Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Zuora Shares Rise 11% in a Year: What Should Investors Do Now?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Zuora shares have appreciated 11% in the trailing 12 months, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s return of 38.5% and the Zacks Internet Software industry’s appreciation of 40.7%.

ZUO shares have been facing macroeconomic challenges that have resulted in longer sales cycles and fewer transformational deals. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth and Dollar-based Retention Rate (DBRR) have been negatively impacted by higher customer churn.

However, it has been benefiting from an expanding enterprise clientele, which includes the likes of Toast (TOST - Free Report) , and offers strong expansion opportunities. Robust demand for its Zephr solution, software suite that manages connected services and telematics for commercial fleets, has been a key catalyst. 

This has helped ZUO outperform its industry peers, including Five9 (FIVN - Free Report) and Tuya (TUYA - Free Report) , over the same timeframe. FIVN and TUYA shares have declined 52.7% and 11.5%, respectively.

Will these factors continue to push the shares higher? Let’s dig deep to find out.

One Year Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research


Expanding Clientele to Aid Zuora’s Top Line

Zuora benefits from an expanding clientele driven by strong demand for the Zephr solution. It saw a number of multi-year renewals in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and its customer base reached 451 with an Annual Contract Value (ACV) at or above $250,000, up 15% year over year. This cohort represents 84% of ZUO’s ARR.

Zuora won two deals with ACV of more than $500,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. It saw year-over-year growth in cross-selling of products. It is also helping companies to expand internationally. 

Total Remaining Performance Obligation (RPO) improved 15% year over year to $581 million. This offers strong visibility to future revenue growth prospects. Non-current RPO increased 23% year over year to $256 million.

The acquisition of Togai is expected to drive top-line growth. Togai offers metering and rating solutions, and the buyout is expected to help ZUO offer a total monetization software stack.

ZUO Offers Positive Guidance

For 2024, Zuora expects revenues between $455.5 million and $461.5 million. It expects growth to accelerate in the second half of the year, with subscription revenues between $410 million and $414 million.

It maintained guidance for DBRR of 104% to 106% and ARR growth between 8% and 10%.

Zuora raised operating income range ($80-$82 million) including the operating expense impact of Togai acquisition.

Non-GAAP earnings are expected between 56 cents per share and 58 cents per share for the full year.

For 2024, Zuora expects free cash flow to be $80 million or more.

Zuora expects second-quarter 2024 revenues between $111.5 million and $113.5 million, with subscription revenues in the $101-$102 million range.

Non-GAAP operating income is expected in the $17.5 to $19.5 million range. Non-GAAP earnings are expected between 9 cents and 10 cents per share.

ZUO’s Earnings Estimates Trending Upward

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 revenues is pegged at $458.5 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.22%. The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at 56 cents per share, up 33.3% over the past 60 days and indicating 69.7% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2024 revenues is pegged at $116 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 5.6%. The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at 12 cents per share, up a couple of cents over the past 60 days, indicating 33.3% year-over-year growth.

ZUO’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 84.29%.

Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.

ZUO Shares Trade at a Premium

Zuora, Inc. Price and Consensus

Zuora, Inc. Price and Consensus

Zuora, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Zuora, Inc. Quote


We point out that Zuora stock is not so cheap, as the Value Score of D suggests a stretched valuation at this moment.

In terms of the trailing 12-month Price/Sales ratio, ZUO is trading at 2.89X, higher than its median of 2.77X and the industry’s 2.77X.

 

Price/Sales Ratio (TTM)

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

ZUO shares are trading above the 50-day moving average, indicating a bullish trend.

ZUO Shares Trade Above 50-day SMA

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research


Conclusion

We believe Zuora’s expanding clientele and growing cross-selling opportunities offer a strong investment opportunity for growth-oriented investors. Given the strong growth prospect, its premium valuation is justified.

Zuora currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a Growth Style Score of A, a favorable combination that offers a strong investment opportunity, per the Zacks Proprietary methodology. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Five9, Inc. (FIVN) - free report >>

Tuya Inc. Sponsored ADR (TUYA) - free report >>

Toast, Inc. (TOST) - free report >>

Published in