YI
Yext, Inc. (YEXT)·Q2 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 FY26 delivered revenue of $113.1M (+16% YoY) and Adjusted EBITDA of $26.4M (23% margin), exceeding prior quarterly guidance; non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.12, at the high end of the guided range .
- Versus consensus, revenue modestly beat ($113.1M vs ~$111.2M*) and EPS matched ($0.12 vs $0.12*); four estimates covered both revenue and EPS* .
- Management withdrew full-year FY26 guidance and did not host a Q2 call due to the CEO’s non-binding $9.00/share take-private proposal; a special committee is reviewing alternatives .
- KPIs showed healthy trends: ARR $444.4M (+15% YoY), NRR 95% (Total/Direct) and 98% (Reseller), RPO $445.0M with $407.2M to be recognized in 24 months .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Revenue and profitability surpassed guidance; Adjusted EBITDA rose to $26.4M with a 23.3% margin, reflecting operating discipline and acquisition integration benefits .
- ARR growth (+15% YoY) and improved retention (NRR 95% Total/Direct; 98% Reseller) underscore strengthening customer health and platform stickiness .
- Management emphasized secular tailwinds from AI-driven search fragmentation: “fragmentation of the consumer search market continues to accelerate… elevates the importance for brands of managing digital visibility” (CEO) .
What Went Wrong
- Gross margin compressed YoY to 75.2% (vs. 77.2% in Q2 FY25) as mix and acquisition-related amortization impacted COGS .
- Unearned revenue fell sequentially to $185.6M (from $210.7M in Q1), reflecting timing of billings/renewals .
- Visibility reduced near term: company withdrew FY26 guidance and canceled the Q2 earnings call due to the pending CEO proposal, limiting forward commentary .
Financial Results
Income Statement Progression (oldest → newest)
Year-over-Year Comparison (Q2 FY25 vs Q2 FY26)
Segment/KPI Trends
Estimates vs Actuals (Q2 FY26)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Fragmentation of the consumer search market continues to accelerate with the advancement of AI search… elevates the importance for brands of managing digital visibility…” — Michael Walrath, CEO .
- “We continue to believe [buybacks are] a great investment… it becomes a really important tool in our capital allocation belt.” — Darryl Bond, CFO .
- “So far there’s a 0% disinterest rate in [Scout] and very high value perception… [it] demonstrates value of our core products.” — Michael Walrath, CEO .
- “Our facility with SVB was expiring… BlackRock… made sense to do something a little bigger… flexibility to invest and grow.” — Darryl Bond, CFO .
- “While I am prepared to lead [a transaction] at $9.00 per share, I am equally committed to ensuring… the best possible outcome, whether that be through my proposal or a superior alternative.” — Michael Walrath, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Scout monetization and adoption: Early customer feedback strong; sales cycle expected to be shorter due to easier implementation and clear value; beta expanded rapidly .
- Revenue/ARR drivers: FX tailwinds and improving retention; stronger execution; CFO detailed GBP impact in Q1 .
- Capital allocation: Elevated buyback activity given valuation; optionality to pursue accretive M&A alongside repurchases .
- Macro tone: CEO balanced macro caution with structural AI tailwinds in search/discovery .
- BlackRock debt facility: Replaced SVB facility; improved covenants and flexibility to pursue strategic opportunities .
Estimates Context
- Q2 FY26 revenue: ~$111.2M consensus vs $113.1M actual — beat*.
- Q2 FY26 EPS (diluted): $0.12 consensus vs $0.12 actual — in line*.
- Coverage: four estimates for both revenue and EPS*.
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Fundamentals strong: Q2 revenue and EBITDA beat guidance; EPS at the high end; margins improved sequentially .
- Demand tailwinds: AI-driven search fragmentation and Scout are catalyzing multi-product adoption and anti-commoditization of core offerings .
- Customer health: ARR +15% YoY; NRR improving (Total/Direct 95%; Reseller 98%), supporting durable growth .
- Capital flexibility: Active buybacks ($45.2M YTD; $36.7M remaining) and $200M debt capacity enable balanced deployment across repurchases and M&A .
- Near-term catalyst: CEO’s $9.00/share proposal and strategic review could drive stock toward deal value or re-rate on alternative bids; lack of guidance/commentary reduces informational flow until process clarity .
- Risk considerations: Gross margin pressure vs YoY, sequential decline in unearned revenue, and macro uncertainty temper outlook .
- Trading setup: With estimates met/beaten and a potential transaction overhang, focus on deal spread, committee updates, and any KPI disclosures; operational beats are supportive but likely secondary to deal dynamics near term .