💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

EBay gives disappointing forecast, shares fall

Published 01/27/2016, 05:34 PM
© Reuters. An eBay sign is seen at an office building in San Jose, California
AMZN
-
WMT
-

(Reuters) - EBay Inc forecast lower-than-expected revenue and profit for the current quarter and full year, as the e-commerce company struggles against a strong dollar and stiff competition from Amazon.com Inc (O:AMZN).

The company which is also being hit as brick-and-mortar retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc (N:WMT) boost their online presence, reported that its revenue was flat in the crucial holiday quarter.

EBay's shares fell about 11 percent to $23.51 in extended trading on Wednesday.

The company forecast full-year adjusted profit of $1.82-$1.87 per share and revenue of $8.5 billion-$8.8 billion.

That was lower than analysts' average expectation of $1.98 per share in profit and $8.99 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

"It appears eBay is guiding to a decline in profit in 2016, which is very concerning," Gil Lurie, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said.

EBay's forecast for first-quarter adjusted profit of 43-45 cents per share and revenue of $2.05 billion-$2.10 billion also missed analysts' average estimates.

The company's revenue was $2.32 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, flat with a year earlier and in line with analysts' average expectations.

While the number of active buyers on eBay's platforms grew 5 percent, there was no growth in gross merchandise volume, or the total value of all goods sold on its sites.

Online sales in the United States jumped a better-than-expected 9 percent to $105 billion in the November-December holiday period, according to the National Retail Federation.

"While not a direct competitor in every respect, the growth of (Amazon's) successful Prime service has locked more customers into using its services and sites in a way that is unhelpful to eBay," said Carter Harrison, a retail analyst at research firm Conlumino.

San Jose, California-based eBay, which derives nearly 60 percent of its revenue from overseas, also faces headwinds from a strong dollar.

The average value of the dollar against a basket of currencies was 11.7 percent higher in the fourth quarter compared with the same quarter last year.

EBay's revenue grew 5 percent on a forex-neutral basis in the quarter. On the same basis, gross merchandise volume also rose 5 percent.

© Reuters. An eBay sign is seen at an office building in San Jose, California

The company's net income fell to $477 million, or 39 cents per share, from $1.02 billion, or 82 cents per share.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.