Core Viewpoint - Coupang and Sea Limited, once popular growth stocks, are now being evaluated for their potential as turnaround plays in the current market environment [1][3]. Coupang Overview - Coupang operates South Korea's largest e-commerce platform and went public at $35 in March 2021, reaching an all-time high of $50.45 shortly after [2]. - The stock currently trades at approximately $27, having retreated from its peak due to slowed growth and rising interest rates [3]. - Coupang's active customer base grew from 14.9 million at the end of 2020 to 23.4 million in Q1 2025, with Wow subscribers increasing from 6 million in 2020 to 13 million in 2023 [6]. - The company has expanded its marketplace to Taiwan and acquired Farfetch to diversify beyond South Korea, achieving a revenue CAGR of 26% from 2020 to 2024 [7]. - Coupang turned profitable on a GAAP basis in 2023 and 2024, driven by higher-margin marketplace expansion and automation [8]. - Analysts project Coupang's revenue and GAAP EPS to grow at CAGRs of 13% and 130% from 2024 to 2027, respectively, with a current valuation of 1.4 times this year's sales [9]. Sea Limited Overview - Sea Limited, based in Singapore, operates Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, and went public at $15 in October 2017, reaching a peak of $366.99 in October 2021 [2]. - The stock currently trades at around $163, facing challenges as growth has slowed and competition has intensified [3][12]. - Sea's strategy relied on Garena's gaming profits to subsidize Shopee's losses, but the gaming segment has faced setbacks, including the ban of Free Fire in India [11]. - Despite these challenges, Sea's revenue grew at a CAGR of 40% from 2020 to 2024, and it also turned profitable on a GAAP basis in 2023 and 2024 [14]. - Analysts expect Sea's revenue and GAAP EPS to grow at CAGRs of 20% and 97% from 2024 to 2027, with plans to enhance Shopee's features and expand into Vietnam [15]. Investment Comparison - Coupang is viewed as a more balanced investment with a cheaper valuation compared to Sea, which is heavily reliant on a single aging video game for profits [16]. - While Sea is growing faster, its higher forward price-to-sales ratio makes it less attractive than Coupang [16].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are advised to wait at least a year before investing in new IPOs due to their volatility and overvaluation during the transition from private to public markets [1] Company Overview - Coupang is a leading e-commerce company in South Korea, accounting for approximately 25% of the country's e-commerce market [5] - The company went public at around $50 per share in 2021 but saw its share price drop to $8 within 18 months, currently trading at about half of its IPO price [2] Growth and Market Position - Coupang has doubled its revenue over the past four years and has established itself as a cash-generating entity [2] - The company aims to provide best-in-class customer service, leveraging its first-mover advantage in the South Korean market [5] Customer Satisfaction and Services - Coupang has the highest customer satisfaction score among its peers in South Korea, according to the National Customer Satisfaction Index [8] - The company offers a wide range of services, including free grocery delivery, restaurant delivery, streaming media, and a membership program for under $6 a month [8][9] Logistics and Operational Efficiency - Coupang's logistics network is more efficient than those of similar retailers in other regions, allowing for services like dawn delivery and next-day delivery [6][7] - The company's streamlined operations position it well against competitors, enhancing customer satisfaction [7] Expansion and Growth Opportunities - Coupang acquired luxury goods e-commerce platform Farfetch for $500 million, which has since reached breakeven profitability and attracts 49 million monthly visitors [10][11] - The company is expanding into Taiwan, where it has seen a 23% quarter-over-quarter sales growth and launched its WOW membership program [12][13] Valuation Metrics - Coupang trades at 48 times free cash flow (FCF), primarily due to significant capital expenditures for growth [14][16] - If the company were to reduce its capital spending, its price-to-CFO ratio would be closer to 24, which is a discount compared to the S&P 500 average of 32 times FCF [16] Financial Performance - In Q1, Coupang reported an 11% increase in sales and a 9% increase in active customers, with improvements in gross and net profit margins [17]

Group 1 - Louis Stevens is a former U.S. Army engineer officer with an MBA and a BA in political science, recognized as a leading analyst in the investing community, ranking in the top 0.1% according to TipRanks [1] - Louis created L.A. Stevens Research, which includes the LAS Index, a basket of stocks selected through a proprietary investment method that has consistently outperformed market indices since its inception [2] - The research and investment services provided by Louis cater to a diverse audience, including beginners, busy professionals, and seasoned fund managers [2]

Interested in different businesses around the world, particularly if incumbents can innovate quicker than if distributors can gain scale. Looking forward to sharing my views and hearing different opinions.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CPNG either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relations ...

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of experience in analyzing diverse industries such as airlines, oil, retail, mining, fintech, and ecommerce, highlighting the value of understanding macroeconomic, monetary, and political drivers [1] - The author reflects on their extensive experience through various crises, including the dotcom bubble, 9/11, the great recession, and the Covid-19 pandemic, which enriches their analytical capabilities [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific company or industry analysis, nor does it mention any financial data or performance metrics [2][3]

Coupang (NYSE: CPNG ) reported robust earnings for the first quarter thanks to growing e-Commerce volumes and customer growth on its platform. The South Korean e-Commerce business benefited from double-digit top-line growth as well as an improving EBITDA trajectory (includingAnalyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AMZN, CPNG either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving comp ...

Coupang, Inc. (CPNG) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.06 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compares to earnings of $0.05 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.01 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.04, delivering a surprise of 500%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Coupang, which belongs to the Za ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated revenue growth of 11% year over year, or 21% on a constant currency basis [6][18] - Gross profit margin increased by 217 basis points to 29.3%, and adjusted EBITDA margins improved nearly 90 basis points to 4.8% [6][20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months reached $1.5 billion, with free cash flow exceeding $1 billion [6][24] - Operating income grew to $154 million, a year-over-year increase of nearly 300% [22] - Net income attributable to stockholders was $107 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $0.06 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Product Commerce segment revenues grew by 6% year over year, or 16% in constant currency, with active customers increasing by 9% [19] - Developing Offerings segment revenues surged by 67% year over year, or 78% in constant currency, driven by strong customer engagement in Eats and Taiwan [19][20] - Product Commerce gross profit was $2.2 billion, with a gross profit margin of 31.3%, reflecting a margin improvement of over 300 basis points year over year [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong momentum in Taiwan, with selection expanding by nearly 500% this quarter [12][43] - The Eats segment continued to sustain momentum, with strong customer enthusiasm and growth in both revenue and margin [15][38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding selection, lowering prices, and enhancing delivery experiences to drive sustained growth [7][11] - Significant investments are being made in technology, innovation, automation, and robotics to improve operations and customer experience [10][11] - The company is optimistic about the potential in Taiwan, aiming to replicate the success seen in Korea [12][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that there has not been a meaningful impact from recent global events on the business, and they will continue to monitor the macroeconomic environment closely [17][29] - The company expects a full-year constant currency consolidated growth rate of about 20% [29][35] - Management remains confident in the long-term trajectory of investments in Taiwan and other developing offerings [43][54] Other Important Information - The board approved a $1 billion share repurchase program to act opportunistically in the market [26][30] - The effective income tax rate was reported at 47%, influenced by losses in early-stage operations in Taiwan [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of macro and tariff on business and user behavior - Management indicated limited impact from macro conditions and tariffs, with no significant changes in consumer behavior observed [29] Question: Details on the stock repurchase plan and capital allocation strategy - The share repurchase program is designed to generate meaningful returns for shareholders, with no fixed term for execution [30][31] Question: Revenue growth guidance and product commerce outlook - Management confirmed confidence in achieving the 20% revenue growth target despite current macro conditions [35] Question: Developing offerings loss and margin trends in Eats and Taiwan - Management acknowledged increased losses in developing offerings but highlighted strong growth and engagement in Eats and Taiwan [38][43] Question: Timeline for the share repurchase and user changes in Taiwan - There is no fixed timeline for the $1 billion repurchase, and management is optimistic about growth in Taiwan, expecting more changes in the coming quarters [41][43] Question: Growth for FLC and technology investment cycle - FLC is growing at a high multiple of the overall business, and the company is in the midst of a technology investment cycle that is expected to yield long-term benefits [51][55] Question: Impact of Chinese competitors on the market - Management emphasized a focus on providing the best customer experience and selection, regardless of competitor actions [54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated revenue growth of 11% year over year, or 21% on a constant currency basis [6][17] - Gross profit margin increased by 217 basis points to 29.3%, while adjusted EBITDA margins improved nearly 90 basis points to 4.8% [6][20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months reached $1.5 billion, with free cash flow exceeding $1 billion [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Product Commerce segment saw revenue growth of 6% year over year, or 16% in constant currency, with active customers growing by 9% [19] - The Developing Offerings segment experienced a significant revenue increase of 67% year over year, or 78% in constant currency, driven by strong customer engagement in Eats and Taiwan [19][20] - Gross profit for Product Commerce was $2.2 billion, with a gross profit margin of 31.3%, reflecting a margin improvement of over 300 basis points year over year [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Taiwan, selection expanded by nearly 500% this quarter, leading to increased customer engagement and spending [11][42] - The company continues to see strong momentum in its Eats segment, sustaining growth and margin improvements throughout 2024 [14][38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding selection, lowering prices, and enhancing delivery experiences to drive sustained growth [7][10] - Significant investments are being made in technology, innovation, automation, and robotics to improve operations and customer experience [9][10] - The company is optimistic about its investments in Taiwan, expecting them to follow a similar trajectory as past investments in Korea [12][43] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that there has not been a meaningful impact from recent global events on the business, and they continue to monitor the macroeconomic environment closely [16][29] - The company maintains a growth outlook of approximately 20% for the full year on a constant currency basis, despite potential macroeconomic challenges [29][36] Other Important Information - The board approved a $1 billion share repurchase program as part of the company's capital allocation strategy, allowing for opportunistic buybacks [25][30] - The effective income tax rate was reported at 47%, influenced by losses in early-stage operations in Taiwan [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of macro and tariffs on business - Management indicated limited impact from macroeconomic factors and tariffs, with no significant changes in consumer behavior observed [28][29] Question: Details on the stock repurchase plan - The share repurchase program is designed to act opportunistically based on market conditions, with no fixed term established [30][31] Question: Revenue growth guidance comfort level - Management expressed confidence in achieving the 20% revenue growth target despite the current macro and competitive environment [33][36] Question: Developing offerings loss and margin trends - The company acknowledged increased losses in developing offerings but highlighted strong growth in Eats and Taiwan, expecting continued improvement [34][38] Question: Timeline for the share repurchase program - There is no fixed timeline for the $1 billion repurchase program, and the pace will be opportunistic [40][41] Question: User engagement in Taiwan post-selection increase - Management reported strong growth in Taiwan, with increased engagement and spending following the expansion of selection and the launch of the Wow membership program [42][43] Question: FLC growth and marketplace performance - FLC is growing at a high multiple of the overall business, with marketplace growth outpacing 1P [48][50] Question: Technology investment cycle status - The company is in the midst of a technology investment cycle, with expectations for OG&A expenses to decline as a percentage of revenue in the near to medium term [55][56]

Coupang (CPNG) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 06, 2025 05:30 PM ET Company Participants Michael Parker - Vice President, Head of Investor RelationsBom Kim - Founder, CEO & ChairmanGaurav Anand - CFO Conference Call Participants Eric Cha - AnalystStanley Yang - AnalystSeyon Park - Equity Research AnalystJiong Shao - Analyst Operator Hello everyone. My name is Krista and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Kupong twenty twenty five First Quarter Earnings Co ...