In its first-quarter earnings report, released April 30, Pinterest (PINS 0.78%) outperformed market expectations. The online hub for visual discovery witnessed remarkable growth, notably outdoing analyst estimates on both the top and bottom lines. This performance was helped by robust advertiser demand and user engagement on its platform.
Revenue for the quarter totaled $740 million, comfortably surpassing the analyst estimate of $700 million as well as the year-ago revenue of about $602 million. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.20 versus an analyst estimate of $0.13. The data table below illustrates Pinterest's standout performance:
| Metric | Q1 2024 Results | Analyst Estimates | Q1 2023 Results | Change (YOY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (in millions | $740.0 | $700.3 | $602.6 | 23% |
| EPS (adjusted) | $0.20 | $0.13 | $0.08 | N/A |
| Global MAUs (in millions | 518 | N/A | 463 | 12% |
| ARPU-Global | $1.46 | N/A | $1.32 | 10% |
About Pinterest
Pinterest is a unique blend of social media and visual search engine, where users discover and save inspirations for a wide array of interests and projects. At its core, the platform's success stems from its ability to retain and engage users while monetizing this activity through advertising.
With its recent earnings, Pinterest has continued to demonstrate its global reach and appeal. The company's focus has been on enhancing the user and advertiser experience via artificial intelligence (AI) and new shopping features. This approach has paid off in the form of increased engagement and profitability.
Quarterly highlights
Q1 revenue growth was balanced across geographic segments, with particularly strong performances in Europe and the rest of the world. This geographic diversification demonstrates Pinterest's global appeal as it expands internationally.
Pinterest has also shown improvement in managing costs, reducing its net loss significantly. A focus on technological innovation, particularly in AI, has not only improved search and discovery on the platform but also bolstered ad targeting and efficiency. With continued investments in these areas, Pinterest is positioning itself for sustained growth.
Looking ahead, Pinterest announced an optimistic financial outlook for Q2 2024, projecting revenue of $835 million to $850 million. This forecast underscores management's confidence in the platform's growth trajectory.
Looking ahead
As Pinterest moves forward, investors might want to keep a close eye on the company's progress in expanding its user base and ARPU, particularly in burgeoning markets outside the U.S. Additionally, the platform's ongoing investments in AI and product development are expected to play crucial roles in maintaining its competitive edge and driving future growth.
