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Chegg, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell 48% year over year: Total net revenues were $63.3 million, compared with $121.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • First positive net income in two years: Net income was $0.2 million, the first positive net income in two years according to management. Non-GAAP net income was $3.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA $15.5 million, 24% margin: Adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million, a 24% margin, compared with $19.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Skilling revenue up 9%: Chegg Skilling revenue was $17.6 million, up 9% year over year, as management said it continued to invest in the business. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating expenses down 55%: Non-GAAP operating expenses were $36.4 million, down $44.1 million, or 55%, from $80.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow $3.1 million: Free cash flow was $3.1 million, a figure that includes about $12.9 million of severance payments tied to prior restructuring. Source

“Q1 was a strong quarter. We exceeded expectations for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, and delivered positive net income for the first time in two years,”

Dan Rosensweig, CEO and Executive Chairman of Chegg

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Chegg Skilling revenue Sourcesecond quarter 2026$17.5 million to $18 millionNew
Total net revenues Sourcesecond quarter 2026$49 million to $50 millionNew
Gross margin Sourcesecond quarter 202651% to 52%New
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcesecond quarter 2026$5 million to $6 millionNew
Chegg Skilling revenue growth Sourcefull-year 2026double-digit revenue growthKept
Capital expenditure Source202660% reduction, about 90% to SkillingKept
Severance payments Sourcesecond quarter 2026$2.1 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance for Skilling revenue, total revenue, gross margin and adjusted EBITDA is new. The prior release guided only the first quarter. Source
  • New: Management said it recently signed a partnership with Cornerstone, a learning and talent management platform, expected to open an enterprise distribution channel for Chegg Skills. Source
  • New: The company is launching its first AI master's program with Woolf, a partnership announced last quarter, offering recognized credentials. Source

Results and profitability

  • Revenue fell 48% year over year: Total net revenues were $63.3 million, compared with $121.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • First positive net income in two years: Net income was $0.2 million, the first positive net income in two years according to management. Non-GAAP net income was $3.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA $15.5 million, 24% margin: Adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million, a 24% margin, compared with $19.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Gross margin 60%, non-GAAP 62%: Gross margin was 60% and non-GAAP gross margin was 62%, compared with 56% and 57% in the first quarter of 2025. Source

Chegg Skilling and partners

  • Skilling revenue up 9%: Chegg Skilling revenue was $17.6 million, up 9% year over year, as management said it continued to invest in the business. Source
  • New enterprise and channel partners added: Management said skilling traction is broad, with new enterprise and channel partners and momentum with global category leaders in manufacturing, consulting and technology. Source
  • AI coaching in language learning: Language learning is moving from structured lessons to real-time coaching within the learner's workflow, with skills performance data for HR and learning leaders. Source
  • Graduate survey results reported: In the 2026 Chegg Skills for Business Impact Report, 92% of graduates surveyed remain with their employer six to twelve months after completing a program. Source

“The business is leaner and better positioned for future growth with high margins.”

Dan Rosensweig, CEO & Executive Chairman

Academic Services cash business

  • Academic Services revenue $45.7 million: Academic Services revenue was $45.7 million. The business is managed to maximize cash generation. Source
  • Monthly retention rates reported: Management reported monthly retention rates for the quarter, saying they extend the operational runway of the business even as traffic remained under pressure. Source
  • Chegg Study funds skilling investment: Management said investment in skilling is funded by free cash flow from Chegg Study, which outperformed its expectations in the first quarter. Source

Costs and capital spending

  • Non-GAAP operating expenses down 55%: Non-GAAP operating expenses were $36.4 million, down $44.1 million, or 55%, from $80.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • About 40% of costs removed: Over six months the team removed about 40% of costs. Management said these actions generate cash flow that can be invested in future growth. Source
  • Capital spending down 88%: Capital expenditure was $1.0 million in the quarter, down 88% from a year earlier. Source

“We are leaner, more efficient, and well-positioned for double-digit growth in our Skilling business and meaningful free cash flow in 2026”

David Longo, CFO and Corporate Secretary

Cash flow, balance sheet and capital

  • Free cash flow $3.1 million: Free cash flow was $3.1 million, a figure that includes about $12.9 million of severance payments tied to prior restructuring. Source
  • Meaningful free cash flow expected in 2026: Management expects to generate meaningful free cash flow in 2026 despite the severance payments. Source
  • Net cash position of $34.1 million: Cash and investments were $67.9 million at quarter end, with a net cash position of $34.1 million. Source
  • Convertible notes reduced substantially: Management said the company significantly reduced its debt in the quarter. Current convertible notes were $33.8 million at March 31, against $53.8 million at year-end. Source
  • Priorities and buyback authority: Management will keep evaluating capital deployment, including the remaining repurchase authorization, with a disciplined approach. Source

AI-first strategy and leadership

  • Business rebuilt to be AI-first: Management said it retooled the business to be AI-first, after removing costs and rearchitecting financials, corporate structure and product. Source
  • AI personalizes learner support: AI is used to personalize learning paths, spot learners who are struggling, and trigger coach or system interventions before they fall behind. Source
  • Curriculum updated faster with AI: AI lets the company create and update curriculum fast enough to keep pace with how quickly skills, including AI skills, are changing. Source
  • Skilling market sized at $40 billion: The company describes skilling as a $40 billion and growing market and says it is building an outcomes-driven platform in it. Source
  • Leader returned six months ago: Dan Rosensweig said he returned six months earlier because he saw a company with the ingredients to win and needed focus and clarity. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Convertible notes repaid by September: Management said capital priorities include fully repaying convertible debt by September. Source
  • More AI-driven cost reductions planned: Management said it will keep identifying efficiencies, including enhanced AI use, to drive further cost reductions. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said search headwinds continue to affect traffic for Chegg Study, though retention remains strong. Source
  • Financial: Severance from prior restructuring drew on cash in the quarter, with more payments due in the second quarter. Source
  • Operational: Management expects new distribution deals to contribute from the second half and help drive full-year double-digit Skilling growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter results exceeded expectations, building on progress outlined on the last call. Prior first-quarter guidance was total revenue of $60 million to $62 million. 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.