NI
N-able, Inc. (NABL)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 revenue of $116.5M grew 7.5% YoY and exceeded both the original Q4 guide and the updated post-Adlumin revenue guide; adjusted EBITDA of $38.1M also finished above the updated guide despite integration and FX headwinds .
- Non-GAAP EPS was $0.10 vs GAAP EPS of $0.02; non-GAAP profit reflected add-backs for stock-based comp, amortization, and transaction/restructuring costs tied to the Adlumin acquisition .
- FY25 outlook calls for ARR of $514–$522M (7–8% YoY CC), revenue of $486.5–$492.5M (6–8% CC), and adjusted EBITDA margin of 27–28%, reflecting planned investment, ASC 606 timing headwinds (~4 pts FY), and Adlumin integration, with margins targeted to return to >30% in 2026 .
- Stock reaction catalysts: evidence of cross-sell traction (Adlumin contributed ~$2.5M to Q4 revenue and had ~$21M ARR at close), ARR acceleration through 2025, and clear explanation of revenue recognition headwinds vs underlying demand trends .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Revenue and adjusted EBITDA finished above guidance; management cited steady demand, disciplined cost management, and early contribution from Adlumin (~$2.5M from Nov 20 close through quarter-end) .
- Security momentum: XDR/MDR became the fastest-growing SKU and largest pipeline generator in FY24; acquiring Adlumin expands platform breadth and channel reach, with endpoint-agnostic XDR architecture and options to decouple software (XDR) from services (MDR) .
- Cove Data Protection continues to outpace company growth and remains the largest revenue product; AI-enhanced restore accuracy >95% and expanded integrations underscore product moat .
What Went Wrong
- Profitability compression QoQ: adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 32.7% from 38.5% in Q3, reflecting integration, investment, and FX; CFO guided FY25 margins to 27–28% before a return to >30% in 2026 .
- Trailing 12-month net revenue retention moderated to ~103% (from 105% in Q3), with management expecting TTM gross/net retention to bottom in Q1’25 before improving from Q2 .
- ASC 606 revenue recognition dynamics from the long-term contract initiative introduce near-term growth headwinds (~5 pts in Q1’25; ~4 pts FY25), adding “lumpiness” to reported revenue despite underlying ARR growth .
Financial Results
Headline P&L vs Prior Quarters
Note: Company-reported results. Non-GAAP reconciliations provided by NABL .
Segment/Revenue Mix
KPIs and Balance Sheet/Cash
Non-GAAP adjustments materially impacted non-GAAP net income and margins (notably stock-based comp, amortization of acquired tech/intangibles, transaction-related and restructuring costs) .
Actual vs Estimates
- S&P Global consensus EPS and revenue for Q4 2024 were unavailable at time of analysis due to data access limits. We benchmarked results against company guidance instead .
Guidance Changes
Context: FY25 reported growth incorporates ASC 606 headwinds (~4 pts FY; ~5 pts Q1) and FX assumptions (EUR 1.04; GBP 1.25) .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We closed 2024 in a position of strength and we believe we are poised for even greater success in 2025… Our guide calls for over $500 million of ARR and strong profit margins.” – CEO John Pagliuca .
- “Adjusted EBITDA was $38.1 million in Q4 (32.7% margin)… We continue to execute, see steady demand in our markets and maintain disciplined cost management.” – CFO Tim O’Brien .
- On Adlumin: “Initially brought to market via our partnership… quickly became our fastest-growing SKU and largest pipeline generator in fiscal year '24… We were thrilled to acquire Adlumin and its cloud-native, AI-powered XDR platform.” – CEO .
- Channel strategy: “We transitioned the business… from <10% of revenue from annual contracts to >50%… We invested in people and programs to enhance our ability to bring our solutions to market through [resellers].” – CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Adlumin contribution and baseline: ~$2.5M Q4 revenue contribution from Nov 20 close; ~$21M ARR at acquisition; not breaking out FY25 contribution in guide .
- Revenue recognition headwinds: ASC 606 timing creates ~5 pts YoY growth headwind in Q1’25 and ~4 pts for FY25; ARR introduced as new top-line velocity measure .
- ARR trajectory: Guided exit FY25 ARR growth of 7–9% CC; expecting acceleration vs pro forma exit FY24 (~7%) .
- Competitive positioning: Endpoint-agnostic XDR; ability to separate XDR software from MDR services; contrasts with “black box” MDR competitors; highlights cloud-native/AI automation and margin benefits .
- Channel expansion: Positive reception from large resellers; leveraging NA reseller channel and expanding to U.K./DACH/Australia; one-stop portfolio (Cove, UEM, EDR/XDR/MDR) resonating .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus from S&P Global for Q4 2024 revenue/EPS was unavailable at the time of analysis due to request limits. As a result, comparisons vs estimates are not shown; we benchmarked actuals vs company guidance and prior updates instead .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Underlying demand remains solid; Q4 beat company guidance on both revenue and adjusted EBITDA, aided by Adlumin’s early contribution and strong execution .
- FY25 guide reflects deliberate near-term investment and recognized revenue headwinds (ASC 606, FX); ARR should better capture momentum and is guided to accelerate through 2025 .
- Strategic rationale for Adlumin is compelling: expands TAM beyond MSPs, strengthens security stack, and opens North American reseller routes with plans to replicate internationally; early booking strength is encouraging .
- Profitability dip is intentional and transitory per management; integration costs and investments weigh on FY25 margins, with a stated path back to >30% adjusted EBITDA margins in 2026 .
- Product flywheel: Cove’s growth and AI enhancements, UEM innovation, and endpoint-agnostic XDR/MDR create multiple cross-sell vectors across a diversified, global base (~45–46% international) .
- Watch retention metrics: management expects TTM gross/net retention to trough in Q1’25 and improve from Q2; evidence of reseller traction and ARR acceleration are key checkpoints .
- Near-term trading implication: positive setup if investors recalibrate for ASC 606/FX optics and focus on ARR growth, security cross-sell, and channel expansion; investor day (Mar 13) flagged as a potential narrative catalyst .
Appendix: Actuals vs Company Guidance (Q4 2024)
Additional References:
- Q4 press release financials and reconciliations ; 8-K with exhibits .
- Q3 press release and guidance .
- Q2 press release and guidance .
- Adlumin acquisition press release and financial terms .