Alibaba (BABA) Third-Quarter FY2016 Results: Beats on EPS and Revenue Thanks to Increase in Users and Surge in Mobile Revenue

Executive Summary

• Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba reported that fiscal-third-quarter net sales were up 32% year over year, to ¥5 billion (US$5.33 billion), beating consensus estimates of ¥33.2 billion (US$5.13 billion).
• The company reported core EPS (excluding onetime items) of $0.99 for the quarter, up 27% year over year, beating the consensus of $0.89.
• Gross merchandise volume (GMV) was up 23% year over year, to $149 billion, versus consensus of $155.2 billion. The number of active buyers in the period increased by 22% year over year, to 407 million, versus consensus of 386 million.
• Mobile monthly active users (MAUs) increased by 48%, to 393 million in December, which accounted for an increase of 192% in the company’s mobile revenue.