Author: The INO.com Team

The Future of NVIDIA: Post-Split Valuation and Growth Projections

Posted on by The INO.com Team

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), a prominent force in the AI and semiconductor technology industries, announced a 10-for-1 forward stock split of the company’s issued common stock during its last earnings release in May. Shareholders of record as of June 6 received nine additional shares for each share held after the close on Friday, June 7. Trading will commence on a split-adjusted basis at market open on June 10.

This strategic move is poised to reshape the landscape for Nvidia investors and the broader tech market.

Post-Split Valuation

NVDA was already a leading AI stock in the market, but investor interest in the chipmaker skyrocketed as its 10-for-1 stock split took effect after the market’s close on June 7. Shares of the hottest stock on the S&P 500 surged tenfold on Friday following its much-anticipated stock split.

Moreover, NVIDIA’s stock has gained more than 158% over the past six months and nearly 222% over the past year. Notably, the stock is up over 3,222% over the past five years. During this remarkable run, Nvidia’s market cap of around $3 trillion surpassed those of Amazon (AMZN) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL). Before the 10-for-1 split, the stock traded at a lofty $1,209.

The chip giant’s strategic decision to split its stock follows a broader trend among tech giants to make their stock ownership more affordable and appealing to retail investors. With more individual investors gaining access to Nvidia’s shares post-split, increased trading activity and demand are observed, potentially driving share prices higher.

According to data from BofA research, total returns for companies announcing stock splits are about 25% in the 12 months after a stock split historically versus 12% gains for the S&P 500. Thus, stock splits are seen as a bullish signal, often accompanied by positive investor sentiment and increased buying activity.

Solid Earnings And A Healthy Outlook

The stock split isn’t the only reason for NVDA’s latest bull run. The company also reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fiscal 2025 first quarter, driven by robust demand for its AI chips. During the quarter that ended April 28, 2024, Nvidia’s revenue rose 262% year-over-year to $26.04 billion. That surpassed the consensus revenue estimate of $24.59 billion.

The company’s largest business segment, Data Center, which includes its AI chips and several additional parts required to run big AI servers, reported a record revenue of $22.60 billion, up 427% year-over-year.

“Our data center growth was fueled by strong and accelerating demand for generative AI training and inference on the Hopper platform. Beyond cloud service providers, generative AI has expanded to consumer internet companies, and enterprise, sovereign AI, automotive and healthcare customers, creating multiple multibillion-dollar vertical markets,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVDA.

“We are poised for our next wave of growth. The Blackwell platform is in full production and forms the foundation for trillion-parameter-scale generative AI,” Huang added. During a call with analysts, the CEO mentioned that there would be significant Blackwell revenue this year and that the new chip would be deployed in data centers by the fourth quarter.

The chipmaker’s non-GAAP gross profit grew 328.2% from the previous year’s quarter to $20.56 billion. NVDA’s non-GAAP operating income was $18.06 billion, an increase of 491.7% year-over-year. Its non-GAAP net income rose 461.7% year-over-year to $15.24 billion. Also, it posted a non-GAAP EPS of $6.12, compared to analysts’ estimate of $5.58, and up 461.5% year-over-year.

Furthermore, NVIDIA’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $31.44 billion as of April 28, 2024, compared to $25.98 billion as of January 28, 2024.

According to its outlook for the second quarter of 2025, the company expects revenue to be $28 billion, plus or minus 2%. Its non-GAAP gross margin is expected to be 75.5%, plus or minus 50 basis points. NVDA’s non-GAAP operating expenses are anticipated to be approximately $2.8 billion.

Raised Dividends

NVDA raised its dividend payouts to reward shareholders and demonstrate confidence in its financial strength and growth prospects. The company increased its quarterly cash dividend by 150% from $0.04 per share to $0.10 per share of common stock. The dividend is equivalent to $0.01 per share on a post-split basis and will be paid on June 28 to all shareholders of record on June 11.

While Nvidia's dividend yield is modest compared to its tech peers, its considerable cash flow and strong balance sheet provide ample room for growth.

Dominance in AI and Data Center Markets Fuels Unprecedented Growth Opportunities

NVDA is strategically positioned at the forefront of the AI and data center markets, with a high demand for AI chips for data processing, training, and inference from large cloud service providers, GPU-specialized ones, enterprise software, and consumer internet companies. In addition, vertical industries, led by automotive, financial services, and healthcare, drive the demand.

Statista projects the generative AI (GenAI) market to reach $36.06 billion in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for the largest market size of $11.66 billion. Further, the GenAI market is expected to total $356.10 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 46.5% from 2024 to 2030.

Over the past year, Nvidia has experienced a significant surge in sales due to robust demand from tech giants like Google, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), Amazon, and OpenAI, who invested billions of dollars in Nvidia’s advanced GPUs essential for developing and deploying AI applications. In January, META announced a sizable order of 350,000 high-end H100 graphics cards from Nvidia.

As a result, NVDA holds a market share of about 92% in the data center GPU market for generative AI applications.

Bottom Line

NVDA’s recent 10-for-1 stock split has significantly impacted its valuation and market appeal. This strategic move not only made Nvidia's shares more accessible to retail investors but also fueled increased trading activity and demand, driving share prices higher. The stock surged tenfold on Friday when the stock split took effect, reflecting the heightened investor interest.

NVIDIA's strong financial performance, as evidenced by the fiscal 2025 first quarter report, further solidifies its position in the AI and data center market. The company reported threefold revenue growth, driven by the massive demand for its AI processors from major tech companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Google, and OpenAI.

The chipmaker’s remarkable growth has propelled it to the third-largest market capitalization globally, surpassing peers such as AMZN and META.

Further, the company’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year ending January 2025 are expected to grow 97.9% and 108.9% year-over-year to $120.55 billion and $27.07, respectively. For the fiscal year 2026, Analysts expect its revenue and EPS to increase 32.4% and 32.6% from the prior year to $159.55 billion and $35.90, respectively. With a healthy outlook for the future, NVDA continues to attract investors looking for long-term growth opportunities.

Moreover, the recent decision to raise dividends by 150% showcases NVDA's confidence in its financial strength and growth prospects, making it more attractive to income-oriented investors. This move, coupled with the stock split, appeals to different investor demographics and reflects NVDA's commitment to rewarding shareholders while positioning itself for future growth in the AI and semiconductor sectors.

Target vs. Walmart: Which Retail Giant Offers Better Dividend Returns?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Dividend investing is a cornerstone of many investors’ portfolios, providing a steady income stream and long-term growth potential. Blue-chip stocks are among the most stable and safest investments, but a select few companies excel in maintaining their financial growth and paying consistent, high-yield dividends to investors.

In the realm of blue-chip retail giants, Target Corporation (TGT) and Walmart Inc. (WMT) stand out as formidable players with excellent dividend growth histories. Through strategic investments and acquisitions, robust financial health, and a solid commitment to customer satisfaction, these companies have managed to thrive and offer reliable dividend payouts.

Let’s compare TGT and WMT’s dividend yields, growth rates, and overall financial health to help investors determine which stock offers better dividend potential.

Target Corporation (TGT)

With a $68.17 billion market cap, Target Corporation (TGT) is one of the leading retail corporations in the U.S. that offers a wide variety of products at competitive prices through its extensive network of stores and e-commerce platform, Target.com.

In March, the Minneapolis-based retailer announced plans to invest in its guest experience and long-term growth. The reintroduced Target Circle loyalty program will provide three new membership options, including a free-to-join option, allowing guests to choose how to shop and save. Target Circle has already become one of the largest loyalty programs in retail, with over 100 million members saving millions of dollars annually.

Also, this year, TGT plans to launch and expand its owned brands to offer various options across categories, products, and prices, such as dealworthy, up&up, and Gigglescape. Moreover, Target-owned brands offer quality, value, and innovation, driving more than $30 billion in sales in 2023. Further, the company will invest in the store-as-hubs model over the next decade, planning to build more than 300 new stores and enhance supply chain operations.

Despite significant investments in improving its customer experience and store presence, Target has shown resilience in maintaining a robust financial position. For the first quarter that ended May 4, 2024, TGT’s sales decreased 3.2% year-over-year to $24.14 billion. However, digital comparable sales rose 1.4% year-over-year, and same-day services grew about 9%, led by over 13% growth in Drive Up. It reported net earnings of $942 million, or $2.03 per share, respectively.

As of May 4, 2024, the company’s cash and cash equivalents were $3.60 billion, compared to $1.32 billion as of April 29, 2023.

“Looking ahead, our team will deliver for our guests through lower prices, a seasonally relevant assortment, ease and convenience, as we keep investing in our strategy and efficiency initiatives to get back to growth and deliver on our longer-term financial goals,” said Brian Cornell, chair and chief executive of Target Corporation.

For the second quarter of 2024, Target expects a 0-2% rise in its comparable sales and adjusted EPS of $1.95-$2.35. For the full year, the company projects a 0-2% increase in comparable sales and adjusted EPS of $8.60 to $9.60.

TGT’s solid financial performance and stability translate into attractive returns for investors. During the first quarter, the company paid dividends of $508 million, compared with $497 last year, an increase of 1.9% in the dividend per share.

On March 13, Target’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per common share, payable June 10, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2024. This will be the company’s 227th consecutive dividend paid since October 1967, when it became publicly held.

TGT pays an annual dividend of $4.40, which translates to a yield of 2.92% at the current share price, which is quite attractive for income-focused investors, providing a solid return on investment. Its four-year average dividend yield is 2.18%. It maintains a payout ratio of around 50%, indicating that the company distributes half of its earnings as dividends, balancing shareholder returns with reinvestment in business growth.

Additionally, Target has a commendable history of consistently increasing its dividend payouts. The company’s dividend payouts have grown at a CAGR of 17.4% over the past three years and 11.4% over the past five years. Notably, TGT has raised its dividends for 55 consecutive years.

In addition to solid dividend growth, Target has demonstrated impressive performance in stock price appreciation. TGT’s stock has gained more than 10% over the past six months and nearly 12% over the past year.

Walmart Inc. (WMT)

With a market capitalization of $540.73 billion, Walmart Inc. (WMT) engages in retail and wholesale business, offering an assortment of apparel, footwear, general merchandise, and groceries at everyday low prices.

Walmart expanded its popular InHome delivery service to an additional 10 million U.S. households, including those in California. In addition to the San Bernardino market, the company expanded its service to include customers in Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia, bringing the total scale to more than 50 markets covering about 45 million U.S. homes.

In February, WMT announced an agreement to acquire VIZIO, a prominent American company known for manufacturing consumer electronics. The strategic acquisition of VIZIO and its SmartCast Operating System (OS) will allow Walmart to serve its customers in new ways, including through innovative television and in-home entertainment and media experiences.

Further, this combination is anticipated to boost Walmart’s media arm in the U.S., Walmart Connect, by integrating VIZIO's advertising solutions business with Walmart's extensive reach and capabilities.

WMT, the world’s largest retailer, boasts a robust financial position with steady revenue growth and a solid balance sheet. During the first quarter that ended April 30, 2024, the retailer’s total revenues increased 6% year-over-year to $161.50 billion. Moreover, its global e-commerce sales were up 21%, driven by store-fulfilled pickup & delivery and marketplace.

In addition, the company’s adjusted operating income was $7.10 billion, up 13.7% from the year-ago value, due to higher gross margins and growth in membership income. Its adjusted EPS rose 22.4% year-over-year to $0.60. As of April 20, 2024, WMT’s cash and cash equivalents were $9.40 billion.

Looking ahead, the company expects net sales to increase by 3.5% to 4.5% and operating income to rise by 3% to 4.5% in constant currency (cc) for the second quarter. For the full year, it anticipates to be at the high-end or slightly above its prior guidance (cc) for net sales growth of 3%-4% and operating income growth of 4%-6%.

Walmart’s extensive global footprint and solid financial health provide a stable foundation for continued, attractive dividend payouts. In February, WMT’s Board of Directors declared an annual cash dividend for the fiscal year 2025 of $0.83 per share on a post-stock split basis. It represents a nearly 9% increase from the $2.28 per share paid in fiscal 2024.

“Dividends continue to be a part of our diversified capital returns approach. We're proud to be increasing our annual dividend for the 51st consecutive year. This year’s 9 percent increase is the largest in over a decade, and a sign of our confidence in our growth potential and cash flow,” stated John David Rainey, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Walmart.

WMT’s annual dividend of $0.83 translates to a yield of 1.24% at the prevailing share price. While lower than Target’s yield, the company still provides a steady income stream for investors. Its four-year average dividend yield is 1.53%. Also, it maintains a payout ratio of 33.46%.

Moreover, the company’s dividend payouts have grown at a CAGR of 3% over the past three years and 2.6% over the past five years. Walmart has a consistent history of annual dividend increases, albeit at a slower growth rate than Target.

Shares of WMT have surged nearly 28% over the past six months and more than 34% over the past year.

Bottom Line

Both TGT and WMT represent formidable investment opportunities with robust dividend credentials and solid fundamentals, making them worthy considerations for income-focused investors seeking exposure to the retail sector. However, while comparing Target and Walmart’s dividend potential, Target emerges as the frontrunner, offering a higher dividend yield and a track record of robust dividend growth.

So, TGT is a relatively more attractive investment option for those seeking better dividend potential within the retail industry.

Intel's AI Ambitions: A Strategic Shift Toward Private Data Storage Solutions

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Intel Corporation (INTC), a titan in the world of semiconductors, is navigating a period of transformative change that is revolutionizing its corporate culture and product development. Traditionally, Intel’s core offerings have been microprocessors that serve as the brains of desktop PCs, laptops and tablets, and servers. These processors are silicon wafers embedded with millions or billions of transistors, each acting as binary switches that form the fundamental ‘ones and zeros’ of computer operations.

Today, the thirst for enhanced processing power is insatiable. The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has become integral to essential business operations across almost every sector, exponentially increases the need for robust computing capabilities. AI, particularly neural networks, necessitates enormous computing power and thrives on the collaborative efforts of multiple computing systems. The scope of these AI applications extends far beyond the PCs and servers that initially cemented INTC’s status as an industry leader.

The rapid advancement of AI has prompted Intel to rethink and innovate its chip designs and functionalities. As a result, the company is developing new software and designing interoperable chips while exploring external partnerships to accelerate its adaptation to the evolving computing environment.

Strategic Pivot Toward AI Ecosystem

At Computex 2024, INTC unveiled a series of groundbreaking AI-related announcements, showcasing the latest technologies that merge cutting-edge performance with power efficiency (especially in data centers and for AI on personal computers). The company aims to make AI cheaper and more accessible for everyone.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger emphasized how AI is changing the game, stating, “The magic of silicon is once again enabling exponential advancements in computing that will push the boundaries of human potential and power the global economy for years to come.”

In just six months, Intel achieved a lot, transitioning from launching 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® processors to introducing the pioneering Xeon 6 series. The company also previewed Gaudi AI accelerators, offering enterprise clients a cost-effective GenAI training and inference system. Furthermore, Intel has spearheaded the AI PC revolution by integrating Intel® Core™ Ultra processors in over 8 million devices while teasing the upcoming client architecture slated for release later this year.

These strides underscore Intel's commitment to accelerating execution and driving innovation at an unprecedented pace to democratize AI and catalyze industries.

Strategic Pricing and Availability of Its Gaudi AI Accelerators

Intel is gearing up to launch the third generation of its Gaudi AI accelerators later this year, aiming to address a backlog of around $2 billion related to AI chips. However, the company anticipates generating only about $500 million in Gaudi 3 sales in 2024, possibly due to supply constraints.

To broaden the availability of Gaudi 3 systems, Intel is expanding its network of system providers. The company is now collaborating with Asus, Foxconn, Gigabyte, Inventec, Quanta, and Wistron alongside existing partners like Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (HPE), Lenovo Group (LNVGY), and Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), to ensure Gaudi 3 systems are available far and wide once they hit the market.

But what caught attention at Intel's announcement was the company's attractive pricing strategy. Kits featuring eight Gaudi 2 AI chips and a universal baseboard will cost $65,000, while the version with eight Gaudi 3 AI chips will be priced at $125,000. These prices are estimated to be one-third and two-thirds of the cost of comparable competitive platforms, respectively.

While undercutting Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) on price, INTC expects its chips to deliver impressive performance. According to their estimates, a cluster of 8,192 Gaudi 3 chips can train AI models up to 40% faster than NVDA's H100 chips. Additionally, Gaudi 3 offers up to double the AI inferencing performance of the H100 when running popular large language models (LLMs).

Intel Continues to Ride with 500+ Optimized Models on Core Ultra Processors

In May, INTC announced that over 500 AI models now run optimized on new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors. These processors, known for their advanced AI capabilities, immersive graphics, and optimal battery life, mark a significant milestone in Intel's AI PC transformation efforts.

This achievement stems from Intel's investments in client AI, framework optimizations, and tools like the OpenVINO™ toolkit. The 500+ AI models cover various applications, including large language models, super-resolution, object detection, and computer vision, and are available across popular industry platforms.

The Intel Core Ultra processor is the fastest-growing AI PC processor and the most robust platform for AI PC development. It supports a wide range of AI models, frameworks, and runtimes, making it ideal for AI-enhanced software features like object removal and image super-resolution. This milestone underscores Intel's commitment to advancing AI PC technology, offering users a broad range of AI-driven functionalities for enhanced computing experiences.

Robust Financial Performance and Outlook

Buoyed by solid innovation across its client, edge, and data center portfolios, the company delivered a solid financial performance, driving double-digit revenue growth in its products. Total Intel Products chalked up $11.90 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2024 (ended March 30), resulting in a 17% year-over-year increase over the prior year’s period. Revenue from the Client Computing Group (CCG) rose 31% year-over-year.

INTC’s net revenue increased 8.6% year-over-year to $12.72 billion, primarily driven by growth in its personal computing, data center, and AI business. Intel’s Data Center and AI (DCAI) division, which offers server chips, saw sales uptick 5% to $3.04 billion.

Also, the company reported a non-GAAP operating income of $723 million, compared to an operating loss of $294 million in the prior year’s quarter. Further, its non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $759 million and $0.18 versus a net loss and loss per share of $169 million and $0.04, respectively, in the same quarter last year.

For the second quarter, Intel expects its revenue to come between $12.5 billion and $13.5 billion, while its non-GAAP earnings per share is expected to be $0.10.

Bottom Line

Despite vital innovations and solid financial performance, INTC’s shares have lost nearly 40% year-to-date and more than 3% over the past 12 months. However, with over 5 million AI PCs shipped since the December 2023 launch of Intel Core Ultra processors, supported by over 100 software vendors, the company expects to exceed its forecast of 40 million AI PCs by the end of 2024.

With the growing demand for AI chips, INTC could see a significant increase in Gaudi chip sales next year as customers look for cost-effective alternatives to NVDA's market-leading products. Moreover, if Intel's reasonable pricing resonates with prospective customers, the company could capture significant market share from its competitors.

Boeing's (BA) Path to Redemption and Its Investment Potential

Posted on by The INO.com Team

What’s going on with Boeing?

On June 1, a highly-anticipated The Boeing Company’s (BA) Starliner spacecraft was scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on its maiden voyage to the International Space Station (ISS) with a human crew. However, the automated systems halted the countdown just four minutes before liftoff.

The astronauts were safely extracted from the capsule, and officials are now investigating a computer issue that disrupted the rocket’s final prelaunch sequence. This problem caused Starliner to miss its narrow launch window, which was timed precisely to reach the ISS.

"It's disappointing," NASA commercial crew program manager Steve Stich said in a press conference after the launch scrub. "Everybody's a little disappointed but you kind of roll your sleeves up and get right back to work."

Starliner’s journey has been anything but smooth. Originally slated to launch three weeks ago, the mission was aborted due to a valve malfunction. Further complications arose when engineers detected a helium leak and discovered a ‘design vulnerability’ in the propulsion system, causing additional delays. A backup launch on Sunday was also scrapped, with NASA citing a ground support equipment issue.

Boeing Starliner Launch Postponed Again?

Yet, despite the disappointment, Boring is not giving up. The company might attempt another launch on June 05. However, the last-minute abort adds to a long list of setbacks that have plagued the Starliner program for years. Additionally, each Boeing misstep increases America’s dependence on its competitor, SpaceX, for transporting astronauts to space.

For Boeing, proving that Starliner can operate reliably is not just about technical achievement; it’s about restoring its tarnished reputation and demonstrating that it can be a dependable partner for NASA.

Over the weekend, engineers conducted a thorough evaluation of the computers, power supply, and network communications systems onboard the Starliner spacecraft. They identified the issue as a faulty ground power supply within one of the computers, which affected the operation of crucial countdown events.

The affected computer was replaced with a spare, and no physical damage was found. Meanwhile, mission specialists are analyzing the faulty power unit to determine the root cause of the issue. According to the ULA team, all other computers and their components were assessed and found to be functioning normally. Following a review by the Starliner mission management team, the spacecraft has been given the green light (‘go’) for launch on Wednesday.

This launch attempt comes as Boeing is scrutinized for other high-profile incidents, including a mid-flight panel detachment and two fatal crashes years ago. While Boeing’s air and space divisions are separate, these issues impact the company’s reputation.

The company is contracted to build six regular flights for NASA to ensure multiple astronaut transport options. But the Starliner’s crew debut has been delayed for years. So far, Boeing has lost $1.5 billion in costs and around $5 billion in NASA development funds due to craft setbacks.

The crew flight test scheduled last weekend represents the final major step before it receives NASA certification to begin regular missions. With NASA’s increased oversight following past failures, Boeing must convince the government and the public of its reliability. If successful, this launch will mark the beginning of a critical demonstration for Boeing.

Bottom Line

BA's ability to fulfill its promises is under intense scrutiny after a series of setbacks so far this year that has shaken confidence in its operations. Moreover, with increasing order cancellations and decreasing cash reserves (ranging between $4 billion and $4.5 billion for the first quarter), the situation is critical for the struggling aircraft manufacturer.

Boeing reported a 36% year-over-year decline in commercial plane deliveries for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. This caused a dent in the company’s cash flow from operations dropping to negative $3.36 billion and non-GAAP free cash flow falling to negative $3.9 billion, broadening significantly from last year’s losses. The company posted a 7.5% year-over-year decline in its total revenue to $16.57 billion. Its adjusted core operating loss was $388 million and $1.13 per share, respectively.

In this context, the question of Boeing's investment appeal looms large on Wall Street. Analysts expect BA’s revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, to decrease 6.5% year-over-year to $18.48 billion. The company is projected to post a loss per share of $0.85 for the current quarter.

Although the specifics of the plan are still unknown, early signs suggest a focused effort to strengthen operational efficiency and quality control measures. For instance, BA’s plan to acquire Spirit AeroSystems to address quality control and operational efficiency challenges reflects its commitment to streamlining its supply chain, strengthening production capabilities, and exerting greater control over supplier policies and practices.

The upcoming term will be crucial for the company's long-term survival. Moreover, when it comes to the space industry, we certainly see stiff competition for Boeing. For instance, SpaceX has regularly launched astronauts and rockets in partnership with NASA since 2020.

Over the past five days, BA’s stock has gone up by nearly 6%. But, in terms of year-to-date, Boeing has not been able to take off, as its shares have plunged more than 29%.

However, analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus rating on BA stock, reflecting a cautiously optimistic outlook tempered by lingering concerns. With a target price of $216.96 per share (with a 22.16% upside), they are cautiously hopeful about BA's potential for recovery and resurgence in the coming months.

Overall, investor confidence remains mixed, with uncertainties surrounding the full extent of Boeing's financial impact and its ramifications for the aviation industry as a whole.

PDD Holdings' International Expansion: Can Temu Replicate Domestic Success Abroad?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

With a $204.04 billion market cap, PDD Holdings Inc. (PDD) is a leading Chinese e-commerce company. It surpassed revenue and earnings consensus estimates for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, powered by its international marketplace, Temu, and increasing consumer interest in its flagship discount e-commerce platform, Pinduoduo.

For the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, PDD’s revenues increased 130.7% year-over-year to $12 billion. That surpassed analyst estimates of $10.58 billion. Revenues from online marketing services and others were $5.88 billion, up 56% from the prior year’s quarter, and revenues from transaction services rose 327% year-over-year to $6.14 billion.

The discount e-commerce giant’s non-GAAP operating profit grew 237.4% from the prior year’s period to $3.95 billion. Further, PDD’s non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shares rose 202% from the year-ago value to $4.24 billion. It posted non-GAAP earnings per ADS of $2.86, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.43, and up year-over-year.

“In the first quarter, we continued our investment in key areas critical to our high-quality development strategy,” said Ms. Jun Liu, VP of Finance of PDD. “Rather than focusing on short-term results, we prioritize long-term value creation and remain committed to further deepening our investments in the future.”

During the quarter, PDD’s cash inflows from operating activities came in at $2.02 billion, an increase of 1,474% year-over-year, primarily due to a surge in net income. As of March 31, 2024, the company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments stood at $33.50 billion.

“We are committed to offering a trustworthy shopping environment for our users around the world,” commented Mr. Lei Chen, PDD’s Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. “We will keep focusing on growing our long-term intrinsic value through investing in initiatives that bring sustainable impacts to our communities.”

PDD has gained market share with highly competitive prices at home and abroad. Shares of PDD have surged more than 115% over the past year.

PDD Holdings’ exceptional financial performance in the first quarter is mainly fueled by solid user growth and sales at its global marketplace, Temu. Let’s analyze Temu’s potential to drive the company’s growth in international markets by examining the competitive landscape, regulatory hurdles, and strategic moves.

Strategic Initiatives

Temu, an online marketplace operated by PDD Holdings, sells a variety of products from fashion to household, primarily made in China, for rock-bottom prices. Temu’s business strategy focuses on attracting customers via competitive pricing, social buying, heavy advertising, and an immersive technological design. Its business model has allowed it to gain immense popularity since its launch in 2022 in China and overseas.

Temu platform went live in the U.S. in September 2022, offering products across more than 15 categories. It was the first major overseas push of PDD Holdings and expanded in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

On January 17, 2024, Temu officially launched in South Africa, marking the 49th country the e-commerce marketplace had entered since 2022.

To drive robust growth in international markets, Temu has implemented several strategic initiatives. The cross-border e-commerce marketplace tailors its product selections to meet the preferences of local markets. It also collaborates with local suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers to ensure efficient operations, enhancing its market presence.

Moreover, Temu invests heavily in marketing to build brand awareness and attract customers, including digital advertising, social media campaigns, and localized promotional events. As per J.P. Morgan analysts, Temu invested around $1.7 billion in advertising in the past year, a figure anticipated to climb to $3 billion this year.

The international marketplace also utilizes advanced technologies to personalize shopping experiences, optimize product recommendations, and enhance customer service. Further, AI-driven insights help Temu in understanding evolving consumer preferences and trends.

Competitive Landscape

Temu faces fierce competition from established e-commerce rivals, including Shein, eBay, Alibaba Group’s (BABA) AliExpress, and Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) in the U.S. and other markets.

Moreover, PDD’s value-for-money positioning and the remarkable growth of its Temu marketplace have enabled the company to maintain its leadership position in China’s e-commerce market. PDD Holdings’ outstanding first-quarter results sparked a significant surge in its stock price, propelling its market capitalization past that of its competitor, Alibaba.

“We think Temu’s profitability will improve faster than previously estimated due to its introduction of the half consignment model, under which logistics costs will be borne by merchants,” Morningstar said in a note.

“We also believe PDD’s domestic platform will be able to defend its position given the strong consumer perception of its value-for-money positioning,” said Morningstar analyst Chelsey Tam, adding that PDD Holdings comes up top in their preferences, while JD.com and Alibaba are in second and third spots, respectively.

In line, Goldman Sachs increased PDD’s rating to “buy” from “neutral,” citing the company’s continued growth momentum in advertising revenue in the first quarter and Temu’s potential.

This stock upgrade comes “on the back of its adtech capabilities combined with China’s cost-competitive suppliers/merchants /supply chains alongside favorable risk-reward, with the current market cap implying no valuation ascribed to Temu,” stated Goldman Sachs analyst Ronald Keung.

According to Earnest Analytics, Temu had acquired approximately 17% of the U.S. online discount store market as of last November.

In addition to leading the Chinese e-commerce arena and successfully expanding into Western markets, Temu has overtaken Shein by staying at the top of shopping app rankings in Japan and South Korea for a longer period. The emerging e-commerce app is focused on selling cheap goods to international customers.

Regulatory Issues

Chinese e-commerce retailers have faced rising scrutiny on handling content on their platforms. On May 31, 2024, the European Union (EU) announced adding Temu to its list of platforms facing the bloc’s highest level of digital scrutiny. By September this year, the online marketplace must adhere to the DSA’s most strict rules and obligations, including assessing and mitigating “systemic risks.”

“Temu must put in place mitigation measures to address risks, such as the listing and sale of counterfeit goods, unsafe products, and items that infringe on intellectual property rights,” the EU, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm, said in a press release.

The company acknowledges the European Commission’s decision. “We are fully committed to adhering to the rules and regulations outlined by the DSA to ensure the safety, transparency, and protection of our users within the European Union,” PDD Holdings added.

Bottom Line

Established in 2022, Temu is PDD’s e-commerce marketplace aimed at expanding the company’s footprint beyond China. It has started entering international markets just in the past two years. And it has since grown in immense popularity by offering affordable products, ranging from apparel to home products, shipped down from China.

Since its initial launch in the U.S., Temu has rapidly expanded its operations to 49 countries, with South Africa being the latest. PDD’s value-for-money positioning and outstanding growth of its Temu platform have helped the company lead China’s e-commerce market.

The marketplace aims to replicate the company’s success in China by offering attractive deals and localized products to international customers. Temu’s unique business model focuses on attracting customers by offering products at prices below the industry norms, aggressive marketing, and technological innovation.

Although Temu faces stiff competition from established e-commerce rivals across America and other markets, it leverages strengths in PDD’s social commerce, cost-effective, efficient supply chain management, and competitive pricing to gain market and expand its global footprint.

PDD beat first-quarter 2024 revenue and earnings analyst estimates, primarily driven by significant growth of its international marketplace, Temu, and surging consumer interest in its flagship discount e-commerce platform, Pinduoduo.

This year, the company aims to deepen the execution of its high-quality development strategy, where it will put efforts into improving the overall consumer experience, strengthening supply chain capabilities, and fostering a healthy platform ecosystem.

Analysts expect PDD’s revenue and EPS for the second quarter (ending June 2024) to increase 93.1% and 92.9% year-over-year to $13.86 billion and $2.77, respectively. For the fiscal year 2024, the company’s revenue and EPS are expected to grow 66.3% and 82.5% year-over-year to $57.19 billion and $11.79, respectively.

Given PDD’s robust financial performance, accelerating profitability, and bright growth outlook primarily attributed to Temu’s successful international expansion, investors could consider buying this stock now.