- In a Q4 report that beat expectations, Groupon (NASDAQ:GRPN) notes gross billings were up 31% worldwide to $2.1B in Q4.
- Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $87M, a bit shy of expecations of $91.8M. Gross profit was offset somewhat by investment related to acquisitions (Ticket Monster in Q1, and ideel).
- The company guided to Q1 revenue of $790M-840M, short of expectations for $855.5M, and adjusted EBITDA of $45M-60M vs. an expected $77M. Groupon says Q1 non-GAAP EPS should be between $0.00 and $0.02, vs. consensus of $0.02.
- Free cash flow was $266M, bringing trailing twelve-month free cash flow to $200.5M. Groupon has $1.1B in cash and equivalents.
- Foreign exchange concerns hit the firm as it says excluding FX, revenue would have increased 25% rather than 20%; and gross billings would have increased 36% rather than 31% (North America up 20%, EMEA up 8% and Rest of World up 154%).
- Volatile after hours, GRPN currently +0.5%.
- Press release; conference call at 5 p.m. ET
- Previously: WSJ: Groupon in talks to sell TMON stake at ~$1B valuation (Feb. 05 2015)