NASDAQ$UPWK

Upwork Inc · Q1 2022 earnings

Q1 2022 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Upwork's business demonstrated resilience amidst global uncertainty, executing its strategy to innovate, evangelize, and scale the work marketplace.

Upwork's Q1 2022 saw GSV reach over $1 billion, a 27% year-over-year increase, and revenue grew by 24% to $141.3 million. New Enterprise Client deals increased by 33% year-over-year, with Enterprise Revenue growing 57% year-over-year. The company estimates a $1 million revenue loss due to the war in Ukraine and incurred $4.3 million in humanitarian expenses.

  • Gross Services Volume (GSV) grew 27% year-over-year to over $1 billion.
  • Revenue increased 24% year-over-year to $141.3 million.
  • New Enterprise Client deals were up 33% year-over-year, and Enterprise Revenue grew 57% year-over-year.
  • The company suspended operations in Russia and Belarus due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$141M

Previous: $114M+24.4%
EPS (adj)

-$0.03

Previous: -$0.06+50.0%
Gross services volume

$1B

Previous: $787M+27.1%
Active clients

793.0K

No prior period
Capital Expenditures

-$193K

Previous: -$70K-175.7%
Free Cash Flow

-$24.9M

Previous: -$7.91M-215.4%
Net Income

-$24.7M

Previous: -$7.84M-215.7%
Operating Income

-$23.7M

Previous: -$7.7M-207.3%
Gross Profit

$103M

Previous: $83.2M+24.3%
Cash & Equivalents

$121M

Previous: $104M+16.2%
Total Assets

$1.1B

Previous: $560M+96.4%
Stock-Based Comp

$16.7M

Previous: $11.2M+49.1%

Revenue & EPS history

Upwork · Revenue · Quarterly

$141M

Q1 2022+24.4%vs Q1 2021
Beat estimate in 10 of 16 quarters(63%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Upwork · $140M total across 2 segments · Q1 2022

  • Marketplace
    $129M+23.6%
  • Enterprise
    $10.8M

Forward guidance

Upwork is guiding for second-quarter 2022 revenue to be between $147 million and $151 million, representing 20% year-over-year growth at the midpoint. Full-year 2022 revenue guidance is between $590 million and $610 million. Second-quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA is expected to be a loss of between $(6) million and $(10) million.

Tailwinds

  • Guidance for second-quarter 2022 revenue to be between $147 million and $151 million, representing 20% year-over-year growth at the midpoint.
  • Full-year 2022 revenue guidance is between $590 million and $610 million.
  • Confident in the right strategy to achieve long-term objectives, including delivering adjusted EBITDA margins of 30% to 35% in the long run.
  • Expect second-quarter 2022 non-GAAP basic loss per share to be between $(0.06) and $(0.10).
  • Continue to expect stock-based compensation to average slightly more than $20 million per quarter for 2022.

Headwinds

  • Expect a larger impact to revenue in the second quarter due to the winding down of all contracts with talent and clients in Russia and Belarus by May 1.
  • Second-quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA is expected to be a loss of between $(6) million and $(10) million.
  • Not providing full-year 2022 adjusted EBITDA guidance at this time due to uncertainty regarding the level of substitution after May 1.
  • Uncertainty regarding how the situation in Ukraine will evolve.
  • The actual amount of stock-based compensation expenses during 2022 will have a significant impact on future GAAP financial results.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2022

Historical avgQ1 2022

+1.3%

Avg return

Earnings day

+0.3%

Avg return

5 days after

-5.1%

Avg return

30 days after

47%

14 / 30 earnings

Positive

+48.0%

Q3 2020

Best reaction

-19.1%

Q4 2025

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026-2.1%-20.7%-17.2%
Q4 2025-19.1%-29.6%-36.9%
Q3 2025+13.2%+11.6%+25.3%
Q1 2025+18.0%+26.7%+13.3%
Q4 2024+6.6%+8.6%-18.9%
Q3 2024+12.9%+10.4%+17.9%
Q2 2024-13.2%-16.5%-11.9%
Q1 2024+11.0%+7.9%-9.7%
Q4 2023-0.3%-1.4%-14.1%
Q3 2023+17.3%+21.8%+21.4%
Q2 2023+43.5%+44.6%+49.3%
Q1 2023-9.2%-8.6%-0.2%
Q4 2022-10.3%-11.0%-23.8%
Q3 2022+1.4%+5.0%-8.0%
Q2 2022-14.2%-16.5%-20.8%
Q1 2022+10.0%+15.8%-3.5%
Q4 2021-6.0%-8.7%-16.7%
Q3 2021-15.5%-15.4%-35.1%
Q2 2021-10.8%-10.5%-23.8%
Q1 2021-6.5%-4.1%+3.8%
Q4 2020+3.8%+4.8%-15.5%
Q3 2020+48.0%+42.7%+63.0%
Q2 2020-10.3%-11.7%-13.0%
Q1 2020+4.3%+19.3%+40.0%
Q4 2019+5.0%+1.4%-21.9%
Q3 2019-15.9%-19.5%-26.0%
Q2 2019+10.0%-3.0%-9.0%
Q1 2019-18.6%-20.3%-30.5%
Q4 2018-6.1%-4.1%-19.9%
Q3 2018-6.9%-8.8%-11.9%
Q2 2018
Q1 2018
Q4 2017
Q3 2017
Q2 2017
Q1 2017

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