Shopify Raises Full-Year Forecast on Strong Demand for E-Commerce Tools

OTTAWA, Canada — Canada's Shopify Inc raised its 2019 profit and revenue forecast on Tuesday, as a booming e-commerce market boosted demand for its tools used in buildings online shopping apps and websites.

The company, which has been investing heavily to increase its market share, launched a new line of point-of-sale hardware and more recently introduced story advertisements on Snapchat to attract new merchants.

Shopify said it now expects full-year adjusted operating income of $20 million to $30 million and revenue of $1.48 billion to $1.50 billion. It had previously forecast adjusted operating income of $10 million to $20 million and revenue of $1.46 billion to $1.48 billion.

Revenue from Shopify's merchant solution business rose to $180 million in the first quarter ended March 31 from $114.1 million.

However, net loss widened to $24.1 million from $15.9 million a year earlier, as costs surged 50 percent to $216.1 million

Excluding items, the company earned 9 cents per share, compared with a loss of 5 cents estimated by analysts, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Revenue for the quarter rose 50 percent to $320.5 million.

By Ahmed Farhatha; editor: Anil D'Silva.