Looking back on gig economy stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT) and its peers. The iPhone changed the world, ushering in the era of the “always-on” internet and “on-demand” services - anything someone could want is just a few taps away. Likewise, the gig economy sprang up in a similar fashion, with a proliferation of tech-enabled freelance labor marketplaces, which work hand and hand with many on demand services. Individuals can now work o ...

As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the gig economy industry, including DoorDash (NASDAQ:DASH) and its peers. The iPhone changed the world, ushering in the era of the “always-on” internet and “on-demand” services - anything someone could want is just a few taps away. Likewise, the gig economy sprang up in a similar fashion, with a proliferation of tech-enabled freelance labor marketplaces, which work hand and hand with many on ...

Core Insights - The article highlights three companies that are expected to grow significantly in the long term despite being undervalued in the current market environment Group 1: Unity Software - Unity Software is experiencing a return to strong growth after a period of stagnation, with shares still 82% below their previous peak [2][3] - The company is a leading provider of software for video game developers, particularly in mobile gaming, and its AI-powered advertising platform, Unity Vector, is driving growth in its ad network [3][4] - Unity reported a slight year-over-year decline in total revenue in Q2 but is expected to return to growth by 2026, with free cash flow projected to grow at an annualized rate of 25% [3][6] - The company has seen double-digit growth in subscriptions for its game development software and has expanded into non-gaming markets, including partnerships with automakers like BMW [5] Group 2: Roku - Roku's shares fell sharply in 2021 due to a slowdown in the advertising market but have since rebounded, although they still trade 80% below their all-time high [7][8] - The company has a strong competitive position in the streaming market, with nearly 90 million user accounts as of the end of 2024, representing a 12% increase from Q4 2023 [9] - Roku's platform revenue grew 18% year-over-year in Q2 2025, driven by a large and growing audience, and the connected-TV advertising market is expected to grow from $29 billion in 2024 to $38 billion in 2027 [10] Group 3: Fiverr International - Fiverr International's shares are trading 93% below their previous high, yet the company continues to increase free cash flow and focus on AI initiatives [12] - Despite economic volatility affecting the gig economy, Fiverr reported a 15% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2, with strong demand for AI-related services, particularly a 37% increase in demand for AI consultants [13][14] - The recent launch of its AI-powered Shopify Store Builder contributed to an 84% year-over-year increase in services revenue, and the stock is trading at a low price-to-free cash flow multiple of 9, indicating a potential bargain for investors [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Quhuo Limited's subsidiary, Lailai, has partnered with Beike to enhance property management services, expanding Lailai's offerings from home services to comprehensive property management solutions [1][2][7]. Partnership Details - Lailai will provide Beike with asset services, including property maintenance, household support, and tailored services for specific resident groups [1][2]. - The collaboration aims to deliver efficient, end-to-end services that improve the living experience for residents [2]. Service Offerings - Lailai's services include cleaning, appliance repairs, formaldehyde testing, and VR photography to ensure properties meet market standards [3]. - Daily household services such as cleaning and lock repairs are also part of Lailai's offerings [3]. Targeted Services - Lailai provides specialized services for specific demographics, such as training female technicians to offer in-home repair services for women in urban areas, enhancing trust and safety [4]. Technology and Efficiency - Lailai utilizes a proprietary digital dispatch system to integrate various services, improving operational efficiency and service quality through data-driven oversight [5]. Expansion Plans - Since the partnership began in May 2024, Lailai has expanded its services to major cities including Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, and plans to extend to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Xi'an [6]. Leadership Statements - Lailai's head emphasized the commitment to delivering personalized property management services, while Quhuo's CEO highlighted the partnership's potential for new market opportunities and enhanced customer experiences [7].

Core Viewpoint - Quhuo Limited continues to implement its dual-track strategy focusing on optimizing on-demand delivery solutions and expanding housekeeping and accommodation services to enhance profitability despite a challenging market environment [2][10]. Financial Performance - Quhuo generated total revenue of RMB1,131.4 million in the first half of 2025, with significant growth in its housekeeping and accommodation businesses, which saw revenue increase by 70.8% year over year and gross profit rise by 63.4% [3][6]. On-Demand Delivery Solutions - The company faced intensified competition in China's food delivery market, leading to increased costs for service providers and strategic adjustments by major clients [3]. - Quhuo focused on workforce management and operational optimization, which resulted in market share gains relative to key competitors since May 2025 [4]. - Management streamlined its structure by exiting underperforming sites and reallocating resources to higher-revenue locations, expecting economies of scale and profitability to materialize in the second half of 2025 [5]. Housekeeping and Accommodation Solutions - The Chengtu homestay business experienced an 83.6% year-over-year revenue growth, with gross profit surging 390.8%, achieving a gross margin of 55.2% [9]. - Lailai, the hotel and home services segment, saw a revenue increase of 63.6% year over year, driven by a partnership with Ke Holdings Inc. [9]. New Business Initiatives - Quhuo entered a partnership with JD.com to provide on-demand delivery services in select cities, which is expected to generate incremental revenue [7]. - The beef supply chain partnership with NIU World generated approximately RMB14.4 million in revenue, marking a significant step in Quhuo's transformation into a supply chain enabler [8]. Future Outlook - The company plans to continue executing its dual-track strategy, focusing on efficiency, structural optimization, and innovation to deliver sustainable long-term returns for shareholders [10].

Group 1: PayPal - PayPal's second-quarter results met expectations, but a 49% drop in free cash flow caused a post-earnings dip, although the company did not change its free cash flow guidance for the fiscal year, suggesting a potential market overreaction [4][6] - The company ended the second quarter with 438 million active accounts, a 2% year-over-year increase, and reported a payment volume of $443.6 billion, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year [5] - PayPal's revenue grew 5% year over year to $8.3 billion, with non-GAAP EPS at $1.40, an 18% increase from the previous year [5] - The new CEO, Alex Chriss, is focused on improving profitability and has introduced new growth opportunities, including an advertising platform for businesses, leveraging PayPal's extensive user data [6][7] - The company is expected to benefit from the growing demand for digital payment methods, driven by the e-commerce industry's expansion and a strong network effect [7] Group 2: Fiverr - Fiverr's platform is facing challenges with a decline in active buyers, down 10.9% year over year to 3.4 million, but revenue increased by 14.8% year over year to $108.6 million [8][9] - Despite fewer buyers, the spend per buyer rose to $318, a 9.8% increase from the previous year, indicating that Fiverr is retaining high-spending customers [10] - Fiverr's non-GAAP EPS was $0.69, a 19% increase from the year-ago period, showcasing strong financial results [10] - The rise of AI poses a threat to some freelance specialties, but it also creates demand for AI-related services, which Fiverr is capitalizing on by connecting businesses with qualified freelancers [11] - The underlying business remains sound, and the growth of the gig economy presents promising opportunities for Fiverr despite its current market performance [11]

Core Insights - YY Group Holding Limited plans to integrate regulated stablecoin-powered payments into its gig worker platform, enhancing payment speed and reducing costs for gig workers and clients [1][2][3] - The integration aims to leverage the growing global stablecoin market, creating new fintech revenue opportunities such as FX conversion and instant settlement options [1][7] Industry Context - The adoption of regulated stablecoins, which are digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies, has seen significant growth, with annualized transaction volumes surpassing US$27 trillion in 2024 [4] - The gig economy is poised for expansion, with over 659 million people globally holding digital currencies, indicating a strong market potential for stablecoin integration [5] Ecosystem Impact - The integration will provide gig workers with faster access to earnings and lower transaction costs, while clients will benefit from streamlined cross-border payments [6][9] - YY Group's partnership with licensed providers will ensure compliance and robust transaction protocols, enhancing trust within the gig economy [9][10] Future Growth Opportunities - The stablecoin infrastructure will enable YY Group to explore high-margin services, including FX conversion revenue sharing and embedded lending, as transaction volumes increase [7][10] - The company plans to expand its stablecoin capabilities in response to market demand, aiming to deepen its fintech ecosystem and establish strategic partnerships [10]

Core Viewpoint - Quhuo Limited is changing the ratio of its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) to Class A ordinary shares from 1:10 to 1:900, effective August 25, 2025, which will be treated as a one-for-90 reverse ADS split without affecting the proportional equity interest of ADS holders [1][2][3]. Group 1: ADS Ratio Change - The new ADS Ratio will be one ADS for every 900 Class A ordinary shares, changing from the previous ratio of one ADS for every 10 shares [1]. - A post-effective amendment to the ADS Registration Statement on Form F-6 will be filed with the SEC to reflect this change, and the new CUSIP number for the ADSs will be 74841Q308 [2]. - Existing ADS holders will need to surrender 90 current ADSs to receive one new ADS, with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas managing the exchange process [3]. Group 2: Impact on ADS Holders - No fractional ADSs will be allocated due to the change; any aggregate fractions will be sold, and the net proceeds will be distributed to the entitled ADS holders [4]. - The trading price of Quhuo's ADS is expected to increase proportionally as a result of the change, although there is no assurance that it will be equal to or greater than 90 times the previous trading price [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Quhuo Limited is a leading workforce operational solutions platform in China, providing tech-enabled solutions for on-demand consumer service businesses, including food delivery and mobility services [6]. - The company plays a crucial role in connecting service businesses with consumers, enhancing the efficiency and skill of workers through training and performance monitoring [6].

Market Trends & Performance - Delivery sector shows strongest demand trends, with revenue growth acceleration in DoorDash and Uber [2][3] - Mobility growth rates remain consistent, particularly in rides or trips, most evident with Uber [3] - Lyft's stock underperforms due to a slight fade in mobility growth rates [3] Company Specific Analysis - Evercore ISI maintains an inline rating on Lyft, questioning its ability to sustain topline growth while improving profitability [1] - Evercore ISI raises price targets for Uber, DoorDash, and Shopify [1] - DoorDash, Shopify, and Uber are considered high-quality assets and winners in their respective categories, but not at "back up the truck prices" [5][6] - Lyft holds approximately 30% market share in the US with limited international presence [7] - Lyft's smaller scale compared to Uber makes it less attractive to autonomous vehicle (AV) partners and susceptible to immediate replication of innovations [8] - Airbnb is undergoing an investment cycle, increasing marketing spend in international markets and social media, but ROI is not expected in the back half of the year [9][10] - Sidelines on Airbnb due to high multiple and need to see acceleration in growth to justify premium valuation [11]

Regulatory Changes - The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" changes Form 1099 reporting for gig workers [1] - The Act impacts those who use payment apps like PayPal for business [1]