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Ebay Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 18 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Non-GAAP EPS rose to $1.36: Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.36, against $1.19 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.28, against $1.29. Source
  • GMV growth accelerated to 10%: GMV rose 10% as reported and 8% on an FX-neutral basis, after 6% as reported in the second quarter. Source
  • U.S. GMV growth jumped to 13%: U.S. GMV grew 13% year over year, up from 7% in the second quarter. Source
  • First-party advertising revenue up 25%: Total advertising offerings reached $525 million, or 2.6% of GMV, in the third quarter. Source
  • GAAP operating margin fell to 20.4%: GAAP operating margin was 20.4% against 23.1% a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 27.1% against 27.2%. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $803 million: Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $934 million and free cash flow was $803 million, against $646 million a year earlier. Source
  • Share repurchases and dividends: The company repurchased $625 million of stock, about 7 million shares, and paid $132 million in cash dividends. Source
  • AI rebuilding the eBay experience: Management said it is transforming the eBay experience through AI built on 30 years of insights, while enhancing shipping, live commerce and circular fashion programs. Source

“Q3 was another strong quarter for eBay, reflecting continued momentum across our marketplace and disciplined execution of our strategy,”

Jamie Iannone, Chief Executive Officer of eBay

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenues SourceQ4 2025$2.83 - $2.89New
Net revenues FX-neutral Y/Y growth SourceQ4 20258% - 10%New
Gross Merchandise Volume SourceQ4 2025$20.5 - $20.9New
Gross Merchandise Volume FX-neutral Y/Y growth SourceQ4 20254% - 6%New
Diluted GAAP EPS SourceQ4 2025$0.96 - $1.01New
Diluted non-GAAP EPS SourceQ4 2025$1.31 - $1.36New
Net revenues SourceFull year 2025$10.97 - $11.03New
Net revenues FX-neutral Y/Y growth SourceFull year 20256% - 6%New
Gross Merchandise Volume SourceFull year 2025$78.9 - $79.3New
Gross Merchandise Volume FX-neutral Y/Y growth SourceFull year 20255% - 5%New
Diluted GAAP EPS SourceFull year 2025$4.09 - $4.14New
Diluted non-GAAP EPS SourceFull year 2025$5.42 - $5.47New
Non-GAAP adjustment: acquired intangible amortization SourceQ4 2025$11-$14 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjustment: stock-based compensation SourceQ4 2025$155-$165 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjustment: GAAP to non-GAAP tax rate SourceQ4 2025$20-$30 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjustment: acquired intangible amortization SourceFull year 2025$48-$51 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjustment: stock-based compensation SourceFull year 2025$621-$631 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjustment: GAAP to non-GAAP tax rate SourceFull year 2025$54-$64 millionNew
Non-GAAP tax rate SourceLong-term projections16.5%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Q4 2025 and full-year 2025 guidance was given in this release. The prior release gave guidance for Q3 2025 only. Source
  • New: The Tise acquisition closed in October. Tise is a consumer-to-consumer social marketplace. Source
  • New: Marks & Spencer launched its first dedicated resale service on eBay in the U.K., through a partnership with eBay. Source

Headline results and earnings

  • Foreign exchange impact on revenue: The foreign-currency impact on revenue was $20 million in the quarter, and hedge losses were $24 million, per the revenue summary table. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS rose to $1.36: Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.36, against $1.19 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.28, against $1.29. Source
  • Nine-month non-GAAP EPS higher: For the nine months, non-GAAP diluted EPS was $4.11 against $3.63, and GAAP continuing-operations diluted EPS was $3.13 against $2.57. Source
  • Net income includes discontinued operations: Net income including discontinued operations was $632 million, with $35 million from discontinued operations, net of income taxes. Source

Growth momentum and buyers

  • Revenue growth picked up: Revenue growth was 9% as reported, after 6% in the second quarter and 1% in the first quarter. Source
  • GMV growth accelerated to 10%: GMV rose 10% as reported and 8% on an FX-neutral basis, after 6% as reported in the second quarter. Source
  • Active Buyers flat year over year: Active Buyers grew 1% year over year and stayed at the same count for four consecutive quarters. Source

“Our robust Q3 performance reflects strong operational discipline as we continue on the path of sustainable growth,”

Peggy Alford, Chief Financial Officer at eBay

Segments and regions

  • U.S. GMV growth jumped to 13%: U.S. GMV grew 13% year over year, up from 7% in the second quarter. Source
  • International GMV growth at 7%: International GMV grew 7% year over year, up from 5% in the second quarter. Source
  • International share of revenue steady: International accounted for 48% of net revenues, against 49% a year earlier and 49% in the second quarter. Source

Products, advertising and customers

  • First-party advertising revenue up 25%: Total advertising offerings reached $525 million, or 2.6% of GMV, in the third quarter. Source
  • Apple Visual Intelligence integration: Visual Search was connected with Apple's Visual Intelligence, so iPhone camera users can find and buy products directly. Source
  • UK Authenticity Guarantee expanded: The U.K. program now covers 70 luxury and premium brands across apparel, shoes and accessories, on top of existing categories. Source
  • EBay Live activations at collectibles events: Activations at collectibles events featured eBay Live shopping, creator and athlete collaborations, and one-of-a-kind inventory. Source

“Looking ahead, our focus is building on this momentum, leveraging our strong financial position and talented team to accelerate our strategic initiatives, and continue creating long-term value for shareholders.”

Peggy Alford, Chief Financial Officer at eBay

Costs, margins and tax

  • GAAP operating margin fell to 20.4%: GAAP operating margin was 20.4% against 23.1% a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 27.1% against 27.2%. Source
  • Cost of revenues and G&A rose: Cost of net revenues was $821 million against $727 million, and general and administrative expense was $282 million against $194 million. Source
  • GAAP tax rate negative in quarter: The GAAP effective tax rate was (4.1)% against 20.2% a year earlier, and the quarter recorded a $24 million income tax benefit. Source
  • Transaction loss provision rose: Provision for transaction losses was $106 million, against $89 million a year earlier. Source

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Free cash flow reached $803 million: Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $934 million and free cash flow was $803 million, against $646 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending increased: Purchases of property and equipment were $131 million, against $109 million a year earlier. Source
  • Share repurchases and dividends: The company repurchased $625 million of stock, about 7 million shares, and paid $132 million in cash dividends. Source
  • Repurchase authorization down to $1.4B: About $1.4 billion of repurchase authorization remained at September 30, 2025. Cash and non-equity investments totaled $5.3 billion. Source

Strategy and product investment

  • AI rebuilding the eBay experience: Management said it is transforming the eBay experience through AI built on 30 years of insights, while enhancing shipping, live commerce and circular fashion programs. Source
  • Embedded offers and AI messaging: Features shown at eBay OPEN25 include embedded offer-making, AI-powered messaging support and seller protections meant to simplify selling. Source
  • Seller Capital passed $1 billion: Through financing partners, the Seller Capital program has distributed more than $1 billion in working capital to sellers since 2021. Source

Impact and recognition

  • EBay for Charity raised $49 million: Buyers and sellers raised over $49 million worldwide through eBay for Charity in the third quarter. Source
  • Recognition from TIME and Newsweek: eBay was named to several employer and company lists, including TIME's World's Best Companies 2025 and Newsweek's America's Greatest Companies 2025. Source
  • 30th anniversary celebrated with launch: The company marked its 30th anniversary with an immersive '95 Shop experience and by ringing the Nasdaq opening bell in New York City. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 October 2025

  • Q4 2025 dividend payable December 12: The Audit Committee declared a $0.29 per share dividend, payable December 12, 2025 to holders of record on November 28, 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Active Buyers Source134 million
Gross Merchandise Volume Source$20,105 million

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The 16.5% non-GAAP tax rate could change with shifts in geographic earnings mix or with tax law changes in major jurisdictions. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The CFO referred to continuing on the path of sustainable growth. No dated target was given. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.