Pagaya Technologies .(PGY) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company achieved GAAP net income of $34 million and operating cash flow of $80 million, marking a significant turnaround from a loss of $238 million in the previous year [6][27] - For the full year 2025, revenues reached $1.3 billion, up 26% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $371 million, up 76% year-over-year, and GAAP net income of $81 million, a $483 million improvement compared to 2024 [6][21] - The fourth quarter revenue was $335 million, with a 29% adjusted EBITDA margin, and FRLPC (Fee Revenue Less Production Costs) was $131 million, up 12% year-over-year [22][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Personal loans accounted for approximately 65% of total network volume, growing 10% year-over-year, while auto and point-of-sale (POS) represented 19% and 16% of quarterly network volume, respectively [22] - The company reported a network volume of $2.7 billion for Q4, up 3% year-over-year, with full-year network volume at $10.5 billion, up 9% [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a proactive tightening of production in certain areas to mitigate higher variability of credit outcomes, which resulted in a reduction of approximately $100 million-$150 million in fourth quarter volume without impacting profitability targets [23][24] - The company has diversified its funding sources, creating almost $3 billion of revolving capacity through ABS structures across point-of-sale and personal loans [12][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on sustainable, profitable growth, emphasizing prudent risk management over short-term gains, and aims to build a B2B2C platform that integrates deeply into the U.S. financial ecosystem [8][13] - Future growth is expected to come from onboarding new partners and deepening existing relationships, with a robust pipeline of new partner launches anticipated [9][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted that while consumer performance remains strong, there is increased uncertainty in the market, prompting a cautious approach to credit exposure [18][66] - The guidance for 2026 reflects a cautious outlook, with expected GAAP net income ranging from $100 million to $150 million, assuming current market conditions persist [35][61] Other Important Information - The company has established long-term agreements with major partners, enhancing business stability and alignment [10][14] - The company reported a significant improvement in operating leverage, with core operating expenses declining to 36% of FRLPC, a 13-point improvement year-over-year [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the decision to move away from variable outcomes? - Management emphasized the importance of prudent risk management over short-term growth, noting that they are not reliant on marketing spend to generate volume, allowing for more flexibility in decision-making [37][40] Question: How is the funding environment looking for 2026? - Management indicated strong demand for their products and noted that the funding environment is becoming more disciplined, which is beneficial for the company [58][59] Question: What specific actions were taken to pull back on risk? - The company primarily pulled back across the entire portfolio, with a focus on personal and auto loans due to the growth seen in POS [73]