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CoStar Group(CSGP) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
CoStar GroupCoStar Group(US:CSGP)2025-04-29 21:00

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 revenue reached $732 million, a 12% year-over-year increase, marking the 56th consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth [5][63] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $66 million, representing a 429% increase compared to Q1 2024, with a profit margin of 9% [6][63] - Company net new bookings were $56 million in Q1 2025, up 6% sequentially from Q4 2024 [6][71] - The company reported a net loss of $15 million primarily due to one-time costs from the Matterport acquisition [70] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CoStar revenue grew 6% year-over-year in Q1 2025, with net new bookings at their highest level since Q3 2023 [7][64] - Apartments.com revenue increased by 11% year-over-year, with significant growth in the number of listed properties [19][65] - LoopNet revenue grew 5% in Q1 2025, with expectations for revenue growth to accelerate throughout the year [67] - STR's integration into CoStar contributed to its best quarter ever for net new bookings, up 17% year-over-year [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial real estate environment remains challenging, with historic high vacancy rates around 16% and real asking rents at a 30-year low [9][10] - In retail, real asking rents are at ten-year lows, but signs of improvement are emerging as vacancy rates begin to fall [11] - The company expects market conditions to improve over the next few years, shifting from headwinds to tailwinds [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating its various brands and enhancing product offerings to create a comprehensive solution for clients [15][16] - A new marketing strategy for LoopNet aims to increase the number of paid properties on the platform, enhancing consumer choice [13] - The company is expanding its sales force to capitalize on growth opportunities, particularly in the Apartments.com segment [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current commercial real estate environment is one of the worst in decades, but they anticipate a return to double-digit growth as conditions improve [9][12] - The company is maintaining its revenue growth guidance of 6% to 7% for the full year 2025, despite some expected headwinds from government contract cancellations [64][73] - Management expressed confidence in the Homes.com brand, which has seen significant growth in unaided brand awareness and traffic [70][31] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 240,000 shares for $18.5 million in Q1 2025 and plans to repurchase a total of $150 million in shares throughout the year [72] - The company made a nonbinding offer to acquire Domain Group, a significant player in the Australian real estate market [72][54] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on the delayed market listing exemption discussed by the NAR and Zillow's reaction - Management reported overwhelmingly negative feedback from agents regarding Zillow's new rules, indicating a potential opportunity for the company [76][77] Question: Nonresidential EBITDA margin in Q1 and outlook for residential spending in 2025 - The commercial margin was reported at 43% for Q1, with no changes to the budget for Homes.com [78][80]