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Blackline Inc (BL)
NASDAQ:BL
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BlackLine (BL) AI Stock Analysis

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BL

BlackLine

(NASDAQ:BL)

Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$59.00
▲(9.97%Upside)
BlackLine's overall score is driven by strong financial performance and a positive earnings outlook. Technical and valuation aspects are more moderate, reflecting potential challenges in market conditions and stock price resistance. Strategic board appointments and AI investments support future growth prospects.
Positive Factors
Pricing Strategy
Recent pricing changes to move away from a seat-based model to a more solution/platform-based approach have been well-received by customers.
Product Development
The redesigned Studio360 platform has been well-received by customers and demand for the new platform has trended slightly above its initial expectations.
Strategic Partnerships
The key partnership with SAP is considered an important part of the long-term growth algorithm.
Negative Factors
Financial Guidance
The free cash flow margin estimate for BlackLine has been revised down from 24.5% to 23.7%.
Revenue Growth Expectations
The company reduced the low end of its revenue guidance range for 2025, expecting 6.9% growth at the midpoint compared to prior expectations for 7.4% growth.

BlackLine (BL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

BlackLine Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionBlackLine, Inc. provides cloud-based solutions to automate and streamline accounting and finance operations worldwide. It offers financial close management solutions, such as account reconciliations that provides a centralized workspace for users to collaborate on account reconciliations; transaction matching that analyzes and reconciles high volumes of individual transactions; and task management to create and manage processes and task lists. The company's financial close management solutions also include journal entry that allows users to generate, review, and post manual journal entries; variance analysis that monitors and identifies anomalous fluctuations in balance sheet and income statement account balances; consolidation integrity manager that manages the automated system-to-system tie-out process that occurs during the consolidation phase of the financial close; and compliance, an integrated solution that facilitates compliance-related initiatives, consolidates project management, and provides visibility over control self-assessments and testing. In addition, it offers accounts receivable automation solutions, which include cash application, credit and risk management, collections management, disputes and deductions, team and task management, and AR intelligence solutions. Further, the company provides intercompany workflow that stores permissions by entity and transaction type thereby ensuring both the initiator and the approver of the intercompany transaction are authorized to conduct business; intercompany processing, which records an organization's intercompany transactions; and netting and settlement that generates a real-time settlement matrix, which shows the balance of transactions. The company sells its solutions primarily through direct sales force to multinational corporations, large domestic enterprises, and mid-market companies across various industries. BlackLine, Inc. was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyBlackLine makes money primarily through a subscription-based revenue model. The company offers cloud-based software solutions on a subscription basis, which provides it with a recurring revenue stream. Customers typically pay annual or multi-year subscription fees to access BlackLine's accounting automation platform. Key revenue streams include subscriptions to its core products, such as the Financial Close Management solution, Account Reconciliations, Intercompany Hub, and other modules that address various accounting needs. Additionally, BlackLine may generate revenue from professional services, including consulting, implementation, and support services, which are often provided to help clients effectively deploy and use their software. Strategic partnerships with enterprise resource planning (ERP) providers and financial service firms also play a significant role in expanding BlackLine's market reach and customer base, indirectly contributing to its earnings.

BlackLine Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Customers
Customers
Shows the number of clients using BlackLine's services, indicating market penetration and potential for upselling or cross-selling opportunities.
Chart InsightsBlackLine's customer base has shown consistent growth, reaching 4,455 by Q1 2025. Despite macroeconomic challenges that could pressure customer retention, the company’s strategic partnerships and strong pipeline are driving momentum. The adoption of the Studio360 platform and expansion in AI capabilities are key growth drivers. However, the macro environment poses risks, and some large enterprises are reducing usage. BlackLine's focus on operational improvements and disciplined execution is crucial to maintaining growth and achieving its revenue targets for 2025.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

BlackLine Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 15.01%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Overall, BlackLine had a positive first quarter, demonstrating growth in revenue and operational efficiency, with strong performance in partnerships and the pipeline. However, challenges in the macro environment pose potential risks to future growth, and customer retention may face pressure due to economic conditions.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Solid Q1 Performance and Growth
BlackLine delivered a 6% growth in the first quarter with a non-GAAP operating margin of 21%. The number of customers generating over $1 million in ARR increased from 71 to 79 this quarter.
Strong Pipeline and Partnership Performance
The SolEx partnership outperformed in Q1. BlackLine saw solid growth in the pipeline, and partner involvement was high, with partners involved in 81% of large deals.
Launch and Adoption of Studio360 Platform
There was momentum in the adoption of Studio360, with several key deals signed with companies like Tractor Supply and AGL.
Positive Revenue Renewal Rate
Revenue renewal rate was 94% this quarter, with a significant increase in multiyear renewals by 14 percentage points.
AI and Technological Advancements
BlackLine is expanding AI capabilities, with AI-powered features enhancing automation and efficiency for customers. Strategic investments are being made in AI technologies such as Agentic AI and predictive intelligence.
Negative Updates
Challenging Macro Environment
Uncertainties in the macro environment, such as recent policy announcements, pose potential risks to customer investment plans and BlackLine's future results.
Pressure on Customer Retention
There's potential pressure on customer retention due to ongoing economic conditions, with some large enterprise customers reducing usage due to corporate reorganizations.
Impact on Services Revenue
Services revenue came in slightly below expectations due to a higher-than-expected partner services mix.
Company Guidance
In the BlackLine Q1 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance for Q2 and the full year, with an expected total GAAP revenue range of $170 million to $172 million for Q2, representing 6% to 7% growth. The full-year 2025 revenue is anticipated to be between $692 million and $705 million, reflecting a 6% to 8% growth. BlackLine also projected a non-GAAP operating margin of 20.5% to 21.5% for Q2 and 21.5% to 22.5% for the full year. The company highlighted a solid start to the year with a 6% revenue growth in Q1, a 21% non-GAAP operating margin, and a revenue renewal rate of 94%. The positive outlook was attributed to improved go-to-market execution, strategic partnerships, and pipeline growth, alongside operational improvements and disciplined execution across various geographies and market segments.

BlackLine Financial Statement Overview

Summary
BlackLine demonstrates strong revenue growth and improved profitability, with a robust gross profit margin. However, operational margins remain low, and high debt reliance poses financial risks.
Income Statement
75
Positive
BlackLine has demonstrated consistent revenue growth from 2020 to 2025, with a noticeable increase in net income and gross profit margin. The gross profit margin for the TTM is robust at approximately 75.3%. The net profit margin has improved significantly, reaching 23.6% in TTM, indicating enhanced efficiency and profitability. However, the EBIT margin remains relatively low at 3.2%, suggesting room for improvement in operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's financial leverage has decreased with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21 in TTM, down from previous years, indicating better equity positioning. The return on equity has improved to 37.4% in TTM, reflecting effective use of equity. However, the equity ratio at 23.5% suggests a high reliance on debt for asset financing, posing potential financial risk.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
BlackLine's cash flow performance is strong with substantial growth in free cash flow over the years. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.20 in TTM shows healthy cash generation relative to net income, and a free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.14 depicts efficient cash utilization. However, fluctuations in investing and financing cash flows suggest variability in strategic investments and capital structure.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue662.81M653.34M590.00M522.94M425.71M351.74M
Gross Profit499.01M491.37M443.20M393.55M327.83M282.76M
EBITDA99.80M183.80M116.51M1.25M-13.29M5.50M
Net Income156.40M161.17M52.83M-33.89M-100.99M-39.40M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.78B1.83B2.10B1.94B1.82B1.11B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments866.48M885.91M1.20B1.08B1.20B542.62M
Total Debt921.59M916.60M1.41B1.40B1.13B418.54M
Total Liabilities1.33B1.34B1.81B1.81B1.46B678.91M
Stockholders Equity417.90M446.67M260.88M111.87M325.04M422.07M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow177.66M188.71M99.02M25.83M56.83M35.31M
Operating Cash Flow187.15M190.84M126.61M56.01M80.09M54.73M
Investing Cash Flow504.41M924.44M-62.48M-395.62M-506.94M173.59M
Financing Cash Flow-543.53M-500.14M6.15M1.44M599.24M18.86M

BlackLine Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price53.65
Price Trends
50DMA
54.83
Negative
100DMA
51.31
Positive
200DMA
55.35
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.31
Positive
RSI
38.57
Neutral
STOCH
16.64
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For BL, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 53.65 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 56.10, below the 50-day MA of 54.83, and below the 200-day MA of 55.35, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of 0.31 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.57 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.64 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for BL.

BlackLine Risk Analysis

BlackLine disclosed 57 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. BlackLine reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

BlackLine Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
CXCXM
78
Outperform
$2.21B20.7917.50%6.75%97.06%
GTGTM
71
Outperform
$3.35B83.132.23%-3.12%-37.59%
BLBL
71
Outperform
$3.34B24.7144.83%8.93%102.77%
SWSWI
68
Neutral
$3.20B28.867.87%5.03%
PAPAY
67
Neutral
$3.56B71.7010.80%47.78%74.61%
65
Neutral
$3.34B-2.75%13.39%16.12%
63
Neutral
$33.91B5.95-11.88%1.83%5.33%-18.39%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
BL
BlackLine
53.65
5.42
11.24%
SWI
SolarWinds
18.49
6.70
56.83%
GTM
ZoomInfo Technologies
10.20
-1.30
-11.30%
NCNO
nCino
28.82
-2.50
-7.98%
PAY
Paymentus Holdings
28.40
8.25
40.94%
CXM
Sprinklr
8.53
-0.59
-6.47%

BlackLine Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
BlackLine Appoints Sam Balaji to Board of Directors
Positive
Jun 16, 2025

On June 13, 2025, BlackLine, Inc. appointed Saranga ‘Sam’ Balaji to its Board of Directors, bringing his extensive experience in enterprise software, AI, and cybersecurity from his 28-year tenure at Deloitte, where he served as Global CEO of Deloitte Consulting. Balaji’s appointment is expected to bolster BlackLine’s strategic growth, deepen partnerships, and enhance its platform’s capabilities, particularly in AI-driven digital finance transformation.

The most recent analyst rating on (BL) stock is a Sell with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on BlackLine stock, see the BL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
BlackLine Appoints Scott Davidson to Key Committees
Neutral
May 13, 2025

On May 8, 2025, BlackLine, Inc. held its annual meeting of stockholders virtually, where Scott Davidson was appointed to the Audit and Technology and Cybersecurity Committees. The meeting also saw the election of Class III directors, ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor, and approval of executive compensation policies, including an annual advisory vote on executive compensation.

The most recent analyst rating on (BL) stock is a Sell with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on BlackLine stock, see the BL Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 12, 2025