51Talk Online Education Group Announces the Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025
Rhea-AI Summary
51Talk (NYSE:COE) reported strong 2025 growth: gross billings of US$127.6M (+83.4% YoY) and net revenues of US$95.6M (+88.6% YoY). Active students rose to ~170.3k (+79.3%). Operating cash inflow was US$11.8M. The company widened operating and net losses while guiding Q1 2026 gross billings of US$29.0M–31.0M.
Positive
- Net revenues +88.6% YoY to US$95.6M
- Gross billings +83.4% YoY to US$127.6M
- Active students with attended lessons +79.3% to ~170.3k
- Operating cash inflow reached US$11.8M
Negative
- Operating loss widened to US$14.4M in 2025
- Net loss increased to US$16.8M in 2025
- Gross margin declined 410 bps to 73.9% (2024:78.0%)
- Advances from students grew to US$76.6M, increasing liability
News Market Reaction – COE
In the Mar 27 session, COE gained 2.55%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.5% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 2 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 08 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -12.2% | Strong Q3 growth and cash inflow but ongoing operating and net losses. |
| Sep 03 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +4.0% | Robust revenue and billings growth with expanding active student base. |
| Jun 09 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | +13.6% | Strong YoY growth and improved operating loss versus prior year. |
| Apr 25 | 2024 20-F filing | Neutral | -1.2% | Filing of audited annual report and availability to shareholders. |
| Mar 21 | FY/Q4 2024 earnings | Positive | -8.4% | Strong 2024 growth with higher revenues and billings plus positive cash flow. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Earnings releases have often produced mixed to negative price reactions despite strong growth metrics, indicating a pattern of cautious market response to results.
Over the past year, COE has repeatedly reported strong growth in gross billings and net revenues, with Q1–Q3 2025 earnings showing rapid expansion in active students but continued operating and net losses. The 2024 annual results also highlighted high growth and improving cash flow. However, several earnings and reporting events, including Q3 2025 results and the 2024 annual report filing, saw negative share reactions, suggesting investors focused on profitability and margin compression rather than top-line momentum when digesting these updates.
Key Terms
gross billings financial
gross margin financial
non-GAAP financial
operating cash inflow financial
ADS financial
advances from students financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Full Year 2025 Financial and Operating Highlights
- Gross billings[1] for 2025 were
US , an$127.6 million 83.4% growth fromUS for 2024.$69.6 million - Net revenues were
US for 2025, an$95.6 million 88.6% increase fromUS for 2024.$50.7 million - The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 170,300 in 2025, representing a
79.3% increase from approximately 95,000 for 2024. - Operating cash inflow for 2025 was
US .$11.8 million
Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Highlights
- Gross billings for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
US , a$36.8 million 72.0% growth fromUS for the fourth quarter of 2024.$21.4 million - Net revenues were
US for the fourth quarter of 2025, an$30.6 million 88.6% increase fromUS for the fourth quarter of 2024.$16.2 million - The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 126,700 in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a
70.8% increase from approximately 74,200 for the fourth quarter of 2024. - Operating cash inflow for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
US .$3.1 million
Key Financial and Operating Data | For the three months ended | For the year ended | |||||
Jun. 30, | Sept. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||||
2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | ||||
Net Revenues (in US$ millions) | 20.4 | 26.3 | 30.6 | 95.6 | |||
Gross Margin | 74.5 % | 73.2 % | 72.4 % | 73.9 % | |||
Gross Billings (in US$ millions) | 28.5 | 40.5 | 36.8 | 127.6 | |||
Active students with attended lesson consumption[2] (in thousands) | 91.3 | 112.6 | 126.7 | 170.3 | |||
[1] Gross billings for a specific period, which is one of the Company's key operating data, is defined as the total amount of cash received and receivable from third party payment platforms for the sale of course packages and services in such period, net of the total amount of refunds in such period. The gross billings data included herein was from the Company's business system and converted with quarterly corresponding exchange rate, which may lead to differences with bank records. [2] An "active student with attended lesson consumption" for a given period refers to a student who attended at least one paid lesson, excluding those students who only attended paid live broadcasting lessons or trial lessons. |
"2025 has been a transformational year for 51Talk, as we began to reap the rewards of the strategic investments made over the past several years. Full-year gross billings reached
"Net operating cash inflow also surpassed the
Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Net Revenues and Gross Margin
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
Sales and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
Product development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
Loss from Operations
Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Non-GAAP operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Net Loss Attributable to the Company's Ordinary Shareholders
Net loss attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2025 was US$6.5 million, compared with net loss of
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary share ("ADS") attributable to ordinary shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2025 was US$1.08, compared with basic and diluted net loss per ADS of
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had total cash, cash equivalents, time deposits of
The Company had advances from students[3] of
[3] "Advances from students" is defined as the amount of obligation to transfer goods or service to students or business partners for which consideration has been received from students in advance. The deposits from students are also presented in the total amount of "advances from students." |
Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Net Revenues and Gross Margin
Net revenues for 2025 were
Cost of revenues for 2025 was
Gross profit for 2025 was
Gross margin for 2025 was
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for 2025 were
Sales and marketing expenses for 2025 were
Product development expenses for 2025 were
General and administrative expenses for 2025 were
Loss from Operations
Operating loss for 2025 was
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Net Loss Attributable to the Company's Ordinary Shareholders
Net loss for 2025 was US$16.8 million, compared with net loss of
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2025 was
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Basic and diluted net loss per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders for 2025 was
Excluding share-based compensation expenses of
Outlook
For the first quarter of 2026, the Company currently expects net gross billings to be between
The above outlook is based on current market conditions and reflects the Company's current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to change.
Conference Call
The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM
Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
1-888-346-8982 | |
International: | 1-412-902-4272 |
Mainland | 4001-201203 |
800-905945 | |
Web phone |
Participants should dial-in at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "51Talk Online Education Group."
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.51talk.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible until April 3 2026, by dialing the following telephone numbers:
1-855-669-9658 | |
International: | 1-412-317-0088 |
Replay Access Code: | 7144082 |
About 51Talk Online Education Group
51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) is a global online education platform with core expertise in English education. The Company's online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons on demand. The Company connects its students with highly qualified teachers using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating its business, 51Talk considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP product development expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss), non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders, and non-GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders per share and per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this press release.
51Talk believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance by excluding share-based compensation expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. 51Talk believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to 51Talk's historical performance. 51Talk computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. 51Talk believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the 51Talk's business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying table at the end of this press release provides more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the
51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP | ||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||
As of | ||||||
Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||
2024 | 2025 | |||||
US$ | US$ | |||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 27,758 | 38,869 | ||||
Time deposits | 1,430 | 93 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 10,906 | 21,435 | ||||
Total current assets | 40,094 | 60,397 | ||||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 363 | 1,998 | ||||
Intangible assets, net | 80 | 68 | ||||
Right-of-use assets | 2,888 | 3,211 | ||||
Deferred tax assets | 57 | 77 | ||||
Other non-current assets | 460 | 341 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 3,848 | 5,695 | ||||
Total assets | 43,942 | 66,092 | ||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICITS | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Advances from students | 45,064 | 76,569 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 6,644 | 12,464 | ||||
Amounts due to related parties | 2,853 | 3,333 | ||||
Lease liabilities | 1,242 | 1,764 | ||||
Taxes payable | 1,100 | 1,226 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 56,903 | 95,356 | ||||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||
Lease liabilities | 1,441 | 1,177 | ||||
Other non-current liabilities | 310 | 360 | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities | - | 452 | ||||
Total non-current liabilities | 1,751 | 1,989 | ||||
Total liabilities | 58,654 | 97,345 | ||||
Total shareholders' deficits | (15,000) | (31,357) | ||||
Noncontrolling interests | 288 | 104 | ||||
Total deficits | (14,712) | (31,253) | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficits | 43,942 | 66,092 | ||||
51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP | ||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||
(In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) | ||||||||||
For the three months ended | For the year ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||||||
2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||
Net revenues | 16,236 | 26,334 | 30,622 | 50,692 | 95,601 | |||||
Cost of revenues | (3,651) | (7,067) | (8,442) | (11,164) | (24,944) | |||||
Gross profit | 12,585 | 19,267 | 22,180 | 39,528 | 70,657 | |||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | (10,121) | (17,697) | (20,408) | (33,388) | (62,307) | |||||
Product development expenses | (933) | (1,581) | (1,607) | (3,571) | (5,476) | |||||
General and administrative expenses | (2,389) | (4,572) | (5,350) | (10,615) | (17,303) | |||||
Total operating expenses | (13,443) | (23,850) | (27,365) | (47,574) | (85,086) | |||||
Loss from operations | (858) | (4,583) | (5,185) | (8,046) | (14,429) | |||||
Interest income | 27 | 138 | 142 | 229 | 358 | |||||
Other expenses/(income), net | (421) | (482) | (777) | 771 | (1,545) | |||||
Loss before income tax expenses | (1,252) | (4,927) | (5,820) | (7,046) | (15,616) | |||||
Income tax expenses | (162) | (264) | (652) | (276) | (1,242) | |||||
Net loss | (1,414) | (5,191) | (6,472) | (7,322) | (16,858) | |||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (36) | (10) | (12) | (87) | (54) | |||||
Net loss attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders | (1,378) | (5,181) | (6,460) | (7,235) | (16,804) | |||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share | 348,918,600 | 356,502,442 | 357,904,007 | 347,119,359 | 355,001,931 | |||||
51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP | |||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||
(In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) | |||||||||||
For the three months ended | For the year ended | ||||||||||
Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | |||||||
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted | (0.00) | (0.01) | (0.02) | (0.02) | (0.05) | ||||||
Net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted | (0.24) | (0.87) | (1.08) | (1.25) | (2.84) | ||||||
Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating expenses as follows: | |||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | (30) | (98) | (82) | (117) | (322) | ||||||
Product development expenses | (32) | (13) | (13) | (118) | (53) | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | (145) | (255) | (246) | (699) | (956) | ||||||
51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP | |||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures | |||||||||||
(In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) | |||||||||||
For the three months ended | For the year ended | ||||||||||
Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | |||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | (10,121) | (17,697) | (20,408) | (33,388) | (62,307) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (30) | (98) | (82) | (117) | (322) | ||||||
Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses | (10,091) | (17,599) | (20,326) | (33,271) | (61,985) | ||||||
Product development expenses | (933) | (1,581) | (1,607) | (3,571) | (5,476) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (32) | (13) | (13) | (118) | (53) | ||||||
Non-GAAP product development expenses | (901) | (1,568) | (1,594) | (3,453) | (5,423) | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | (2,389) | (4,572) | (5,350) | (10,615) | (17,303) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (145) | (255) | (246) | (699) | (956) | ||||||
Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses | (2,244) | (4,317) | (5,104) | (9,916) | (16,347) | ||||||
Operating expenses | (13,443) | (23,850) | (27,365) | (47,574) | (85,086) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (207) | (366) | (341) | (934) | (1,331) | ||||||
Non-GAAP operating expenses | (13,236) | (23,484) | (27,024) | (46,640) | (83,755) | ||||||
Loss from operations | (858) | (4,583) | (5,185) | (8,046) | (14,429) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (207) | (366) | (341) | (934) | (1,331) | ||||||
Non-GAAP loss from operations | (651) | (4,217) | (4,844) | (7,112) | (13,098) | ||||||
51TALK ONLINE EDUCATION GROUP | |||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures | |||||||||||
(In thousands except for number of shares and per share data) | |||||||||||
For the three months ended | For the year ended | ||||||||||
Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | |||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | |||||||
Income tax expenses | (162) | (264) | (652) | (276) | (1,242) | ||||||
Less: Tax impact of Share-based compensation expenses | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
Non-GAAP income tax expenses | (162) | (264) | (652) | (276) | (1,242) | ||||||
Net loss, all attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders | (1,378) | (5,181) | (6,460) | (7,235) | (16,804) | ||||||
Less: Share-based compensation expenses | (207) | (366) | (341) | (934) | (1,331) | ||||||
Non-GAAP net loss, all attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders | (1,171) | (4,815) | (6,119) | (6,301) | (15,473) | ||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share | 348,918,600 | 356,502,442 | 357,904,007 | 347,119,359 | 355,001,931 | ||||||
Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders | |||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | (0.00) | (0.01) | (0.02) | (0.02) | (0.04) | ||||||
Non-GAAP net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders | |||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | (0.20) | (0.81) | (1.03) | (1.09) | (2.62) | ||||||
*The previously reported unaudited quarterly financial information for the relevant periods has been revised to reflect certain immaterial adjustments, primarily related to the refinement of expense recognition cutoffs during the year-end financial reporting process. | |||||||||||
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SOURCE 51Talk Online Education Group