Groupon Inc (GRPN) Beats Earnings Expectations, But Shares Slump

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Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN) released the earnings results from its most recently completed quarter, posting results which, on the surface, were better than expected. The company reported non-GAAP earnings per share of 4 cents, excluding stock compensation, on revenue of $768.4 million—a 20% year over year increase. Analysts had been expecting the company to report earnings of 2 cents per share on revenue of $718 million.

For the full year, Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN reported revenue of $2.6 billion.

Breaking down Groupon’s results

The company reported fourth quarter billings of $1.6 billion—a 5% increase—and full-year billings of $5.8 billion. Adjusted EBITDA was $72 million for the fourth quarter and $286.7 million for the full year. Excluding stock compensation and acquisition costs for Ticket Monster, Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN) reported operating income of $47.9 million for the fourth quarter and $197.2 million for the full year.

“Our record performance in the quarter was led by strength in Goods, as shoppers increasingly looked to Groupon to fill their holiday needs,” said Eric Lefkofsky, CEO of Groupon, in a statement. “Our mobile business continued to gain momentum as our worldwide mobile transaction mix increased more than 10% in the quarter, to nearly 50% in December. With another 9 million downloads this quarter, we now have nearly 70 million app downloads to date.”

Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN)’s gross profits rose 6% to $378.2 million in the fourth quarter.

Examining Groupon’s other key metrics

The daily deals company reported an 11% increase in global units for the fourth quarter, including a 17% increase in North America and a 9% increase in Europe and the Middle East. At the end of the quarter, the company had about 80,000 active deals in North America, compared to 65,000 at the end of the previous quarter. The company reported a 9% year over year increase in active customers and a slight decline in billings per average active user, which fell from $137 to $134.

Groupon offers updates, guidance

During the fourth quarter, Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN) bought back nearly 3.7 million of its shares for around $10.26 per share. Last month, the company completed its acquisition of LivingSocial Korea, which owns Ticket Monster, for $100 million in cash and $163 million in Groupon stock. It also completed its acquisition of ideeli for $43 million in cash.

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