Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) announced its fiscal first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, exceeding expectations on both revenue and earnings fronts. The music streaming giant also marked a shift to profitability as it continues to execute its efficiency-driven strategy.
Amid multiple rounds of layoffs and price adjustments over the past year to bolster revenue growth and margins, Spotify reported operating income of 168 million euros ($179 million), contrasting with a loss of 156 million euros in the prior-year period. However, the figure fell short of company guidance due to higher-than-expected social charges, attributed to share price appreciation during the quarter.
Spotify’s robust outlook included a strong projected operating income of 250 million euros for Q2, surpassing Wall Street consensus. Additionally, second-quarter revenue guidance of 3.8 billion euros exceeded estimates.
In line with its deliberate spending approach, Spotify plans to raise prices in select markets, including the UK, Australia, and Pakistan, with potential future adjustments in the US. The company also aims to introduce a lower-priced subscription option excluding audiobooks.
The streaming service’s net income of 197 million euros ($210 million), or 0.97 euros per share, exceeded analyst forecasts. Gross margins surpassed expectations at 27.6%, with further improvements anticipated in the second quarter primarily driven by advancements in music and podcasting.
While total monthly active users slightly missed company estimates at 615 million, representing a 19% year-over-year increase, premium subscribers met expectations at 239 million, a 14% rise. Spotify anticipates MAUs to reach 631 million and premium subscribers to increase to 245 million in Q2.
Spotify’s strategic initiatives, including pricing adjustments and content distribution expansions, signal its commitment to enhancing profitability. As Spotify embarks on its profitability journey, its stock has experienced significant growth, surging over 100% in the past year and up 43% year-to-date.
The departure of CFO Paul Vogel and the appointment of Christian Luiga as his successor reflect the company’s ongoing evolution. Additionally, Spotify’s revamped podcast strategy emphasizes broader distribution partnerships while retaining exclusive content rights, exemplified by deals with prominent podcasters like Joe Rogan and Alexandra Cooper.
