Why Liquidity Services Shares Got Crushed

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 auction portal operator Liquidity Services plummeted 25% today after the company's quarterly results and outlook disappointed Wall Street.

So what: Liquidity Services' first-quarter profit managed to top estimates, but a miss on the top line -- revenue of $122.2 million versus the consensus of $130.7 million -- coupled with downbeat full-year guidance reinforces recent concerns over slowing growth. Specifically, management expects the weak economy to continue taking its toll on retail and industrial supply chains, forcing analysts to lower their valuation estimates yet again.

Now what: The company now sees full-year adjusted EPS of $1.90-$2.02, down from its prior view of $2.05-$2.23 and also well below the consensus of $2.15. "We remain focused on executing our long-term growth strategy to achieve $2 billion in [gross merchandise volume] by fiscal year 2016," Chairman and CEO Bill Angrick reassured investors. So while the short-term outlook is certainly disappointing for Liquidity Services bulls, today's big pullback might be an opportunity to buy more for the long haul.

Interested in more info on Liquidity Services? Add it to your watchlist.

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The article Why Liquidity Services Shares Got Crushed originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Brian Pacampara has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Liquidity Services. 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 has a disclosure policy.

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