Xero’s Drury says too early for US listing, share price soaring with profile
March 18 (BusinessDesk) – Xero, the cloud-based computing company whose shares have more than tripled in the past 12
months, isn’t yet large enough to consider a US listing, says founder and chief executive Rod Drury. The shares dipped
from Friday’s record high.
“A US listing is certainly something a business with global aspirations would consider,” Drury said in a statement. “We
have been advised it would not make sense to consider a listing in the US until we can see at least US$100 million of
revenue, so the focus for now remains on growing the team, customers and revenue while building systems and processes
for efficiency.”
He reiterated that Xero is on track to double revenue in the year ending on March 31, which would put annual sales at
about $38.8 million (US$32 million).
Shares of Xero, which is yet to make a profit, fell 4.2 percent to $10.25 on the NZX today.
Drury statement attempts to explain the meteoric rise in the company’s stock, which now has a market value of $1.21
billion, more than retailer Warehouse Group and global transport firm Mainfreight on about $1.2 billion.
He said the share price gain coincides with increased overseas investor appetite for exposure to Software as a Service
technology, which is seen as a fast-growing segment over the next five years.
Xero’s own profile has been lifted offshore by the appointment this month of Stuart McLean, a Google executive in
Australia, to the new role of chief revenue officer, media interest in the US and roadshows for accountants in
Australia.
The company will provide an operating update in early April, he said.
(BusinessDesk)