Peloton Misses Q2 Revenue as Equipment Sales Lag, Profitability Improves

Core Insights - Peloton's fiscal second-quarter results missed revenue expectations due to slower equipment upgrades among existing members and longer delivery timelines delaying revenue recognition [1][3] - The company is focused on margin expansion, cost discipline, and deleveraging to stabilize the business before returning to sustained top-line growth [2] Revenue Performance - Total revenue for Q2 was $657 million, falling short of guidance by $8 million, with connected fitness products revenue declining 4% year over year to $244 million [3] - Approximately $4 million in sales were deferred into the third quarter due to longer-than-expected delivery times, impacting reported results [4] - Sales to new members met forecasts, while existing Bike owners showed interest in cross-category expansion rather than direct replacements, with over 70% of cross-training series equipment sold being Tread and Row products [5][10] Engagement and Personalization - Peloton IQ, the AI-powered personalization platform, saw 46% of active members engaging with its performance insights and recommendations in its first quarter since rollout [11] - Engagement with personalized plans among all-access members increased by more than 10% from the prior quarter, with Peloton IQ being the most compelling feature for customers who purchased new equipment [12] Profitability and Financial Metrics - Total gross margin reached 50.5% in Q2, an increase of 320 basis points year over year, driven by a higher mix of subscription revenue [14] - Subscription gross margin rose 420 basis points year over year to 72.1%, benefiting from pricing changes and a reduction in accrued music royalties [15] - Adjusted EBITDA totaled $81 million, up 39% year over year, while free cash flow reached $71 million, supported by cost reductions [15] Deleveraging and Cash Position - Net debt declined 52% year over year to $319 million, with the company ending the quarter with approximately $1.18 billion in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents [16] - The company is on track to achieve $100 million in annualized run-rate cost savings by the end of fiscal 2026, with gross leverage declining to 3.6x trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA [16] Additional Developments - CFO Liz Coddington will leave at the end of March for a role at a private CleanTech energy company, with a search for her successor underway [17] - Peloton emphasized brand partnerships, serving as the official fitness partner of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, and launched the Club Peloton loyalty program, which saw 24% of active members engaging within its first month [17]