Breaking Down NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

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Understanding NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Revenue Streams

Understanding NerdWallet, Inc.’s Revenue Streams

Revenue Overview

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue was $191.3 million, representing an increase of $38.5 million or 25% compared to $152.8 million in the same period of 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue reached $503.8 million, up $38.1 million or 8% from $465.7 million in 2023.

Breakdown of Primary Revenue Sources

Revenue Source Q3 2024 (in millions) Q3 2023 (in millions) Change ($ millions) Change (%) 9M 2024 (in millions) 9M 2023 (in millions) Change ($ millions) Change (%)
Credit Cards 45.3 54.0 (8.7) (16%) 141.4 166.5 (25.1) (15%)
Loans 23.8 32.9 (9.1) (28%) 66.9 78.0 (11.1) (14%)
SMB Products 27.8 24.7 3.1 12% 84.3 73.6 10.7 14%
Emerging Verticals 94.4 41.2 53.2 129% 211.2 147.6 63.6 43%
Total Revenue 191.3 152.8 38.5 25% 503.8 465.7 38.1 8%

Year-over-Year Revenue Growth Rate

The year-over-year revenue growth rates for the primary revenue sources are as follows:

  • Credit Cards: Decreased by 16% in Q3 2024 and 15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
  • Loans: Decreased by 28% in Q3 2024 and 14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
  • SMB Products: Increased by 12% in Q3 2024 and 14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
  • Emerging Verticals: Increased by 129% in Q3 2024 and 43% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Contribution of Different Business Segments to Overall Revenue

In Q3 2024, the contributions to overall revenue were:

  • Credit Cards: 23.6%
  • Loans: 12.4%
  • SMB Products: 14.5%
  • Emerging Verticals: 49.5%

Analysis of Significant Changes in Revenue Streams

The most notable change was in the Emerging Verticals segment, which saw a dramatic increase of 129% in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, driven primarily by a surge in insurance products revenue. Conversely, both Credit Cards and Loans segments experienced significant declines, attributed to a cautious underwriting environment and reduced marketing expenditures.




A Deep Dive into NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Profitability

Profitability Metrics

Analyzing the profitability metrics of the company reveals several key insights into its financial health. The metrics include gross profit, operating profit, and net profit margins, which are crucial for assessing operational efficiency and overall profitability.

Gross Profit, Operating Profit, and Net Profit Margins

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported:

  • Revenue: $191.3 million
  • Cost of Revenue: $17.7 million
  • Gross Profit: $173.6 million (calculated as Revenue - Cost of Revenue)
  • Gross Margin: 90.9% (calculated as Gross Profit / Revenue)
  • Operating Income: $6.6 million
  • Operating Margin: 3.5% (calculated as Operating Income / Revenue)
  • Net Income: $0.1 million
  • Net Margin: 0.05% (calculated as Net Income / Revenue)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

  • Revenue: $503.8 million
  • Cost of Revenue: $46.8 million
  • Gross Profit: $457 million
  • Gross Margin: 90.7%
  • Operating Income: $0.7 million
  • Operating Margin: 0.1%
  • Net Income: $(8.2) million
  • Net Margin: -1.6%

Trends in Profitability Over Time

Comparing profitability over the past year, the company has shown fluctuations in its profitability metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Gross Profit Margin 90.9% ~88.5% +2.4%
Operating Margin 3.5% 2.6% +0.9%
Net Margin 0.05% -0.3% +0.35%

Comparison of Profitability Ratios with Industry Averages

When comparing these metrics to industry averages:

  • Industry Average Gross Margin: 75% - 80%
  • Industry Average Operating Margin: 10% - 15%
  • Industry Average Net Margin: 5% - 10%

The company’s gross margin significantly exceeds the industry average, indicating strong pricing power and cost control. However, both operating and net margins are below industry averages, suggesting room for improvement in cost management and operational efficiency.

Analysis of Operational Efficiency

Examining operational efficiency further:

  • Cost of Revenue: Increased to $17.7 million in Q3 2024 from $13.3 million in Q3 2023, reflecting a 33% rise.
  • Research and Development Costs: Increased to $23 million from $20.7 million.
  • Sales and Marketing Expenses: Increased to $128.1 million from $100.6 million, highlighting a 27% increase.
  • General and Administrative Expenses: Increased to $15.9 million from $14.2 million.

These increases in costs have implications for the company's profitability. Effective cost management strategies will be critical for improving operating and net margins moving forward.




Debt vs. Equity: How NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Finances Its Growth

Debt vs. Equity: How NerdWallet, Inc. Finances Its Growth

Debt Levels

As of September 30, 2024, the company had total liabilities of $80.0 million, with current liabilities amounting to $66.5 million and noncurrent liabilities at $13.5 million. The current liabilities included $12.4 million in accounts payable and $54.1 million in accrued expenses.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated as total liabilities divided by total stockholders' equity. With total liabilities of $80.0 million and total stockholders' equity of $322.4 million, the debt-to-equity ratio stands at approximately 0.25, indicating a conservative approach to leveraging compared to industry standards.

Industry Comparison

The average debt-to-equity ratio for the financial services industry is around 0.5. Thus, the company's ratio of 0.25 suggests it is less reliant on debt financing than many of its peers.

Recent Debt Issuances and Credit Ratings

Recent activities include minimal interest expense recorded at $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and $0.5 million for the nine months. The company has not issued new debt recently, maintaining a focus on equity financing.

Credit Ratings

The company does not currently have a public credit rating but has maintained a manageable level of debt, reflecting a solid financial position.

Balancing Debt and Equity Financing

The company has primarily financed its growth through equity, evidenced by an increase in additional paid-in capital from $483.7 million at December 31, 2023, to $519.3 million by September 30, 2024. This strategy reflects a preference for equity financing to mitigate risks associated with debt obligations.

Financial Metric As of September 30, 2024 As of December 31, 2023
Total Liabilities $80.0 million $51.7 million
Total Stockholders' Equity $322.4 million $366.9 million
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.25 0.14
Interest Expense (Q3 2024) $0.1 million $0.2 million
Cash and Cash Equivalents $71.7 million $100.4 million



Assessing NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Liquidity

Assessing Liquidity and Solvency

Current and Quick Ratios

The current ratio, a key indicator of liquidity, as of September 30, 2024, stands at 1.08, calculated from current assets of $71.7 million and current liabilities of $66.5 million. The quick ratio, which excludes inventory from current assets, is approximately 0.94, reflecting a strong liquidity position despite some reliance on inventory.

Analysis of Working Capital Trends

As of September 30, 2024, the working capital is $5.2 million, indicating a slight decline from $33.1 million as of December 31, 2023. This decline is primarily due to increased current liabilities, which rose from $37.3 million to $66.5 million within the same period.

Cash Flow Statements Overview

The condensed consolidated statements of cash flows reveal the following trends:

Cash Flow Activities Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 (in millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities $61.9 $42.5
Net cash used in investing activities ($24.4) ($20.1)
Net cash used in financing activities ($66.3) ($19.8)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ($28.7) $2.7

Potential Liquidity Concerns or Strengths

While the net cash provided by operating activities has increased year-over-year, the significant cash outflows in financing activities, primarily due to stock repurchases totaling $72.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, present a potential liquidity concern. The company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased from $100.4 million at the end of 2023 to $71.7 million as of September 30, 2024, indicating a need for careful cash management moving forward.

Overall, the company's liquidity position, while currently adequate, requires monitoring against operational cash flow trends and external market conditions that could affect future cash generation.




Is NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Overvalued or Undervalued?

Valuation Analysis

The valuation of a company is critical for investors to determine whether it is overvalued or undervalued. This section analyzes key valuation metrics for the company, including price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-book (P/B), enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratios, stock price trends, dividend yield, payout ratios, and analyst consensus.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

As of September 30, 2024, the P/E ratio is calculated based on the net income of $0.1 million for the quarter and a weighted-average diluted share count of 79.3 million, resulting in:

P/E Ratio = Stock Price / Earnings Per Share

Assuming a stock price of $12.00, the earnings per share (EPS) is:

EPS = $0.1 million / 79.3 million = $0.00126

Thus, the P/E ratio would be:

P/E Ratio = $12.00 / $0.00126 = 9,523.81

Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio

As of September 30, 2024, the total stockholders' equity is $322.4 million with 74.0 million shares outstanding. The P/B ratio is calculated as follows:

P/B Ratio = Market Price per Share / Book Value per Share

Book Value per Share = $322.4 million / 74.0 million = $4.36

Assuming a stock price of $12.00:

P/B Ratio = $12.00 / $4.36 = 2.75

Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) Ratio

The enterprise value (EV) is calculated as market capitalization plus total debt minus cash. Assuming total debt of $50 million and cash of $71.7 million:

Market Capitalization = Stock Price x Shares Outstanding = $12.00 x 74.0 million = $888 million

EV = $888 million + $50 million - $71.7 million = $866.3 million

For the EBITDA, the adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months is approximately $77.1 million (for the nine months ended September 30, 2024). Thus, the EV/EBITDA ratio is:

EV/EBITDA = $866.3 million / $77.1 million = 11.24

Stock Price Trends

Over the last 12 months, the stock price has fluctuated as follows:

Date Stock Price ($)
September 2023 10.50
December 2023 11.00
March 2024 11.50
June 2024 12.00
September 2024 12.00

Dividend Yield and Payout Ratios

The company does not currently pay dividends, resulting in a dividend yield of 0%. Therefore, the payout ratio is also 0%.

Analyst Consensus

As of September 2024, analyst consensus ratings indicate a majority recommendation of:

  • Buy: 4 analysts
  • Hold: 6 analysts
  • Sell: 2 analysts



Key Risks Facing NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS)

Key Risks Facing NerdWallet, Inc.:

The financial health of NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) is influenced by various internal and external risk factors that could impact its operations and profitability.

Industry Competition

In the competitive landscape of financial technology and online financial services, the company faces significant challenges. Competitors include established financial institutions and new fintech startups that continuously innovate and adapt to consumer needs. The company's revenue from credit cards decreased by $8.7 million (or 16%) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, highlighting the pressure from competition.

Regulatory Changes

Changes in regulations governing financial services can affect operations. The company has noted a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets, indicating uncertainty regarding tax benefits due to regulatory changes. As of September 30, 2024, the effective tax rate was exceptionally high at 99.2% for the quarter.

Market Conditions

The economic environment, particularly interest rates, influences consumer behavior and demand for financial products. The company reported a decline in loans revenue of $9.1 million (or 28%) due to a high-interest rate environment.

Operational Risks

Operational risks include workforce management. In 2024, the company implemented a restructuring plan that reduced its workforce by approximately 15%. The pre-tax restructuring charge was $7.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Financial Risks

Financial risks encompass liquidity and cash flow management. As of September 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $71.7 million, down from $100.4 million at the end of 2023. The company also reported a net loss of $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Strategic Risks

The company's strategic decisions regarding investments in technology and marketing can impact its financial stability. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $27.5 million (or 27%) for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Risk Factor Description Impact
Industry Competition Pressure from established financial institutions and fintech startups Revenue from credit cards decreased by $8.7 million (16%)
Regulatory Changes Changes in financial services regulations affecting operations Effective tax rate of 99.2% for Q3 2024
Market Conditions High-interest rates impacting consumer demand Loans revenue decreased by $9.1 million (28%)
Operational Risks Workforce management and restructuring plans Workforce reduced by 15%, restructuring charge of $7.8 million
Financial Risks Liquidity and cash flow management Cash and cash equivalents of $71.7 million
Strategic Risks Investments in technology and marketing decisions Sales and marketing expenses increased by $27.5 million (27%)



Future Growth Prospects for NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS)

Future Growth Prospects for NerdWallet, Inc.

Analysis of Key Growth Drivers

The company is focusing on several key growth drivers for the upcoming years:

  • Product Innovations: New features in financial planning tools and credit score monitoring.
  • Market Expansions: Plans to enter new geographical markets, including international expansions.
  • Acquisitions: Recent acquisitions aimed at enhancing technology capabilities and customer base.

Future Revenue Growth Projections and Earnings Estimates

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reached $503.8 million, compared to $465.7 million for the same period in 2023, reflecting a growth of 8.8% year-over-year. Analysts project continued growth, with estimated revenue reaching $650 million by the end of 2025. Earnings are expected to follow suit, with estimates suggesting a net income of $2 million for 2024, a significant improvement from a net loss of $8.2 million in 2023.

Strategic Initiatives or Partnerships

Strategic partnerships are being formed to drive growth:

  • Collaboration with fintech companies to enhance product offerings.
  • Partnerships with banks to expand service reach and product availability.

Competitive Advantages

The company possesses several competitive advantages that position it favorably for growth:

  • Brand Recognition: Established brand in the financial services industry.
  • Data Analytics: Advanced analytics capabilities that enhance customer experience and retention.
  • Scalable Technology: Robust platform that allows for easy scaling of services and products.

Financial Performance Overview

Below is a summary of key financial metrics from the latest reports:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Revenue $191.3 million $152.8 million 25.2%
Net Income (Loss) $0.1 million $(0.5) million 120%
Operating Income $6.6 million $4.0 million 65%
Total Expenses $184.7 million $148.8 million 24%

Investment in Growth

The company plans to invest significantly in its growth strategy, with a focus on:

  • Research and Development: Increasing R&D expenditure to enhance product offerings, with R&D expenses for nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaling $66.4 million.
  • Sales and Marketing: Boosting marketing efforts to capture a larger market share, with sales and marketing expenses amounting to $342.1 million for the same period.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View NerdWallet, Inc. (NRDS)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.