Vistaprint Shares Plunged: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Dutch business card and pamphlet printer Vistaprint (NAS: VPRT) are running out of red ink today after falling as much as 38% on stupendously heavy volume.

So what: Revenue in the fourth quarter grew 27% year-over-year to $209 million, and non-GAAP earnings jumped 13% to $0.43 per share, roughly in line with Wall Street estimates. But guidance for next year pointed to shrinking earnings despite sharply higher sales targets, pouring buckets of ice water over the stock.

Now what: Less than five months ago, Vistaprint's growth plans impressed even the most hardened of analysts. Fellow Fool Rich Smith is more enthusiastic about rivals like Staples (NAS: SPLS) and FedEx (NYS: FDX) , or even much-maligned office supply vendors OfficeMax (NYS: OMX) and Office Depot (NYS: ODP) . And now, those brilliant growth ambitions are gone with the wind like a business card dropped on the streets of Chicago. However, this Rule Breaker has lost more than 30% of its value overnight before, as recently as last year, and came back from that abyss to crush the market in subsequent quarters. Rich is looking very smart today, but let's just say I'm not ready to sell Vistaprint short just yet.

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At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributor Anders Bylund holds no position in any of the companies discussed hereThe Motley Fool owns shares of FedEx and Vistaprint. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Vistaprint, FedEx, and Staples. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended writing naked calls on Office Depot. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool is investors writing for investors.

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