Zuora (NYSE:ZUO) investors are sitting on a loss of 68% if they invested a year ago

The nature of investing is that you win some, and you lose some. And unfortunately for Zuora, Inc. (NYSE:ZUO) shareholders, the stock is a lot lower today than it was a year ago. In that relatively short period, the share price has plunged 68%. Even if you look out three years, the returns are still disappointing, with the share price down51% in that time. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 26% in the last 90 days.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Zuora

Because Zuora made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

In the last twelve months, Zuora increased its revenue by 15%. That's definitely a respectable growth rate. Meanwhile, the share price tanked 68%, suggesting the market had much higher expectations. It may well be that the business remains approximately on track, but its revenue growth has simply been delayed. For us it's important to consider when you think a company will become profitable, if you're basing your valuation on revenue.

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

earnings-and-revenue-growth

If you are thinking of buying or selling Zuora stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

A Different Perspective

Zuora shareholders are down 68% for the year, falling short of the market return. The market shed around 24%, no doubt weighing on the stock price. The three-year loss of 15% per year isn't as bad as the last twelve months, suggesting that the company has not been able to convince the market it has solved its problems. We would be wary of buying into a company with unsolved problems, although some investors will buy into struggling stocks if they believe the price is sufficiently attractive. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Zuora .

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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