Leading web infrastructure and website security specialist Cloudflare (NET 0.12%) released first-quarter financial results on Thursday, May 2, that outperformed on multiple levels. Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.16, beating the expected $0.13. Quarterly revenue jumped 30% year over year to $378.6 million, exceeding the forecast of $373.23 million.
The quarter's results suggest Cloudflare is building strong growth momentum thanks to improved operational efficiency.
| Metric | Q1 2024 | Analyst Estimates | Q1 2023 | Change (YOY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $378.6 million | $373.2 million | $290.2 million | 30% |
| Adjusted EPS | $0.16 | $0.13 | $0.08 | 100% |
| Gross margin (Non-GAAP) | 79.5% | N/A | 77.8% | 1.7 ppts |
| Free cash flow | $35.6 million | N/A | $13.9 million | 156% |
Data source: Company results from Cloudflare. Analyst estimates from FactSet. YOY = Year over year. GAAP = Generally accepted accounting principles.
Understanding Cloudflare
At its core, Cloudflare operates a vast content delivery network spanning over 120 countries, which enhances internet performance by situating data centers physically closer to end users to speed data transfer. It also provides cloud cybersecurity, DDoS mitigation, and domain registration services for its clientele. Cloudflare is working to expand its suite of integrated services, strengthen its infrastructure, and push boundaries in product innovation.
Quarterly highlights
Cloudflare management said revenue growth in Q1 was supported by record net new customers spending more than $100,000, $500,000, and $1 million with Cloudflare on an annualized basis. Cloudflare grew its customers who generate $100,000 or more in annualized revenue by 33% from a year earlier.
During the quarter, Cloudflare increased its gross margins -- a testament to its efficiency in scaling operations. The leap in net income from $0.08 in Q1 2023 to $0.16 per share last quarter illustrates not just profitability but also operational effectiveness.
Free cash flow jumped 156% to $35.6 million from the previous year's $13.9 million, underscoring Cloudflare's ability to generate ample cash from its business operations. This financial health signals a positive outlook for investments and business expansion strategies.
Cloudflare launched strategic initiatives in the quarter aimed at enhancing its service offerings, including efforts to beef up its security products and expand its serverless computing platform, Cloudflare Workers. Such innovations ensure its competitive edge in the market.
Looking ahead
For the quarter now underway, Cloudflare projects revenue between $393.5 million to $394.5 million, and non-GAAP income from operations to be in the range of $35 million to $36 million. Revenue for all of 2024 is expected to hover between $1.648 billion and $1.652 billion. This guidance roughly aligned with analyst estimates, and it indicates Cloudflare's confidence in its business model and growth trajectory.
Investors should watch for Cloudflare's continuing margin expansion and revenue growth. Furthermore, Cloudflare's strategies for product innovation and market expansion, especially in areas like artificial intelligence and zero trust, are poised to potentially redefine its market position.
