Coupang Announces First Quarter Gross Profit Increase of 42% YoY and Record Revenue of $5.1B

Rhea-AI Summary

Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) reported its first quarter financial results with total net revenues reaching $5.1 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase. Constant currency growth was 32%, driven by a notable 42% increase in gross profit to $1.04 billion. The company achieved its highest gross profit margin at 20.4%. Product Commerce segment profitability improved, with adjusted EBITDA turning positive at $2.9 million. The net loss decreased by $196 million QoQ, reaching $209 million. Active customers grew to 18.1 million, reflecting a 13% increase.

Positive

• Total net revenues rose 22% YoY to $5.1 billion.
• Gross profit increased 42% YoY to $1.04 billion.
• Achieved highest gross profit margin in history at 20.4%.
• Product Commerce segment reached positive adjusted EBITDA of $2.9 million.
• Net loss improved by $196 million QoQ to $209 million.

Negative

• Developing Offerings segment recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of $93.7 million.
• Overall adjusted EBITDA loss remains high at $90.9 million.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

“Powered by our unmatched customer experience and services, we continued to grow at multiples of the overall e-commerce segment with 32% year over year constant currency revenue growth,” said Gaurav Anand, CFO of Coupang. “We also recorded the highest gross profit and gross profit margin in the Company’s history, which in turn helped our Product Commerce segment to achieve profitability in Q1. We expect our focus on customer-driven innovations as well as operational excellence to continue to bear fruit in the quarters and years ahead.”

Key Financial and Operational Highlights

• Total net revenues was $5.1 billion, up 22% year over year (YoY), and up 32% YoY and 3% quarter over quarter (QoQ) on a constant currency basis.
• Total gross profit was $1.04 billion, an increase of 42% YoY, and gross profit margin improved over 450 basis points QoQ.
• Net loss improved $196 million QoQ to $209 million, while adjusted EBITDA loss improved $194 million QoQ to $91 million.
• Product Commerce net revenues was $4.9 billion, up 20% YoY and 30% on a constant currency basis, over three times the growth rate of the Korean product e-commerce segment.
• Product Commerce segment achieved a major milestone of positive adjusted EBITDA in Q1, which represents a $128 million QoQ improvement.
• Developing Offerings adjusted EBITDA recorded a significant improvement of $66 million QoQ.

First Quarter 2022 Results

• Consolidated Financial Summary

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except net revenues per Active Customer)	2022				2021				% Change
Total net revenues	$	5,116,686			$	4,206,860			22%
Total net revenues growth, constant currency(1)									32%
Active Customers		18,112				16,037			13%
Total net revenues per Active Customer	$	283			$	262			8%
Gross profit(2)		1,043,406				732,506			42%
Net loss		(209,294	)			(295,033	)		(29) %
Adjusted EBITDA(1)		(90,872	)			(132,966	)		(32) %

• Segment Information

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2022				2021				% Change
Product Commerce
Net revenues	$	4,936,053			$	4,097,651			20%
Net revenues growth, constant currency(1)									30%
Segment adjusted EBITDA	$	2,877			$	(69,289	)		NM(3)
Developing Offerings
Net revenues	$	180,633			$	109,209			65%
Net revenues growth, constant currency(1)									79%
Segment adjusted EBITDA	$	(93,749	)		$	(63,677	)		47%

(in thousands)				Q1 2021				Q2 2021				Q3 2021				Q4 2021				Full Year 2021				Q1 2022
Consolidated		Total net revenues		$	4,206,860			$	4,478,114			$	4,644,705			$	5,076,693			$	18,406,372			$	5,116,686
		Gross profit			732,506				658,494				754,527				805,601				2,951,128				1,043,406
		Gross profit margin			17.4	%			14.7	%			16.2	%			15.9	%			16.0	%			20.4	%
		Adj. EBITDA(1)			(132,966	)			(122,147	)			(207,434	)			(285,089	)			(747,636	)			(90,872	)
Product Commerce		Net revenues			4,097,651				4,332,725				4,481,525				4,925,816				17,837,717				4,936,053
		Gross profit			748,867				678,183				780,221				901,218				3,108,489				1,065,420
		Gross profit margin			18.3	%			15.7	%			17.4	%			18.3	%			17.4	%			21.6	%
		Adj. EBITDA			(69,289	)			(47,873	)			(118,235	)			(125,501	)			(360,898	)			2,877
Developing Offerings		Net revenues			109,209				145,389				163,180				150,877				568,655				180,633
		Adj. EBITDA			(63,677	)			(74,274	)			(89,199	)			(159,588	)			(386,738	)			(93,749	)

(1)		Total net revenues growth, constant currency, adjusted EBITDA, segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures” sections herein for more information regarding our use of these measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
(2)		Gross profit is calculated as total net revenues minus cost of sales.
(3)		Non-meaningful

Webcast and Conference Call

Coupang, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss first quarter results on May 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (May 12, 2022 at 6:30 AM Korea Standard Time). A live webcast of the conference call will be available on our Investor Relations website, ir.aboutcoupang.com, and a replay of the conference call will be available for at least three months. This press release, including the reconciliations of certain non-GAAP measures to their nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measures, is also available on that site.

About Coupang

Coupang is one of the largest e-Commerce companies in Asia, with a mission to revolutionize the everyday lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” Coupang offers a variety of services, including same-day and next-morning delivery of groceries and general merchandise, delivery of prepared foods through Coupang Eats, and video streaming through Coupang Play. Coupang has offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Seattle, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Taipei, and Tokyo.

COUPANG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except shares) (unaudited)
	March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,369,353			$	3,487,708
Restricted cash		307,100				319,800
Accounts receivable, net		170,603				175,350
Inventories		1,378,399				1,421,501
Other current assets		256,945				232,447
Total current assets		5,482,400				5,636,806
Long-term restricted cash		1,105				2,839
Property and equipment, net		1,425,839				1,347,531
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,465,868				1,374,629
Goodwill		9,536				9,739
Long-term lease deposits and other		308,462				270,290
Total assets	$	8,693,210			$	8,641,834
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,330,095			$	3,442,720
Accrued expenses		249,619				304,293
Deferred revenue		100,554				93,972
Short-term borrowings		7,686				7,811
Current portion of long-term debt		193,269				341,717
Current portion of long-term operating lease obligations		299,571				287,066
Other current liabilities		313,910				266,709
Total current liabilities		4,494,704				4,744,288
Long-term debt		611,053				283,190
Long-term operating lease obligations		1,296,787				1,201,277
Defined severance benefits and other		253,405				237,122
Total liabilities		6,655,949				6,465,877
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000,000 shares authorized, 1,586,254,594 and 1,579,399,667 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively; Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 174,802,990 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		176				175
Additional paid-in capital		7,937,813				7,874,038
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(40,917	)			(47,739	)
Accumulated deficit		(5,859,811	)			(5,650,517	)
Total stockholders' equity		2,037,261				2,175,957
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	8,693,210			$	8,641,834

COUPANG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022				2021
Net retail sales	$	4,556,107			$	3,807,043
Net other revenue		560,579				399,817
Total net revenues		5,116,686				4,206,860
Cost of sales..		4,073,280				3,474,354
Operating, general and administrative		1,249,111				999,822
Total operating cost and expenses		5,322,391				4,474,176
Operating loss		(205,705	)			(267,316	)
Interest income		3,534				940
Interest expense		(7,368	)			(24,823	)
Other income (expense), net		490				(3,826	)
Loss before income taxes		(209,049	)			(295,025	)
Income tax expense		245				8
Net loss		(209,294	)			(295,033	)
Net loss attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.12	)		$	(0.68	)
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders, basic and diluted		1,756,739				434,917

COUPANG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022				2021
Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(209,294	)		$	(295,033	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		59,240				47,384
Provision for severance benefits		44,482				32,272
Equity-based compensation		55,593				86,966
Paid-in-kind interest and accretion of discount on convertible notes		—				20,148
Non-cash operating lease expense		77,223				57,318
Non-cash others		16,514				15,153
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		266				(14,076	)
Inventories		6,863				(209,443	)
Other assets		(66,512	)			(72,439	)
Accounts payable		28,044				166,536
Accrued expenses		(49,981	)			22,737
Deferred revenue		8,472				1,603
Other liabilities		(25,849	)			(42,475	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(54,939	)			(183,349	)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(238,906	)			(146,831	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		4,245				30
Other investing activities		(14,367	)			(3,681	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(249,028	)			(150,482	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock upon initial public offering, net of underwriting discounts		—				3,431,277
Deferred offering costs paid		—				(11,618	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock/units, equity-based compensation plan		8,183				43,735
Proceeds from short-term borrowings and long-term debt		343,975				56,464
Repayment of short-term borrowings and long-term debt		(152,029	)			(13,687	)
Other financing activities		(1,547	)			(487	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		198,582				3,505,684
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(27,404	)			(39,457	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(132,789	)			3,132,396
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of beginning of period		3,810,347				1,401,302
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, as of end of period	$	3,677,558			$	4,533,698

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This information contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical, including statements regarding our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “toward,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that conveys uncertainty of future events or outcomes.

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this report on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The results, events, and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this report relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect new information, actual results, revised expectations, or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments.

Investors and others should note that we may announce material business and financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.aboutcoupang.com), our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), webcasts, press releases, and conference calls. We use these mediums, including our website, to communicate with investors and the general public about our company, our products, and other issues. It is possible that the information that we make available on our website may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors and others interested in our company to review the information that we make available on our website.

The information that can be accessed through hyperlinks or website addresses included herein is deemed not to be incorporated in or part of this press release.

Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We review the key business and financial metrics discussed below. We use these measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions.

Key Business Metrics

Active Customers

As of the last date of each reported period, we determine our number of Active Customers by counting the total number of individual customers who have ordered at least once directly from our apps or websites during the relevant period. A customer is anyone who has created an account on our apps or websites, identified by a unique email address. The change in Active Customers in a reported period captures both the inflow of new customers as well as the outflow of existing customers who have not made a purchase in the period. We view the number of Active Customers as a key indicator of our potential for growth in total net revenues, the reach of our network, the awareness of our brand, and the engagement of our customers.

Total Net Revenues per Active Customer

Total net revenues per Active Customer is the total net revenues generated in a period divided by the total number of Active Customers in that period. A key driver of growth is increasing the frequency and the level of spend of Active Customers who are shopping on our apps or websites. We therefore view total net revenues per Active Customer as a key indicator of engagement and retention of our customers and our success in increasing the share of wallet.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures.

Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth

The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons. Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) and changes in foreign exchange rates can significantly affect our reported results and consolidated trends. For example, our business generates sales predominantly in Korean Won (“KRW”), which are favorably affected as the USD weakens relative to the KRW, and unfavorably affected as the USD strengthens relative to the KRW. We use constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate comparisons between periods. We believe the presentation of our results on a constant currency basis in addition to U.S. GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our actual results of operations.

Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant. We define constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a comparative basis. Constant currency revenue is calculated by translating current period revenues using the prior period exchange rate. Constant currency revenue growth (as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenue over prior period revenue, where current period foreign currency revenue is translated using prior period exchange rates.

These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) for a period before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), other income (expense), net, equity-based compensation, impairments, and other items that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total net revenues. We use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as key measures to evaluate and assess our performance and allocate internal resources. We believe adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the e-commerce industry for period-to-period comparisons as they remove the impact of certain items that are not representative of our core business, such as material non-cash items and certain variable charges. However, other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin in a manner different from ours and therefore they may not be directly comparable to similar terms used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities or as measures of liquidity or alternatives to net income/(loss) as indicators of operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should consider them in addition to, and not in isolation or as substitutes, for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

Segment Gross Profit and Segment Gross Profit Margin

During the first quarter of 2022, with our change in reporting segments, we began providing segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin. Segment gross profit is defined as gross profit for a period attributable to each respective reportable segment. Segment gross profit margin is defined as segment gross profit as a percentage of segment net revenues. We believe segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in evaluating companies in the e-commerce industry for period-to-period comparisons. However, other companies may calculate segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin in a manner different from ours and therefore they may not be directly comparable to similar terms used by other companies. Segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities or as measures of liquidity or alternatives to consolidated gross profit as indicators of operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Segment gross profit and segment gross profit margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should consider them in addition to, and not in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures

The following tables present the reconciliations from each U.S. GAAP measure to its corresponding non-GAAP measure for the periods noted:

Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth (YoY)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2022				2021
Consolidated
Total net revenues	$	5,116,686			$	4,206,860
Total net revenues growth		22	%			74	%
Adjustment:
Exchange rate effect		417,492				(280,375	)
Total net revenues, constant currency	$	5,534,178			$	3,926,485
Total net revenues growth, constant currency		32	%			63	%
Product Commerce
Net revenues	$	4,936,053			$	4,097,651
Net revenues growth		20	%			70	%
Adjustment:
Exchange rate effect		402,753				(273,097	)
Net revenues, constant currency	$	5,338,806			$	3,824,554
Net revenues growth, constant currency		30	%			59	%

Constant Currency Revenue and Constant Currency Revenue Growth (QoQ)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2022				2021
Consolidated
Total net revenues	$	5,116,686			$	4,206,860
Total net revenues growth		1	%			11	%
Adjustment:
Exchange rate effect		109,826				(79,981	)
Total net revenues, constant currency	$	5,226,512			$	4,126,879
Total net revenues growth, constant currency		3	%			9	%

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

(in thousands)	Q1 2021				Q2 2021				Q3 2021				Q4 2021				Full Year 2021				Q1 2022
Total net revenues	$	4,206,860			$	4,478,114			$	4,644,705			$	5,076,693			$	18,406,372			$	5,116,686
Net loss		(295,033	)			(518,601	)			(323,977	)			(404,979	)			(1,542,590	)			(209,294	)
Net loss margin		(7.0	) %			(11.6	) %			(7.0	) %			(8.0	) %			(8.4	) %			(4.1	) %
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization(1)		47,384				46,942				51,540				55,614				201,480				59,240
Interest expense		24,823				5,848				7,376				7,311				45,358				7,368
Interest income		(940	)			(1,907	)			(2,603	)			(3,195	)			(8,645	)			(3,534	)
Income tax expense		8				97				66				831				1,002				245
Other (income) expense, net		3,826				(373	)			4,026				3,434				10,913				(490	)
Equity-based compensation(2)		86,966				50,346				56,138				55,895				249,345				55,593
FC Fire losses		—				295,501				—				—				295,501				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(132,966	)		$	(122,147	)		$	(207,434	)		$	(285,089	)		$	(747,636	)		$	(90,872	)
Adjusted EBITDA margin		(3.2	) %			(2.7	) %			(4.5	) %			(5.6	) %			(4.1	) %			(1.8	) %

_____________
(1)		Depreciation and amortization includes amounts in cost of sales of $12 million and $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and amounts in operating, general and administrative of $47 million and $36 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.
(2)		Equity-based compensation includes amounts in cost of sales of $4 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and amounts in operating, general and administrative of $52 million and $85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Segment Gross Profit and Segment Gross Profit Margin

(in thousands)	Q1 2021				Q2 2021				Q3 2021				Q4 2021				Full Year 2021				Q1 2022
Gross profit	$	732,506			$	658,494			$	754,527			$	805,601			$	2,951,128			$	1,043,406
Segment gross profit and gross profit margin:
Product Commerce		748,867				678,183				780,221				901,218				3,108,489				1,065,420
Gross profit margin		18.3	%			15.7	%			17.4	%			18.3	%			17.4	%			21.6	%
Developing Offerings		(16,361	)			(19,689	)			(25,694	)			(95,617	)			(157,361	)			(22,014	)
Gross profit margin		(15.0	) %			(13.5	) %			(15.7	) %			(63.4	) %			(27.7	) %			(12.2	) %

 

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Investor Contact:

Coupang IR

ir@coupang.com

Media Contact:

Coupang PR

press@coupang.com

Source: Coupang

FAQ

What were Coupang's revenue figures for Q1 2022?

Coupang reported total net revenues of $5.1 billion for Q1 2022.

How did Coupang's gross profit change in Q1 2022?

Gross profit increased by 42% YoY to $1.04 billion.

What was the net loss for Coupang in Q1 2022?

Coupang's net loss for Q1 2022 was $209 million.

How many active customers did Coupang have in Q1 2022?

Coupang had 18.1 million active customers in Q1 2022.

What is Coupang's adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2022?

Coupang reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $90.9 million for Q1 2022.