LinkedIn (LNKD) Upside Could Come From Hiring Solutions - Needham & Company

Needham & Company analyst, Kerry Rice, believes the negative sentiment around LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) may be overblown as the company, historically, has not missed expectations for a reported quarter. Upside could come from Hiring Solutions where greater than expected net new customers could offset the online sales slowdown and sluggish international markets. Shuttering Lead Accelerator will create headwinds in Marketing Solutionsbut conservative expectations leave the door open for upside as Sponsored Updates revenues continue to rapidly grow. No change to Buy rating or $200 PT.

Upside could come from Marketing Solutions, ($127M est) from continued strong growth of Sponsored Updates. Specifically, brand engagement is increasing as content becomes more prominent on LinkedIn.

Other key metrics include:

Hiring Solutions revenue of $512M, 28% y/y

Marketing Solutions, $127M

Premium Subscriptions $144M, up 18% y/y

1,511 net new customer adds

$45M from Learning and Development

LNKD reports first quarter 2016 results after the close on April 28th.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on LinkedIn click here. For more ratings news on LinkedIn click here.

Shares of LinkedIn closed at $120.48 yesterday.

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