Zip share price slides despite CEO pinpointing profit timeline

What did Zip CEO Larry Diamond tell shareholders at today's annual general meeting?

| More on:
A wide-eyed man peers out from a small gap in his black zipped jumper conveying fear over the weak Zip share price

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Zip held its annual general meeting this morning 
  • CEO Larry Diamond said the company expects its US business to become cash EBTDA positive by the end of FY23 and the company as a whole by the first half of FY24
  • The Zip share price is down 86% in the year to date

The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price is down in line with the rest of the market amid the company holding its annual general meeting (AGM) today.

The Zip share price is down 2.3% to 62.5 cents at the time of writing. By comparison, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 1.8%.

At the AGM, Zip provided an investor presentation and CEO and managing director Larry Diamond made a speech.

Let's see what he had to say.

EBTDA cash flow positive by first half of FY24

The key takeout from today's AGM is that the buy now, pay later (BNPL) share expects to turn cash EBTDA (earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortisation) positive as a group in the first half of FY24.

Zip mapped out its strategy to become cash flow positive in its annual report in late September.

Following various changes in 2022, including the shutdown of its Singapore and United Kingdom businesses, Zip is now focused on two core markets — Australia and New Zealand, and the US.

The Australia and New Zealand business has been cash flow positive for four years already.

Zip now anticipates that its United States business will be cash flow positive by the end of FY23.

We've got the funds to reach profitability

Diamond said Zip has approximately $141 million in available cash and liquidity:

We are confident that we have the balance sheet to fund the Company through to cash EBTDA profitability.

We expect to see the US exiting FY23 cash EBTDA positive and to neutralise the cash burn from our rest of world footprint during the second half of FY23.

We are on track to deliver positive cash EBTDA as a group in the first half of financial year 2024.

$10 trillion addressable market in US

Zip sees the US business as crucial for the company's growth. This prompted Diamond and his family to relocate to the US this year.

Diamond said the US market was on a similar trajectory to Australia's market:

In the US, the addressable market is estimated to be over US$10 trillion and BNPL penetration is still under 2%, including just 4% of e-commerce and 1% of in-store spend. This demonstrates the sheer size, and early stage of the BNPL opportunity that we are positioned to capture.

With Worldpay predicting BNPL volumes to more than double in 2025 from 2021 levels, we believe that the US penetration is on a similar trajectory to a more mature market like where we started in Australia.

In Australia, around one-third of adults have a BNPL account and this number is growing. Zip's brand awareness amongst 18-45 is now close to 60%.

In the last financial year, Zip's Australian business made a record $28 million cash EBTDA, 2.5 times cash EBTDA from financial year 2021. This clearly demonstrates the operating leverage of the business model and the potential to deliver strong EBTDA growth at scale.

Zip share price snapshot

The Zip share price is down 86% in the year to date.

The shares have been rangebound in the low 60 cents since early October.

They are currently trading 43% above their 52-week low of 44 cents.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on BNPL shares

A businessman stacks building blocks.
Technology Shares

Why is the Block share price rocketing 10% today?

Brokers continue to be bullish.

Read more »

A happy girl in a yellow playsuit with a zip gives the thumbs up
BNPL shares

Is this why the Zip share price keeps breaking records?

Zip shareholders have been enjoying a record breaking year. Is this why?

Read more »

A cool dude looks back at the camera while ziplining above the treetops.
BNPL shares

Why is the Zip share price on a rollercoaster today?

Zip shares are now up an eye-watering 670% in a year.

Read more »

Man holding out $50 and $100 notes in his hands, symbolising ex dividend.
BNPL shares

Owners of Zip shares are projected to start receiving dividends in the next few years

An expert is forecasting that passive income could start flowing.

Read more »

woman using affirm to pay
BNPL shares

Are Zip shares a buy following the ASX 200 stock's bumper quarter?

This stock continues to impress.

Read more »

Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.
BNPL shares

Why is the Zip share price jumping 10% today?

Let's see what is getting investors excited about this buy now pay later provider today.

Read more »

A happy girl in a yellow playsuit with a zip gives the thumbs up
BNPL shares

Here is the earnings forecast out to 2029 for Zip shares

How much could Zip’s earnings grow in the next few years?

Read more »

Smiling couple looking at a phone at a bargain opportunity.
Technology Shares

Why this ASX 200 tech stock is 'just too cheap'

Investors are significantly undervaluing this ASX 200 tech stock, according to a leading fund manager.

Read more »