LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) will report its June quarter results on Thursday, July 31 after the bell. Shares of the professional networking company are down more than 14% year-to-date, though the stock has recovered significantly from the May 6 low of $142.33. Wall Street expects LinkedIn to report $511 million in Q2 revenues, up an impressive 40.50% from last year’s $363.66 million. Earnings are expected to rise by a cent to $0.39.
LinkedIn is capable of generating sustained growth
BGC Financial analyst Colin W. Gillis said in a research note that LinkedIn shares have traded down on four of the last six earnings. Despite the extremely high volatility in the stock, Gillis believes that LinkedIn has the ability to generate sustained growth. BGC Capital has a Buy rating on the San Francisco-based company with $195 price target. Gillis praised LinkedIn’s acquisition strategy of focusing mainly on targets in the $100 million range.
The research firm expects LinkedIn’s June quarter revenues to rise 40.2% YoY to $510 million. BGC Financial forecasts adjusted EPS of $0.41, well above the consensus forecast of $0.39. The company’s own guidance calls for $500-$505 million in revenues and $118-$120 million in adjusted EBITDA. Revenues from Talent Solutions is expected ti surge 44.2% to $295.7 million. Marketing Solutions revenues is expected to come in at $112.2 million, up 31% from the previous year. Revenue from Premium Subscriptions is expected to go up 39.7% YoY to $102 million.
LinkedIn to witness strong growth in Asia-Pacific
Geographically, Gillis forecasts revenue from the Americas to increase 36.5% YoY to $342.7 million. Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) revenues are expected to increase 38.6% to $117.4 million. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific region will continue to grow rapidly. BGC Financial expects APAC revenues to soar 78.7% YoY to $49.8 million.
As of March 31, 2014, the company has $2.3 billion or $19.06 per share in cash and $70 million in long-term debt. BGC Financial has also raised its full-year earnings estimates for LinkedIn. The research firm now expects FY2014 earnings of $1.76 per share, up from the previous estimate of $1.68. Wall Street consensus calls for $1.65 per share in full-year earnings.
LinkedIn shares fell 3.37% to $180.97 at 10:57 AM EDT on Thursday.
