Shares in the largest professional social network, LinkedIn, soared after the business reported better-than-expected first quarter earnings and revenue.

Adjusted first quarter earnings came in at 74 cents per share on revenue of $861 million, a solid beat of consensus estimates for 60 cents a share on $828 million. The data sent LinkedIn stock as much as 15% higher in after-hours trading before investors pared those gains.

The company also issued confident forward guidance for earnings and revenues in the current quarter saying it expected revenue to come in at between $885 and $890 million and earnings per share of between 74 and 77 cents. Both data points compared favourably with consensus estimates for $885.7 million in revenue and 71 cents a share

“These results will bring considerable comfort to LinkedIn stockholders who saw the value of their shares plunge 40% when the company revealed its forward guidance for the first quarter in February,” explained Ayami Toromatsu, who leads technology research at Tokyo-based investment house, Shinsei Corporate Management.

Icing on the cake for investors came in the form of LinkedIn’s estimates on members. It declared it had some 433 million members at the end of March against expectations for 427.9 million.

LinkedIn makes money by charging members for premium services and from providing professional recruiters and employers with access to its extensive database.

Shinsei Corporate Management has a hold rating on the company’s shares citing its apparent inability to convert more members holding its free, basic membership into premium members.


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We at Shinsei Corporate Management express our dedicated commitment to the local communities around us and to our loyal clients’ in a variety of different ways.

Helping to realize public orientated projects such as the building of new schools and healthcare centres are a key focus of our core beliefs of what a financial institution should be doing to better our local communities. Assisting with the sale, merger or acquisition of a company that requires a strong partner to lead them safely through treacherous waters. We ensuring the preservation of personal wealth, pension funds and beneficial foundations all get the right level of care and attention the need in order to maintain stability and thrive.