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Douglas Elliman Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 March 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Operating income turned to profit: Operating income was $67.0 million in the fourth quarter, against an operating loss of $16.3 million a year earlier. For 2025, operating income was $45.5 million against a loss of $68.8 million. Source
  • Full-year net income turned positive: Net income attributed to Douglas Elliman was $15.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for 2025. The company reported a net loss of $76.3 million in 2024. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA remained a loss: Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman was a loss of $10.6 million in the fourth quarter, against a $6.6 million loss a year earlier. For 2025 the loss was $14.0 million, against $24.1 million. Source
  • Fourth-quarter transaction value rose: Gross transaction value was about $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter against $8.8 billion a year earlier. Total transactions were 5,239, against 5,335. Source
  • Cash ended year at $115.5 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $115.5 million at December 31, 2025. The prior release reported $143.0 million at September 30, 2025, and about $126.5 million at October 31, 2025. Source
  • Gain on property management sale recorded: The disposal of the property management business, completed October 24, 2025, produced an $81.7 million gain on disposal of business, included in fourth-quarter operating income. Source

“Douglas Elliman delivered solid results in the fourth quarter and for the full year 2025, reflecting the beginning stages of our strategic realignment and continued focus on disciplined financial management,”

Michael S. Liebowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Elliman Inc.

What changed from last quarter

  • Ended: The property management business was disposed of on October 24, 2025, and its revenue line is no longer included in the company's results. Source
  • Ended: The convertible notes were redeemed, and the company reported no long-term debt at year-end 2025. Source
  • New: The company reported the launch of Elliman Capital in Florida and New York during 2025. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter revenue slightly higher: Revenue was $245.4 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $243.3 million a year earlier. For 2025, revenue was $1.033 billion against $995.6 million. Source
  • Operating income turned to profit: Operating income was $67.0 million in the fourth quarter, against an operating loss of $16.3 million a year earlier. For 2025, operating income was $45.5 million against a loss of $68.8 million. Source
  • Full-year net income turned positive: Net income attributed to Douglas Elliman was $15.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for 2025. The company reported a net loss of $76.3 million in 2024. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA remained a loss: Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman was a loss of $10.6 million in the fourth quarter, against a $6.6 million loss a year earlier. For 2025 the loss was $14.0 million, against $24.1 million. Source

Revenue lines and property management

  • Property management revenue declined: Property management revenue was $2.2 million in the fourth quarter, against $9.1 million a year earlier. For 2025 it was $31.6 million against $36.8 million. Source
  • Commissions revenue rose in both periods: Commissions and other brokerage income was $240.3 million in the fourth quarter against $231.9 million. For 2025 it was $989.8 million against $946.6 million. Source
  • New destinations and Elliman Capital cited: The CEO cited entry into new international destinations, the Elliman Capital launch, and added experienced leaders, and said these moves positioned the company well for future growth. Source

“We reported increased revenue and a meaningful improvement in operating losses compared to the prior year.”

Bryant Kirkland, Chief Financial Officer of Douglas Elliman

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Agent commissions expense increased: Real estate agent commissions were $188.1 million in the fourth quarter against $179.2 million. For 2025 they were $772.0 million against $743.8 million. Source
  • General and administrative expense declined: General and administrative expense was $25.2 million in the fourth quarter against $37.2 million. For 2025 it was $111.0 million against $117.8 million. Source
  • Impairment and restructuring charges recorded: The company recorded a $2.3 million impairment of fixed assets in 2025, and restructuring expense of $1.6 million for 2025 against $1.0 million in 2024. Source
  • Litigation costs lower than 2024: Litigation settlement and related expenses, net, were $7.6 million for 2025 against $33.3 million for 2024. The 2024 figure included a $17.75 million antitrust litigation settlement expense line. Source

Transactions and gross transaction value

  • Fourth-quarter transaction value rose: Gross transaction value was about $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter against $8.8 billion a year earlier. Total transactions were 5,239, against 5,335. Source
  • Full-year transaction value higher: For 2025, gross transaction value was about $39.8 billion against $36.4 billion. Total transactions were 21,338, against 21,779 in 2024. Source
  • Average price per transaction reported: Average price per transaction was $1.84 million in the fourth quarter and $1.86 million for 2025. Source

“Throughout the year, we took bold steps to strengthen our core business, expand our presence in key luxury markets, and invest in technology, talent, and agent resources.”

Michael S. Liebowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Elliman Inc.

Cash, debt and convertible notes

  • Cash ended year at $115.5 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $115.5 million at December 31, 2025. The prior release reported $143.0 million at September 30, 2025, and about $126.5 million at October 31, 2025. Source
  • Convertible debt derivative loss recorded: The change in fair value of the derivative embedded within convertible debt was a $28.5 million loss for 2025, against a $15.0 million loss in 2024. The fourth quarter showed a $4.7 million gain. Source
  • Interest expense rose, interest income fell: Interest expense was $5.1 million for 2025 against $2.9 million in 2024. Interest income was $4.9 million for 2025 against $5.5 million. Source

Portfolio changes and strategy

  • Gain on property management sale recorded: The disposal of the property management business, completed October 24, 2025, produced an $81.7 million gain on disposal of business, included in fourth-quarter operating income. Source
  • Expense reductions and realignment cited: Management said continued expense reductions and a strategic realignment drove improvement in net income and Adjusted EBITDA for 2025. Source
  • Sharpened focus and client service: The CEO cited sharpened strategic focus, a strengthened financial position and commitment to client service as the company's current priorities. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Gross transaction value, fourth quarter 2025 Source$9.6 billion (fourth quarter 2024: $8.8 billion)
Gross transaction value, 2025 Source$39.8 billion (2024: $36.4 billion)
Total transactions, fourth quarter 2025 Source5,239 (fourth quarter 2024: 5,335)
Total transactions, 2025 Source21,338 (2024: 21,779)
Average price per transaction, fourth quarter 2025 Source$1.84 million
Average price per transaction, 2025 Source$1.86 million

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The company recorded litigation expense and settlement costs in 2025 tied to industry-wide antitrust class action lawsuits and other matters involving employees and agents, net of insurance recoveries. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected this gain. The fourth-quarter release reports a gain on disposal of $81.7 million within operating income and does not state an after-tax figure.

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.