Industry Overview - The Zacks Internet - Delivery Services industry is facing challenges due to macroeconomic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and high interest rates, which are expected to negatively impact demand in the near term [1][2] - Companies in this sector are experiencing increased costs from aggressive hiring and heavy investments in sales and marketing, which may affect margins [2] Growth Opportunities - Despite current challenges, companies like GoDaddy, MakeMyTrip, and QuinStreet are well-positioned for growth by adapting to changing consumer preferences and expanding into emerging markets [3] - The rise in smartphone usage and improved internet access are creating significant opportunities for the industry, with 4G and emerging 5G technology enhancing user experiences [5] Consumer Trends - A shift in consumer preferences towards convenience and online services is expected to benefit the industry, particularly in food ordering and travel booking [6] - However, overall industry health is closely tied to consumer spending, which may be affected by economic slowdowns [6] Technological Advancements - Innovations such as smart routing algorithms and real-time GPS tracking are enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiencies, providing a competitive edge to early adopters [7] Risks from Tariffs - The industry may face indirect impacts from tariff wars, which could lead to reduced spending from small businesses and startups, ultimately affecting revenue growth and margins [8] Profitability Challenges - High upfront costs associated with expansion strategies may hinder profitability, especially as competition intensifies from major tech companies like Amazon and Alphabet [9][10] Industry Performance - The Zacks Internet - Delivery Services industry ranks 201, placing it in the bottom 17% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating dim near-term prospects [11][12] - The industry has underperformed the S&P 500, declining 24.5% over the past year, while the S&P 500 and broader sector have increased by 15.1% and 19.6%, respectively [16] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.41X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 5.18X and the sector's 6.37X [19] Company Highlights - **GoDaddy (GDDY)**: Focused on cloud-based technology products for small businesses, benefiting from strong momentum in its Applications & Commerce business and expanding global footprint [24][25] - **MakeMyTrip (MMYT)**: Leading online travel agency in India, capitalizing on the booming travel industry and expanding middle class, though facing a downward revision in earnings estimates [29][31][33] - **QuinStreet (QNST)**: Positioned to benefit from the shift to online business models, with an upward revision in earnings estimates reflecting positive ad spending trends [35][36]

Core Insights - GoDaddy Inc. is a leading provider in internet domain registration, web hosting, and online business solutions, with a market cap of $16.8 billion, serving millions of entrepreneurs and small businesses globally [1][2] Financial Performance - GoDaddy's stock has decreased by 41.9% from its all-time high of $216 on January 30, and has dropped 12.8% over the past three months, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which increased by 1.8% during the same period [3] - Year-to-date, GoDaddy's stock prices have plunged 36.4%, and 39.5% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 has gained 14.3% in 2025 and 11.1% over the past year [4] - Following the release of Q3 results on October 30, GoDaddy's stock prices rose over 5%, with total revenues growing 10.3% year-over-year to $1.3 billion, exceeding expectations by 2.8% [5] - The company reported a 14.4% growth in EPS to $1.51, surpassing consensus estimates by 67 basis points [5] - Total bookings increased by 9% to $1.4 billion, which has positively influenced investor confidence [6] Competitive Position - GoDaddy has significantly underperformed compared to its peer, VeriSign, Inc., which has seen 17.5% gains year-to-date and 24.5% returns over the past 52 weeks [6]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Internet - Delivery Services industry includes companies providing services through Internet-based platforms, such as food delivery, online travel booking, and web hosting [2] - The industry is characterized by growth-stage companies investing heavily in R&D and sales & marketing, which may hinder short-term profitability [2] Growth Drivers - Increased smartphone usage and improved Internet access are driving growth in the delivery services sector, with 4G and emerging 5G technology enhancing user experiences [3] - Shifting consumer preferences towards convenience and online services are expected to benefit the industry, particularly in food ordering and travel booking [4] - Technological advancements, such as smart routing algorithms and real-time GPS tracking, are improving delivery efficiency and customer experience [5] Challenges - Persistent macroeconomic uncertainties, inflation, and high interest rates pose significant challenges to the industry [1] - Higher upfront costs associated with market expansion may negatively impact profitability, especially as competition intensifies from major tech companies like Amazon and Alphabet [7] - The potential fallout from tariff wars could indirectly affect revenue growth and margins due to reduced spending from small businesses and startups [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Internet - Delivery Services industry has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 and the broader Computer and Technology sector over the past year, gaining only 0.2% [11] - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 103, placing it in the top 42% of approximately 250 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [9][10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.64X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 5.44X and the sector's 7.1X [14] Company Highlights - **GoDaddy (GDDY)**: Focused on cloud-based technology products, benefiting from strong momentum in its Applications & Commerce business, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings revised upward by 2.2% to $6.05 per share [17][18][19] - **Vipshop Holdings (VIPS)**: An online discount retailer in China, improving its financial performance through enhanced product offerings and a focus on high-margin apparel businesses, with a current-year earnings estimate revised upward by $0.05 to $2.44 per share [23][24] - **QuinStreet (QNST)**: A provider of online marketing services, positioned to benefit from the shift to online business models, with a fiscal 2026 earnings estimate remaining unchanged at $1.05 per share [27][28] - **Asure Software (ASUR)**: A cloud computing firm focusing on human capital management solutions, with a 2025 earnings estimate revised upward by $0.02 to $0.79 per share [31][32]