GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE:GDDY) reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 34 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents. However, the bottom line was up 21.4% from the year-ago quarter.
The company generated revenues of $780.4 million, up 12.2% year over year or 13% on a constant-currency basis. The reported figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.
The revenue growth was driven by strong performance of its product segments on a year-over-year basis. Also, the increase in revenue per user aided growth.
International revenues were $261.4 million in the fourth quarter, up 8.8% year over year or approximately 11.2% on a constant-currency basis.
Segmental Revenues
GoDaddy generates revenues from three segments — Domain, Hosting and Presence, & Business Applications.
Domain: The company generated revenues of $352.3 million (45% of total revenues) from this segment. The figure improved 12.1% from the year-ago quarter, driven by strong liquid domain aftermarket and renewals.
Hosting and Presence: This segment generated revenues of $292.8 million (38% of revenues), increasing 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. The revenue growth can be primarily attributed to robust feature engagements, bookings and appointments within this segment. Further, the well-performing GoCentral remained a major positive.
Business Applications: Revenues from this segment came in at $135.3 million (17% of revenues), increasing 21.3% year over year.
GoDaddy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operating Metrics
The company’s customer base reached 19.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter. Notably, the figure was up 4.1% from the prior-year quarter. Growing website adoption in emerging markets aided the growth of its customer base. Average revenue per user was $158 in the reported quarter, up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis, attributable to solid momentum across international markets served by the company.
GoDaddy uses total bookings as a performance measure, since payment is usually collected at the time of sale, and recognizes revenues ratably over the term of customer contracts. In the fourth quarter, total bookings of $833.6 million increased 13.8% year over year or 14.1% on a constant-currency basis.
Operating Results
Gross margin was 65.3%, down 160 basis points from the prior-year quarter.
Operating expenses (technology and development, marketing and advertising, & general and administrative) of $302.5 million increased 7.7% year over year.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
At the end of the fourth quarter, total cash and cash equivalents, along with short-term investments were $1.09 billion compared with $990.2 million in third-quarter 2019. Accounts and other receivables were $30.2 million compared with $29 million in the third quarter.
Long-term debt was $18.4 billion at the end of the fourth quarter.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $162.2 million compared with $200.2 million in the third quarter. Capital expenditure was $16.5 million at the end of fourth quarter.
Additionally, adjusted free cash flow was $177.7 million during the reported quarter.
Guidance
For full-year 2020, management expects revenues to be $3.315 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 11%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year revenues is pegged at $3.31 billion.
Additionally, free cash flow in 2019 is projected at $835 million, suggesting year-over-year growth of 14%.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
GoDaddy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) , Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK) and Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth for Itron, Splunk, and Agilent is currently projected at 25%, 31.2% and 12.5%, respectively.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.
See their latest picks free >>
Itron, Inc. (ITRI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A): Free Stock Analysis Report
Splunk Inc. (SPLK): Free Stock Analysis Report
GoDaddy Inc. (GDDY): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post