Opera(US:OPRA)2026-02-26 14:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 advertising revenue increased by $19 million sequentially, resulting in a 25% year-over-year growth [4] - Annual revenue growth for 2025 was 28%, an acceleration from 21% growth in 2024 [5] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $42 million, representing a 23.6% margin, exceeding guidance [19] - Full-year adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was $143 million, a 23.2% margin, reflecting a solid increase [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Monetization of user intent query revenue grew by 16% year-over-year, with non-search power revenue growing over 200% [5] - Opera GX reached over 34 million monthly active users (MAUs) in Q4, a 5% sequential increase [12] - MiniPay, a stablecoin wallet, saw activated wallets increase from 10 million to over 13 million [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The user base ended the year with 284 million MAUs, including 60 million users in Western markets [13] - ARPU grew by 26% to $2.49 in Q4, indicating strong user acquisition in key markets [13] - E-commerce advertising grew by 25% year-over-year, with the top 50 advertisers increasing their average spend by 56% [36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company launched two new browsers, Opera Air and subscription-based Opera Neon, to cater to distinct audiences [10] - Focus on enhancing the user experience through AI integration, positioning the browser as a gateway to online journeys [9] - Plans to invest in making MiniPay a more global platform, expanding its functionality and user base [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about user growth in Western markets despite increased competition [30] - The company anticipates continued growth in e-commerce and user intent monetization, viewing AI advancements as a significant opportunity [34] - Guidance for Q1 2026 revenue is set at $720 million-$735 million, reflecting a growth of 17%-20% [22] Other Important Information - A major share buyback program of $300 million was announced, representing over 25% of the market cap [25] - The company aims to maintain a healthy balance between growth and profitability while returning cash to shareholders [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: User growth in Western markets and competition - Management noted positive user performance in Q4, particularly in smartphone and desktop users, with growth attributed to attractive offerings and AI advancements [30][31] Question: E-commerce growth and advertising traction - E-commerce is a significant growth driver, with management highlighting its potential in a large market and the opportunity to capture user intent revenue [34] Question: Engagement and monetization of Opera Neon - Management indicated that it is early to assess Neon’s performance but sees potential for growth and monetization through query revenue and subscription models [41][42] Question: Gross margin sustainability - Management expects continued growth in Opera Ads, which will contribute positively to EBITDA margins while managing costs effectively [44] Question: OPay IPO timing - Management expressed excitement about OPay's performance and indicated that while an IPO is a natural next step, no specific timing has been confirmed [65]