel - Expects continued international outperformance and sees continued strong growth for Priceline and Ctrip.

* Expects SmartPhone adoption to drive strong mobile internet growth - look for traction with mobile payments and location based local deals.

* Expects increased digital media competition, particularly from larger Internet and consumer companies including Google, Amazon, and Apple as they look to enter areas where they don't have material market share.

* Expects continued improvements in display advertising automation and believes Google, ValueClick (VCLK), and MediaMind are three key beneficiaries of this trend.