Jumia narrows EBITDA loss to $15 million in Q3, cuts expenses

LAGOS – Jumia Technologies AG (NYSE:) has reported its smallest quarterly EBITDA loss since going public, signaling progress in the e-commerce company’s efforts to streamline operations and control costs. The Q3 2023 EBITDA loss stood at $15 million, a substantial 61% improvement year-to-date, reflecting the impact of strategic decisions made by the company to enhance its financial health.

The firm’s third-quarter performance showed a mixed picture, with a notable 11% dip in revenue to $45 million and a 25% fall in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) to $181 million. This decline came as Jumia took deliberate steps to refine its customer base, which saw a reduction of 24.3% to 2.3 million active consumers. The number of orders also decreased by 23% to 7.2 million.

In response to the challenging economic environment, Jumia has been recalibrating its product and service offerings since Q4 2022. It suspended certain operations including its first-party grocery business, specific food delivery services, and logistics-as-a-service to focus on core categories that promise robust growth.

These strategic streamlining initiatives have led to a more disciplined approach to marketing investments, resulting in sales and advertising expenses plummeting by 74% to $4.3 million. The operating loss for the quarter was reported at $19 million, a significant reduction from the $43 million loss incurred in Q3 2022.

Jumia’s pursuit of economic viability is reflected in the considerable decrease of its cash burn. The liquidity position improved as the company reduced its cash position by $19 million compared to the previous year—a sharp year-over-year decrease of 71%.

InvestingPro Insights

According to InvestingPro, Jumia Technologies AG holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which aligns with the company’s strategic focus on financial health and cost control. Despite the challenges, the company’s gross profit margins remain impressive, standing at 60.36% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2023. However, it’s worth noting that Jumia is quickly burning through cash, a fact that potential investors should consider.

InvestingPro’s real-time data shows that Jumia has a market capitalization of 284.2M USD. The company’s stock price experienced a significant return over the last week, increasing by 9.77%. Despite a dip in revenue, Jumia’s gross profit for the last twelve months as of Q2 2023 stood at 127.82M USD.

InvestingPro offers more in-depth analysis and tips for companies like Jumia, with 15 additional tips available for those interested in the company’s financial performance and potential investment opportunities.

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