Ebay Inc. Stock Price, News & Analysis

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) announced on June 20, 2022, the upcoming closure of its Turkish marketplace GittiGidiyor, which it acquired in 2011. The decision was influenced by competitive market dynamics. Sellers can no longer list items starting June 20, and buyers will stop making purchases by July 18, 2022. Access to accounts remains until September 5, 2022. Despite the closure, eBay expects no material impact on Q2 or full year results, as GittiGidiyor accounted for approximately 4 million active buyers as of Q1 2022.

eBay has launched eBay Live, a new interactive shopping platform that combines live entertainment with instant purchasing. The inaugural event on June 22, 2022, features trading card expert DJ Skee and the top eBay seller Bleecker Trading, showcasing rare trading cards like the 1995 Topps Michael Jordan. Accessible via the eBay app, the platform allows users to engage in real-time buying and chatting. This initiative aims to enhance the shopping experience for collectors while solidifying eBay's position as a leader in the collectibles market.

eBay has launched the eBay vault, a 31,000 square foot, 24/7 secured facility for collectors of graded trading cards valued at $750 or more. This digital marketplace allows for streamlined asset management and instant transaction capabilities without the need for shipping or re-authentication. By 2023, the vault will expand to include more collectibles and is projected to hold up to $3 billion in assets. The service promises benefits such as authentication, insurance, and fractional ownership for collectors.

eBay has announced the launch of its first NFT collection in collaboration with OneOf, an eco-friendly NFT platform. This exclusive series features 3D and animated collectibles of renowned athletes, starting with Wayne Gretzky, priced from $10. The collection comprises 13 limited-edition NFTs, available in tiered editions ranging from 299 to just 15. eBay aims to enhance accessibility of NFTs for new collectors and capitalize on the growing market for collectibles, combining its vast inventory with innovative blockchain technology. Additional NFT drops are expected throughout 2022.

eBay is launching its first sneaker pop-up store, Wear 'Em Out Store, in Los Angeles from May 27-29, rewarding shoppers with discounts of up to 70% for wearing their purchases out of the store. The store showcases exclusive styles, including the Jordan 1 Retro High and Yeezy Boost 700. This initiative aims to encourage sneakerheads to wear their kicks instead of hoarding them, based on a survey indicating most sneaker collectors wear less than half of their collection. The store's curated selection involves input from celebrity sneaker collector Offset.

eBay and FedEx have announced a new integration allowing Canadian e-commerce sellers to access FedEx shipping services directly through eBay Labels. This partnership enhances the shipping experience, providing sellers with seamless, cost-effective solutions at preferential rates. The initiative is geared towards meeting the growing e-commerce demand, with FedEx projecting significant shipping volume increases. This move aims to improve the selling experience for thousands of Canadian sellers by simplifying shipping processes and providing better fulfillment options.

The Chernin Group (TCG) has announced a strategic investment of $263 million in Funko, acquiring 12,520,559 shares at $21.00 each, significantly increasing their ownership stake to 25%. Notable participants in the investor consortium include eBay, Robert A. Iger, and Rich Paul. This investment will enhance Funko's market position and foster growth in areas such as sports and music. Funko saw a remarkable revenue growth of 63% year-over-year in Q1 2022, totaling $308 million. The partnership with eBay will position it as the preferred marketplace for Funko's products.

eBay reported Q1 2022 revenue of $2.5 billion, down 6% year-over-year, with a gross merchandise volume of $19.4 billion, a decline of 20%. The company posted a GAAP net loss of $1.3 billion, resulting in a loss of $2.28 per diluted share. Non-GAAP earnings were $625 million, equating to $1.05 per diluted share. Despite challenges, eBay returned $1.4 billion to shareholders and continues to invest in growth initiatives while navigating macroeconomic headwinds.

eBay has introduced its third annual Up & Running Grants program to support U.S. small businesses, investing over $1,500,000 since 2020. The program offers $10,000 grants to 50 small business sellers for various business needs, including inventory and technology enhancements. Recipients will benefit from eBay Academy, an online learning platform, and mentorship through a partnership with Hello Alice. The application period is open until June 10, 2022.