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Yelp's (YELP) Q1 Loss Wider Than Expected, Revenues Up Y/Y
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Shares of Yelp Inc. (YELP - Free Report) depreciated nearly 4% in the extended trading session yesterday after the company reported wider-than-expected loss for first-quarter 2020. For the quarter, the company reported a loss per share of 22 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 9 cents. It compares unfavorably on a year-over-year basis as well, wherein Yelp had reported earnings of 2 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Yelp provides information through online communities on restaurants, shopping, nightlife, financial, health and other services. However, the coronavirus-led lockdowns and restrictions on public life are hurting these businesses, in turn, affecting Yelp.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, Yelp managed to register a 6% year-over-year increase in first-quarter revenues, primarily on growth in the number of paying advertising locations. The company’s quarterly revenues of $249.9 million also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $236 million.
Advertising revenues (96% of total revenues) increased 6% year over year to $240 million. This increase was driven by growth in the number of paying advertising locations.
Paying advertising locations grew 6% year over year to 562K sites in the first quarter, mainly on continued improvements in Local customer retention through the end of February. An increase in revenues generated from the existing national customers also aided paying advertising locations growth.
However, these positives were partially offset by the relief provided by Yelp to the coronavirus-affected local businesses in the form of waived advertising fees, and free advertising products and services.
Transaction revenues were $3 million in the first quarter of 2020, down 20% from the year-ago quarter mainly due to decline in volume.
Other service revenues rose 28% to $7 million on growth of Yelp Waitlist and Yelp Reservations subscription revenues.
Cumulative reviews climbed 14.3% year over year to 210.8 million. However, app unique devices edged down 1% year over year to 34.7 million on a monthly-average basis.
Profits and Margins
Gross profit increased 5% year over year to $233 million. However, gross margin contracted 100 basis points (bps) to 93% mainly on inflated cost of sales. Costs flared up on higher advertising fulfillment costs and elevated website infrastructure expense.
Total costs and expenses rose 16% year over year to $277 million. Elevated employee costs, higher commissions, and an increase in provision for doubtful accounts mainly escalated costs and expenses.
As a result of higher costs and expenses, Yelp’s first-quarter adjusted EBITDA plunged 57% year over year to $17 million. Moreover, adjusted EBITDA margin shrunk 10 percentage points to 7% from the year-ago quarter’s 17%.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
As of Mar 31, 2020, Yelp’s cash, cash equivalents & marketable securities were $491 million, up from $466 million as of Dec 31, 2019.
Net cash flow from operating activities was $41 million compared with the previous quarter’s $56 million.
Outlook
Yelp had already withdrawn the full-year 2020 outlook citing uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic, which is impacting global business and consumer activities.
Furthermore, the company is focusing on reducing costs in an effort to stay afloat in these difficult times. As part of its cost-reduction plan, Yelp has laid off 1,000 workers and furloughed more than 1,100 staff.
The company projects its cost-saving initiatives to reduce operating expenses by $70 million in the second quarter.
The long-term earnings growth rate for Inphi, Workday and NVIDIA is currently pegged at 37.6%, 26.2%, and 15.2%, respectively.
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A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
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Yelp's (YELP) Q1 Loss Wider Than Expected, Revenues Up Y/Y
Shares of Yelp Inc. (YELP - Free Report) depreciated nearly 4% in the extended trading session yesterday after the company reported wider-than-expected loss for first-quarter 2020. For the quarter, the company reported a loss per share of 22 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 9 cents. It compares unfavorably on a year-over-year basis as well, wherein Yelp had reported earnings of 2 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Yelp provides information through online communities on restaurants, shopping, nightlife, financial, health and other services. However, the coronavirus-led lockdowns and restrictions on public life are hurting these businesses, in turn, affecting Yelp.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, Yelp managed to register a 6% year-over-year increase in first-quarter revenues, primarily on growth in the number of paying advertising locations. The company’s quarterly revenues of $249.9 million also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $236 million.
Yelp Inc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Yelp Inc price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Yelp Inc Quote
Revenues
Advertising revenues (96% of total revenues) increased 6% year over year to $240 million. This increase was driven by growth in the number of paying advertising locations.
Paying advertising locations grew 6% year over year to 562K sites in the first quarter, mainly on continued improvements in Local customer retention through the end of February. An increase in revenues generated from the existing national customers also aided paying advertising locations growth.
However, these positives were partially offset by the relief provided by Yelp to the coronavirus-affected local businesses in the form of waived advertising fees, and free advertising products and services.
Transaction revenues were $3 million in the first quarter of 2020, down 20% from the year-ago quarter mainly due to decline in volume.
Other service revenues rose 28% to $7 million on growth of Yelp Waitlist and Yelp Reservations subscription revenues.
Cumulative reviews climbed 14.3% year over year to 210.8 million. However, app unique devices edged down 1% year over year to 34.7 million on a monthly-average basis.
Profits and Margins
Gross profit increased 5% year over year to $233 million. However, gross margin contracted 100 basis points (bps) to 93% mainly on inflated cost of sales. Costs flared up on higher advertising fulfillment costs and elevated website infrastructure expense.
Total costs and expenses rose 16% year over year to $277 million. Elevated employee costs, higher commissions, and an increase in provision for doubtful accounts mainly escalated costs and expenses.
As a result of higher costs and expenses, Yelp’s first-quarter adjusted EBITDA plunged 57% year over year to $17 million. Moreover, adjusted EBITDA margin shrunk 10 percentage points to 7% from the year-ago quarter’s 17%.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
As of Mar 31, 2020, Yelp’s cash, cash equivalents & marketable securities were $491 million, up from $466 million as of Dec 31, 2019.
Net cash flow from operating activities was $41 million compared with the previous quarter’s $56 million.
Outlook
Yelp had already withdrawn the full-year 2020 outlook citing uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic, which is impacting global business and consumer activities.
Furthermore, the company is focusing on reducing costs in an effort to stay afloat in these difficult times. As part of its cost-reduction plan, Yelp has laid off 1,000 workers and furloughed more than 1,100 staff.
The company projects its cost-saving initiatives to reduce operating expenses by $70 million in the second quarter.
Zacks Rank and Key Picks
Currently, Yelp carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Inphi Corporation , Workday, Inc. (WDAY - Free Report) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The long-term earnings growth rate for Inphi, Workday and NVIDIA is currently pegged at 37.6%, 26.2%, and 15.2%, respectively.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>