The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price has soared 64.5% in June. The company is undergoing a $200 million capital raising to acquire United States-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider, QuadPay. But is the Zip Co share price getting too expensive?
Q3 highlights
Zip Co provided the market with an update for the month ending 31 May 2020. The company highlighted a 78% year on year increase in monthly revenue and a 63% increase in active customers to 2.1 million. Furthermore Zip Co reported a 46% increase in active merchants to 23,600. I think these numbers are pretty impressive. I also think the company's strong performance should continue due to the change in consumer behaviour resulting from COVID-19.
Zip Co's business update commented on the shift away from cash to digital payments that has occurred throughout the pandemic. The company also anticipates eCommerce penetration to remain at elevated levels post COVID-19 as more consumers gain familiarity with shopping online and retailers invest significantly in this space. These trends represent considerable tailwinds for BNPL and digital payment operators like Zip Co.
QuadPay highlights
I believe the QuadPay acquisition is a game changer for the Zip Co share price. This is a compelling investment proposition that transforms Zip Co from a domestic BNPL player to a global BNPL leader. Post completion, the combined group will have operations across Australia, New Zealand, the US, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Zip Co will have a combined annualised total transaction value of $3.0 billion and annualised revenue of $250 million. It will also boast 3.5 million customers and 26,200 merchants.
The QuadPay acquisition will immediately elevate all of Zip Co's key reporting metrics and its existing scale. It will also ramp up the company's growth potential in the world's largest retail market. QuadPay currently has an existing customer base of 1.5 million, over 3,500 merchants and annualised revenue of $70 million for the quarter ending March 2020. QuadPay allows customers to split their purchase into 4 instalments spread over 6 weeks, interest free. The merchant gets paid upfront with risk and fraud liability absorbed. What makes QuadPay unique is its 'Anywhere App' that enables customers to pay in instalments in store or online at any merchant.
Zip Co's acquisition will be funded with $100 million in convertible notes and up to $100 million in warrants. This will mean Zip Co shares will be progressively diluted by $10 million every six months as the notes convert into shares. The capital will be provided by an affiliate of Susquehanna International Group, one of the largest privately-held financial services firms in the world. The company has an established track record of investing in high-growth companies including the parent company of Tik Tok, Bytedance.
Foolish takeaway
I believe QuadPay is a transformational acquisition that takes the growth potential of the Zip Co share price to the next level. Zip Co has entered the largest retail market in the world with a genuinely innovative product. While investors could wait for its share to possibly become cheaper, I would certainly be watching it closely.
