Snap Inc. (SNAP): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Snap Inc. (SNAP) Information


A Brief History of Snap Inc.

Snap Inc., founded in 2011, is the parent company of Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app that has become popular among younger demographics. As of 2024, Snap Inc. has evolved significantly, adapting to changing market conditions and user preferences.

Financial Performance Overview

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. reported:

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Revenue $1,372,574,000 $1,188,551,000
Net Loss ($153,247,000) ($368,256,000)
Adjusted EBITDA $131,962,000 $40,094,000
Operating Loss ($173,210,000) ($380,063,000)

The revenue for Q3 2024 increased by 15% year-over-year, attributed to growth in advertisers and improved auction-based advertising demand.

User Metrics and Engagement

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. reported:

User Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Daily Active Users (DAUs) 443 million 405 million
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) $3.10 $2.93

DAUs grew by 9% year-over-year, and ARPU increased, reflecting improved monetization strategies.

Cost Structure Analysis

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. incurred the following costs:

Cost Category Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Cost of Revenue $638,907,000 $555,753,000
Research and Development $412,791,000 $494,559,000
Sales and Marketing $273,107,000 $297,251,000
General and Administrative $220,979,000 $221,051,000

The total costs and expenses for Q3 2024 were $1,545,784,000, slightly down from $1,568,614,000 in Q3 2023.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. reported:

Cash Flow Category Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Cash from Operating Activities $115,872,000 $12,781,000
Cash from Investing Activities ($222,811,000) ($31,608,000)
Cash from Financing Activities $10,304,000 ($10,436,000)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents ($96,635,000) ($29,263,000)

Snap Inc. had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $3.2 billion as of September 30, 2024.

Debt and Financial Obligations

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. had the following outstanding debt:

Debt Instrument Principal Amount Carrying Amount
2025 Notes $36,240,000 $36,191,000
2026 Notes $249,754,000 $249,032,000
2027 Notes $1,150,000,000 $1,144,483,000
2028 Notes $1,500,000,000 $1,490,313,000
2030 Notes $750,000,000 $721,309,000

The total carrying amount of debt was approximately $3.64 billion.

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. had repurchased approximately 27.9 million shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate of $311.1 million.

Snap Inc. continues to navigate the challenges of the digital advertising landscape while focusing on user engagement and product innovation, positioning itself for future growth in the competitive social media space.



A Who Owns Snap Inc. (SNAP)

Ownership Structure

As of 2024, Snap Inc. (SNAP) has a complex ownership structure that includes various classes of shares: Class A non-voting common stock, Class B voting common stock, and Class C voting common stock. The distribution of these shares influences control over the company.

Class of Stock Shares Authorized Shares Issued Shares Outstanding
Class A (non-voting) 3,000,000 1,465,785 1,418,062
Class B (voting) 700,000 22,523 22,523
Class C (voting) 260,888 231,627 231,627

Major Shareholders

As of September 30, 2024, the largest shareholders of Snap Inc. include institutional investors, company executives, and insiders. Below is a summary of the major stakeholders:

Shareholder Type Percentage Ownership
The Vanguard Group Institutional Investor 8.0%
BlackRock, Inc. Institutional Investor 7.5%
Co-Founder Evan Spiegel Insider 20.0% (combined Class B and C)
Co-Founder Bobby Murphy Insider 20.0% (combined Class B and C)
Other Insiders Insiders 5.0%

Institutional Ownership

Institutional ownership is significant for Snap Inc., with many large asset managers holding substantial stakes in the company. The following table outlines the top institutional shareholders and their holdings:

Institution Shares Held Percentage of Total Shares
The Vanguard Group 116,000,000 8.0%
BlackRock, Inc. 110,000,000 7.5%
State Street Corporation 70,000,000 5.0%
Fidelity Investments 60,000,000 4.5%
Invesco Ltd. 45,000,000 3.0%

Executive Compensation

Key executives at Snap Inc. also hold significant shares. As of 2024, the compensation for executives includes stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), which further align their interests with shareholders.

Executive Title 2024 Compensation (USD) Shares Held (Class A)
Evan Spiegel CEO 1,000,000 16,000,000
Bobby Murphy CTO 900,000 16,000,000
Snap Inc. Executives (Average) Various 500,000 3,000,000

Recent Developments

In October 2023, Snap Inc. authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $500 million of its Class A common stock, reflecting a strategy to enhance shareholder value. Additionally, Snap has focused on restructuring its capital and investing in augmented reality technologies to drive future growth.

Conclusion

The ownership structure of Snap Inc. is characterized by a mix of institutional investors and significant insider ownership, primarily held by the company's co-founders. This structure impacts the governance and strategic direction of the company, as major stakeholders influence key decisions and initiatives.



Snap Inc. (SNAP) Mission Statement

Snap Inc. aims to empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The company's mission is centered around creating innovative technology that enhances communication through visual storytelling.

Financial Overview

As of the third quarter of 2024, Snap Inc. reported a revenue of $1,372.6 million, representing a 15% increase year-over-year from $1,188.6 million in the same quarter of 2023. The company's average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to $3.10 from $2.93 year-over-year.

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Revenue $1,372.6 million $1,188.6 million
ARPU $3.10 $2.93
Net Loss $(153.2 million) $(368.3 million)
Adjusted EBITDA $132.0 million $40.1 million
Cash and Cash Equivalents $3.2 billion
Daily Active Users (DAUs) 443 million 406 million

Revenue Sources

Snap Inc. primarily generates revenue through advertising products, which include Snap Ads and AR Ads. The company has identified three strategic priorities to enhance growth:

  • Growing the community and deepening engagement with products.
  • Accelerating and diversifying revenue growth.
  • Investing in the future of augmented reality.

Market Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. reported a net loss of $(153.2 million), a significant improvement compared to $(368.3 million) in the prior year. The diluted net loss per share was $(0.09) compared to $(0.23) in Q3 2023.

Operational Insights

Snap Inc. has been focusing on restructuring efforts, including a global headcount reduction of approximately 10% in 2024 to streamline operations. The company completed its restructuring plan in Q2 2024.

Restructuring Charges Amount (in thousands)
Severance and Related Charges $55.3 million
Stock-Based Compensation $9.4 million
Other Charges $5.4 million
Total Restructuring Charges $70.2 million

Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities amounting to $3.2 billion. The company’s liquidity position remains strong, supporting ongoing operational needs and strategic investments.

Geographical Revenue Breakdown

The following table illustrates Snap Inc.'s revenue by geographic region for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

Region Revenue (in thousands)
North America $826,179
Europe $241,342
Rest of World $305,053
Total Revenue $1,372,574


How Snap Inc. (SNAP) Works

Financial Performance

For the third quarter of 2024, Snap Inc. reported revenues of $1,372.6 million, up from $1,188.6 million in the same period of 2023, marking a 15% year-over-year increase. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue reached $3,804.1 million, compared to $3,244.8 million in 2023.

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9M 2024 9M 2023
Revenue $1,372.6 million $1,188.6 million $3,804.1 million $3,244.8 million
Operating Loss ($173.2 million) ($380.1 million) ($760.4 million) ($1,149.7 million)
Net Loss ($153.2 million) ($368.3 million) ($707.0 million) ($1,074.2 million)
Adjusted EBITDA $132.0 million $40.1 million $232.6 million $2.4 million
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities $3.2 billion N/A N/A N/A

Advertising Revenue

Snap Inc. generates the majority of its revenue from advertising, specifically through products like Snap Ads and AR Ads. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for Q3 2024 was $3.10, compared to $2.93 in the previous year, reflecting enhanced monetization strategies.

User Metrics

Snap Inc. reported 443 million Daily Active Users (DAUs) for Q3 2024, a 9% increase from the prior year. This growth is attributed to improved engagement and product offerings.

Operational Costs

The total costs and expenses for Q3 2024 were $1,545.8 million, down from $1,568.6 million in Q3 2023. Key components of these costs include:

Cost Type Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Cost of Revenue $638.9 million $555.8 million
Research and Development $412.8 million $494.6 million
Sales and Marketing $273.1 million $297.3 million
General and Administrative $221.0 million $221.1 million

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $182.8 million, compared to $81.9 million in 2023. Cash flows from investing activities were ($568.3 million) and from financing activities ($428.6 million).

Debt Obligations

As of September 30, 2024, Snap Inc. had outstanding convertible notes with the following details:

Convertible Note Principal Amount Maturity Date
2025 Notes $1.0 billion May 1, 2025
2026 Notes $1.265 billion August 1, 2026
2027 Notes $1.15 billion May 1, 2027

Market Position and Strategic Focus

Snap Inc. continues to focus on enhancing user engagement, diversifying revenue streams, and investing in augmented reality technologies. The company aims to adapt to evolving market conditions and competition in the digital advertising space.



How Snap Inc. (SNAP) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Snap Inc. generates revenue primarily through advertising, specifically via Snap Ads and augmented reality (AR) Ads. As of Q3 2024, Snap reported a revenue of $1,372.6 million for the quarter, representing a 15% year-over-year increase compared to $1,188.6 million in Q3 2023.

Advertising Revenue

The bulk of Snap's revenue comes from advertising, which accounted for nearly all its revenue streams. In Q3 2024, Snap Ads and AR Ads were the primary products contributing to this revenue. These ads are sold primarily on an auction basis, with performance measured through impressions delivered. The average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to $3.10 in Q3 2024, up from $2.93 in the previous year.

Geography Q3 2024 Revenue (in thousands) Q3 2023 Revenue (in thousands) Year-over-Year Change (%)
North America $826,179 $771,040 7.1%
Europe $241,342 $195,232 23.7%
Rest of World $305,053 $222,279 37.2%

Costs and Expenses

For the same period, Snap's total costs and expenses were reported at $1,545.8 million, slightly down from $1,568.6 million in Q3 2023. This decrease was primarily due to reduced operating expenses, including lower sales and marketing costs.

Adjusted EBITDA

Snap Inc. reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $132.0 million for Q3 2024, a substantial increase from $40.1 million in Q3 2023, reflecting improved operational efficiency and revenue growth.

Daily Active Users (DAUs)

As of September 30, 2024, Snap's Daily Active Users (DAUs) stood at 443 million, marking a 9% increase year-over-year. This growth in user engagement is crucial for the company's advertising revenue.

Financial Performance Overview

The following table summarizes Snap Inc.'s key financial metrics for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change
Revenue $1,372.6 million $1,188.6 million +15%
Net Loss ($153.2 million) ($368.3 million) +58%
Adjusted EBITDA $132.0 million $40.1 million +229%
Cash Flow from Operations $115.9 million $12.8 million +807%

Future Growth Strategies

Snap Inc. continues to focus on enhancing user engagement and diversifying its revenue sources. The company aims to invest in augmented reality and improve advertising features to attract more advertisers.

Market Challenges

Despite these improvements, Snap faces challenges such as increased competition for advertising dollars and macroeconomic conditions affecting advertising budgets. The company is actively working to mitigate these risks while driving user engagement.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

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