Eric Yuan, chief executive of Zoom, predicts a further increase in the company’s revenue this year. AFP
Eric Yuan, chief executive of Zoom, predicts a further increase in the company’s revenue this year. AFP
Eric Yuan, chief executive of Zoom, predicts a further increase in the company’s revenue this year. AFP
Eric Yuan, chief executive of Zoom, predicts a further increase in the company’s revenue this year. AFP

Zoom’s first quarter profit soars as revenue surges on strong digital uptake


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Zoom Video Communications’ net profit surged more than 741 per cent in the first quarter, compared with a year ago, as companies increasingly adopted hybrid work models and demand for video conferencing increase, boosting the company’s revenue.

Net profit to shareholders surged to $227 million, from $27m in the same period a year ago, the Nasdaq-listed company, said in a regulatory filing.

Revenue during the February-April period increased 191 per cent on an annualised basis to $956.2m, beating analysts’ estimates of $906m, according to Refinitiv.

“We kicked off the fiscal year with a very strong first quarter … with strong profitability and cash flow,” said Zoom founder and chief executive Eric Yuan.

“Our steadfast commitment to empowering customers to work and learn from anywhere with our expansive, innovative and frictionless video communications platform continued to drive our results,” he added.

Zoom’s shares closed nearly 1.2 per cent lower at $327.7 on Tuesday. They rose 2 per cent in after-hours trading to $334.4 a share.

The company’s stock has gained more than 57 per cent over the past 12 months.

Zoom raised its revenue outlook for the second quarter ending in July this year and the 2021-2022 financial year.

Second-quarter revenue was forecast in the range of $985m and $990m while full-year revenue is expected to be between $3.97 billion and $3.99bn – about 50 per cent more than its financial earnings in the last financial year.

"We are pleased to raise our total guidance range for the full fiscal year … we are energised to help lead the evolution to hybrid work that allows greater flexibility, productivity, and happiness to both in-person and virtual connections," said Mr Yuan.

“We have also opened our technology portfolio to developers … work is no longer a place, it’s a space where Zoom serves to empower your teams to connect and bring their best ideas to life,” he added.

Zoom first quarter revenue growth was underpinned by new customers and expanding across existing customers.

By the end of the first quarter, the company had nearly 497,000 paid customers with more than 10 employees, up by almost 87 per cent from the same period last fiscal year.

The video communications platform has been adopted by businesses, schools, universities and individuals due to Covid-19 related movement restrictions and lockdowns. Reuters
The video communications platform has been adopted by businesses, schools, universities and individuals due to Covid-19 related movement restrictions and lockdowns. Reuters

The company invested 65.2m in research and development in three months to April 30, nearly 6.8 per cent of the total revenue earned during the quarter. It is reportedly developing an email facility that will compete with Google's Gmail and Microsoft's Outlook.

The company’s operating cash flow was $533.3m for the first quarter, nearly 274.3m more than the same period last year.

Total cash and marketable securities stood at $4.7bn on April 30.

Industry experts have said Zoom's sizeable cash reserves will help it acquire new start-ups and competitors in the space of video conferencing.

Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
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More from Armen Sarkissian
Record breaker
  • The most total field goals made in NBA history, as well as the most consecutive games scoring 10 or more points
  • The only player in NBA history to reach 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists
  • Four-time regular season MVP and four-time NBA Finals MVP
  • Six-time NBA All-Defensive selection. Rookie of the Year in 2004
  • The most All-NBA selections with 21 in a row, including a record 13 first team selections
  • The most consecutive All-Star selections with 21
  • The only player to play alongside his son; Bronny James was chosen by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft
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FIGHT NIGHT

Four title fights:

Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event  
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title

Six undercard bouts:

Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Company Profile

Company name: Yeepeey

Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC