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Chegg(CHGG) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, total revenue was $121 million, a decrease of 30% year over year, with subscription services revenue at $108 million, reflecting a 31% decline in subscribers to 3.2 million [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $19 million, representing a margin of 16%, while gross margin was 56%, negatively impacted by a one-time charge of $16.2 million [21][22] - Free cash flow generated in Q1 was approximately $16 million, despite incurring about $8 million in cash outlays related to employee severance from restructurings [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Chegg Study platform continues to innovate with features like Solution Scout and AI-powered content generation, which are attracting interest from potential acquirers [10][12] - Busuu, the language learning service, saw a 7% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1, with the B2B segment achieving a 29% year-over-year revenue growth [11] - Skills product is expected to achieve profitability and positive revenue growth by 2026, with pilot programs initiated in India [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing ongoing industry headwinds, with a notable decline in traffic and subscriber acquisitions impacting financial performance [26] - The restructuring plan aims to align costs with revenue amidst these challenges, with expected savings of $45 million to $55 million in 2025 and $100 million to $110 million in 2026 [16][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic review process is ongoing, exploring options to maximize shareholder value, including potential acquisition or remaining a standalone public company [9][10] - The company is diversifying revenue through content licensing agreements, having signed two deals generating $4 million in Q1, with expectations for further growth [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges that macroeconomic trends will continue to exert pressure on the business, with expectations that conditions may worsen before improving [13][14] - The company is taking proactive measures to align costs with business outlook, including further restructuring and expense reductions [14][15] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $65 million of its 2026 convertible notes at a discount, enhancing its capital structure [20] - The restructuring will impact approximately 22% of the workforce, primarily affecting Chegg Study and Corporate Services [15][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on the licensing deals signed during the quarter? - Management highlighted that the licensing involves 125 million question and answer pairs, with current agreements being a small pilot phase with major tech companies [30][31] Question: What feedback have you received from university partners regarding the pilot programs? - Positive feedback has been received, with schools showing willingness to invest in seat-based licenses to improve student success rates [34][36]