10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2018

MERCADOLIBRE INC Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2018

Filed August 9, 2018For Securities:MELI

Summary

MercadoLibre Inc. (MELI) reported its financial results for the period ending June 29, 2018, in its 10-Q filing. The company experienced significant revenue growth, with an 18.6% increase in net revenues for the six-month period and an 18.1% increase for the three-month period compared to the prior year. This growth was driven by increases in gross merchandise volume, successful items sold, and successful items shipped. However, gross profit margins saw a decline from 61.5% to 49.1% for the six-month period year-over-year, primarily due to increased shipping subsidies, higher penetration of payment and shipping solutions, increased cost of products sold, customer support, and hosting costs. Operating expenses also rose, leading to an operating loss for both the six and three-month periods, compared to an operating income in the prior year. The company also noted the adoption of ASC 606, impacting revenue recognition, and the impending transition of its Argentine operations to highly inflationary accounting status.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$335.38M
Cost of Revenue$175.63M
Gross Profit$159.75M
R&D Expenses$33.44M
Operating Expenses$187.99M
Operating Income-$28.24M
Interest Expense$4.76M
Net Income-$11.25M
EPS (Basic)$-0.25
EPS (Diluted)$-0.25
Shares Outstanding (Basic)44.16M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)44.16M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net revenues increased by 18.6% for the six-month period and 18.1% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, compared to the prior year.
  • 2Gross profit margins declined significantly, from 61.5% to 49.1% for the six-month period year-over-year, driven by increased shipping subsidies and higher costs of net revenues.
  • 3The company reported an operating loss for both the six-month ($57.7 million) and three-month ($28.2 million) periods ended June 30, 2018, a reversal from the prior year's operating income.
  • 4Sales and marketing expenses more than doubled in the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, increasing by 87.4% year-over-year, driven by higher marketing spend and buyer protection program expenses.
  • 5Argentina's economy was designated as highly inflationary, requiring a transition to U.S. dollar functional currency for accounting purposes starting July 1, 2018.
  • 6The company suspended dividend payments in Q1 2018 to reinvest capital into business growth opportunities.
  • 7Cash provided by operating activities decreased substantially by 52.7% to $107.2 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, compared to the prior year.

Frequently Asked Questions

MercadoLibre's revenue growth was driven by increases in gross merchandise volume (GMV), successful items sold, and successful items shipped. The non-marketplace segment, particularly payment fees, also contributed significantly to revenue growth.

The decline in gross profit margin was primarily due to increased shipping subsidies (which are netted from revenues under ASC 606), higher penetration of payment and shipping solutions (which have incremental costs), increased cost of products sold, and higher customer support and hosting costs.

As of July 1, 2018, MercadoLibre's Argentine operations are considered highly inflationary. This requires the company to change the functional currency for Argentina from Argentine Pesos to U.S. dollars for accounting purposes. While the company does not anticipate a significant impact on revenues and expenses due to prior translation practices, it does expose the company to foreign exchange gains or losses on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Argentine Pesos.

MercadoLibre has suspended its quarterly cash dividend payments as of the first quarter of 2018. The company's Board of Directors concluded that reinvesting capital into various business projects and platforms is expected to generate greater returns for shareholders compared to dividend payouts.