Unity Software (NYSE:U) shares surged more than 8% Thursday following the company’s reported Q1 results after the close Wednesday, with revenue growing 56% year-over-year to $500 million, beating the consensus estimate of $481.46M. EPS came in at ($0.67), versus ($0.60) reported last year.
For the balance of 2023, the company expects revenue to grow faster than the markets in which it competes, with steady and meaningful continued progress on profitability.
For Q2/23, the company expects revenue in the range of $510-$520M, compared to the consensus of $497M. For the full year, the company expects revenue in the range of $2-$2.2 billion, compared to the consensus of $2.13B.
Reacting to the earnings report, Wolfe Research analysts told investors in a note that the results were ahead of expectations across key metrics as they expected. "We continue to believe that U's resilient Create business coupled with its new Grow business will allow the name to outperform its Advertising and Media Software peer group," said the analysts, who maintained an Outperform rating and $35 price target on the stock.
Citi analysts, who have a Buy rating and $41 price target on the stock, said: "Along with the print, Unity also raised the low end of its 2023 revenue and Adj. EBITDA outlook, which now on a mid-point basis falls ahead of the Street. In addition, Unity provided a 2Q23 revenue and Adj. EBITDA outlook above consensus estimates. Given the beat and improved outlook, we would expect shares to trade higher tomorrow."
BTIG analysts maintained a Neutral rating on Unity shares, stating that ads and expense controls drive EBITDA upside, but the guidance is conservative.
"A big beat of our and consensus Grow revenue (legacyOperate + ironSource) plus tighter opex controls drove 1Q EBITDA upside, and we see runway for further beats over the course of the year from a stabilizing mobile market, Create pricing upside, and further expense reductions," they wrote.
Last week, Unity announced it will restructure specific teams and lay off about 8% of its workforce, or roughly 600 employee roles, to continue to position itself for profitable and long-term growth.