Mercari ((JP:4385)) has held its Q4 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.
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In the recent earnings call, Mercari showcased a robust operational performance, marked by significant achievements in profitability across its segments and the successful integration of AI technologies. Despite these accomplishments, the company faces challenges in achieving top-line revenue growth and meeting its GMV growth targets, highlighting areas that require strategic improvement.
Record High Core Operating Profit
Mercari announced a record high core operating profit of JPY 27.5 billion, which significantly exceeded forecasts and represented a 46% year-on-year growth. This milestone underscores the company’s strong financial management and operational efficiency.
Profitability Across All Segments
For the first time, Mercari’s Marketplace, Fintech, and U.S. segments all achieved full-year profitability. This marks a significant achievement for the company, demonstrating its ability to generate consistent profits across diverse business areas.
AI Integration and Productivity Boost
The integration of AI has been transformative for Mercari, resulting in a 64% year-over-year increase in development output per engineer. Impressively, 70% of the code is now generated using AI, highlighting the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced productivity.
Strong Fintech Growth
The Fintech segment reported a core operating profit of JPY 4.5 billion, significantly exceeding targets. This growth was driven by a 32% year-on-year increase in the credit balance, showcasing the segment’s robust performance.
Successful U.S. Business Turnaround
Mercari’s U.S. business achieved its first full-year profitability with a core operating profit of JPY 900 million. This positive shift indicates improving GMV growth trends and a successful turnaround strategy.
Mercard Expansion
The issuance of over 5 million Mercards marks a significant expansion, with a strategic focus on increasing their usage in everyday payment and credit scenarios, further embedding Mercari’s services into daily consumer habits.
Top Line Revenue Growth Challenge
Despite the operational successes, Mercari’s revenue grew by only 3%, falling short of expectations. This highlights the need for stronger strategies to accelerate top-line growth and meet market demands.
Marketplace GMV Growth Below Target
The Marketplace GMV growth was recorded at 4%, below the targeted 10%. This shortfall was attributed to a slowdown in both the marketplace and U.S. business growth, indicating areas for potential strategic focus.
Fraudulent Activity Impact
Midyear fraudulent activities impacted customer sentiment, but Mercari’s swift response minimized the damage. This incident underscores the importance of robust security measures in maintaining customer trust.
Forward-Looking Guidance
Looking ahead, Mercari provided guidance for FY 2025 and FY 2026, forecasting revenue between JPY 200 billion and JPY 210 billion, with a core operating profit of JPY 28 billion to JPY 32 billion. The company aims to become an AI-native organization, targeting a double-digit CAGR in revenue and over 25% CAGR in core operating profit by FY 2027.
In summary, Mercari’s earnings call reflected a strong operational performance with notable profitability across all segments and successful AI integration. However, challenges in revenue and GMV growth highlight areas for strategic improvement. The company’s forward-looking guidance suggests a focus on leveraging AI for future growth, aiming for significant revenue and profit increases in the coming years.