Freelancer.com (ASX:FLN) softens 2020 loss despite coronavirus hurdles

• Freelancer.com (FLN) remained regular over the 2020 calendar yr regardless of the coronavirus wreaking havoc throughout some key markets
• The freelancing market made a file $891.8 million in gross fee quantity (GPV) over 2020, although income was flat on the yr earlier than
• Nevertheless, Freelancer softened its annual loss in comparison with the yr earlier than, dropping simply $646,000 over 2020 in comparison with $1.6 million in 2019
• The corporate mentioned it was truly worthwhile over the second quarter of the yr, with a full-year internet optimistic working cashflow of virtually $8 million
• Freelancer’s Escrow.com phase helped drive some main progress over the yr, significantly in mild of a July deal struck with eBay Motors
• Trying forward, Freelancer says so far as its freelancing enterprise is anxious, it has “by no means been in a greater place with reference to product”
• Freelancer shares tacked on nearly 3 per cent right now to shut at 54 cents per share

Freelancer.com (FLN) remained regular over the 2020 calendar yr regardless of the coronavirus wreaking havoc throughout some key markets.

The freelancing and crowdsourcing market made a file $891.8 million in gross fee quantity (GPV) over 2020, which is 13 per cent increased in comparison with the yr earlier than.

Whereas full-year income was largely flat on the yr earlier than, at just below $59 million, Freelancer managed to enhance its internet loss by nearly 60 per cent.

The corporate misplaced $646,000 over 2020 in comparison with the $1.6 million loss in 2019, which is an encouraging consequence contemplating the hurdles confronted over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Importantly, Freelancer mentioned it was worthwhile over the second quarter of the yr and, regardless of the loss, the corporate continues to be trending in direction of total profitability.

Freelancer had a internet optimistic working money stream of virtually $8 million over 2020.

The corporate mentioned over the primary quarter of 2020, Chinese language freelancers had troubles with work continuity because of the coronavirus, so income throughout this quarter was impacted.

Nevertheless, all through the rest of the yr, this phase’s income was up by 10 per cent on the prior corresponding interval.

Freelancer added 8.9 million new registered customers over 2020, ending the yr with 50.8 million whole customers throughout its enterprise posting 19.1 million jobs over the yr.

Escrow.com serving to drive progress

Freelancer’s Escrow.com phase hit file GPV of just below $700 million over 2020, which is 15.4 per cent increased than the yr earlier than.

In line with Freelance, the final 4 months of commerce have been significantly robust for Escrow, with fourth-quarter income up 33.4 per cent at $2.4 million in comparison with the identical quarter in 2019.

Escrow was chosen by on-line automotive promoting big eBay Motors to assist shield automobile purchases made by eBay’s automotive promoting arm in July 2020.

As a part of the eBay-Escrow partnership, customers are ready to make use of Escrow’s companies straight from the eBay Motors web site and cell app to each purchase and promote automobiles with peace-of-mind.

Basically, Escrow reduces the danger of scams and fraud when procuring on-line by appearing as a middle-man between the customer and the vendor; Escrow collects the cash paid for a product and holds it till all circumstances laid out by the 2 events are confirmed, and Escrow then transfers the funds to the vendor.

What’s subsequent?

Trying forward, Freelancer mentioned so far as its freelancing enterprise is anxious, it has “by no means been in a greater place with reference to product”.

The corporate mentioned it’s ending up a front-end overhaul work, with most of its product migrated, and cell internet charges now operating from the identical code base. For 2021, the corporate mentioned it is going to be initially focussing on person expertise, design, utility programming interface, and collaboration.

For the Escrow enterprise, Freelancer mentioned it’s seeing an elevated demand for luxurious and collectible objects in 2021, and that is anticipated to proceed all year long.

Escrow is busy actively integrating with three different marketplaces on high of eBay to develop its fee safety enterprise.

All up, FLN had $34.4 million of money and money equivalents on the finish of December 2020.

Freelancer shares tacked on 2.83 per cent right now to shut at 54 cents per share.