Fluent Announces Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results; Commerce Media Solutions Revenue Doubles and Annual Run Rate Now Exceeds $145 Million
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Fluent (NASDAQ: FLNT) reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $53.6 million, up 14% from the same period a year earlier. Commerce Media Solutions revenue doubled to $37.5 million, representing 70% of revenue versus 40% a year earlier; its annual revenue run rate now exceeds $145 million. Revenue from continuing businesses rose 29%, while Owned and Operated revenue fell 33%.
Net loss narrowed to $3.1 million, or $0.10 per basic share, from $7.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP earnings measure excluding specified expenses, reached $0.0 million versus a $3.4 million loss. Nine-month revenue was essentially unchanged at $146.9 million, while operating cash flow turned positive at $2.8 million. Fluent expects fourth-quarter positive adjusted EBITDA, full-year double-digit revenue growth from continuing businesses and improved adjusted EBITDA, followed by double-digit consolidated revenue growth in 2027.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Moderate pointQ3 revenue rose 14% to $53.6 million, versus $47.0 million in Q3 2025.
- Moderate pointQ3 Commerce Media Solutions revenue grew 100% to $37.5 million, reaching 70% of consolidated revenue versus 40%.
- Moderate pointCommerce Media Solutions annual revenue run rate exceeds $145 million, with gross margin of 30%.
- Moderate pointQ3 continuing-business revenue grew 29% year over year, versus 25% growth in the second quarter.
- Moderate pointQ3 net loss narrowed 59% to $3.1 million; basic loss per share improved to $0.10 from $0.27.
- Moderate pointQ3 gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization rose 41% to $15.3 million, representing 28% of revenue.
- Moderate pointQ3 media margin rose 48% to $18.9 million, representing 35% of revenue; this non-GAAP measure excludes non-media costs.
- Moderate pointQ3 adjusted EBITDA reached $0.0 million, versus a $3.4 million loss in Q3 2025.
- Moderate pointNine-month operating cash inflow reached $2.8 million, versus a $4.3 million outflow in 2025.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent expects Q4 double-digit continuing-business revenue growth and positive adjusted EBITDA, with Commerce Media Solutions growth moderating to high double digits.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent expects full-year 2026 double-digit continuing-business revenue growth and improved adjusted EBITDA, with high-double-digit Commerce Media Solutions growth.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent expects double-digit consolidated revenue growth in 2027 as Commerce Media Solutions scales.
18 minor points
- Minor pointQ3 Commerce Media Solutions gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization rose 173% to $11.1 million, representing 30% of segment revenue.
- Minor pointQ3 Commerce Media Solutions media margin rose 189% to $13.3 million, representing 36% of segment revenue.
- Minor pointQ3 adjusted net loss narrowed to $2.5 million, or $0.08 per share, versus $6.5 million, or $0.23.
- Minor pointNine-month Commerce Media Solutions revenue grew 98% to $94.0 million, versus $47.5 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month continuing-business revenue increased 16% from the first nine months of 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month net loss narrowed 36% to $14.7 million; loss per share improved to $0.47 from $0.94.
- Minor pointNine-month gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization rose 21% to $39.3 million, representing 27% of revenue.
- Minor pointNine-month Commerce Media Solutions gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization rose 149% to $24.4 million, representing 26% of segment revenue.
- Minor pointNine-month media margin rose 31% to $50.4 million, representing 34% of revenue.
- Minor pointNine-month Commerce Media Solutions media margin rose 188% to $31.6 million, representing 34% of segment revenue.
- Minor pointNine-month adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to $5.0 million, versus $9.2 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month adjusted net loss narrowed to $12.0 million, or $0.39 per share, versus $19.0 million, or $0.78.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent targets Commerce Media Solutions gross margins in the high twenties while growing its revenue share.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent plans to expand media partnerships into travel, lifestyle and home services.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Fluent plans to launch and scale in-store commerce media across existing and new retail partners.
- Minor pointNine-month general and administrative expenses fell to $23.364 million, from $25.614 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month depreciation and amortization fell to $5.085 million, from $7.418 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month net interest expense fell to $1.954 million, from $2.293 million in 2025.
Negative
- Moderate pointQ3 Owned and Operated revenue fell 33% to $13.8 million, versus $20.7 million in Q3 2025.
- Moderate pointCurrent liabilities of $69.197 million exceeded current assets of $58.229 million at September 30, 2026.
- Moderate pointShareholders’ equity declined to $5.578 million from $18.212 million at December 31, 2025.
- Moderate pointOutstanding common shares increased to 31,696,487 from 29,636,184 at December 31, 2025, diluting existing ownership.
- Minor pointNine-month Owned and Operated revenue fell 37% to $45.8 million, versus $73.2 million in 2025.
10 minor points
- Minor pointNine-month revenue included a $0.4 million write-down for the discontinued ACA business.
- Minor pointCash and cash equivalents fell to $11.436 million at September 30, 2026, from $12.935 million at December 31, 2025.
- Minor pointShort-term debt, net, increased to $31.451 million from $30.846 million at December 31, 2025.
- Minor pointQ3 sales and marketing expense rose to $5.207 million from $4.570 million a year earlier.
- Minor pointQ3 product development expense rose to $2.749 million from $2.200 million a year earlier.
- Minor pointQ3 general and administrative expense rose to $8.749 million from $7.929 million a year earlier.
- Minor pointNine-month sales and marketing expense rose to $14.405 million from $12.895 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month product development expense rose to $8.439 million from $7.147 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month share-based compensation expense increased to $3.667 million from $1.144 million in 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month capitalized intangible-asset costs consumed $5.106 million, versus $4.843 million in 2025.
News Explained
The reported share-count increase reduces unchanged holders’ ownership percentage; September 30, 2026 cash was 11,436 thousand dollars versus 31,451 thousand dollars of short-term debt.
Fluent reported unaudited third-quarter 2026 results, and its balance sheet shows common shares outstanding rising from 29,636,184 on
At September 30, cash and equivalents were
Key Figures
- Q3 revenue
- $53.6 million, up 14%
- Q3 2026
- Commerce Media Solutions revenue
- $37.5 million, up 100%
- Q3 2026
- Commerce Media Solutions share of revenue
- 70%
- Q3 2026 consolidated revenue
- Commerce Media Solutions annual revenue run rate
- Exceeds $145 million
- As reported with Q3 2026 results
- Net loss
- $3.1 million, versus $7.6 million
- Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025
- Adjusted EBITDA
- $0.0 million, versus a $3.4 million loss
- Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025
- Full-year outlook
- Double-digit revenue growth and improved adjusted EBITDA
- 2026, aggregate continuing businesses
Previous Earnings Reports
-
Commerce Media Solutions revenue rose 90% to $30.5 million; annual run rate exceeded $125 million.
-
Commerce Media Solutions revenue grew 104% to $25.9 million; annual run rate exceeded $110 million.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial
convertible notes financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Q3 2026 revenue of
$53.6 million up14% ; nine months 2026 revenue of$146.9 million - Q3 2026 Commerce Media Solutions revenue grew
100% to$37.5 million , representing70% of consolidated revenue compared to$18.8 million or40% of consolidated revenue in Q3 2025 - Commerce Media Solutions annual revenue run rate now exceeds
$145 million , with gross margin of30% - Continue to expect full-year double-digit revenue growth on aggregate continuing business and adjusted EBITDA improvement for 2026
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) (the “Company” or “Fluent”), a commerce media solutions provider, today reported unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.
Fluent's Chief Executive Officer, Don Patrick, commented, “The third quarter was another strong quarter for us, driven by the continued growth of Commerce Media Solutions, which now represents
Mr. Patrick concluded, “We continue to add new partners to our network, and we’re highly encouraged by the demand we’re seeing for our commerce media offerings across the markets we serve. As our revenue mix improves and our margin profile strengthens, we believe we are well positioned to close out a strong year. We remain confident in delivering full-year double-digit revenue growth on our aggregate continuing businesses with improved full-year adjusted EBITDA.”
Third Quarter Financial Highlights
- Revenue of
$53.6 million, an increase of14% , compared to$47.0 million in Q3 2025 - Commerce Media Solutions revenue increased
100% to$37.5 million , compared to$18.8 million in Q3 2025 - Owned and Operated revenue decreased
33% to$13.8 million , compared to$20.7 million in Q3 2025, as the Company continued its shift in focus and revenue mix to Commerce Media Solutions - Q3 2025 revenue included
$5.3 million from Call Solutions, which was sold in January 2026. Aggregate revenue from the continuing businesses increased29% in Q3 2026 compared to Q3 2025 - Net loss of
$3.1 million , or$0.10 per basic share, compared to a net loss of$7.6 million , or$0.27 per share, for Q3 2025, a59% reduction - Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of
$15.3 million , an increase of41% compared to Q3 2025 and representing28% of revenue for Q3 2026 - Commerce Media Solutions reported gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of
$11.1 million , an increase of173% over Q3 2025 and representing30% of revenue for Q3 2026 - Media margin of
$18.9 million , an increase of48% compared to Q3 2025 and representing35% of revenue for Q3 2026 - Commerce Media Solutions reported media margin of
$13.3 million , an increase of189% over Q3 2025 and representing36% of revenue for Q3 2026 - Adjusted EBITDA of
$0.0 million , compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of$3.4 million for Q3 2025, and representing0% of revenue - Adjusted net loss of
$2.5 million, or$0.08 per share, compared to$6.5 million , or$0.23 per share, for Q3 2025
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 Financial Highlights
- Revenue of
$146.9 million, which was in line with the$146.9 million for first nine months of 2025 - Commerce Media Solutions revenue increased
98% to$94.0 million , compared to$47.5 million for first nine months of 2025 - Owned and Operated revenue decreased
37% to$45.8 million , compared to$73.2 million for first nine months of 2025, as the Company continued its shift in focus and revenue mix to Commerce Media Solutions - First nine months of 2025 revenue included
$21.0 million from Call Solutions, which was sold in January 2026, and first nine months of 2026 included a$0.4 million write-down of revenue for the ACA business discontinued in the third quarter of 2024. Aggregate revenue from the continuing businesses increased16% for first nine months of 2026 compared to first nine months of 2025 - Net loss of
$14.7 million , or$0.47 per share, compared to a net loss of$23.0 million , or$0.94 per share, for first nine months of 2025, a36% reduction - Net cash provided by operating activities of
$2.8 million , compared to net cash used in operating activities of$4.3 million for first nine months of 2025 - Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of
$39.3 million , an increase of21% compared to first nine months of 2025 and representing27% of revenue for first nine months of 2026 - Commerce Media Solutions reported gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of
$24.4 million , an increase of149% over first nine months of 2025 and representing26% of revenue for first nine months of 2026 - Media margin of
$50.4 million , an increase of31% compared to first nine months of 2025 and representing34% of revenue for first nine months of 2026 - Commerce Media Solutions reported media margin of
$31.6 million , an increase of188% over first nine months of 2025 and representing34% of revenue for first nine months of 2026 - Adjusted EBITDA loss of
$5.0 million , compared to$9.2 million for first nine months of 2025, and representing3% of revenue - Adjusted net loss of
$12.0 million, or$0.39 per share, compared to$19.0 million , or$0.78 per share, for first nine months of 2025
Media margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net loss are non-GAAP financial measures, as defined and reconciled below.
Business Outlook & Goals
- Continue to scale and grow Commerce Media Solutions as a percentage of total consolidated revenue; maintain Commerce Media Solutions' gross margins in the high twenties
- Enhance Commerce Media Solutions' partnership network by adding top-tier media partners and expanding beyond traditional retail channels and into new verticals including travel, lifestyle, and home services
- Launch and scale Fluent’s new in-store commerce media offering across existing and new retail partners
- Deliver fourth quarter revenue growth and positive adjusted EBITDA; given current visibility, the Company expects double-digit revenue growth on aggregate continuing businesses and positive adjusted EBITDA, with Commerce Media Solutions’ growth rate remaining in the high double digits but moderating from the third quarter
- Drive full-year 2026 revenue growth and improved adjusted EBITDA; given current visibility, the Company expects double-digit revenue growth on aggregate continuing businesses and improved adjusted EBITDA, with high-double-digit revenue growth in Commerce Media Solutions
- Extend growth into 2027; given current visibility, the Company expects double-digit consolidated revenue growth as it continues to scale Commerce Media Solutions
Fluent is not able to provide a reconciliation of projected adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable expected GAAP results, due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of certain operating costs and expenses, share-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense (net), the provision for (benefit from) income taxes, fair value adjustments of the Convertible Notes with related parties, and acquisition-, divestiture- and other non-recurring items.
Conference Call
Fluent, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 4:30 PM ET to discuss its 2026 third quarter financial results. The conference call can be accessed by phone after registering online at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIbfa76befb9814a278df3cecfd968a2b3. The call will also be webcast simultaneously on the Fluent website at https://investors.fluentco.com/. Following the completion of the earnings call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available for those unable to participate. To listen to the telephone replay, please connect via https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/stawgnxg . The replay will be available for one year, via the Fluent website https://investors.fluentco.com.
About Fluent, Inc.
Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a commerce media solutions provider connecting top-tier brands with highly engaged consumers. Leveraging exclusive ad inventory, robust first-party data, and proprietary machine learning, Fluent unlocks additional revenue streams for partners and empowers advertisers to acquire their most valuable customers at scale. Founded in 2010, Fluent uses its deep expertise in performance marketing to drive monetization and increase engagement at key touchpoints across the customer journey. For more insights, visit http://www.fluentco.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The matters contained in this press release may be considered to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations or anticipations of Fluent and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following:
- Our reliance on an uncommitted financing agreement raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern;
- Dependence on the gaming industry;
- Unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about the digital marketing industry or us;
- A potential sudden reduction in online marketing spend by our clients, a loss of clients or lower advertising yields;
- Our ability to scale Commerce Media Solutions business and maintain recent margin improvements depends on onboarding and retaining media partners, maintaining advertiser demand and achieving favorable contract economics;
- Our need to continue investing in technology for our Commerce Media Solutions business;
- A potential decline in the supply of media available to us through third parties or an increase in the price of such media;
- Challenges scaling infrastructure and products to support growth while maintaining profitability;
- Challenges managing the complexity of our international operations and workforce;
- Strategic alternatives that could complicate operations or divert management's attention;
- Dependence on our key personnel and ability to attract or retain employees;
- Dependence upon third-party service providers and potential liability related to their actions or platform malfunctions;
- The outcome of litigation, inquiries, investigations, examinations, or other legal proceedings in which we are or may become involved, or in which our clients or competitors are involved;
- Potential sales and use taxes and other taxes on our business;
- Our actual or perceived failure to safeguard any personal information or user privacy;
- Failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights;
- Potential liability or expenses for legal claims based on the nature and content of the materials we create or distribute, including those provided by third parties, as a creator and a distributor of digital media content;
- Our potential access to additional capital in the future may be limited or unavailable on acceptable terms;
- Our ability to maintain our listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market;
- The volatility of our stock price and impact on our investors;
- Lack of cash dividends for the foreseeable future; and
- Status of a smaller reporting company and non-accelerated filer, which involves certain reduced governance and disclosure requirements.
These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Fluent undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations, except as required by law.
| FLUENT, INC. | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| September 30, 2026 (unaudited) | December 31, 2025 | |||||||
| ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,436 | $ | 12,935 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of | 41,398 | 46,735 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 5,395 | 7,799 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 58,229 | 67,469 | ||||||
| Non-current restricted cash | 710 | 710 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 231 | 104 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 2,293 | 2,859 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 16,956 | 17,276 | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 2,950 | 715 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 81,369 | $ | 89,133 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 9,052 | $ | 7,200 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 27,284 | 25,163 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue | 306 | 721 | ||||||
| Short-term debt, net | 31,451 | 30,846 | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liability | 1,104 | 1,104 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 69,197 | 65,034 | ||||||
| Convertible Notes, at fair value with related parties | 4,443 | 3,734 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, net | 1,366 | 1,985 | ||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 785 | 168 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 75,791 | 70,921 | ||||||
| Contingencies | ||||||||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock — | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock — | 56 | 53 | ||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost — 768,595 and 768,595 Shares, respectively | (11,407 | ) | (11,407 | ) | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 469,547 | 467,528 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (452,618 | ) | (437,962 | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 5,578 | 18,212 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 81,369 | $ | 89,133 | ||||
| FLUENT, INC. | ||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 53,642 | $ | 47,029 | $ | 146,943 | $ | 146,945 | ||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 38,359 | 36,155 | 107,612 | 114,356 | ||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 5,207 | 4,570 | 14,405 | 12,895 | ||||||||||||
| Product development | 2,749 | 2,200 | 8,439 | 7,147 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative (including | 8,749 | 7,929 | 23,364 | 25,614 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,694 | 2,478 | 5,085 | 7,418 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 3 | — | 17 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 56,761 | 53,332 | 158,922 | 167,430 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (3,119 | ) | (6,303 | ) | (11,979 | ) | (20,485 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (712 | ) | (711 | ) | (1,954 | ) | (2,293 | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties | 712 | (554 | (709 | ) | (156 | |||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (3,119 | ) | (7,568 | ) | (14,642 | ) | (22,934 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (6 | 12 | (14 | ) | (114 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,125 | ) | $ | (7,556 | ) | $ | (14,656 | ) | $ | (23,048 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.47 | ) | $ | (0.94 | ) | ||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.47 | ) | $ | (0.94 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,910,509 | 28,097,016 | 30,929,079 | 24,497,510 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 32,803,153 | 28,097,016 | 30,929,079 | 24,497,510 | ||||||||||||
| FLUENT, INC. | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (14,656 | ) | $ | (23,048 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,085 | 7,418 | ||||||
| Non-cash loan amortization expense | 239 | 563 | ||||||
| Non-cash gain on divestiture | (2,352 | ) | — | |||||
| Share-based compensation expense | 3,667 | 1,144 | ||||||
| Fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties | 709 | 156 | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of asset | 17 | — | ||||||
| Non-cash loss on asset write-off | — | 698 | ||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | 1,092 | (23 | ) | |||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 5,175 | 14,426 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,517 | 459 | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 117 | 189 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets and liabilities, net | (53 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | 1,852 | 607 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 832 | (6,718 | ) | |||||
| Deferred revenue | (415 | ) | (82 | ) | ||||
| Other | — | (1 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 2,826 | (4,257 | ) | |||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Capitalized costs included in intangible assets | (5,106 | ) | (4,843 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from note receivable | 354 | — | ||||||
| Acquisition of property and equipment | (190 | ) | (48 | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (4,942 | ) | (4,891 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of short and long-term debt | 178,971 | 43,726 | ||||||
| Repayments of short and long-term debt | (178,354 | ) | (53,445 | ) | ||||
| Debt financing costs | — | (375 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of pre-funded and common stock warrants | — | 19,370 | ||||||
| Equity financing costs | — | (865 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 617 | 8,411 | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (1,499 | ) | (737 | ) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 13,645 | 10,694 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 12,146 | $ | 9,957 | ||||
Definitions, Reconciliations, and Uses of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following non-GAAP measures are used in this release:
Media margin is defined as that portion of gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) reflecting variable costs paid for media and related expenses and excluding non-media cost of revenue and one-time items. Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) represents revenue minus cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Media margin is also presented for the Commerce Media Solutions business and as percentages of revenue of the consolidated company and of the Commerce Media Solutions business, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (1) income taxes, (2) interest expense, net, (3) depreciation and amortization, (4) share-based compensation expense, (5) loss on early extinguishment of debt, (6) loss on disposal of assets, (7) goodwill impairment, (8) impairment of intangible assets, (9) fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties, (10) acquisition-related costs, (11) restructuring and other severance costs, (12) certain litigation and other related costs, and (13) other one-time items.
Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) excluding (1) share-based compensation expense, (2) loss on early extinguishment of debt, (3) loss on disposal of assets, (4) goodwill impairment, (5) impairment of intangible assets, (6) fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties, (7) acquisition-related costs, (8) restructuring and other severance costs, (9) certain litigation and other related costs, and (10) other one-time items. Adjusted net income (loss) is also presented on a per share (basic and diluted) basis.
We consider items one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual and have not occurred in the past two years and are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules.
Below is a reconciliation of media margin from gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 53,642 | $ | 47,029 | $ | 146,943 | $ | 146,945 | ||||||||
| Less: Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 38,359 | 36,155 | 107,612 | 114,356 | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 15,283 | $ | 10,874 | $ | 39,331 | $ | 32,589 | ||||||||
| Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) % of revenue | 28 | % | 23 | % | 27 | % | 22 | % | ||||||||
| Non-media cost of revenue(1) | 3,598 | 1,923 | 11,199 | 5,882 | ||||||||||||
| One-time item(2) | — | — | (156 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Media margin | $ | 18,881 | $ | 12,797 | $ | 50,374 | $ | 38,471 | ||||||||
| Media margin % of revenue | 35.2 | % | 27.2 | % | 34.3 | % | 26.2 | % | ||||||||
(1) Represents the portion of cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) not attributable to variable costs paid for media and related expenses.
(2) Includes a one-time non-media revenue adjustment in Q2 2026 of (
Below is a reconciliation of media margin from gross profit for Commerce Media Solutions (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 37,539 | $ | 18,808 | $ | 93,951 | $ | 47,548 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 26,395 | 14,721 | 69,576 | 37,768 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 11,144 | $ | 4,087 | $ | 24,375 | $ | 9,780 | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) % of revenue | 30 | % | 22 | % | 26 | % | 21 | % | ||||||||||||
| Non-media cost of revenue(1) | 2,201 | 524 | 7,340 | 1,159 | ||||||||||||||||
| One-time item(2) | — | — | (156 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Media margin | $ | 13,345 | $ | 4,611 | $ | 31,559 | $ | 10,939 | ||||||||||||
| Media margin % of revenue | 35.5 | % | 24.5 | % | 33.6 | % | 23.0 | % | ||||||||||||
(1) Represents the portion of cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) not attributable to variable costs paid for media and related expenses.
(2) Includes a one-time non-media revenue adjustment in Q2 2026 of (
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA from net loss, which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,125 | ) | $ | (7,556 | ) | $ | (14,656 | ) | $ | (23,048 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 6 | (12 | 14 | 114 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 712 | 711 | 1,954 | 2,293 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,694 | 2,478 | 5,085 | 7,418 | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | 875 | 478 | 3,667 | 1,144 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 3 | — | 17 | — | ||||||||||||
| Fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties | (712 | ) | 554 | 709 | 156 | |||||||||||
| Acquisition-related costs(1) | 504 | (20 | ) | (1,421 | ) | 1,074 | ||||||||||
| Restructuring and other severance costs | — | — | 51 | 1,325 | ||||||||||||
| Certain litigation and other related costs | — | — | (250 | ) | 300 | |||||||||||
| One-time item(2) | — | — | (156 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (43 | ) | $ | (3,367 | ) | $ | (4,986 | ) | $ | (9,224 | ) | ||||
| (1) | Balance includes gain on the conveyance of the membership interest of Winopoly in January 2026 of |
| (2) | Includes a one-time non-media revenue adjustment in Q2 2026 of ( |
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted net income and the related measure of adjusted net income per share from net income (loss), which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except share and per share data) | | 2026 | | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2025 | ||||||||
| Net loss | | $ | (3,125 | ) | | | $ | (7,556 | ) | | $ | (14,656 | ) | | $ | (23,048 | ) |
| Share-based compensation expense | | | 875 | | | | | 478 | | | | 3,667 | | | | 1,144 | |
| Loss on disposal of assets | | | 3 | | | | | — | | | | 17 | | | | — | |
| Fair value adjustment of Convertible Notes with related parties | | | (712 | ) | | | | 554 | | | | 709 | | | | 156 | |
| Acquisition-related costs(1) | | | 504 | | | | | (20 | ) | | | (1,421 | ) | | | 1,074 | |
| Restructuring and other severance costs | | | — | | | | | — | | | | 51 | | | | 1,325 | |
| Certain litigation and other related costs | | | — | | | | | — | | | | (250 | ) | | | 300 | |
| One-time item(2) | | | — | | | | | — | | | | (156 | ) | | | — | |
| Adjusted net loss | | $ | (2,455 | ) | | | $ | (6,544 | ) | | $ | (12,039 | ) | | $ | (19,049 | ) |
| Adjusted net loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | $ | (0.39 | ) | | $ | (0.78 | ) |
| Diluted | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | $ | (0.39 | ) | | $ | (0.78 | ) |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | | 31,910,509 | | | | | 28,097,016 | | | | 30,929,079 | | | | 24,497,510 | |
| Diluted | | | 31,910,509 | (3) | | | 28,097,016 | | | | 30,929,079 | | | | 24,497,510 | | |
| (1) | Balance includes gain on the conveyance of the membership interest of Winopoly in January 2026 of |
| (2) | Includes a one-time non-media revenue adjustment in Q2 2026 of ( |
| (3) | Balance excludes the 892,644 shares issuable under the if-converted method for the Convertible Notes as they would be anti-dilutive for the adjusted net loss per share, as such, basic and diluted shares are measured as equal. |
We present media margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income as supplemental measures of our financial and operating performance because we believe they provide useful information to investors. More specifically:
Media margin, as defined above, is a measure of the efficiency of the Company's operating model. We use media margin and the related measure of media margin as a percentage of revenue as primary metrics to measure the financial return on our media and related costs, specifically to measure the degree by which the revenue generated from our digital marketing services exceeds the cost to attract the consumers to whom offers are made through our services. Media margin is used extensively by our management to manage our consolidated operating performance, including evaluating operational performance against budgeted media margin and understanding the efficiency of our media and related expenditures. We also use media margin for performance evaluations and compensation decisions regarding certain personnel.
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, is another primary metric by which we evaluate the operating performance of our business, on which certain operating expenditures and internal budgets are based and by which, in addition to media margin and other factors, our senior management is compensated. The first three adjustments represent the conventional definition of EBITDA, and the remaining adjustments are items recognized and recorded under U.S. GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded. These adjustments include certain litigation and other related costs associated with legal matters outside the ordinary course of business.
Adjusted net income (loss), as defined above, and the related measure of adjusted net income (loss) per share exclude certain items that are recognized and recorded under U.S. GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded. We believe adjusted net income (loss) affords investors a different view of the overall financial performance of the Company than adjusted EBITDA and the U.S. GAAP measure of net income (loss).
Media margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per share are non-GAAP financial measures with certain limitations regarding their usefulness. They do not reflect our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as they do not include the impact of certain expenses that are reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, these metrics are not indicative of our overall results or indicators of past or future financial performance. Further, they are not financial measures of profitability and are neither intended to be used as a proxy for the profitability of our business nor to imply profitability. The way we measure media margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies and may not be identical to corresponding measures used in our various agreements.
Annual Revenue Run Rate
Annual Revenue Run Rate is an operational metric that represents the annualized revenue of the Company’s media partnerships at current monetization levels, as of the end of the reporting period. The Company calculates Annual Revenue Run Rate as follows:
- Media partners within Commerce Media Solutions with an active contract are assessed and assigned an annual media volume estimate based on the active term of the contract and the average monetization rate during the reporting period. The Company considers a media partner contract to be active when the contractual term commences (the "start date") until its right to serve the partner’s commerce traffic ends. Even if the contract with the customer is executed before the start date, the contract will not count toward Annual Revenue Run Rate until the media partner’s right to receive the benefit of the services has commenced.
- As Annual Revenue Run Rate includes only contracts that are active at the end of the reporting period, it does not reflect assumptions or estimates regarding new business. For contracts expiring within 12 months of the period-end calculation date, Annual Revenue Run Rate does reflect expectations of renewal.
- The Company’s Commerce Media Solutions platform provides the technology to effectively monetize the partner’s media by placing relevant ads at a contracted moment of consumer engagement. Although from inception to date, improvements in the platform’s AI-powered technology have consistently driven increased rates of monetization, for the purpose of Annual Revenue Run Rate, the Company assumes a consistent monetization level equal to the average monetization for each media partner during the reporting period.
The way the Company measures Annual Revenue Run Rate may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed as a projection of future revenue.
Contact Information:
Investor Relations
Fluent, Inc.
InvestorRelations@fluentco.com
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What were Fluent’s FLNT third-quarter 2026 revenue and earnings results?
Fluent reported $53.6 million in revenue, up 14% year over year, and a net loss of $3.1 million. Basic loss per share was $0.10, compared with $0.27 in Q3 2025; diluted loss per share was $0.12, compared with $0.27.
What does Fluent expect for fourth-quarter 2026 and 2027 growth?
Fluent expects double-digit revenue growth from aggregate continuing businesses and positive adjusted EBITDA in Q4 2026, followed by double-digit consolidated revenue growth in 2027. Its fourth-quarter Commerce Media Solutions revenue growth is expected to remain in the high double digits but moderate from the third quarter.
How did the Call Solutions sale affect Fluent’s revenue comparisons?
Call Solutions was sold in January 2026, while the 2025 comparison periods included its revenue. Q3 2025 included $5.3 million from Call Solutions, and the first nine months of 2025 included $21.0 million. Aggregate continuing-business revenue grew 29% in Q3 2026 and 16% over the first nine months.