Facebook today reported earnings for its first fiscal quarter of 2020, including revenue of $17.74 billion, and net income of $4.9 billion, compared to revenue of $15.1 billion, and net income of $2.43 billion in Q1 2019. Year-over-year revenue is up 17%. Facebook earnings beat analyst estimates that predicted Facebook would earn $17.5 billion in revenue and report earnings per share of $1.74. Microsoft earnings beat analysts estimates today as well, while Alphabet, who like Facebook draws the majority of its revenue from advertising, announced earnings above analysts estimates on Tuesday.
In a call with analysts after the close of markets today, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said “For the first time ever, there are now more than 3 billion people actively using Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Messenger each month.” That’s up from 2.99 billion people March 31. Monthly use of the main Facebook app grew 10% up from 2.38 billion in Q1 2019 to 2.6 billion. Daily active users are also up 11%.
Zuckerberg said the efficacy of shelter-in-place orders will determine how long and how painful economic fallout is from COVID-19, and expressed concern that plans to lift shelter-in-place orders are happening too soon in some places.
“I worry that reopening certain places too quickly before infection rates have been reduced to very minimal levels will almost guarantee future outbreaks and worsen longer term health and economic outcomes,” he said.
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Facebook reported advertising revenue flat in the first weeks of April following a significant reduction in advertising and ad pricing which occurred at the end of March amid economic downtown caused by COVID-19.
“After the initial steep decrease in advertising revenue in March, we have seen signs of stability reflected in the first three weeks of April, where advertising revenue has been approximately flat compared to the same period a year ago, down from the 17% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of 2020,” the company said a statement reporting earning results. “The April trends reflect weakness across all of our user geographies as most of our major countries have had some sort of shelter-in-place guidelines in effect.”
In other activity brought on at Facebook by COVID-19, the social media company said it plans to inform users when they’re exposed to COVID-19 misinformation. Facing competition from competitors like Houseparty and Zoom whose usage rates have soared amid shelter in place orders, WhatsApp spokespeople recently shared plans to extent video call participation capacity from 4 to 8, and Facebook launched Messenger Rooms for video calls with up to 50 users.
Facebook grew headcount by 28% to 48,268 employees worldwide in Q1 2020. Due to COVID-19, Facebook expects to slow its headcount growth and construction activity in the year ahead. Due to economic uncertainty, Facebook told analysts executives will provided no specific revenue guidance on Q2 2020.
“We expect our business performance will be impacted by issues beyond our control, including the duration and efficacy of shelter in places orders, the effectiveness of economic stimuli around the world, and the fluctuation of currencies relative to the U.S. dollar,” Facebook CFO David Wehner said during the call.
A $5 billion FTC settlement and $5.7 billion investment in Jio made public last week are listed among major expenses in Q1 2020.
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