Bill.com collapses 34% after slashing full-year outlook; KeyBanc cuts rating

(Updated – November 3, 2023 6:08 AM EDT)

Bill.com (BILL) offered a soft second-quarter forecast and cut its full-year outlook, sending its shares 34% lower in pre-open trade on Friday.

In the first quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of 54 cents, topping the analyst consensus of 50 cents. Total revenue for the quarter reached $305.0 million, reflecting a 33% year-over-year growth and surpassing the estimate of $299 million.

In the second quarter forecast, the company expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of 35 cents to 44 cents, falling short of the consensus of 48 cents. Moreover, it anticipates total revenue for the quarter to be between $293 million and $303 million, below the estimate of $319.6 million.

As a result, the company now projects total revenue between $1.21 billion and $1.25 billion, lower than the earlier outlook of $1.29 billion to $1.31 billion. Analysts were looking for $1.3 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.64 to $1.97, compared to the previous projection of $1.82 to $1.97 and an estimate of $1.93.

“In a challenging macro environment, we delivered strong financial results in Q1. Total revenue increased 33% year-over-year, and non-GAAP profitability expanded year-over-year,” said John Rettig, BILL President and CFO.

“We are carefully navigating the current environment while continuing to invest behind the long term opportunity to serve millions of SMBs.”

KeyBanc analysts cut the rating to Sector Weight from Overweight “as we believe macro headwinds/sentiment will continue to challenge the NT performance of shares.”

“We view Bill.com as a LT category winner w/ a unique opportunity to bring efficiencies to the SMB backoffice, though see a lack of catalysts for shares at this juncture,” the analysts wrote in a downgrade note.

Goldman Sachs analysts added:

“While we think shares will experience pressure in the near term, we ultimately continue to think that BILL will remain the market leader in finance and AP/AR automation.”