Twitter moves to profit, with revenues rising 2% in Q4

Twitter reported its results for the fourth quarter, showing stronger revenues and a positive profit figure. CEO Jack Dorsey said he was pleased with the quarter, noting the company returned to revenue growth, achieved its goal of GAAP profitability, increased its shipping cadence, and reached five consecutive quarters of double digit DAU (daily active user) growth. 

Revenues rose 2 percent from the year before to USD 732 million. The net result went to a profit of USD 91 million or diluted earnings per share share of USD 0.12, from a loss the year earlier of 167 million and a diluted loss per share of 0.23. Adjusted EBITDA rose to USD 308 million from 215 million. Average MAU totaled 330 million for the quarter, unchanged sequentially and 4 percent higher year-over-year. Average DAU grew 12 percent year-over-year. 

For the full year, revenues fell 3 percent to USD 2.4 billion, and the net loss narrowed to USD 108 millon. Adjusted EBITDA went to USD 863 million, while the EBITDA margin advanced to 35 percent from 30 percent. Net cash provided by operating activities in the year amounted to USD 831 million, an increase from 763 million year-on-year. Capex meanwhile fell 12 percent to USD 281 million. The company generated USD 550 million in annual adjusted free cash flow against 444 million in 2016, and ended the year with USD 4.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. 

Looking to the first quarter, Twitter is guiding for adjusted EBITDA of USD 185-205 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 33-34 percent. For FY 2018, capex is seen increasing to USD 375-450 million.