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Alight, Inc. / Delaware: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell 6.2% year on year: Revenue was $500 million, down from $533 million a year earlier and from $511 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell to $86 million: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $86 million, against $138 million. Margin was 17.2% against 25.9%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.66 against $2.32. Source
  • Third-quarter results against August ranges: Third-quarter revenue of $500 million and adjusted EBITDA of $86 million compare with the ranges of $469 million to $479 million and $55 million to $61 million given in August.
  • Retention metrics improved in quarter: Management said retention metrics improved significantly in the quarter, and that the company won several new logos and expanded relationships with existing clients. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 27.0%: Gross profit was $135 million, a 27.0% margin, against $178 million and 33.4%. Adjusted gross profit was $168 million, a 33.6% margin, against 38.6%. Source
  • Selling and admin costs rose $35 million: Selling, general and administrative expenses rose $35 million, mainly on higher severance and other restructuring costs, compensation expense and professional fees. Source
  • Free cash flow was $108 million: Nine-month cash from operations was $181 million and free cash flow $108 million, against $236 million and $151 million a year earlier. Source

“We are pleased to have surpassed revenue and adjusted EBITDA expectations for the third consecutive quarter, reflecting our continued execution of our long-term strategy to bolster Alight’s leadership position in the market and return to positive commercial momentum.”

Rohit Verma, Chief Executive Officer of Alight

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$2,115 million to $2,125 millionRaised from $2,078 million to $2,098 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$410 million to $420 millionRaised from $400 million to $415 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges were raised compared with the August ranges. Source
  • New: Bruce Wolfe was added as Wealth leader. Source
  • New: Alight acquired Abett, which management said added differentiating capabilities. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue fell 6.2% year on year: Revenue was $500 million, down from $533 million a year earlier and from $511 million in the second quarter. Source
  • Net loss narrowed from prior year: Net loss was $51 million, against $1,068 million a year earlier. Loss per share from continuing operations was $1.93, against $40.03. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell to $86 million: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $86 million, against $138 million. Margin was 17.2% against 25.9%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.66 against $2.32. Source
  • Third-quarter results against August ranges: Third-quarter revenue of $500 million and adjusted EBITDA of $86 million compare with the ranges of $469 million to $479 million and $55 million to $61 million given in August.

Revenue mix and client base

  • Recurring revenue made up most sales: Recurring revenue was $458 million against $489 million, and project revenue was $42 million against $44 million, for the quarter. Source
  • Retention metrics improved in quarter: Management said retention metrics improved significantly in the quarter, and that the company won several new logos and expanded relationships with existing clients. Source
  • Account coverage now above 95%: Account coverage was expanded to relationships that represent over 95% of recurring revenue. Source
  • Lower net commercial activity drove decline: Management said the revenue change was primarily due to lower net commercial activity. Source

“Our demonstrated progress with our transformation initiatives has enabled us to win several new logos and expand our relationships with existing clients.”

Rohit Verma, Chief Executive Officer of Alight

Margins and cost base

  • Gross margin fell to 27.0%: Gross profit was $135 million, a 27.0% margin, against $178 million and 33.4%. Adjusted gross profit was $168 million, a 33.6% margin, against 38.6%. Source
  • Pay costs and lower revenue cut profit: Management attributed the gross profit decline to lower revenue and higher compensation expense, partly offset by cost savings initiatives. Source
  • Selling and admin costs rose $35 million: Selling, general and administrative expenses rose $35 million, mainly on higher severance and other restructuring costs, compensation expense and professional fees. Source
  • Interest expense rose $1 million: Interest expense was $25 million, up $1 million, reflecting higher interest expense net of swaps and lower interest income. Source
  • Restructuring add-backs rose: Restructuring add-backs were $25 million against $4 million, and $53 million for nine months against $44 million. Source

Cash, debt and liquidity

  • Free cash flow was $108 million: Nine-month cash from operations was $181 million and free cash flow $108 million, against $236 million and $151 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending declined: Capital expenditures for the nine months were $73 million, against $85 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net debt at quarter end: At September 30, 2026, cash was $212 million, total debt $1,991 million and net debt $1,779 million, against cash of $273 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Prior-year impairment drove pre-tax change: Pre-tax loss was $70 million against $1,253 million, with the prior-year goodwill impairment as the main driver of the change. Source

“We are confident that we have the team, tools and strategy in place to continue creating a clear pathway to delivering enhanced operational and service excellence.”

Rohit Verma, Chief Executive Officer of Alight

Capital returns and tax receivable payments

  • Dividends and buybacks were minimal: Dividend payments were $1 million for nine months, against $65 million, and no shares were repurchased, against $65 million a year earlier. Source
  • Tax receivable payments rose: Payments on tax receivable agreements were $136 million for nine months, against $100 million. The long-term TRA liability fell to $428 million from $508 million. Source
  • Share figures restated for reverse split: Share and per-share amounts were restated for the 1-for-20 reverse stock split of Class A, Class B and Class V common stock, effective June 30, 2026. Source

Strategy and leadership

  • Long-term strategy execution continues: Management said it continued executing its long-term strategy and delivered several features on its AI roadmap during the quarter. Source
  • Wealth leader added to team: Bruce Wolfe was added as Wealth leader, which management said further strengthened the leadership team. Source
  • Confidence in team and tools: Management said it is confident in its team, tools and strategy for enhanced operational and service excellence. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 November 2026

  • Continued pathway to service excellence: Management said it expects to continue creating a clear pathway to enhanced operational and service excellence. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Recurring revenue share of total revenue Source91.6%
Account coverage SourceRelationships over 95% of recurring revenue

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Revenue depends on net commercial activity, which declined this quarter and was named as the primary cause of the revenue change. Source
  • Operational: Severance, restructuring and compensation costs raised operating expenses in the quarter, alongside cost savings initiatives. Source
  • Financial: Net debt was $1,779 million at quarter end, and interest expense rose by $1 million year on year. Source
  • Financial: Remeasurements of the tax receivable agreement and financial instruments are non-operating and affect reported results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The second-quarter release expected the back half to be affected by 2025 commercial execution and seasonally higher third-quarter expenses. The third-quarter release does not restate this.
  • Met: Management said the company completed insourcing of critical client service functions that had been outsourced.
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to execute its long-term strategy to bolster the company's market position. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.