Ebay Focusing On Payments

According to an eMarketer report published earlier this year, online retailer Amazon is expected to account for 49% of the US e-commerce market by the end of the year. Rival eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY ) comes in a distant second with a modest 6.6% market share. The report estimates total US e-commerce sales to be nearly $253 billion by the end of the current year.

eBay’s Financials

eBay recently announced its third quarter results. Revenues for the quarter grew 10% over the year to $2.65 billion, in line with the market’s estimates. EPS of $0.56 was better than the market’s forecast of $0.54 for the quarter.

During the quarter, revenue from Marketplace platforms grew 6% over the year to $2.1 billion on a GMV of $21.5 billion. StubHub revenues grew 7% to $291 million on a GMV of $1.2 billion. Classifieds platforms delivered revenues of $254 million, growing 8% over the year.

Among operating metrics, eBay active buyers grew 4% across its platforms to 177 million. The Street was looking for 176 million global active buyers across the service.

For the fourth quarter, eBay forecast revenues of $2.85-$2.89 billion with an EPS of $0.67-$0.69. The market was looking for Q4 revenues of $2.89 billion with an EPS of $0.67. It expects to end the current year with revenues of $10.72-$10.76 billion and non-GAAP earnings of $2.29-$2.31. The Street was looking for an EPS of $2.28 for the year.

eBay’s Growth Focus

During the quarter, eBay rolled out several new or expanded programs to help gain more customers. For its seller community, eBay entered into an agreement with Square Capital, which will allow eBay’s sellers access to $100,000 in funding to grow their business. Square Capital already had a small business loan program that it had started back in 2014. Through its agreement with eBay, sellers will be able to get loans ranging from $500-$100,000 in an easier and a faster manner. Not every eBay seller will be eligible for financing, but those that are will receive an email invitation to apply for a loan later this year. The cash can be used for anything to do with growing a business, including building inventory and marketing.