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

• Freelancer.com (FLN) remained regular over the 2020 calendar 12 months 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 12 months earlier than
• Nonetheless, Freelancer softened its annual loss in comparison with the 12 months earlier than, dropping simply $646,000 over 2020 in comparison with $1.6 million in 2019
• The corporate mentioned it was really worthwhile over the second quarter of the 12 months, with a full-year web constructive working cashflow of just about $8 million
• Freelancer’s Escrow.com phase helped drive some main development over the 12 months, significantly in gentle 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 on the subject of product”
• Freelancer shares tacked on virtually 3 per cent as we speak to shut at 54 cents per share

Freelancer.com (FLN) remained regular over the 2020 calendar 12 months 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 larger in comparison with the 12 months earlier than.

Whereas full-year income was largely flat on the 12 months earlier than, at slightly below $59 million, Freelancer managed to enhance its web loss by virtually 60 per cent.

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

Importantly, Freelancer mentioned it was worthwhile over the second quarter of the 12 months and, regardless of the loss, the corporate remains to be trending in the direction of total profitability.

Freelancer had a web constructive working money movement of just about $8 million over 2020.

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

Nonetheless, all through the rest of the 12 months, 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 12 months with 50.8 million complete customers throughout its enterprise posting 19.1 million jobs over the 12 months.

Escrow.com serving to drive development

Freelancer’s Escrow.com phase hit file GPV of slightly below $700 million over 2020, which is 15.4 per cent larger than the 12 months earlier than.

In keeping with Freelance, the final 4 months of commerce have been significantly sturdy 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 large eBay Motors to assist defend car purchases made by eBay’s automotive promoting arm in July 2020.

As a part of the eBay-Escrow partnership, shoppers are in a position to make use of Escrow’s companies immediately from the eBay Motors web site and cell app to each purchase and promote vehicles with peace-of-mind.

Primarily, Escrow reduces the chance of scams and fraud when procuring on-line by performing as a middle-man between the client and the vendor; Escrow collects the cash paid for a product and holds it till all situations 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 on the subject of product”.

The corporate mentioned it’s ending up a front-end overhaul work, with most of its product migrated, and cell net charges now working 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 as we speak to shut at 54 cents per share.