Snap Stock Plunged After Earnings. Buy the Dip?

Core Viewpoint - The recent sell-off of Snap's shares, while alarming, does not fully reflect the company's underlying strengths and potential for recovery [1][10]. Financial Performance - Snap reported second-quarter revenue of $1.345 billion, a 9% increase year-over-year [4]. - Daily active users (DAUs) rose 9% to 469 million, and monthly active users (MAUs) increased 7% to 932 million [5]. - Operating cash flow reached $88 million, and free cash flow was positive at $24 million, a significant improvement from the previous year [5]. Challenges and Losses - Despite the positive growth metrics, Snap posted a net loss of $263 million, which is wider than the $249 million loss from the same quarter last year [5]. - An advertising platform glitch early in the quarter negatively impacted performance, but recovery in advertiser activity was noted after the issue was addressed [6]. Growth Drivers - "Other revenue," primarily from subscriptions like Snapchat+, grew 64% year-over-year, with Snapchat+ subscribers increasing by approximately 42% to nearly 16 million [6]. - Sponsored Snaps, a new ad format, showed promising engagement metrics, including a 2x increase in conversion rates and a 5x increase in click-to-convert ratios [7]. Future Outlook - Management has guided for continued top-line growth in Q3, supported by the fast-growing subscription business and recovering advertising revenue trends [8]. Valuation Concerns - Despite positive trends, Snap's valuation remains a concern due to its reliance on equity dilution and high stock-based compensation, projected to exceed $1.1 billion for the full year [9]. - The company executed a $243 million share repurchase, but dilution continues to affect per-share value [9]. Investment Consideration - While the stock may not yet be a bargain, the combination of growing subscription revenue, improved cash flow, and an engaged user base makes Snap an interesting prospect for investors [11].