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Ziff Davis, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 August 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Connectivity sale completed for $1.2B: Company completed sale of Connectivity division for total proceeds of $1,216.1 million. Cash received at closing was $1,179.1 million, or $1,134.1 million net of cash divested, with $37.0 million held in escrow. Source
  • Deployed $173M in share buybacks: Company repurchased $121.5 million of common stock in Q2 2026 and $173.1 million total in H1 2026, returning capital to shareholders and reducing share count. Source
  • Total revenues declined 2.7% in Q2: Revenues from continuing operations fell 2.7% in Q2 to $286.7 million from $294.8 million in prior year. H1 revenues decreased 2.3% to $554.4 million from $567.6 million. Source
  • Goodwill impairment of $54.8M recorded: Company recorded $54.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment in Health & Wellness segment, reflecting write-down of reporting unit as fair value declined below carrying value. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS up 13.2%: Adjusted diluted EPS increased 13.2% to $1.03 in Q2 from $0.91 in Q2 2025. H1 adjusted EPS was $1.75, up 4.2% from $1.68. Source
  • Free cash flow more than doubled: Free cash flow increased 100.3% to $54.0 million in Q2 from $26.9 million in Q2 2025. H1 free cash flow was $50.8 million, up 131.5% from $21.9 million. Source

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Company completed sale of Connectivity business in Q2 2026 for $1.216 billion in total proceeds, including $1.134 billion net of cash divested. Source
  • New: Company recorded $54.8 million goodwill impairment in Health & Wellness segment in Q2 2026, with no impairment in prior year Q2. Source

Connectivity Sale and Capital Deployment

  • Connectivity sale completed for $1.2B: Company completed sale of Connectivity division for total proceeds of $1,216.1 million. Cash received at closing was $1,179.1 million, or $1,134.1 million net of cash divested, with $37.0 million held in escrow. Source
  • Deployed $173M in share buybacks: Company repurchased $121.5 million of common stock in Q2 2026 and $173.1 million total in H1 2026, returning capital to shareholders and reducing share count. Source
  • Cash position strengthened significantly: Cash and cash equivalents increased to $1,606.1 million at June 30, 2026 from $573.8 million at December 31, 2025, primarily from Connectivity sale proceeds. Source

Core Business Revenue Performance

  • Total revenues declined 2.7% in Q2: Revenues from continuing operations fell 2.7% in Q2 to $286.7 million from $294.8 million in prior year. H1 revenues decreased 2.3% to $554.4 million from $567.6 million. Source
  • Technology & Shopping revenue fell 5.0%: Technology & Shopping segment revenues declined 5.0% in Q2 to $76.7 million from $80.8 million. H1 revenues were down 9.0% to $147.9 million from $162.4 million. Source
  • Gaming & Entertainment grew modestly: Gaming & Entertainment revenues grew 0.9% in Q2 to $46.6 million from $46.2 million in Q2 2025. H1 revenues grew 3.7% to $87.4 million from $84.3 million. Source
  • Health & Wellness revenue fell 4.8%: Health & Wellness revenues fell 4.8% in Q2 to $94.7 million from $99.5 million. H1 revenues were down 2.5% to $180.6 million from $185.2 million. Source
  • Cybersecurity & Martech revenues flat: Cybersecurity & Martech revenues grew 0.5% in Q2 to $68.7 million from $68.3 million. H1 revenues grew 2.1% to $138.5 million from $135.7 million. Source

Profitability and Goodwill Impairment

  • Goodwill impairment of $54.8M recorded: Company recorded $54.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment in Health & Wellness segment, reflecting write-down of reporting unit as fair value declined below carrying value. Source
  • Operating loss of $44.7M in Q2: Operating loss was $(44.7) million in Q2 2026 versus operating income of $13.8 million in Q2 2025. H1 operating loss was $(41.8) million, down from $28.2 million profit. Source
  • Net loss of $(52.2)M from operations: Net loss from continuing operations was $(52.2) million or $(1.43) per diluted share in Q2 2026, compared to net income of $14.3 million ($0.34 per share) in Q2 2025. Source

Adjusted Profitability and Margins

  • Adjusted EBITDA fell 3.7%: Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.7% to $76.8 million in Q2 from $79.8 million in Q2 2025. H1 adjusted EBITDA was $140.2 million, down 7.3% from $151.2 million. Source
  • EBITDA margin compressed 30 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA margin compressed to 26.8% in Q2 from 27.1% in Q2 2025. H1 margin fell from 26.6% to 25.3%, indicating margin pressures in core operations. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS up 13.2%: Adjusted diluted EPS increased 13.2% to $1.03 in Q2 from $0.91 in Q2 2025. H1 adjusted EPS was $1.75, up 4.2% from $1.68. Source

Cash Flow and Liquidity

  • Operating cash flow up 55.9%: Net cash from operating activities increased 55.9% to $89.0 million in Q2 from $57.1 million in Q2 2025. H1 operating cash flow increased 53.1% to $118.9 million. Source
  • Free cash flow more than doubled: Free cash flow increased 100.3% to $54.0 million in Q2 from $26.9 million in Q2 2025. H1 free cash flow was $50.8 million, up 131.5% from $21.9 million. Source

Coming up, per management

  • Earnings call scheduled August 7: Company will host live audio webcast and conference call on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET to discuss second quarter 2026 financial results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Company announced definitive agreement to sell Connectivity business in Q1 2026 and completed the transaction in Q2 2026 for $1.216 billion in total proceeds. Source
  • On track: Company deferred fiscal 2026 guidance in Q1 2026 due to ongoing review of value-creating opportunities and remained in deferral in Q2 following Connectivity sale completion.

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.