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Douglas Elliman Inc. (DOUG)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 delivered 27% YoY revenue growth to $253.4M, the highest first-quarter revenue since 2022, with operating loss narrowing sharply to $5.3M and adjusted EBITDA turning positive at $1.1M, reflecting mix-shift to higher-margin markets and Development Marketing strength .
  • Adjusted net loss improved to $2.4M ($0.03 per share) from $23.1M ($0.28 per share) in Q1 2024; New York City existing home sales revenue rose $17M (+34% YoY) and Development Marketing revenue rose $14.6M (+222% YoY) .
  • Liquidity remained strong with $136.8M–$137.0M in cash and equivalents; first-quarter cash outflow improved (~$8.7M vs $28.4M in Q1 2024), supporting growth investments in technology and agent experience .
  • No quantitative guidance issued; management flagged April Q2-to-date average daily cash receipts up 4% YoY and highlighted robust Development Marketing pipeline ($28.3B actively marketed; ~$18.7B in Florida), positioning near- to medium-term revenue visibility .
  • Potential stock reaction catalysts: positive adjusted EBITDA, mix-shift to luxury/NYC, technology rollouts (AI-driven Elliman.com and “Elliman Inspirations”), and litigation expenses normalizing .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Mix-shift and Development Marketing momentum: “New York City’s revenues from existing home sales increased by $17 million or 34%… and Development Marketing’s… increased by $14.6 million or 222%” .
  • Profitability trajectory: “Adjusted EBITDA… was positive $1.1 million… compared to a loss of $17.6 million” and operating loss reduced to $5.3M from $41.5M YoY .
  • Luxury leadership and pricing power: “Our industry-best average price per transaction rose to $2 million per home sale compared to $1.6 million” ; Q1 average transaction price reported at $2.0M .

What Went Wrong

  • GAAP losses persist: Net loss of $6.0M ($0.07) despite improvements; operating loss remains negative .
  • Litigation and non-GAAP adjustments still notable: Q1 included ~$1.9M of unusual litigation/settlement-related expenses and $0.746M derivative fair value change .
  • Macro headwinds remain: Management cited elevated mortgage rates, low inventory, soft transaction volume, and geopolitical uncertainty as ongoing constraints .

Financial Results

Headline P&L vs prior year and prior quarter

MetricQ1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Revenues ($USD Millions)$200.239 $243.321 $253.403
Operating Loss ($USD Millions)$(41.464) $(16.258) $(5.349)
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(41.685) $(6.088) $(6.284)
Net Loss to DOUG ($USD Millions)$(41.475) $(5.997) $(5.985)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$(0.50) $(0.07) $(0.07)
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$(17.733) $(5.403) $1.108
Adjusted Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(23.080) $2.376 $(2.397)
Operating Margin (%)−20.7% −6.7% −2.1%

Notes: Operating Margin (%) derived from operating loss divided by revenues; underlying figures cited in each cell.

Revenue Composition

Revenue Line ($USD Millions)Q1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Commissions & Brokerage$188.265 $231.905 $241.143
Property Management$9.047 $9.084 $9.492
Other Ancillary Services$2.927 $2.332 $2.768
Total Revenues$200.239 $243.321 $253.403

KPIs

KPIQ1 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Gross Transaction Value ($USD Billions)$7.1 $8.8 $9.9
Total Transactions (Units)4,477 5,337 4,908
Average Price per Transaction ($USD Millions)$1.6 $1.64 $2.0
≥$5M Homes Sold (Units)198 (implied; +73% to 343) N/A343
≥$10M Homes Sold (Units)59 (implied; +76% to 104) N/A104

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Quantitative Financial Guidance (Revenue/EPS/Margins)FY/Q2 2025None disclosed None disclosed Maintained (no guidance)
Average Daily Cash Receipts (April)Q2-to-date 2025N/A~+4% YoY New qualitative datapoint
Development Marketing Pipeline (GTV)2025–2030 closings~$27.6B LTM Q3 reference ~$28.3B active; +$4.2B coming by Jun-2026; ~$18.7B in FL Raised visibility

Notes: No formal numerical guidance ranges issued in press release/8-K or call; management provided qualitative indicators only .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3 2024 and Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
Development MarketingMomentum began in Q4 2024; segment revenue tailwind, pipeline contributing Revenue +$14.6M YoY to $21.1M; pipeline ~$28.3B active, $18.7B FL; $4.2B coming by Jun-2026 Strengthening
NYC Existing Home SalesStabilization, high ASP leadership NYC revenue +$17M (+34% YoY) Improving
Luxury Pricing/ASPLeading industry ASP (~$1.61–$1.68M in 2024) Average price per transaction rose to $2.0M vs $1.6M LY Improving
Macro HeadwindsMortgage rates, inventory constraints cited Elevated rates, low inventory, soft volumes, tariffs/geopolitics reiterated Persistent headwind
Expense DisciplineCost reductions progressing Operating expenses reduced by ~$3M YoY ex commissions/D&A/stock comp/litigation/restructuring Improving
M&A/Ancillary ExpansionNew strategic M&A unit; property management expansion discussions Continued evaluation of title, escrow, insurance brokerage, property management Ongoing
Technology/AINotable initiatives in Q4/Q1; foundation set Launch of AI-powered Elliman.com “Elliman Inspirations” and “World of Elliman” Accelerating
Regulatory/Litigation2024 litigation settlement and expenses Q1 unusual litigation expense $1.898M; derivative fair value change $0.746M Normalizing vs 2024 peak

Management Commentary

  • CEO tone: “Delivering our highest first-quarter revenue since 2022 with significant reductions in operating losses… With our strong balance sheet… and new technologies, I am confident that we will continue to build long-term growth and enhance stockholder value” .
  • CFO emphasis: “Results enhanced by a favorable sales mix… Development Marketing and existing home sales in New York City… average price per home sale transaction rose to $2 million… pipeline of actively marketed projects of approximately $28.3 billion” .
  • Strategy: Focus on agent experience, technology, disciplined ROI-based investments, M&A in complementary ancillary services (title, escrow, insurance brokerage, property management) .

Q&A Highlights

  • No Q&A during the call; operator closed without analyst questions .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus via S&P Global for Q1 2025 appeared unavailable for EPS and revenue; no # of estimates were returned. Actual revenue recorded at $253.4M; EPS actual was $(0.07) diluted . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
MetricConsensus Q1 2025Actual Q1 2025Beat/MissNotes
Revenue ($USD Millions)N/A*$253.403 N/AConsensus unavailable; actual from press release
Primary EPS ($USD)N/A*$(0.07) N/AConsensus unavailable; actual diluted EPS

*Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Implication: With consensus unavailable, estimate revisions will likely focus on sustained mix benefits, Development Marketing pipeline conversion, and litigation normalization rather than headline beats/misses.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Revenue growth and mix-driven margin trajectory: Operating margin improved from −20.7% (Q1’24) to −2.1% (Q1’25) as luxury/NYC and Development Marketing contributed; adjusted EBITDA turned positive .
  • Strong luxury pipeline and pricing: $2.0M average transaction price and rising high-ticket sales (343 ≥$5M; 104 ≥$10M) underscore demand resilience in served luxury markets .
  • Liquidity supports execution: $137M cash and improved seasonal cash outflow ($8.7M vs $28.4M YoY) provide flexibility for technology and ancillary M&A initiatives .
  • Technology differentiation: Launch of AI-powered Elliman.com and “Elliman Inspirations” could deepen agent-client engagement and conversion, offering potential productivity uplift .
  • Litigation expenses normalizing: Q1 unusual litigation expense at ~$1.9M vs 2024 peaks; residual derivative fair value impacts remain a swing factor quarter-to-quarter .
  • Near-term trading lens: Positive adjusted EBITDA and strong KPIs may be viewed constructively, but lack of numeric guidance and macro housing headwinds temper near-term visibility .
  • Medium-term thesis: Conversion of Development Marketing pipeline (2025–2030 closings), ancillary expansion, and tech adoption present multi-year margin and revenue optionality as market conditions stabilize .