Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of QIWI PLC (QIWI 9.88%) jumped more than 12% during Tuesday's intraday trading after the Russia-based payment services provider reported solid third-quarter results.
So what: Quarterly adjusted net revenue rose 49% year-over-year to $50.2 million, which translated to adjusted net profit growth of 46% to $18.7 million, or $0.36 per share. Analysts, on average, were looking for adjusted earnings of just $0.25 per share on sales of $40.55 million.
In addition, QIWI raised its full-year 2013 guidance and now expects adjusted net revenue to increase by 42% to 45% over 2012, or above its previous range of 27% to 30%. Better yet, adjusted net profit is expected to rise 50% to 55% over the same period, also above QIWI's previous range of 35% to 40% growth.
Now what: It's evident QIWI remains nicely positioned to benefit from the growing trend of electronic payments in Russia and the CIS, especially as active Visa QIWI Wallet accounts increased 53% year over year in the most recent quarter to 15 million, while payment volume from the product jumped 63% to $2.0 billion.
As it stands, shares may look expensive on the surface trading around 48 times trailing earnings and 30 times next year's estimates, but I see no reason QIWI shouldn't be able to maintain its torrid pace of growth going forward. That's why, even after today's pop, I think QIWI stock could still prove a bargain for patient shareholders down the road.
