8X8 INC /DE/ (EGHT) Q2 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- EGHT delivered top-line and EPS beats, with total revenue of $184.1M and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.09, both above the high end of guidance; service revenue grew 2.3% YoY to $179.1M, aided by record usage and AI-driven CX adoption .
- Usage-based revenue reached ~19% of service revenue versus ~13% a year ago; mix shift pressured gross margin to 65.7% non-GAAP, as management emphasized focus on absolute profit dollars and cash flow .
- Guidance raised for FY26 revenue and EPS (low end), but Q3 FY26 outlook calls for sequential revenue decline and lower gross margins (64–66%) due to consumption variability and remaining Fuze migration headwinds .
- Strategic catalysts: native WFM embedded at no extra cost, Mitel phone support, and expanding AI features across platform; deleveraging continues with $224M debt reduction since Aug 2022, lowering ongoing interest expense .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Above-guide execution: Total revenue $184.1M and service revenue $179.1M, both exceeded the high end of Q2 guidance; non-GAAP operating margin at 9.4% and non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.09 also topped expectations .
- AI-led product momentum: “We are embedding AI across our platform and our operations… as a real driver of efficiency, accuracy, and customer success” (Samuel Wilson, CEO) ; usage-based offerings (CPaaS, voice automation, AI) scaled to ~19% of service revenue .
- Go-to-market and product innovation: WFM included in every Contact Center seat at no extra cost; native Mitel phone support simplifies enterprise migrations; recognition across IDC, Gartner, and industry awards .
What Went Wrong
- Margin compression: Non-GAAP gross margin decreased to 65.7% (vs 67.8% in Q1 and 69.0% in Q4) due to usage mix; GAAP gross margin 64.8% also declined sequentially .
- Q3 outlook softer: Management guided Q3 total revenue to $177–$182M with lower gross margins (64–66%) on variable consumption and remaining Fuze headwinds .
- Pricing pressure and seat rationalization, particularly in the U.S., as renewals reset post-COVID; offset by multi-product adoption (AI, messaging) improving ARPC and retention over time .
Financial Results
Revenue, EPS, Margins vs Prior Periods and Estimates
Actuals vs S&P Global Consensus
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Highlights: Q2 revenue beat by ~$5.94M and EPS beat by $0.02; Q1 also beat on both; Q4 missed revenue slightly but met EPS .
Segment/Revenue Composition
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are embedding AI across our platform and our operations… With innovation as our foundation and disciplined execution, we are building a stronger company positioned for sustainable, long-term growth.” — Samuel Wilson, CEO .
- “Usage revenue… carries a lower margin profile but will add meaningful profit dollars as usage revenue continues to scale.” — Kevin Kraus, CFO .
- “We would not be surprised if we saw gross margin come down a little bit as we scale the business while gross profit dollars increase… more products → higher LTV and retention.” — Samuel Wilson, CEO .
- “Workforce Management… available to all Contact Center customers at no additional cost through our new 8x8 App Store.” — Samuel Wilson, CEO ; product release details reinforce ease-of-adoption .
- “Appointed Stephen Hamill as Chief Revenue Officer… driving global adoption of 8x8’s CPaaS solutions.” — Corporate update .
Q&A Highlights
- Margins: Mix-driven pressure from rising usage; pricing pressure exists but volume dominates; management focuses on absolute profit dollars and cash flow as usage scales .
- Fuze impact: Ex-Fuze service revenue growth nearly 6% YoY; ~3% of service revenue remains on Fuze, migration to 8x8 platform by year-end; modest growth headwind persists into next year .
- Pipeline quality: Measured by stage-three+ deals; improved via SDRs and AI tools increasing GTM efficiency .
- Seasonality and consumption: Holiday-season boosts usage; variable consumption modeled conservatively; emerging seasonality in APAC (Lunar New Year) and retail/hospitality verticals .
- Pricing/renewals: Post-COVID renewals driving seat rationalization and pricing pressure in U.S.; offset by adds in AI, messaging (RCS, WhatsApp) driving multi-product ARPC increase .
- M&A and covenants: Preference for tuck-ins aligned to geography/product/customer expansion; covenants manageable; ongoing focus on debt retirement .
Estimates Context
- Q2 FY26 beat: Revenue $184.1M vs consensus $178.2M*, EPS $0.09 vs $0.07*, on usage strength and AI-driven adoption .
- Trajectory: Q1 FY26 also beat; Q4 FY25 modest revenue miss with EPS in line* .
- Update implications: Street models likely to raise FY26 revenue, EPS at low end and adjust gross margin downward to reflect mix; incorporate Q3 sequential revenue decline and consumption variability .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Strong execution: Two consecutive quarters of YoY revenue growth; Q2 revenue/EPS beat and above-guide performance underscore operational discipline .
- Mix matters: Rising usage share (~19%) is structurally compressing gross margins, but increases profit dollars and cash generation; expect continued margin pressure with scaling consumption .
- Near-term setup: Q3 guide implies sequential revenue decline and lower gross margins; trade the beat vs cautious outlook while watching holiday-season usage .
- Structural catalysts: Free WFM in Contact Center, Mitel phone support, and deepening AI features should enhance win rates, retention, and multi-product penetration .
- Deleveraging tailwind: $224M debt reduction since Aug 2022 lowers interest expense; supports stable non-GAAP net income despite margin mix shifts .
- International buoyancy vs U.S. pressure: Stronger growth outside U.S.; U.S. competitive pricing and seat rationalization remain headwinds—multi-product adoption offsets .
- Watch consumption variability and seasonality: Model conservatively for usage revenue; monitor APAC and retail/hospitality seasonal patterns .