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Legalzoom.Com, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered, 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 3% in the quarter: Revenue was $195.1 million, up 3% from $190.2 million a year earlier, with subscription revenue providing the growth. Source
  • Subscription revenue grew 11%: Subscription revenue was $139.7 million, up 11%. Nine-month subscription revenue rose 12% to $403.2 million. Source
  • Business formations fell 13%: Business formations were 110 in the quarter, down from 126. Nine-month business formations were 377, down 3%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $50.0 million, up 8%, and its margin rose to 26% from 24%. Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA was $132.4 million, up 8%. Source
  • Channel investment was most of cut: More than half of the change from prior guidance is continued investment in channel diversification, including partnerships, affiliates and AI channels. Source
  • Free cash flow was $34.1 million: Free cash flow was $34.1 million, down from $47.0 million, on operating cash flow of $39.9 million against $54.2 million. Source

“Revenue from human-in-the-loop subscription services grew 17% year-over-year and now represents 49% of total revenue”

Jeff Stibel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefull year 2026$797 million to $803 million, about 6% growth at the midpointKept
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$180 million to $185 million, about 6% growth and a 23% margin at the midpointLowered from $190 million to $195 million
Revenue Sourcefourth quarter 2026$190 million to $196 million, about 1% growth at the midpointNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefourth quarter 2026$48 million to $53 million, about 1% growth and a 26% margin at the midpointNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance was cut to $180 million to $185 million from $190 million to $195 million. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year revenue midpoint was reiterated at about $800 million, with the range narrowed. Source
  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter 2026 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance was given for the first time in these documents. Source
  • New: Management said it will accelerate investment in bringing expert support into the customer relationship from the first purchase. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 3% in the quarter: Revenue was $195.1 million, up 3% from $190.2 million a year earlier, with subscription revenue providing the growth. Source
  • Net income and EPS both rose: Net income was $8.1 million, or 4% of revenue, against $4.5 million, or 2%. Diluted EPS was $0.05 against $0.02, and non-GAAP net income was $31.4 million, up 1%. Source
  • Nine-month revenue up 7%: For the nine months, revenue was $607.2 million, up 7%, and net income was $14.3 million against $9.4 million a year earlier. Source

Subscription and transaction revenue

  • Subscription revenue grew 11%: Subscription revenue was $139.7 million, up 11%. Nine-month subscription revenue rose 12% to $403.2 million. Source
  • Transaction revenue fell 14%: Transaction revenue was $55.5 million, down from $64.8 million. Transaction units fell 4% to 249, and nine-month transaction revenue was flat. Source

“Our updated Adjusted EBITDA outlook reflects the cost of that environment and our continued investment in channel diversification and the sales and service capabilities behind our higher-value offerings.”

Noel Watson, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Customer acquisition and demand

  • Acquisition environment described as challenging: Management described the customer acquisition environment as challenging, alongside continued investment in growth priorities and channel diversification. Source
  • Business formations fell 13%: Business formations were 110 in the quarter, down from 126. Nine-month business formations were 377, down 3%. Source
  • Average order value fell 12%: Average order value was $222, down from $251. Nine-month average order value fell 3% to $225. Source

Costs, margins and profit

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $50.0 million, up 8%, and its margin rose to 26% from 24%. Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA was $132.4 million, up 8%. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 71%: Gross margin was 71%, up from 67%. Cost of revenue fell to $57.1 million from $62.3 million. Source
  • Sales and marketing spend rose: Sales and marketing expense was $76.9 million, up from $67.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Restructuring costs rose sharply: Restructuring costs were $5.8 million in the quarter, against $0.1 million a year earlier, tied to reducing global headcount. Source

“These results give us confidence to accelerate our investment in bringing expert support into the customer relationship from the first purchase, pairing AI with accountable expertise to make our services more useful.”

Jeff Stibel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Reasons for lower EBITDA guidance

  • Paid acquisition added about a quarter: About one quarter of the change at the midpoint reflects higher costs in paid customer acquisition channels. Source
  • Expert services and sales spending: The remainder of the change reflects investment in higher-value expert services and seasonal sales spending. Source
  • Channel investment was most of cut: More than half of the change from prior guidance is continued investment in channel diversification, including partnerships, affiliates and AI channels. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Free cash flow was $34.1 million: Free cash flow was $34.1 million, down from $47.0 million, on operating cash flow of $39.9 million against $54.2 million. Source
  • Quarter buybacks of $14.6 million: Share repurchases were $14.6 million in the quarter, leaving about $65.8 million under the existing authorization. Source
  • Nine-month repurchases of $103.2 million: Repurchases of common stock were $103.2 million for the nine months, against $37.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • Cash held with no debt: Cash and cash equivalents were $181.7 million at September 30, 2026, against $203.1 million at December 31, 2025, with no debt outstanding. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Sales investment ahead of Q1 peak: Management described seasonal investment in sales capabilities planned ahead of the first-quarter peak in business formations. Source

In management's words

“With $181.7 million in cash and no debt, we have the financial capacity to fund these priorities.”

Noel Watson, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Subscription revenue Source$139.7 million, up 11% year-over-year
Subscription units at period end Source1,854, down 5% year-over-year
Average revenue per subscription unit at period end Source$280, up 9% year-over-year

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said customer acquisition pressure is expected to continue for the rest of the year, partly offset by subscription growth. Source
  • Operational: Higher costs in paid customer acquisition channels are part of the lower full-year EBITDA guidance. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Quarterly revenue was reported as above the midpoint of the quarter's guidance range. Source
  • Met: Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA was reported as at the midpoint of the quarter's guidance range. 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.