eBay Inc. was pleased to report today that revenue for Q1FY12 increased 29% to $3.3 billion, compared to the same period of 2011. They recorded Q1 net income on a GAAP basis of $570 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $725 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. The year-over-year increase in first quarter GAAP earnings per diluted share was driven primarily by strong top-line growth partially offset by their investment in improving consumer shopping experiences and the impact of acquisitions.
John Donahoe, eBay Inc. President and CEO, explained why he believes the first quarter was so successful:
“The first quarter was a strong start to the year for us with momentum continuing in our Marketplaces, PayPal and GSI Commerce businesses. We believe that innovation in retail today is technology driven, and consumers are embracing smarter, easier, better ways to shop. We are enabling commerce in this new retail environment, supporting and partnering with sellers of all sizes and giving consumers worldwide the ability to shop anytime, anywhere, for whatever they want.”
First Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights (presented in millions, except per share data and percentages)
PayPal
The company’s PayPal business ended the quarter with 109.8 million active registered accounts, a 12% increase over the first quarter of 2011. PayPal revenue increased 32% year over year, driven primarily by increased penetration on eBay as well as continued merchant and consumer adoption. PayPal’s net total payment volume (TPV) grew 24% year over year to $34 billion. PayPal continues to focus on its core platform as well as mobile and point of sale initiatives.
PayPal recently provided a new way for consumers to make purchases at 2,000 U.S. Home Depot stores. All that customers need to do is enter their mobile number and pin, or swipe their PayPal card, and then enter their passcode.
Consumers who practice this method of payment receive electronic sales records of their purchases in a snap.
GMV
The company’s Marketplaces business also delivered strong first quarter performance. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) excluding vehicles increased 12% year over year to $16 billion. Sold items increased 17% compared to the first quarter of 2011, reflecting the continued impact of improvements to eBay’s core technology that are designed to make it easier and faster for shoppers to browse and buy. U.S. GMV excluding vehicles increased 13% year over year as sold items growth, mobile engagement and momentum in fashion and parts & accessories were key drivers of growth in the first quarter. Fixed price GMV, which represented 64% of total GMV in the first quarter, grew 18% globally year over year, a four-point acceleration compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. International GMV excluding vehicles increased 11% year over year to $10 billion, reflecting improved performance in Korea and solid growth in Europe. Downloads of eBay’s suite of mobile apps surpassed 12 million in the first quarter and 78 million globally since the launch of mobile in the third quarter of 2008.
GSI
The company’s GSI business, which was acquired in the second quarter of 2011, contributed $237 million in revenue for the first quarter. GSI generated $715 million in global ecommerce (GeC) merchandise sales during the quarter. Same store sales grew 26% year over year, reflecting strong e-commerce sales from retail clients.
Business Outlook
Second quarter 2012 — eBay expects net revenues in the range of $3,250 – $3,350 million with GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.49 – $0.51 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.53 – $0.55.
Full year 2012 — eBay now expects net revenues in the range of $13,800 – $14,100 million with GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.91 – $1.96 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $2.30 – $2.35.