PLANO, Texas, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Katapult Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: KPLT), an e-commerce-focused financial technology company, today announced it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. In light of the pending merger with The Aaron’s Company and CCF Holdings LLC, Katapult is not hosting a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results. All materials related to the company’s financi ...

Core Viewpoint - Katapult Holdings, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to merge with The Aaron's Company, Inc. and CCF Holdings LLC in an all-stock transaction, aiming to create a premier omni-channel platform for non-prime consumers, enhancing growth potential and financial solutions [1][2][3]. Strategic and Financial Rationale - The merger will create a trusted platform for non-prime consumers to access durable goods and innovative financial solutions tailored to their needs [3]. - The combined company will establish a scaled omni-channel business with approximately 3,000 retail touchpoints and leading digital capabilities [3]. - The financial profile of the combined entity is projected to include over $4 billion in pro forma LTM revenue and approximately $450 million in pro forma LTM Adjusted EBITDA, supporting long-term double-digit Adjusted EBITDA margin potential [3]. - The merger is expected to unlock significant synergies, including enhanced underwriting capabilities and operating efficiencies [3]. Leadership and Governance - The combined company will continue to operate under the Katapult brand, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with Cory Miller as CEO and Russell Falkenstein as CFO [7]. - The board of directors will consist of nine members, including Kyle Hanson as Executive Chair, with a majority being independent [8]. Transaction Details - Upon closing, current Katapult stockholders will own 6% of the combined company, with Aaron's and CCF Holdings stakeholders owning the remainder [5]. - The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals [5].

Financial Performance - Gross originations grew by 25.3% year-over-year in Q3 2025[128] - Revenue increased by 22.8% year-over-year in Q3 2025[128] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $4.4 million in Q3 2025[23] - Fixed cash operating expenses decreased by 21.4% year-over-year in Q3 2025[128] Marketplace Activity - 61% of Q3 2025 gross originations started in the app marketplace[23] - KPay gross originations grew 66% year-over-year in Q3 2025, representing approximately $26 million and 41% of total gross originations[23] - Total app originations since launch in Q1 2023 reached $339.7 million[37] - Total KPay originations since launch in Q1 2023 reached $196.1 million[38] Customer Base - Repeat customers accounted for 55.3% of Q3 2025 gross originations[16] - Total application volume grew by over 80% year-over-year in Q3 2025[19] Market Opportunity - The company estimates a total US addressable market of $50-60 billion[15]

Core Viewpoint - Katapult Holdings, Inc. is set to release its third quarter 2025 financial results on November 12, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call at 8:00 AM ET to discuss these results [1]. Company Overview - Katapult is a technology-driven lease-to-own platform that collaborates with omni-channel retailers and e-commerce platforms to facilitate the purchase of durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers [3]. - The company offers a simple, fast, and transparent process through point-of-sale integrations and its mobile app, Katapult Pay™, enabling consumers who lack access to traditional financing to shop from a growing network of merchant partners [3]. - Katapult emphasizes a business model based on fairness and dignity, aiming to humanize the purchasing experience for underserved consumers [3]. Investor Relations - A live audio webcast of the upcoming conference call will be available on the Katapult Investor Relations website, with a replay accessible after the call [2]. - For further inquiries, Jennifer Cohn Kull serves as the VP of Investor Relations [5].

Core Insights - DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. has appointed Mitch Fadel, former CEO of Upbound Group and Rent-A-Center, to its Board of Advisors, enhancing its leadership in the lease-to-own sector [1] - Fadel's experience in the subprime alternative credit market positions DriveItAway to transform automotive retail and improve access to vehicle ownership for underserved markets [1] - The company recently announced a national partnership with Free2move, integrating flexible lease-to-own technology with OEM-backed vehicle supply, which is expected to facilitate rapid expansion [1] Company Overview - DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. is a national dealer-focused mobility platform that enables car dealers to sell vehicles through an eCommerce model with an exclusive "lease-to-own" app-based subscription [3] - The company offers a comprehensive program that includes proprietary mobile technology, driver app, insurance coverages, and training to help dealerships capitalize on online sales opportunities [3] Leadership Achievements - Mitch Fadel has a proven track record of accelerating growth and creating new retail divisions during his tenure at Upbound Group and Rent-A-Center, including completing over $2 billion in acquisitions [6] - His leadership at EZ Pawn resulted in a 25% profit increase and a tripling of the stock price within a year, showcasing his capability in driving shareholder value [6]

Summary of Katapult (KPLT) FY Conference Call - September 05, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Katapult Holdings - **Industry**: E-commerce-based financial technology, specifically in the lease-to-own (LTO) space - **CEO**: Orlando Zayas Core Product and Market Position - **LTO Product**: Allows non-prime consumers to acquire durable goods from hundreds of retailers across the U.S. [2][3] - **Market Size**: Estimated total U.S. market for LTO is $60 billion, with Katapult and competitors capturing less than 1% [3] - **Differentiation**: Katapult's LTO product is technologically advanced and user-friendly, leading to high Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and repeat purchase rates [3] Consumer Demographics and Needs - **Target Audience**: Non-prime consumers, including those without traditional credit scores or those unable to qualify for traditional financing [4][6] - **Financial Vulnerability**: 37% of U.S. adults cannot cover a $400 emergency expense; over 40% lack sufficient savings for three months of living expenses [7][14] Product Features and Benefits - **Transparency**: No interest, penalties, or late fees, allowing consumers to understand the full cost of ownership upfront [5] - **Flexibility**: Customers can return products at any time during the lease, with lease terms up to 18 months [5] - **Affordability**: LTO is more affordable than other options, saving consumers an average of $300 compared to common payment alternatives [15] Marketplace Development - **App Launch**: The Katapult app was launched two years ago, transitioning from reliance on merchants for traffic to creating a self-sustaining marketplace [8][10] - **K-Pay Feature**: Introduced to allow seamless checkout using a proprietary virtual credit card, enhancing consumer experience and engagement [9][10] - **Growth Metrics**: In 2024, approximately $127 million of gross originations began in the app, with K-Pay enabling nearly $77 million of those [10] Financial Performance - **Recent Growth**: 11 consecutive quarters of year-over-year gross originations growth; Q2 2025 saw a 30.4% increase in gross originations and over 22% revenue growth [11][16] - **Future Outlook**: For Q3, expected gross originations growth of 25% to 30%, revenue growth of 20% to 25%, and adjusted EBITDA of $3 million to $3.5 million [16][17] Strategic Partnerships and Merchant Benefits - **Merchant Engagement**: Katapult provides merchants access to a new pool of engaged shoppers, with benefits including high repeat rates and lower abandoned cart rates [11][12] - **Risk Mitigation**: Merchants face no risk from customer defaults or returns and do not incur transaction-related interchange costs [12] Conclusion - **Mission Focus**: Katapult remains committed to providing fair and transparent LTO options for consumers while serving as a growth partner for merchants [17]

Core Insights - Katapult Holdings, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with gross originations of $64.2 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 15.4% [5][40] - The company achieved a total revenue of $71.9 million, up 10.6% from the previous year [5][39] - CEO Orlando Zayas expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, highlighting a 57% increase in KPay originations and strong engagement within the Katapult app marketplace [3][5] Financial Performance - Gross originations for Q1 2025 were $64.2 million, a 15.4% increase compared to Q1 2024 [5][40] - Total revenue reached $71.9 million, marking a 10.6% increase year-over-year [5][39] - Operating expenses rose by 17.3%, leading to a net loss of $5.7 million for Q1 2025, compared to a net loss of $0.6 million in Q1 2024 [5][12] Customer Engagement and Market Position - Approximately 59% of gross originations in Q1 2025 originated from the Katapult app marketplace, which is the largest customer referral source [5] - The repeat customer rate was 57.4%, indicating strong customer loyalty [5] - KPay gross originations grew by approximately 57% year-over-year, with 35% of total gross originations transacted using KPay [5] Business Outlook - Katapult expects gross originations to grow at least 20% for the full year 2025, reiterating its guidance despite challenges in the home furnishings category [8][7] - The company plans to introduce new merchants to the Katapult App Marketplace throughout 2025, aiming to capture a larger share of the underserved non-prime consumer market [7][8] - The outlook assumes no significant changes in the macroeconomic environment and does not account for potential impacts from prime creditors [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Katapult Holdings, Inc. is set to release its first quarter 2025 financial results on May 15, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call at 8:00 AM ET to discuss these results [1]. Company Overview - Katapult is a technology-driven lease-to-own platform that collaborates with omni-channel retailers and e-commerce platforms to facilitate the purchase of durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers [3]. - The company offers a simple, fast, and transparent process through point-of-sale integrations and its mobile app, Katapult Pay™, enabling consumers who lack access to traditional financing to shop from a growing network of merchant partners [3]. - Katapult emphasizes a business model based on fairness and dignity, aiming to humanize the purchasing experience for underserved consumers [3]. Investor Relations - A live audio webcast of the upcoming conference call will be available on the Katapult Investor Relations website, with a replay accessible after the call [2]. - For further inquiries, Jennifer Kull serves as the VP of Investor Relations and can be contacted via email [5].