Green Dot Corp . (NYSE:GDOT) faced a significant market setback today as its shares tumbled by over 36% following the company's announcement of a reduced earnings and EBITDA outlook for 2023. The fintech firm revised its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) guidance to a range of $1.62 to $1.69, falling short of both its previous forecast of $1.80 to $1.90 and the Wall Street consensus estimate of $1.85.
The third quarter proved challenging for Green Dot, with the company reporting an adjusted EPS of just $0.14, sharply down from the second quarter's $0.37 and below prior year expectations. This decline in profitability is attributed to various factors including conversion-related activities, ongoing customer disputes that have persisted since August last year, and increased investments in regulatory and compliance infrastructure, as explained by CFO Jess Unruh.
Despite these setbacks, Green Dot's adjusted total operating revenue for the third quarter reached $348.6 million, and the company still anticipates a slight year-over-year increase in annual revenue, projecting it between $1.465 billion and $1.480 billion. This updated range represents a modest 3% growth at the midpoint compared to the initial estimate of $1.376 billion to $1.462 billion.
The fiscal turbulence has been further complicated by customer disputes leading to a class-action lawsuit and an ongoing U.S Senate investigation into Green Dot's practices. Amidst this turmoil, Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus price target on GDOT stock at $16.50 per share, suggesting a potential upside of approximately 120%.
Unruh acknowledged the disappointing quarter but emphasized the company's commitment to improving operational efficiencies and driving growth. As Green Dot navigates through these operational challenges, investors and analysts will be closely monitoring the company's progress in addressing the issues that have led to this downturn in performance.
InvestingPro Insights
Drawing on real-time data from InvestingPro, we can gain further insights into Green Dot Corp's current financial situation. The company's market cap stands at 392.6M USD, with a P/E ratio of 10.95, indicating a relatively low valuation compared to earnings. The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2023 was 1466.41M USD, reflecting a growth of 2.29%.
InvestingPro Tips shed light on some key aspects of Green Dot's performance. Despite the company's stocks trading near their 52-week low, the management has been aggressively buying back shares, which can often be a sign of confidence in the company's future. Moreover, the company's revenue growth has been accelerating. However, it's worth noting that Green Dot does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which can be a crucial factor for income-focused investors.
InvestingPro offers an array of additional tips and metrics for those seeking a deeper understanding of the financial landscape. With over 10 additional tips available for Green Dot alone, investors can delve into the nuances of the company's performance and make informed decisions. Remember, the more informed you are, the better your investment choices will be.
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