Slack Hits Record Low After First Report Gives Tepid Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- Slack Technologies Inc. shares tumbled to an all-time low on Thursday, after the workplace-collaboration software company disappointed with its first report as a public company.

While the second-quarter results beat expectations, the company projected slower sales growth for the second half of the year. Analysts wrote that this “anemic” outlook wasn’t as “robust” as had been expected, in the words of Bernstein analyst Mark Moerdler.

Shares sank as much as 16% in its biggest intraday percentage drop ever. The decline took the company, which went public in June, to a new low. Shares have dropped more than 30% from their record closing high.

Barclays described the stock sell-off as “growing pains,” noting that the company’s newness meant it had no track record with how to evaluate its outlook. Until investors determine whether Slack was being conservative with its projections or facing heavier competition, shares could face volatility, it added.

Here’s what analysts are saying about the results:

Barclays, Raimo Lenschow

Slack and investors “are still only getting used to each other, which is causing some growing pains.”

While results were “healthy when considering the scale of the business,” the outlook suggested a deceleration in growth in the second half of the year. It is currently unclear whether this is because Slack’s management is being conservative, or whether it is facing more competition from Microsoft teams.

“Since there is no guidance track record, only time will tell, which might create short-term issues for the shares.”

Remains overweight on the stock but trims price target by $1 to $44.

Goldman Sachs, Heather Bellini

The “otherwise strong print” was “clouded” by a one-time charge related to service disruptions in the quarter. Notes that both revenue and billings came in ahead of forecasts.

“While we view Slack’s collaboration platform as best-in-class, at current levels, we believe this is factored into the valuation.”

Affirms neutral rating and $34 price target.

Morgan Stanley, Keith Weiss

“Slack missed the market’s expectations for a greater acceleration in billings growth,” but the company’s “fundamental value proposition and large market opportunity” remain unchanged.

Affirms equal-weight rating and $38 price target. Notes the stock decline “creates a more attractive risk/reward” profile.

Bernstein, Mark Moerdler

The third-quarter outlook “shows anemic growth” that was “not as robust as expectations.” While Slack will “continue to be a leader,” there is more competition coming into the space.

Market-perform rating, price target lowered to $29 from $31.

MKM Partners, Rohit Kulkarni

The outlook “might be a tad conservative,” given the stock had a “thin margin of error” due to its valuation.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says:

“Slack’s billings and sales growth outlook will likely remain pressured in the near term,” in part because of higher competition.

- Analyst Andrew Eisenson

- Click here for the research

To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Vlastelica in New York at rvlastelica1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Steven Fromm, Jennifer Bissell-Linsk

©2019 Bloomberg L.P.