Cogent Incurs Narrower-Than-Expected Q4 Loss Despite Lower Revenues

Core Insights - Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (CCOI) reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, with net income exceeding estimates while revenues fell short [1][9] Financial Performance - The company reported a net loss of $30.8 million or a loss of 64 cents per share, an improvement from a net loss of $43.3 million or a loss of 91 cents per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year 2025, Cogent's net loss was $182.2 million or a loss of $3.80 per share, compared to a net loss of $204.1 million or a loss of $4.28 per share in 2024 [2] Revenue Breakdown - Service revenues decreased to $240.5 million from $252.3 million year-over-year, primarily due to a decline in Off-Net revenues, missing the Zacks consensus estimate of $243.01 million [3] - For 2025, total revenues fell to $975.8 million from $1.04 billion in 2024 [3] - On-Net revenues increased to $134.3 million from $128.8 million year-over-year, surpassing the estimate of $130.9 million, with customer connections rising to 87,944 from 87,500 [3] - Off-Net revenues were $92.9 million, down from $113.2 million in the previous year, with customer connections decreasing to 24,656 from 28,963 [4] - Wavelength revenues rose to $12.1 million from $7 million year-over-year, with customer connections increasing to 2,064 from 1,118 [4] - Non-core revenues decreased to $1.2 million from $3.4 million in the prior year, with customer connections dropping to 2,979 from 5,802 [5] Profitability Metrics - GAAP gross profit was $53.7 million, up from $29.8 million a year ago, with margins improving to 22.3% from 11.8% [6] - Non-GAAP gross profit increased to $112.5 million from $97.6 million year-over-year, with margins rising to 46.8% from 38.7% [6] - EBITDA for the quarter was $51.7 million compared to $41.9 million a year ago, with margins improving to 21.5% from 16.6% [7] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $76.7 million from $66.9 million year-over-year, with margins rising to 31.9% from 26.5% [7] Cash Flow & Liquidity - In Q4 2025, the company utilized $6 million in cash for operations, compared to a cash generation of $14.5 million in the same quarter last year [10] - For the full year 2025, cash utilized for operating activities was $10.6 million, up from $8.6 million in 2024 [10] - As of December 31, 2025, Cogent had $205.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, down from $227.9 million a year ago, with finance lease obligations increasing to $597.2 million from $517.2 million [11]