TI
TWFG, Inc. (TWFG)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered double‑digit top-line growth and margin expansion: revenues $53.8M (+16.6% YoY), Adjusted EBITDA $12.2M (+35.3% YoY) with Adjusted EBITDA margin 22.6% .
- TWFG raised full‑year 2025 guidance across all key metrics: organic revenue growth to 12–16% (from 11–16%), Adjusted EBITDA margin to 20–22% (from 19–21%), and total revenues to $240–$255M (from $235–$250M) .
- Consensus vs. reported: Q1 Primary EPS beat ($0.16 vs $0.146)* and revenue beat ($53.8M vs $53.16M); EBITDA missed vs SPGI EBITDA consensus ($8.9M actual vs $11.1M), while company Adjusted EBITDA was $12.2M .
- Operating momentum underpinned by broader carrier capacity stabilization, 17 gross branch additions, and expansion into New Hampshire; consolidated retention normalized to 88% .
- Near‑term stock reaction catalysts: guidance raise, sustained organic growth (14.3%), improving contingency economics and carrier loss ratios, and early traction from GEICO distribution expansion in additional states .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Robust growth and margin expansion: revenues +16.6% YoY to $53.8M; Adjusted EBITDA +35.3% YoY to $12.2M; margin expanded to 22.6% .
- Strategic footprint expansion and recruiting momentum: “completed the acquisition of two new corporate locations… expanded into New Hampshire, and added 17 branches across the U.S.” .
- CEO tone confident on market normalization: “Personal lines continues to soften and carrier capacity remains stable… retention rates… normalized to our historic average of 88% this quarter.” .
What Went Wrong
- Commission expense growth outpaced commission income due to business growth and prior-year one‑time benefits rolling off: commission expense +20.3% to $31.8M vs commission income +14.7% to $48.8M .
- Public company cost ramp (audit, consulting, IT) elevated OpEx; other administrative expenses +50.9% YoY to $4.7M; management noted expenses will increase further as compliance infrastructure scales .
- Retention lower YoY on normalization and mix shift: consolidated retention 88% vs 94% prior year; MGA retention 82% (81% prior year); Insurance Services retention 88% (97% prior year) .
Financial Results
P&L by Quarter
Estimates vs Reported (Q1 2025)
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Interpretation: TWFG posted an EPS and revenue beat vs consensus; EBITDA missed on an SPGI EBITDA basis but company Adjusted EBITDA materially exceeded EBITDA and expanded YoY .
Segment Revenue Breakdown (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)
Commission Income by Offering (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)
KPIs and Mix
Guidance Changes
Management rationale: increased visibility, stronger contingency economics, and execution confidence; company notes reconciliation not feasible due to forecasting complexity .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “Total revenues grew 16.6% year‑over‑year, and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 35.3%, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion grew to 22.6%… Organic Revenue Growth of 14.3% underscores the productivity of our agents…” .
- CEO on recruiting/M&A: “Completed… two new corporate locations… expanded into New Hampshire, and added 17 branches… M&A pipeline is stronger than ever.” .
- CFO: “Interest income was moved from the revenue line down to other income, so we will be comparable to prior and future periods.” .
- CEO on macro/tariffs: “We are mindful of… tariff discussions… But rather than pulling back, we are seeing increased demand… We remain confident…” .
- Press release appointment: new Chief Accounting Officer (Eugene “Gene” Padgett) joined Jan 23, 2025, enhancing SEC reporting and compliance capability .
Q&A Highlights
- Public company costs timing: Not fully loaded in Q1; building audit/compliance infrastructure; margin upside possible given contingencies and disciplined guidance .
- Retention outlook: Management confident 88% premium retention is long‑term average; softening market helps retention (potentially at lower premiums) .
- Commission rate stability: Mix effects (E&S/state plans lower), but new business incentives and stabilizing homeowners support commission percentage; Q1 seen as a good indicator .
- Branch additions: 17 gross added; compares to elevated 2024 surge tied to a single carrier’s disruption; consolidation may continue through 2025 .
- Inorganic contribution: Guidance modeled with mid‑year convention (half‑year impact of $20M revenue, $5M EBITDA); pipeline may drive upside .
- GEICO partnership: Significant addition with favorable pricing/commissions; aids retention via competitive auto rates and bundling with TWFG’s MGA homeowner program companion discounts .
- Florida and California: Florida post‑AOB reforms attractive (watch legislative changes); California remains challenging; TWFG leveraging FAIR Plan/surplus capacity and partners .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025 beats/misses vs SPGI consensus:
- Primary EPS: $0.16 actual vs $0.146 consensus (beat)*
- Revenue: $53.82M actual vs $53.16M consensus (beat)*
- EBITDA: $8.91M actual vs $11.07M consensus (miss)*; company’s Adjusted EBITDA was $12.19M, reflecting non‑GAAP adjustments (equity comp, interest income, non‑recurring) .
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Implication: Street may need to adjust EBITDA frameworks to reflect TWFG’s reporting (Adjusted EBITDA) and contingency dynamics; EPS and revenue revisions skew positive.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q1 print was clean with top‑line and adjusted margin strength; guidance raised across the board signals growing confidence in organic growth and profitability .
- Expect near‑term narrative focus on contingency economics, public company cost normalization, and inorganic contributions timing; margin guidance already accounts for cost build‑out .
- Structural drivers: stabilizing carrier capacity, GEICO addition, and continued MGA program expansion should support commission growth and retention, albeit with lower average premiums in some markets .
- Watch regional risk dynamics: California property remains complex; Florida opportunity emerging post‑AOB reforms; reinsurance renewals (6/1, 7/1) are a swing factor for capacity and contingencies .
- M&A pipeline robust; closing pace and size could drive upside to revenue/EBITDA vs mid‑year modeled assumptions .
- For modeling, use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS for comparability (peer‑consistent) and reconcile to GAAP based on disclosed adjustments .
- Trading lens: Guidance raise and EPS/revenue beats are positive catalysts; any updates on GEICO rollout, mid‑year acquisitions, and contingency visibility into Q3/Q4 could further support sentiment .