| Metric | Value ($ M) | Q1 FY26 | Q2 FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 75.81 | 1.6% | 5.2% |
| Total Income | 75.81 | 1.6% | 5.2% |
| Expenditure | 80.06 | 2.5% | 22.9% |
| PBT | -2.78 | 467.4% | 117.5% |
| Net Profit | -0.63 | 10.5% | 148.5% |
| OPM | -5.61% | 4.19pp | 24.14pp |
| NPM | -0.83% | 0.09pp | 2.45pp |
| EPS | -0.24 | 4.3% | 143.6% |
MarketWise Reports Q2 2026 Preliminary Results, Billings Up 56% YoY
10 Jul 2026 · 10 Jul, 3:32 pm
Summary
MarketWise, Inc. announced preliminary results for Q2 2026, highlighting a 56% year-over-year increase in billings to approximately $91 million, marking the highest quarterly billings since 2023. The company also raised its full-year 2026 billings guidance by 10% to $330 million, anticipating a 21.7% increase over FY 2025. Paid subscribers increased to 400 thousand, and ARPU saw a significant 73% year-over-year rise to $821. Management noted that while investments in customer acquisition led to lower margins in the first half of 2026, margins are expected to increase significantly in the second half.
Key Highlights
- 1
MarketWise, Inc. reported preliminary selected unaudited financial and operational updates for the second quarter of 2026.
- 2
Billings for the second quarter of 2026 totaled approximately $91 million, representing a 56% year-over-year increase.
- 3
The company raised its FY 2026 Billings guidance by 10% to $330 million, projecting a 21.7% full-year increase compared to FY 2025.
- 4
Paid Subscribers grew to 400 thousand at June 30, 2026, up from 374 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- 5
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) increased by 73% year-over-year to $821 at June 30, 2026.
- 6
Cash and cash equivalents stood at $33 million at June 30, 2026, after a $12.2 million disbursement for a legal settlement and share repurchase.
Management Comments
Dr. David Eifrig
The operational momentum from the first quarter continued into the second quarter as Billings topped $91 million on the back of higher customer acquisition, improved customer retention, and strong conversion of our higher priced products. Our strategy is simple. Acquire new customers with compelling products and ideas, earn trust as we educate and empower, and then deepen our relationship with our customers over time. As we mentioned previously, for the first quarter, and continuing into the second quarter, we meaningfully increased investment in customer acquisition. This opportunistic marketing investment resulted in a strong increase in Paid Subscribers during the first and second quarters. Consistent with our plans, we now moderate customer acquisition and shift toward disciplined cash generation for the balance of the year. This is the strategic core of our business model, where we toggle between growth and margin, on a near real-time basis, in response to market conditions and opportunity. As such, while margins were lower in the first half of 2026 due to an increase in opportunistic investment in customer acquisition, we expect margins to increase significantly in the second half of the year. Regarding our financial guidance, given the robust growth in the first half of 2026, we are increasing our FY 2026 Billings Target by 10% to $330 million, which represents a 21.7% increase compared to FY 2025. Finally, as I mentioned last quarter, we recently completed a review of our long-term strategic plan with our Board of Directors. To reiterate some of those points, I am more excited than ever about our plans to provide high-quality products for our customers while delivering strong top-line growth coupled with margin expansion over time. The plan also forges the alignment of incentives as we execute our business strategy. Achieving our ambitious plans will require discipline, innovation, and operational creativity. We have fantastic brands, fantastic teams, and a strategy designed to enhance value for subscribers and shareholders. We look forward to providing a full discussion of our Q2 2026 financial results in the weeks ahead.
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