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]

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]

Core Viewpoint - Opera's shares increased following a significant revenue surge and positive guidance, despite a year-to-date decline in stock price [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Opera operates a range of web and mobile browsers aimed at optimizing speed and battery life, with a focus on emerging markets and higher-valued users from developed markets [2] - The fastest-growing browser is Opera GX, which is tailored for gaming performance [2] Group 2: Revenue and Growth - In Q1, Opera's revenue surged 40% to $142.7 million, exceeding guidance of $130 million to $133 million [4] - Advertising revenue increased by 63% to $95.6 million, while search revenue rose 8% to $46.6 million [4] - E-commerce led the advertising growth, with revenue from this vertical more than doubling [5] Group 3: User Metrics and Innovations - The annualized average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 45% year over year to $1.94, although monthly active users (MAU) decreased by 4% from 304 million to 293 million [6] - Opera GX's user base grew by 14% in the quarter to 34 million MAUs [6] - The new Opera Air browser targeting Western users was downloaded 500,000 times in its first two months [7] - Opera introduced agentic AI features in its Browser Operator to assist users with tasks like travel bookings [8] Group 4: Profitability and Future Guidance - Adjusted EPS rose 35% to $0.27, and adjusted EBITDA climbed 29% to $32.3 million [9] - For Q2, the company forecasts revenue growth of around 24%, projecting between $134 million to $138 million [9] - Full-year revenue guidance was raised to a range of $567 million to $582 million, indicating a 20% annual growth at the midpoint [10] Group 5: Market Position and Valuation - Opera is optimistic about navigating the uncertain macro environment and sees potential opportunities from big tech antitrust cases [11] - The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14.6 times with a projected 20% revenue growth, indicating it is not expensive [13] - The company holds $103.5 million in net cash and an investment in OPay valued at $258.3 million, which is a fast-growing fintech company in Africa [13][14]

Core Insights - Opera Limited reported a 40% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching $142.7 million for the first quarter of 2025, significantly exceeding guidance [1][6][17] - The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $32.3 million, representing a 23% margin, also surpassing expectations [1][13] - Opera raised its full-year guidance for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA based on strong Q1 performance [1][18] Financial Performance - Revenue increased from $101.9 million in Q1 2024 to $142.7 million in Q1 2025, a 40% increase [4][6] - Net income rose to $18.3 million, a 23% increase from $14.8 million in the same quarter last year [4][11] - Adjusted net income grew by 37% to $24.2 million, maintaining a 17% margin [4][12] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 29% to $32.3 million, with a margin of 23% [4][13] - Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.20, while adjusted diluted earnings per share rose to $0.27 [4][13] Revenue Breakdown - Advertising revenue surged by 63% to $95.6 million, accounting for 67% of total revenue [7][20] - Search revenue grew by 8% to $46.6 million, representing 33% of total revenue [7][20] - Technology licensing and other revenue was $0.5 million [20] User Metrics - Opera had 293 million average monthly active users (MAUs) in the quarter, with an annualized average revenue per user (ARPU) of $1.94, a 45% increase year-over-year [7][20] - The Opera GX gaming browser recorded 34 million average MAUs, up 14% year-over-year [7] Operating Expenses - Operating expenses increased by 47% to $121.6 million [8] - Share-based compensation expenses rose by 130% year-over-year to $6.0 million [20] - Marketing and distribution expenses increased by 16% to $34.2 million [20] Business Outlook - For Q2 2025, the company guides revenue between $134 million and $138 million, reflecting a 24% year-over-year growth [15] - Full-year 2025 revenue guidance is set between $567 million and $582 million, with an expected 20% growth [15]