Workflow
GX
icon
Search documents
2 Internet Content Stocks to Watch From a Challenging Industry
ZACKS· 2025-08-12 17:47
Core Insights - The Zacks Internet - Content industry is facing challenges due to adverse macroeconomic conditions affecting ad spending, which is the primary revenue source for industry participants [1] - Despite these challenges, there is solid demand for digital offerings, particularly in video content and cloud-based applications, aided by the proliferation of AI and Generative AI [1] - Companies like Yelp and Opera Limited are expanding their presence in social media, display, connected TV, and search, contributing to top-line growth [1] Industry Description - The Zacks Internet - Content industry includes providers of video encoding platforms, personal services, Internet content, staffing, publishing, and online travel companies [2] - Advertising remains a major revenue source, prompting companies to enhance their digital presence and expand across various platforms [2] - The industry is experiencing rapid changes in consumer behavior and ongoing digitalization, with significant players located in the U.S., Israel, the U.K., Germany, Russia, and China [2] Trends Shaping the Industry - There is a growing demand for digital offerings, driven by technological advancements and the introduction of new products and services [3] - The proliferation of smart devices and increased automation in application development are positive indicators for industry growth [3] Industry Prospects - Marketing efforts are being intensified to boost website traffic, with advertising and subscriptions as key revenue sources [4] - The industry is sensitive to consumer spending trends, particularly during holiday seasons, but faces headwinds from macroeconomic challenges, persistent inflation, and higher interest rates [4] Regulatory Environment - Increased regulatory pressure is impacting industry participants, especially in China and the EU, with regulations affecting direct advertising and data protection [5] - The implementation of the Digital Markets Act in the EU aims to curb the market power of large online platforms, adding to the challenges faced by Internet content providers [5] Industry Ranking and Performance - The Zacks Internet - Content industry ranks 194, placing it in the bottom 21% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating dull near-term prospects [6][7] - The industry's earnings outlook is negative, with a 2.8% decline in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings since November 30, 2024 [8] Market Performance - The industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500, returning 6.1% over the past year versus 18.1% and 25.3% respectively [10] Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 6.49X, higher than the S&P 500's 5.62X but lower than the sector's 8.31X [13] Notable Companies - **Yelp**: Benefiting from higher ad spending and improved customer retention, but shares have declined 20.9% year-to-date [16][17] - **Opera Limited**: Experiencing an 8% year-over-year increase in search revenues, with a stable user base of 293 million, but shares have dropped 17.1% year-to-date [19][20]
OPRA Stock Plummets 15% in 3 Months: Should You Stay Away Now?
ZACKS· 2025-05-15 17:56
Group 1: Company Performance - Opera Limited's shares have declined by 15.3% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's decline of 6% and the Internet–Content industry's increase of 0.8% [1] - The company has faced challenges due to rising cost pressures, with first-quarter operating expenses increasing by 47% year over year [1] - A significant 49% decline in operating cash flow year over year raises concerns about near-term liquidity and capital efficiency [1][6] Group 2: User Growth and Market Position - Opera's management has indicated stagnation in its monthly active user (MAU) base, which is hovering around 300 million, suggesting potential market saturation [3] - The stagnation in MAU growth could adversely affect Opera's monetization strategies, particularly in high-margin areas like advertising and search revenues that depend on user engagement [3] - Despite efforts to innovate with products like Opera Air and updates to Opera One and GX, the effectiveness of these initiatives in driving sustainable user growth remains uncertain [4] Group 3: Financial Challenges - The surge in operating expenses, driven by increased investments in personnel, infrastructure, and product development, is exerting downward pressure on operating margins and overall profitability [5] - The decline in operating cash flow and rising share-based compensation further complicate Opera's financial outlook, raising concerns about funding future initiatives [7] - To stabilize its financial position and create long-term value for shareholders, Opera must successfully drive user growth and manage costs effectively [7]
Opera(OPRA) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-04-28 20:59
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue growth accelerated to 40% year over year in Q1 2025, up from 29% in Q4 2024, exceeding previous guidance of 28% to 31% [4][15] - Total revenue for Q1 2025 reached $143 million, with advertising revenue growing 63% and now representing two-thirds of total revenue [5][15] - Adjusted EBITDA was $32 million, with a margin of 23%, indicating increased profitability alongside revenue growth [6][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-commerce was the fastest-growing vertical within advertising, achieving over 100% annualized growth, which offset typical seasonality [5][15] - Search revenue grew 8% year over year, indicating a slowdown compared to previous growth rates [5][32] - The user base remained stable at 293 million monthly active users (MAUs), with annualized ARPU increasing by 44% [7][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market is experiencing greater uncertainty among advertisers, impacting growth potential [15][21] - The company has less exposure to U.S. e-commerce compared to competitors, suggesting significant growth opportunities ahead [22][63] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on high-value users and leveraging AI to optimize advertising and search revenue [6][10] - Opera is expanding its browser portfolio, including the introduction of AI-driven features, to enhance user experience and engagement [8][10] - The company aims to maintain aggressive growth in e-commerce while navigating macroeconomic challenges [21][63] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's ability to grow despite a volatile macro environment, highlighting a strong track record of navigating challenges [13][21] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to DKK 567 million to DKK 582 million, reflecting confidence in continued growth [24][21] - Management noted that the advertising revenue is primarily performance-based, making it more resilient in uncertain economic conditions [22][67] Other Important Information - The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, emphasizing its long history of innovation and adaptation [13] - Opera has distributed $2.4 in dividends per share since January 2023, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Search growth during the quarter - Management acknowledged that the 8% growth in search revenue is a slowdown but attributed it to a shift towards intent-based advertising, which is driving overall advertising growth [32][34] Question: Decline in GX ARPU - Management noted that the decline in GX ARPU is partly seasonal and that the introduction of AI and high-intent advertising options is expected to benefit overall revenue [32][36] Question: Impact of currency on growth - Management indicated that the strong U.S. dollar has been a headwind, estimating that growth would have been 5 to 6 percentage points higher on a constant currency basis [38] Question: E-commerce growth and seasonality - Management confirmed that the rapid growth of e-commerce has offset typical seasonality, but acknowledged that seasonality will still be a factor as the business matures [41][44] Question: Concerns about MAU count - Management clarified that the focus is on high ARPU users rather than total MAU count, emphasizing revenue generation over user numbers [46][48] Question: U.S. antitrust actions and broader ecosystem - Management expressed that ongoing antitrust discussions could benefit Opera by increasing focus on competition and innovation in the browser market [49][52] Question: E-commerce opportunity and geographic exposure - Management highlighted that the e-commerce segment is growing rapidly and that the U.S. market still holds significant potential for future growth [56][58] Question: Gating factors for e-commerce growth - Management stated that attracting performance-focused advertisers is key to expanding e-commerce revenue, with a focus on larger retailers initially [61][64]