greeksoup/ stock research

Sprout Social, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 4 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 11%: Revenue increased 11% to $121.5 million. Subscription revenue was $120.0 million against $108.7 million a year earlier; professional services and other revenue was $1.5 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating income rose: Non-GAAP operating income rose to $14.1 million from $12.5 million. The figure excludes stock-based compensation of $18.1 million for the quarter. Source
  • Customers at $30,000 ARR up 12%: Customers contributing $30,000 or more in ARR reached 3,875, up 12% year-over-year, from 3,803 at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cohort supplies 60.3% of subscription revenue: Approximated TTM subscription revenue from customers at $30,000 or more in ARR was $280.1 million, or 60.3% of total subscription revenue, up from 59.1% in the prior quarter. Source
  • Total RPO up 10%: Total remaining performance obligations were $395.3 million, up 10% year-over-year, against $404.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $24.7 million: Non-GAAP free cash flow was $24.7 million, up from $19.5 million. Net cash from operating activities was $25.2 million, against $18.1 million. Source

“We are pleased with our financial performance this quarter, highlighted by $24.7 million in non-GAAP free cash flow”

Ryan Barretto, CEO of Sprout Social

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue SourceQ2 2026$121.7 million and $122.5 millionNew
Non-GAAP operating income SourceQ2 2026$9.5 million and $10.3 millionNew
Non-GAAP net income per share SourceQ2 2026$0.15 and $0.16New
Total revenue SourceFull year 2026$492.5 million and $495.5 millionRaised from $490.2 million and $495.2 million
Non-GAAP operating income SourceFull year 2026$54.9 million and $60.4 millionRaised from $54.2 million and $59.2 million
Non-GAAP net income per share SourceFull year 2026$0.88 and $0.97Kept
Non-GAAP operating margin SourceFourth quarter of 2026approximately 15%Kept
Rule of 40 (non-GAAP) SourceFourth quarter of 202730%Kept
Share repurchases SourceNo set end dateup to $50 million of Class A common stockNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year total revenue range raised; both ends moved up from the prior release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year non-GAAP operating income range raised; both ends moved up from the prior release. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance given for total revenue, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP EPS. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year non-GAAP EPS range kept; the share count assumption moved to 60.7 million from 60.8 million. Source
  • New: First share repurchase program authorized, up to $50 million of Class A common stock. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 11%: Revenue increased 11% to $121.5 million. Subscription revenue was $120.0 million against $108.7 million a year earlier; professional services and other revenue was $1.5 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating income rose: Non-GAAP operating income rose to $14.1 million from $12.5 million. The figure excludes stock-based compensation of $18.1 million for the quarter. Source
  • GAAP net loss narrowed: GAAP net loss narrowed to $6.3 million, or $0.11 per share, from $11.2 million, or $0.19 per share. Weighted-average shares rose to 59.7 million from 57.9 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS rose to $0.23: Non-GAAP net income per share was $0.23, against $0.22. Non-GAAP net income was $13.6 million, against $12.5 million. Source

Customers and subscription cohort

  • Customers at $30,000 ARR up 12%: Customers contributing $30,000 or more in ARR reached 3,875, up 12% year-over-year, from 3,803 at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cohort supplies 60.3% of subscription revenue: Approximated TTM subscription revenue from customers at $30,000 or more in ARR was $280.1 million, or 60.3% of total subscription revenue, up from 59.1% in the prior quarter. Source
  • Customers at $50,000 ARR up 18%: Customers contributing $50,000 or more in ARR reached 2,085, up 18% year-over-year, from 2,022 at December 31, 2025. Source
  • G2 ranked social listening first: G2 named the company's social listening product #1 in its 2026 spring reports, with 59 top rankings, up from 40 in the winter reports. Source
  • Dollar retention not in release: The dollar-based net retention rate of 100% for 2025, reported in the prior release, does not appear in this release.

“We are also excited to announce the company’s first ever share repurchase program with an initial authorization of $50 million, which highlights our disciplined approach to capital allocation.”

Ryan Barretto, CEO of Sprout Social

Costs and margins

  • Research spending rose, G&A fell: Research and development rose to $26.9 million from $23.2 million, while general and administrative fell to $23.9 million from $25.0 million. Sales and marketing was $48.5 million. Source
  • No restructuring charges this quarter: Restructuring charges of $2.7 million were excluded from non-GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2025. None were recorded in the current quarter. Source
  • Stock-based compensation eased: Stock-based compensation expense was $18.1 million, against $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating income definition changed: This release's non-GAAP operating income excludes fair value changes of contingent consideration. The prior release excluded lease-termination gains, acquisition-related expenses and contingent consideration accretion.

Demand and the order book

  • Total RPO up 10%: Total remaining performance obligations were $395.3 million, up 10% year-over-year, against $404.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Current RPO up 10%: Current remaining performance obligations, those to be recognized within 12 months, were $281.7 million, up 10%. The prior-year-end figure was $284.7 million. Source
  • Deferred revenue and receivables fell: Deferred revenue was $194.3 million, down from $205.6 million at December 31, 2025. Accounts receivable fell to $69.4 million from $101.0 million. Source

Cash flow and liquidity

  • Free cash flow reached $24.7 million: Non-GAAP free cash flow was $24.7 million, up from $19.5 million. Net cash from operating activities was $25.2 million, against $18.1 million. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $111.6 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $111.6 million, up from $95.3 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Revolver balance paid down: The company repaid $7.5 million on its revolving credit facility, leaving $32.5 million outstanding at March 31, 2026, down from $40.0 million. Source

Share repurchase authorization

  • No obligation and no end date: The program does not obligate the company to buy any set amount, has no termination date, and can be modified, suspended or discontinued at the board's discretion. Source
  • Repurchase methods permitted: Repurchases may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through block purchases, through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, or by a combination of these. Source

Strategy and customer focus

  • Focus on larger customers: Management said the $30,000-plus customer measure reflects its strategic focus on larger customers and how it allocates resources. Source
  • ARR no longer a key indicator: Management said it no longer considers ARR and number of customers key performance indicators for the business. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • Repurchase timing set by management: Timing and amount of any repurchase under the program will be set by management at its discretion. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total remaining performance obligations Source$395.3 million, up 10%
Current remaining performance obligations Source$281.7 million, up 10%
Customers contributing $30,000 or more in ARR Source3,875, up 12%
Customers contributing $50,000 or more in ARR Source2,085, up 18%
Approximated TTM subscription revenue from customers at $30,000 or more in ARR Source$280.1 million
Subscription revenue Source$120.0 million, up from $108.7 million

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said guidance rests on assumptions that are subject to change, many outside its control, and that expectations may change if results differ. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it continues to expect this margin level. The release gives no progress figure against it. Source
  • Not stated: Target first set in the prior release and reiterated in this release. 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.