Peloton forecasts weak holiday-quarter revenue, flags risk to cash flow goal

3:41 pm Thursday, November 03rd, 2022

By Kannaki Deka

(Reuters) -Peloton Interactive Inc on Thursday forecast holiday-quarter revenue below estimates and the fitness equipment maker warned that a challenging macro-economic environment could affect its goal of stopping cash burn this fiscal year.

The company’s shares, which fell as much as 16.1%, were down 3.5% at $8.32.

Peloton’s goal of achieving breakeven cash flow in the second half of fiscal 2023 was a key point for investors as the company struggles with a slump in demand for its fitness equipment.

“There are risks we will underachieve our forecast, particularly in this economic climate and given the outsized importance and uncertainty of the holiday selling season on overall performance,” the company said in a letter to shareholders.

The exercise bike maker expects second-quarter revenue between $700 million and $725 million, compared with analysts’ estimates of $874 million, according to Refinitiv data.

Peloton was all the rage among fitness enthusiasts during COVID-19 lockdowns, with the company hitting a peak market valuation of nearly $50 billion in early 2021. But with people returning to gyms the company saw demand for its fitness equipment dwindle.

Chief Executive Barry McCarthy has embarked on a wide range of cost-cutting measures since taking the job in February in an effort to pivot the company toward growth.

“Our job one is to ensure the viability of the business, which a year ago was in doubt. And I believe that is no longer the case,” McCarthy said on a post-earnings call on Thursday.

Peloton has introduced various measures such as tweaking bike prices, offering its products through third-party retailers and focusing on digital subscription plans to stimulate demand.

The company’s efforts to revamp product distribution and expand to third parties may boost future product sales, CFRA analyst Kenneth Leon said.

Peloton posted cash burn of $246.3 million in the first quarter, compared with estimates of $215.3 million. It also posted a bigger-than expected loss of $1.20 per share.

(Reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)