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Nerdy Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 26 February 2026: letter to shareholders, press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 2% in fourth quarter: Fourth-quarter revenue was $49.1 million, up 2% from $48.0 million. It was the first year-over-year increase since the second quarter of 2024, with Consumer and Institutional both growing. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 million, compared with a $5.5 million loss a year earlier. This was above the guidance range of negative $2.0 million to breakeven. Source
  • Institutional bookings fell 11%: Varsity Tutors for Schools signed 56 contracts in the quarter, with bookings down 11% year-over-year. Source
  • Survey rated new platform favorably: In a January 2026 survey of 277 Active Consumer Learning Membership customers, 85% rated the new platform better or the same, with an 82% satisfaction score. Source
  • Fourth-quarter gross margin 66.8%: Gross margin excluding the software charge was 66.8% in the fourth quarter, compared with 66.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up 1,400 basis points: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin improved over 1,400 basis points year-over-year in the fourth quarter, which management said reflects a lower cost structure. Source
  • Active Members below prior-year level: Active Member count at year-end was lower than a year earlier. Management attributed this to operational challenges it said it is actively addressing. Source

“In the fourth quarter, we delivered on the three goals we set entering 2025: return the business to growth, accelerate our transformation into an AI-native platform, and achieve positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA.”

Chuck Cohn, Founder, Chairman & CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefirst quarter of 2026$46-$48 millionNew
Revenue Sourcefull year 2026$180-$190 millionNew
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin Sourcefull year 2026 versus 2025over 1,000 basis points improvementNew
Year-end cash Sourceend of 2026$40-45 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First-quarter and full-year 2026 guidance introduced in this release; the prior release gave fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 guidance. Source
  • New: The new Learner and Expert experiences finished rolling out in the fourth quarter, after the prior release described the rollout as under way for that quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 2% in fourth quarter: Fourth-quarter revenue was $49.1 million, up 2% from $48.0 million. It was the first year-over-year increase since the second quarter of 2024, with Consumer and Institutional both growing. Source
  • Full-year revenue fell 6%: Full-year revenue was $179.0 million, down 6% from $190.2 million. Management linked the decline to lower Institutional revenue and a state-funded Consumer program that did not recur in 2025. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 million, compared with a $5.5 million loss a year earlier. This was above the guidance range of negative $2.0 million to breakeven. Source
  • Full-year EBITDA loss narrowed: The full-year non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss was $18.0 million, compared with $21.5 million in 2024. GAAP net loss was $60.9 million, down from $67.1 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • Consumer Learning Memberships grew 6%: Fourth-quarter Learning Membership revenue rose 6% year-over-year. Learning Membership revenue was $41.6 million, or 85% of company revenue, in the quarter. Source
  • State program lapse offset Consumer growth: A $2.0 million state-funded program from the prior-year quarter did not recur, partly offsetting Learning Membership growth in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Institutional revenue rose 6%: Institutional revenue was $7.2 million, up 6% and 14% of company revenue. Management linked the flow-through to higher bookings in the second and third quarters of 2025. Source
  • Institutional bookings fell 11%: Varsity Tutors for Schools signed 56 contracts in the quarter, with bookings down 11% year-over-year. Source
  • Full-year Institutional revenue declined: Full-year Institutional revenue fell 22% to $27.6 million. Management attributed the full-year decline mainly to lower Institutional revenue and the state program. Source

“The foundational work of 2025, replatforming, cost discipline, and AI-native capabilities, is now beginning to pull through to stronger financial performance.”

Chuck Cohn, Founder, Chairman & CEO

Products and customers

  • Survey rated new platform favorably: In a January 2026 survey of 277 Active Consumer Learning Membership customers, 85% rated the new platform better or the same, with an 82% satisfaction score. Source
  • Session summaries drew high parent feedback: The post-session 'moments of learning' summaries received more than 95% positive feedback from parents and students and drove higher session utilization. Source

Costs

  • Headcount reduced 22%: Full-year headcount fell 22% as automation took on tutor matching, substitution, customer service and scheduling. Source
  • Sales and marketing spend declined: Full-year GAAP sales and marketing expense fell $11.5 million to $60.1 million, which management tied to Consumer marketing efficiency and moderated Institutional investment. Source
  • General and administrative costs fell: Full-year GAAP general and administrative expense fell $21.4 million to $105.5 million, including non-cash stock compensation. Source
  • Product development spend lower: Full-year product and development costs were $41.3 million, compared with $43.9 million in 2024. Source
  • Software abandonment charge recorded: A $7.8 million charge covered abandoned capitalized internal-use software, tied to replacing platform components with AI-native codebases. Source

“In 2026, we’re focused on leveraging AI to deliver personalized learning experiences and make our expert tutors even more effective, growing our active member base, and delivering sustainable profitability.”

Chuck Cohn, Founder, Chairman & CEO

Margins and pricing

  • Fourth-quarter gross margin 66.8%: Gross margin excluding the software charge was 66.8% in the fourth quarter, compared with 66.6% a year earlier. Source
  • Gross margin up third straight quarter: Gross margin improved sequentially for a third consecutive quarter, rising about 380 basis points from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Mix shift and pricing lifted margin: Management attributed the fourth-quarter gross margin expansion mainly to a mix shift toward higher-frequency Learning Memberships and Q1 2025 price increases for new Consumer customers. Source
  • Full-year gross margin declined on tutor pay: Full-year gross margin excluding the charge was 62.3%, against 67.5% in 2024. Management said the decline was primarily driven by Expert pay and incentive investments. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up 1,400 basis points: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin improved over 1,400 basis points year-over-year in the fourth quarter, which management said reflects a lower cost structure. Source

Demand and order book

  • Market seen as large and enduring: Management said customer conversations and demand indicate the market for high-quality, personalized tutoring remains large and enduring. Source
  • Active Members below prior-year level: Active Member count at year-end was lower than a year earlier. Management attributed this to operational challenges it said it is actively addressing. Source
  • Newer cohorts retained better: Higher retention in newer cohorts, linked to user experience improvements and Expert pay and incentives, supported Consumer results in the quarter. Source
  • Institutional revenue expected to steady: Management said 2026 Institutional revenue reflects bookings flowing into the first half, with more stable federal and state funding expected in the second half. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Cash ended year at $47.9 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $47.9 million at December 31, 2025, down from $52.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Term loan funds liquidity: The company borrowed $20 million under its new term loan. Management said cash on hand and the loan funding available provide ample liquidity. Source
  • Operating cash outflow and capital spending: Net cash used in operating activities was $18.8 million for the year, and capital expenditures were $5.4 million. Source
  • Share count at year-end: Total outstanding share count was 187,956 thousand at December 31, 2025, including 64,395 thousand combined interests convertible into Class A shares. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Live+AI pairs tutors with AI: Management said the company pairs expert human tutors with AI, which it described as producing outcomes neither could achieve alone. Source
  • Three priorities set for 2026: Management named personalized learning, growing Active Members and compounding gross margin and cost gains as its three 2026 priorities. Source
  • New marketing channels and mobile launch: The company plans new marketing channels for awareness and virality, along with an improved mobile experience, to accelerate top-of-funnel growth. Source
  • Market size cited at $20 billion: Management cited an estimated $20 billion U.S. academic tutoring market and said the company currently serves fewer than 40,000 Active Members. Source
  • AI to cut operating costs: Management said AI will be used to streamline operations and further reduce costs in 2026. Source
  • Platform benefit not yet in guidance: Management said 2026 guidance does not yet reflect the full benefit of the new platform, which is still early in adoption. Source

People and leadership

  • New Chief Operating Officer appointed: A new Chief Operating Officer was appointed in 2025 to drive operational execution and systematic process improvements. Source
  • Expert incentives shifted utilization: Lower Active Experts reflected Consumer Expert incentives that encourage the highest-quality Experts to take on more Learners and deeper relationships. Source
  • Expert count judged sufficient: Management said the Active Expert count at year-end is sufficient to meet near-term growth objectives. Source
  • Tutor pay investments continue: Management expects targeted investments in tutor pay rates to drive further retention improvements in Consumer revenue in 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 26 February 2026

  • Updates to follow through the year: Management said it will update the market as more data is gathered through 2026. No specific dates were given. Source
  • Gross margin expected to expand each quarter: Management expects gross margin to expand each quarter in 2026 as tutor-incentive programs are further optimized. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Active Members Source33.2 thousand
ARPM Source$364, up 21% year-over-year
Active Experts Source9.1 thousand in fourth quarter, down 15%
Varsity Tutors for Schools contracts and bookings Source56 contracts; bookings of $4.1 million
Learning Membership revenue Source$41.6 million, 85% of company revenue
Live tutoring hours to date Sourceover 10 million hours

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said federal and state funding delays continue to affect Institutional revenue, bookings and program start dates. Source
  • Operational: Management cited operational challenges behind the lower Active Member count, which it said it is actively addressing. Source
  • Financial: Investments in Expert pay and incentives reduced full-year gross margin excluding the software charge. Source
  • Operational: Management said the new platform is still early in adoption, and 2026 guidance does not yet reflect its full benefit. Source
  • External: Management said investors and analysts ask how AI is changing the company's business and market. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Fourth-quarter revenue was above the top end of the guided range. Source
  • Met: Gross margin improved sequentially for a third consecutive quarter. Source
  • Met: Management said the company delivered on its commitment to positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter. 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.