People app
Search documents
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-04 14:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IAC reported a 9% digital revenue growth in Q3 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth, with strong performance in licensing and performance marketing offsetting a decline in advertising revenue [23][44] - Digital adjusted EBITDA grew 9% to $72 million, with margins at 27% and incremental margins at 26% [24][46] - The company expects digital revenue growth in the range of 7% to 10% for Q4 2025, with adjusted EBITDA guidance for the year slightly lowered to $325 million to $340 million [47] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - People Inc. is the core asset, with a focus on diversifying revenue sources and audience growth, achieving significant traction in off-platform audience growth, which accelerated by 66% year-over-year [35][24] - The print division saw a 10% decline in adjusted EBITDA and a 15% revenue decline, which was considered acceptable by management [46] - The emerging and other segments reported a negative $20 million EBITDA due to legal expenses, but the rest of the segment remains profitable [49] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Google search traffic as a source for core brands decreased from 54% two years ago to 24% in the latest quarter, but overall audience scale has been maintained [32] - Ad revenue declined by 3% in Q3, primarily due to volume-related issues rather than rate-related [33] - Off-platform revenue, which is the fastest-growing revenue stream, accounted for over a third of the quarter's revenue [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to streamline its assets and reduce overhead, focusing on People Inc. and MGM as core components of its strategy [6][5] - IAC plans to divest non-core holdings and increase share repurchases, with a total of $300 million in shares bought back year-to-date [20][50] - The management is optimistic about evolving People Inc. into a more proactive business model, leveraging its iconic brands and exploring new business opportunities [13][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate challenges posed by Google and the broader market, emphasizing a strong relationship with audiences and advertisers [70][72] - The macroeconomic environment is perceived as stable for middle and upper segments, while some pressures exist in lower segments, particularly in corporate spending [80][81] - The company is optimistic about future growth, particularly in off-platform revenue and new initiatives like the Microsoft AI deal [68][39] Other Important Information - The company laid off about 6% of its workforce to free up capital for investments and maintain profitability goals [42] - IAC's cash balances exceed $1 billion, which will be enhanced by selling non-core assets [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on MGM's valuation and investor interest - Management believes that owning MGM through IAC offers a cheaper entry point and that the combined assets provide additional value [53][60] Question: Onetime expense cleanup in Q3 - Management indicated that significant cleanup has occurred, with no expectation of large one-time charges continuing in the future [60][61] Question: Update on People Inc. and Google litigation - Management expressed confidence in the future of People Inc. and highlighted the ongoing litigation against Google, seeking significant damages [73][75] Question: Macro environment and capital allocation - The macro environment is stable, with a focus on stock buybacks and cautious approach to acquisitions due to high prices [80][87] Question: Corporate costs trajectory - Corporate costs are expected to decrease as the company continues to rationalize its operations [113]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-04 14:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IAC reported a 9% digital revenue growth in Q3, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth, with strong performance in licensing and performance marketing [13][14] - Digital-adjusted EBITDA grew 9% pro forma to $72 million, with 27% margins, and the company expects digital revenue growth in the 7%-10% range for Q4 [30][31] - The company has a cash balance exceeding $1 billion, which will be enhanced by selling non-core assets [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - People Inc. achieved a digital revenue growth of 9% in Q3, driven by its iconic portfolio of brands and strong audience engagement [14][15] - The print division saw a 15% revenue decline, but adjusted EBITDA only declined by 10%, indicating effective cost management [30] - Off-platform audience growth accelerated by 66% year-over-year, contributing significantly to revenue [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Google Search traffic as a source for core brands dropped from 54% two years ago to 24% in the latest quarter, but overall audience scale has been maintained [19][20] - Ad revenue declined by 3% in Q3, primarily due to volume-related issues rather than rate-related [21] - The macro environment appears solid for middle and upper-end consumers, while pressures are noted in the lower-end market [46][47] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IAC aims to streamline its assets, focusing on People and MGM, while divesting non-core holdings and reducing overhead [4][5] - The company is reimagining People Inc. to transition from a defensive to an offensive strategy, leveraging its brands to create new business opportunities [5][6] - MGM is viewed as a hedge against disintermediation, with a strong position in Las Vegas and a focus on digital opportunities [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the future of People Inc. and MGM, highlighting the potential for growth despite current challenges [13][41] - The company is optimistic about upcoming AI-related deals and the value of its content in the evolving digital landscape [23][24] - Management acknowledged the impact of Google litigation costs but views the spending as worthwhile given the potential for significant damages [40][45] Other Important Information - The company laid off about 6% of its workforce to free up capital for investments and maintain profitability goals [27] - IAC has repurchased $300 million worth of shares year-to-date, representing about 8% of its outstanding shares [33] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Current thinking on MGM's valuation and why invest through IAC - Management believes that investing in MGM through IAC offers a cheaper entry point and provides additional value from IAC's other assets [34][38] Question: One-time expense cleanup in Q3 - Management indicated that significant one-time expenses have been cleaned up and do not expect similar charges in the future [39] Question: Update on the state of the business and Google litigation - Management expressed confidence in the business's future, citing the Microsoft AI deal and the Feedfeed acquisition as positive indicators [41][42][45] Question: Macro environment observations - The macro environment is solid for middle and upper-end consumers, with some pressures noted in the lower-end market [46][47] Question: Capital allocation strategy moving forward - Management emphasized a focus on opportunistic share buybacks rather than pursuing high-priced acquisitions [49]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-05 13:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IAC reported a 15% increase in adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, with guidance for full-year EBITDA set between $247 million and $285 million [7][44] - Digital revenue growth accelerated to 9% in Q2, up from 7% in Q1, marking a return to core sessions growth [5][45] - The refinancing of $1.4 billion in debt at People Inc. was completed, replacing the original acquisition capital structure with new bank debt and bonds at attractive pricing [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - People Inc. achieved 9% digital revenue growth, with core sessions growth returning despite macro volatility [5] - MGM reported a 36% net revenue growth in Q2, with increased full-year revenue guidance to at least $2.7 billion [6] - Care.com is seeing promising signs of growth in engagement metrics following a product and brand revitalization [7][42] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The percentage of traffic from Google has decreased from 52% to 28%, while overall sessions have increased [31][27] - Off-platform views have become a significant revenue source, contributing to approximately one-third of digital revenue [28][29] - The digital margins for People Inc. reached just under 29% in FY 2024, with expectations for continued growth in adjusted EBITDA margins [36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The rebranding to People Inc. aims to reflect the company's focus on premium content created by people for people, enhancing its market positioning [10][66] - The company is actively pursuing M&A opportunities and exploring strategic divestitures to bolster its cash balance [9][68] - A focus on diversifying audience sources and reducing reliance on Google traffic is central to the company's strategy [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to maintain growth despite challenges posed by AI and changes in Google’s search algorithms [77][78] - The company anticipates continued growth in off-platform audiences and improved monetization strategies [49][56] - Management remains optimistic about the long-term revenue growth target of 10% for digital revenue, driven by various initiatives [95] Other Important Information - Care.com has relaunched its platform, enhancing user experience and aiming to drive consumer engagement [41][42] - The company is focusing on optimizing its product offerings and marketing strategies to capture a larger share of the addressable market [88][90] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the trajectory of sessions, including Google Search and off-platform views? - Management expects O&O sessions to be flat to slightly up in the future, with continued growth in off-platform views [48][49] Question: What are the factors affecting the 2Q PeopleLink digital revenue? - Digital advertising grew 5%, with strong performance in performance marketing and licensing, despite some challenges in core sessions [53][54] Question: What is the current penetration of Google AI reviews? - AI reviews are present in approximately 50% to 55% of searches where the company's content appears [75] Question: What is the outlook for M&A opportunities? - The company is actively evaluating both public and private opportunities, focusing on quality defensible businesses and AI applications [68][70] Question: What factors need to be addressed for Care.com to grow faster? - The company needs to improve product experience, expand pricing and packaging options, and enhance matching capabilities between care seekers and providers [88][90]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-29 14:05
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted EBITDA guidance of $330 million to $350 million for the full year, with a trailing basis of $309 million [40][41] - Free cash flow conversion remains strong, with a minor amount of capital expenditures and working capital [41] - The company has a net credit facility of $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion and aims to deleverage below four times leverage by year-end [41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Dotdash Meredith is the number one digital and print publisher in America, with over $1.8 billion in majority digital revenue [23] - The company has seen consistent digital revenue growth, reporting a 7% increase in the first quarter and guiding for 7% to 9% growth for Q2 [39][40] - Care.com has flat revenue over the last few years, but the company expects improvements with a new management team and better marketing strategies [47] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strength in premium direct advertising revenue, particularly in health and beauty sectors, while experiencing weakness in food and beverage and parts of retail [60] - Programmatic advertising prices have stabilized after initially rising, indicating a shift in market dynamics [60] - MGM Resorts is viewed as undervalued, trading at about 3.3 times the current value of its properties, with significant upside potential [44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital allocation, including stock buybacks and strategic acquisitions, while also considering opportunistic divestitures [18][54] - Management changes have been made to enhance execution and focus on free cash flow [15][16] - The company aims to unlock the perceived value of its private assets and reduce the discount at which its equity trades [13][14] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing a strong performance in direct premium advertising and a solid position heading into the latter part of the year [62] - The company anticipates some softness in Q2 and Q3 but expects relative strength in Q4, with no significant recession predicted [56] - Management highlighted the importance of resolving tariff issues to improve market conditions [62] Other Important Information - The company has a strong cash position with $900 million available at the holding company level [13] - The integration challenges faced by Dotdash Meredith have been addressed, leading to improved performance [10] - The company is actively exploring M&A opportunities across various stages and sectors, particularly in leisure, entertainment, and media [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk through the macro environment regarding tariffs? - Management noted that there was strength in March, but volatility has since increased, with premium direct advertising remaining solid despite some weakness in other sectors [59][60] Question: Is there a path for IAC to take a controlling stake in Turo? - Management indicated that taking a controlling stake is not a priority, focusing instead on executing current opportunities [63] Question: Are there discussions with other large language model developers? - Management confirmed ongoing discussions with various developers, with OpenAI being the most advanced partner [64][65]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 13:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 was described as a solid start to the year with reaffirmed full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance across all of IAC [6][18] - The company repurchased 4,500,000 shares and increased share repurchase authorization by 10,000,000 shares [6][12] - DDM (Dotdash Meredith) grew digital revenues by 7% in Q1 and increased EBITDA by 46%, excluding a one-time lease gain [8][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - DDM's digital advertising revenue was up 1% in Q1, with premium demand remaining stable despite a decline in core traffic [35][40] - Licensing revenue led growth with a 30% increase, aided by the OpenAI license and strong performance at Apple News [36] - Performance marketing also showed strong growth at 11% [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macroeconomic outlook remains uncertain, with consumer spending through DDM's performance marketing being solid despite weak consumer confidence [15][18] - Programmatic pricing has softened, running flat year over year after previously increasing [17][18] - The advertising base showed strength in pharma, tech, and beauty, offsetting weaknesses in food and beverage [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing growth across its businesses and capital allocation, including share buybacks and M&A opportunities [11][12] - The strategy includes pursuing strategic divestitures of smaller holdings to free up capital [13] - The company aims to create equity value and reduce the discount between share price and intrinsic value [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management is carefully monitoring the macroeconomic environment for signs of stability or weakness among consumers and brands [18] - The company is optimistic about future growth, particularly in 2026, with several key projects underway [22][26] - Management acknowledged the challenges in the advertising market but emphasized the strength of their brands and execution capabilities [40][41] Other Important Information - The company reached an agreement to settle litigation related to the match separation with minimal additional costs [10] - The appointment of Jim Lawson as President of Decipher was highlighted as a strategic move to enhance the product's market presence [48][50] Q&A Session Summary Question: Key priorities for 2026 TDM revenue growth and capital allocation - Management discussed ongoing projects like the People app and MyRecipes, emphasizing their focus on meeting younger audiences [22][24] - Capital allocation will balance between share repurchases and M&A opportunities, with a cautious optimism for new investments [27][28] Question: Q1 trends in DDM Digital revenue - Management noted that Q1 faced tough comparisons and a decline in core traffic, but licensing and performance marketing showed strong growth [34][36] Question: Impact of Google’s AI transition and programmatic softness - Management indicated that the impact of Google's AI changes is not significant yet, and programmatic pricing has stabilized after a period of growth [114][116] Question: Appointment of Jim Lawson and Decipher's strategy - The appointment was seen as a strategic advantage to enhance Decipher's market presence and execution capabilities [48][50] Question: AI opportunities across the IAC portfolio - Management highlighted ongoing AI applications in various segments, particularly in improving customer service and marketing efficiency [83][85]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 13:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 was described as a solid start to the year, with IAC reaffirming full year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance across all segments [6][18] - The company repurchased 4,500,000 shares and increased share repurchase authorization by 10,000,000 shares [6][12] - IAC's shares are trading below the value of its 23% stake in MGM and $900,000,000 in cash, indicating a significant value disconnect [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Dotdash Meredith (DDM) grew digital revenues by 7% in Q1 and increased EBITDA by 46%, excluding a one-time lease gain [8] - Licensing revenue at DDM grew by 30%, driven by the OpenAI license and strong performance at Apple News [36] - Performance marketing also showed strong growth at 11% [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The advertising market showed signs of stability, with premium demand remaining generally stable despite some weakness in food and beverage sectors [17] - Programmatic pricing has softened, running flat year over year after previously increasing [18] - Consumer spending through DDM's performance marketing has been solid, contrasting with weak consumer confidence numbers [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing growth across its businesses and capital allocation, including share buybacks and M&A opportunities [11][12] - IAC is pursuing strategic divestitures of smaller holdings to free up capital and simplify operations [13] - The strategy includes leveraging its strengths in capital investment and operational know-how to pursue acquisitions [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the uncertain macroeconomic outlook but remains optimistic about the company's performance and growth opportunities [6][18] - There are early signs of consumer pressure in some areas, but no significant moves have been observed yet [17] - Management is carefully monitoring the macroeconomic environment for signs of stability or weakness among consumers and brands [18] Other Important Information - The company reached an agreement to settle litigation related to the match separation, requiring only a $200,000 contribution beyond insurance coverage [9] - The appointment of Jim Lawson as President of Decipher was highlighted as a strategic move to enhance the product's commercial potential [48][50] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Key priorities for 2026 TDM revenue growth and capital allocation - Management discussed excitement about 2026, focusing on major projects like the People app and Decipher Plus for ad targeting [22][24] - Capital allocation will balance between share repurchases and M&A opportunities, with a cautious optimism for new opportunities in the private market [27][29] Question: Q1 trends in DDM Digital revenue - Q1 saw slower growth due to tough comps and a decline in core traffic, but March showed solid growth in digital advertising [34][36] - For Q2, guidance is set at 7% to 9% digital revenue growth, with expectations of stable traffic and continued solid performance marketing [38] Question: Impact of Google partnership and programmatic softness - The Google contract is focused on search, with no cloud savings involved, and the impact of Google's AI changes is still being assessed [113][114] - Programmatic pricing has softened, with a disconnect between direct revenues and programmatic performance [18][112] Question: Learnings from OpenAI partnership and AI opportunities - The partnership with OpenAI has been productive, aiding in the rollout of products and enhancing targeting capabilities [80] - AI applications are being explored across the portfolio, with significant potential in customer service and marketing optimization [81][84] Question: Challenges in the Care business - The Care segment is focusing on improving product matching, pricing, and marketing to regain stability and growth [100][103] - Leadership changes and strategic improvements are being implemented to enhance the consumer experience [101][105]
IAC(IAC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 12:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 was described as a solid start to the year, with IAC reaffirming full year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance across all businesses [5][16] - DDM grew digital revenues by 7% in Q1 and increased EBITDA by 46%, excluding a one-time lease gain [7][16] - The company repurchased 4,500,000 shares and increased share repurchase authorization by 10,000,000 shares [5][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - DDM's licensing revenue grew by 30%, driven by the OpenAI license and strong performance at Apple News [34] - Performance marketing also showed strong growth at 11% [34] - The Daily Beast achieved a revenue growth of 72% while reaching profitability [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core traffic for DDM declined by 3% in Q1, with digital advertising only up by 1% due to fewer impressions available for programmatic sales [33] - Premium demand in advertising remained stable, with strength in pharma, tech, and beauty offsetting weaknesses in food and beverage [15][33] - Programmatic pricing softened, running flat year over year after previously increasing [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing growth across its businesses and capital allocation, including share buybacks and M&A opportunities [10][11] - IAC is pursuing strategic divestitures of smaller holdings to free up capital and simplify operations [12] - The company aims to create equity value and reduce the discount at which its shares are trading [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding consumer spending, noting solid performance in DDM despite weak consumer confidence [14][16] - The macroeconomic outlook remains uncertain, but the company is monitoring trends closely and reaffirming guidance based on current business performance [16] - Management highlighted the importance of focusing on execution and controlling what can be controlled in an unpredictable environment [16] Other Important Information - The company reached an agreement to settle litigation related to the match separation, requiring only a $200,000 contribution beyond insurance coverage [8] - IAC has $800 million in net operating losses (NOLs) that could offset taxable gains on its MGM stake [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Key priorities for 2026 TDM revenue growth and capital allocation - Management discussed excitement about 2026, highlighting projects like the People app and MyRecipes, and emphasized the importance of capital allocation between share repurchases and M&A [18][20][25] Question: Q1 trends in DDM Digital revenue - Management noted that Q1 faced tough comparisons and a decline in core traffic, but March showed solid growth in digital advertising [30][32] Question: DDM cash flow dynamics - Management explained that DDM can dividend cash to IAC if leverage ratios are below four times total debt to EBITDA, enhancing financial flexibility [43] Question: Appointment of Jim Lawson as President of Decipher - Management expressed excitement about Jim Lawson's appointment, emphasizing his experience and the potential for Decipher Plus to drive growth [46][48] Question: Impact of Google phasing out cookies - Management indicated that the cookie phase-out is not a significant concern, as their contextual targeting capabilities remain strong [58][60] Question: Strategic priorities for Care.com - Management outlined three core priorities for Care: improving product matching, optimizing pricing and packaging, and enhancing marketing efforts [100][104]