LinkedIn's better than expected Q2 sends stock up 10%

LinkedIn saw revenue of $534 million for the quarter, and EPS of 39 cents

Shares of LinkedIn are up 10% in after-hours trading Thursday, after the company posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. The stock had dropped 3.55%, or $6.05, to $180.64, in regular trading.

In the earnings report, LinkedIn posted non-GAAP earnings per share of 51 cents on revenue of $534 million, up 47% from $364 million in the year-ago period. Analysts had been expecting EPS of 39 cents a share on revenue of $511 million. 

Net loss for the quarter was $1 million, compared to net income of $3.7 million for the second quarter of 2013. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter was $63 million, compared to $44 million a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $145 million, or 27% of revenue, compared to $89 million for the second quarter of 2012, when it was 24% of revenue.

These numbers also beat LinkedIn's own estimates which had been to see revenue in the range of $500 million and $505million for the second quarter, while adjusted EBITDA was expected to range  $118 million and $120 million.

"LinkedIn delivered strong financial results in the second quarter while maintaining investment in our member and customer offerings," Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, said in a statement. "We made significant progress against several key strategic priorities including increasing the scale of job opportunities on LinkedIn; expanding our professional publishing platform; and continuing the strategic shift towards content marketing through Sponsored Updates."

Talent Solutions took in $322 million, up 49% year to year. This sector represented 60% of the company's quarterly revenue.

Revenue from Marketing Solutions was $106 million during the quarter, an increase of 44% year to year. It accounted for 20% of total revenue. Premium Subscriptions brought in $105 million, an increase of  44% and 20% of total revenue.

A total of $318 million, or 60% of LinkedIn’s revenue, came from the U.S., while $216  million, or 40%, came from international markets

The company is expecting Q3 2014 to see revenue between $543 and $547 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected to range between $134 million and $136 million. 

For the full year 2014, revenue is expected to range between $2.14 billion and $2.15 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $545 million and $550 million.

(Image source: clusterballoon.org)