NASDAQ$WBTN

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc · Q4 2024 earnings

Q4 2024 earnings · · After market close · Investor relations

Briefing

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. reported a slight increase in revenue, but a larger net loss in Q4 2024, primarily due to higher general & administrative expenses and impairment losses.

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. reported a 5.6% increase in total revenue to $352.8 million for Q4 2024, driven by growth in Paid Content and Advertising. However, the company experienced a net loss of $102.6 million, a significant increase from the prior year's $95.3 million loss, mainly due to higher general & administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and goodwill impairment losses. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $3.5 million, compared to a gain of $10.4 million in the prior year.

  • Total revenue increased by 5.6% to $352.8 million in Q4 2024, primarily driven by growth in Paid Content and Advertising.
  • Net Loss widened to $102.6 million in Q4 2024, compared to $95.3 million in Q4 2023, due to increased operating expenses and impairment losses.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $3.5 million in Q4 2024, a decrease from a gain of $10.4 million in the prior year, impacted by actuarial losses on retiree benefits and currency translation.
  • Diluted loss per share was $0.72 in Q4 2024, compared to $0.62 in Q4 2023.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$353M

Previous: $334M+5.6%
EPS (adj)

-$0.03

Previous: -$0.75+96.0%
Adjusted EBITDA

-$3.45M

No prior period
Adjusted EBITDA Margin

-1.0%

No prior period
Marketing Expense

$32.1M

No prior period
General & Admin Expense

$77.8M

No prior period
Net Loss Margin

-29.1%

Previous: -28.5%-2.1%
Stock-Based Compensation

$14M

Previous: -$1.11M+1362.7%
Net Income

-$103M

Previous: -$95.3M-7.7%
Operating Income

-$27.7M

Previous: -$1.69M-1541.4%

Revenue & EPS history

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc · Revenue · Quarterly

$353M

Q4 2024+5.6%vs Q4 2023
Beat estimate in 2 of 7 quarters(29%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

WEBTOON Entertainment Inc · $327M total across 3 segments · Q1 2024

  • Paid Content
    $267M
  • Advertising
    $37M
  • IP Adaptations
    $22.9M

Forward guidance

For the first quarter of 2025, WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. expects revenue growth on a constant currency basis in the range of 1.7% to 4.8%, translating to $318 million to $328 million in revenue. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $0.5 million and $5.5 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 0.2% to 1.7%.

Tailwinds

  • Expected revenue growth on a constant currency basis (1.7% - 4.8%) for Q1 2025.
  • Anticipated positive Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 ($0.5-$5.5 million).
  • Commitment to driving further innovation on the platform.
  • Plans to introduce new features to enhance usability.
  • Expansion of monetization opportunities for creators and improved content discovery.

Headwinds

  • Revenue growth on a constant currency basis is lower than previous periods (Q4 2024 constant currency growth was 10.4%).
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to remain low (0.2% - 1.7%).
  • The company continues to face exposure to weaker foreign currencies.
  • Potential for continued higher general & administrative expenses as a public company.
  • Uncertainty regarding the impact of actuarial losses on retiree benefits.

Historical earnings impact

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

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 7 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2024

Historical avgQ4 2024

-12.5%

Avg return

Earnings day

-13.8%

Avg return

5 days after

-13.6%

Avg return

30 days after

22%

2 / 9 earnings

Positive

+3.5%

Q2 2023

Best reaction

-36.9%

Q2 2024

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+0.2%-8.7%
Q4 2025-9.3%-16.1%-15.4%
Q3 2025-25.1%-25.9%-25.8%
Q1 2025-18.3%-11.2%-17.1%
Q4 2024-10.5%-11.3%-19.8%
Q3 2023-10.3%-8.3%+13.1%
Q3 2024-5.4%-3.3%+13.3%
Q2 2023+3.5%-4.5%-17.1%
Q2 2024-36.9%-34.7%-39.8%
Q1 2024
Q4 2023
Q1 2023
Q4 2022
Q3 2022
Q2 2022
Q1 2022

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