Shares of PDD Holdings (PDD) plunged 29% in early trading on Monday following the release of its second-quarter earnings report, which, despite showing significant year-over-year revenue growth, fell short of market expectations. The company reported a revenue increase of 86%, reaching approximately $13.36 billion (97.06 billion yuan) for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. However, this figure missed analysts’ consensus estimates by about $610 million, leading to a sharp decline in stock value.
PDD’s revenue from online marketing services rose by 29% year-over-year, while transaction service revenue skyrocketed by 234%. Despite these impressive growth rates, the company’s total operating expenses surged by 48%, primarily due to increased sales and marketing costs. This rise in expenses has raised concerns among investors about the company’s profitability moving forward.
PDD’s co-CEO, Lei Chen, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the challenges the company faces in the current economic climate. He noted that while the company has made significant progress in recent quarters, the evolving external environment could lead to fluctuations in revenue growth.
The stock’s decline reflects broader concerns about the competitive landscape in the Chinese e-commerce sector, where PDD operates alongside major players like Alibaba and emerging competitors. As the company navigates these challenges, investors are left to ponder the implications for future performance and profitability.
As of the latest trading session, PDD’s shares were down significantly, highlighting the market’s reaction to the earnings report and the cautious outlook provided by the company’s leadership.