Proactive Investors - Shopify Inc (TSX:SH., NYSE:TSX:SHOP) shares plunged almost 19% lower in premarket trading after the e-commerce platform reported first-quarter results came with guidance for potentially slower growth and lower margins in the coming quarter.
Revenues reached $1.90 billion in the first three months of 2024, a 23% increase on a year ago and marginally ahead of the Wall Street consensus. Revenues were up 29% when adjusted for the sale of its logistics businesses.
The company's digital infrastructure, such as payment and processing services for online stores, was used in $60.9 billion of gross merchandise volume, an increase of 23%.
The company's free cash flow margin doubled to 12% from 6% in the same period last year, while at the bottom line adjusted earnings per share of 20 cents, was ahead of the FactSet EPS consensus of 17 cents.
Shopify projected revenue growth for the second quarter slowing to a "high teens" percentage, or in the "low to mid-twenties" when adjusted for the logistics businesses sale, versus 19% Street forecasts.
Gross margin are seen declining by around 50 basis points compared to Q1 2024.
But after delivering three consecutive quarters of double-digit free cash flow margin, there is "no expectation for this trend to change".
Harley Finkelstein, president of the company, said the "outstanding Q1 performance is clear proof of our dedication to the new shape of Shopify, our commitment to operating with a consistent team size, and our focus on building for the long-term."
"We are building a 100-year company, and we will continue to remain fiercely agile, capitalizing on every opportunity that accelerates the success of our merchants, enables us to continue to build world-class products, and enhances operational efficiency for better returns."
But the stock fell 18.5% to $62.82 premarket on Wednesday.