When eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) released its fourth-quarter financial results after the markets closed on Tuesday, the online marketplace reported $0.71 in earnings per share (EPS) and $2.9 billion in revenue. That compares with consensus estimates of $0.68 in EPS and $2.87 billion in revenue, as well as the $0.59 per share and $2.61 billion posted in the same period of last year.
During the fourth quarter, eBay grew active buyers by 4% across its platforms, for a total of 179 million global active buyers.
The Marketplace platforms delivered $2.3 billion of revenue and $23.2 billion of gross merchandise value (GMV). Marketplace revenue growth was 7% on an as-reported basis and 6% on an FX-neutral basis, and GMV was up 1% on both an as-reported and 3% on an FX-neutral basis.
StubHub drove revenue of $314 million, up 2% on both an as-reported and FX-neutral basis, and GMV of $1.4 billion, down 2% both on as as-reported and an FX-neutral basis. Separately, Classifieds platforms delivered revenue of $263 million, up 8% on an as-reported basis and 11% on an FX-neutral basis.
Looking ahead to the first quarter, the company expects to see EPS in the range of $0.62 to $0.64 and revenue between $2.55 billion and $2.60 billion. Consensus estimates call for $0.61 in EPS and $2.66 billion in revenue.
Devin Wenig, President and CEO of eBay, commented:
We delivered record earnings for the fourth quarter and full year 2018. In 2019, our focus will be on further improvements to the eBay user experience, while pursuing significant long-term growth opportunities in advertising and payments. We are confident in the strength of our business and future growth prospects, as demonstrated by our decision to institute eBay’s first-ever dividend and increase our share repurchase program.
Shares of eBay closed Tuesday at $33.69, in a 52-week range of $26.01 to $46.99. The consensus analyst price target is $36.60. Following the announcement, the stock was up about 3% at $34.63 in the after-hour trading session.
100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool
The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.
Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.
A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.
Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.