In this article, we assess the segment of emerging markets tech populated by the e-commerce companies known as Baby Amazons. The Baby Amazon index has fallen sharply in 2022, down 10% ytd.
The emerging-market tech rout has been sudden and violent, and in some cases the baby has been thrown out with the bathwater. Some worthy stocks have been caught up in the sell-off, such as Jumia, Coupang and Sea Ltd.
Post-Covid GMV growth has peaked...
We expect Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) growth to plateau. The surge in online shopping that the pandemic created was never going to be sustained in perpetuity, and has slowed. For example, Sea Limited's e-commerce unit (Shopee) saw GMV growth of 96% in FY20. We expect its GMV growth to fall to 60% in FY22.
... but cash flow is improving and net profitability is on the horizon
We note that cashflow from operations and free cash flow generation are improving among the Baby Amazons.
Amazon took seven years to become CFO and FCF positive, and eight years to become profitable.
Despite the slowdown in GMV growth from the height of the pandemic, the business segment is maturing. The graduation from cashflow negativity to positivity is nearing for Jumia, Coupang and Sea and we expect net profitability by FY23.
Meanwhile, MercadoLibre is already CFO and FCF positive. We expect it to generate US$371mn in net profit in FY22.
Many Baby Amazons have made hay while the sun shines
Several of the Baby Amazons were proactive in raising equity capital at the height of the market. For instance, Sea Ltd raised US$6.3bn in September 2021. This included US$3.8bn in a primary share issue and US$2.5bn in equity-linked debt. Jumia and Coupang also raised equity capital when the going was good.
As a result, some of the Baby Amazons are net cash. They have sufficient net cash reserves to fund 3 to 10 years of FCF negativity, based on their current cash burn.
We need to look at the disruptive tech firms like the Baby Amazons using the lessons of the past.
Amazon rose 520-fold from its low after the 2000 Nasdaq crash. Amazon’s business model was untested at that time and its balance sheet was weak with high net debt.
The situation for the Baby Amazons is radically different. The companies are flush with cash and there is a clear pathway for profitability. Our projected revenue growth is still strong, which should propel the companies to profitability.
Risks
The downside risks to our forecast are as follows:
The Fed raises rates even more aggressively than the market is bracing for.
The operating performance of the EM tech companies falters due to inflationary pressure.
EM tech is beset by accounting scandals driven by falsified financial statements during the pandemic.
Top picks
Our top picks among the Baby Amazons are Jumia, Coupang, Sea Ltd and MercadoLibre.
