MarketWise, Inc. Confirms that Monument & Cathedral has Withdrawn its Unsolicited Acquisition Proposal
Rhea-AI Summary
MarketWise (NASDAQ: MKTW) confirmed that Monument & Cathedral withdrew its unsolicited non-binding Proposal to buy outstanding shares for $17.25 per share, contingent on terminating the company’s tax receivable agreement. The Special Committee found the offer undervalued the stock and declined further engagement.
MarketWise reiterated its standalone strategy: growing high-margin subscription sales, improving efficiency, returning capital, and preparing to report Q4 and full-year 2025 results in March 2026. Preliminary results show Q4 Billings +42% YoY, 2025 CFFO $45 million, and a 13% cash dividend yield for FY2025.
Positive
- Billings +42% year-over-year in fourth quarter
- Cash Flow from Operating Activities (CFFO) $45 million for 2025
- Cash dividend yield of 13% for FY2025
- Special Committee rejected undervalued $17.25-per-share offer
Negative
- Unsolicited $17.25-per-share Proposal withdrawn, creating potential strategic distraction
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers show mixed, mostly modest moves: BTOG +3.33%, VALU -1.55%, DNB +0.11%, LRFC +0.10%, FMY +0.33%, with no names in the momentum scanner. This points to a stock-specific narrative.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22 | Prelim Q4 results | Positive | +7.0% | Strong Q4 and FY 2025 billings and CFFO beating guidance. |
| Nov 20 | Advisors for committee | Neutral | +1.1% | Special Committee names financial and legal advisors for proposal review. |
| Nov 06 | Q3 earnings, dividends | Positive | +1.9% | Q3 2025 results, higher billings, and dividends totaling $1.90 per share. |
| Nov 03 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -2.3% | Board declares quarterly and special dividends lifting FY 2025 yield to 13%. |
| Oct 29 | Unsolicited proposal | Positive | -1.9% | Disclosure of unsolicited $17.25 per share acquisition proposal contingent on TRA end. |
Recent fundamentally positive updates and the original proposal news generally saw modestly positive price reactions, while dividend and initial bid announcements showed some divergence.
Over the past few months, MarketWise highlighted improving fundamentals and capital returns. On Oct 29, 2025, it disclosed an unsolicited $17.25 per share proposal, followed by dividend declarations taking FY 2025 payouts to $1.90 per share. Q3 2025 results on Nov 6 showed higher billings and income, and preliminary Q4 2025 data on Jan 22, 2026 indicated billings up 42% YoY and FY 2025 CFFO of $45M. Today’s confirmation of the proposal’s withdrawal comes after this period of strengthening operations and shareholder returns.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms that a previously disclosed unsolicited $17.25 per share acquisition proposal has been withdrawn after the Special Committee indicated it undervalued MarketWise. Management instead highlights operational progress, including Q4 billings up 42% year-over-year, FY 2025 CFFO of $45M, and a 13% cash dividend yield. Investors may focus on upcoming detailed Q4 and FY 2025 results, execution on subscription growth, cost efficiency, and ongoing capital return decisions.
Key Terms
tax receivable agreement financial
cash flow from operating activities financial
cffo financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketWise, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTW) (“MarketWise” or the “Company”) today confirmed that Monument & Cathedral Holdings, LLC (collectively with its affiliates, “M&C”) has withdrawn its previously disclosed unsolicited non-binding proposal (the “Proposal”) to acquire all the outstanding securities of the Company and MarketWise, LLC that are not owned by M&C for cash consideration of
M&C withdrew its Proposal after feedback from the Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors that its offer price per share undervalued the Company’s stock. The Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors carefully evaluated the Proposal, consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with independent legal and financial advisors, with a focus on maximizing value for shareholders.
The Company remains committed to its standalone strategy of driving sustainable growth in high-margin subscription sales, enhancing operational efficiency, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and potential share repurchases.
Recently announced preliminary unaudited results underscore the success of this strategy: fourth quarter Billings increased
Management and the Board continue to prioritize executing against key strategic priorities, including product innovation, subscriber acquisition and retention, expansion of premium offerings, and prudent cash management to support long-term shareholder value creation. The Company will release fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results in March 2026.
About MarketWise
Founded with a mission to level the playing field for self-directed investors, today MarketWise is a leading multi-brand subscription services platform providing premium financial research, software, education, and tools for investors.
With more than 25 years of operating history, MarketWise serves a community of millions of free and paid subscribers. MarketWise’s products are a trusted source for high-value financial research, education, actionable investment ideas, and investment software. MarketWise is a
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1 Calculated using the closing price of MarketWise, Inc. Class A Common Stock on December 31, 2025. Dividends paid in 2025 totaled
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, the plans and objectives of management for future operations, and the potential for future transactions. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “estimate,” “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to: our ability to attract new subscribers and to persuade existing subscribers to renew their subscription agreements with us and to purchase additional products and services from us; our ability to adequately market our products and services, and to develop additional products and product offerings; our ability to manage our growth effectively, including through acquisitions; failure to maintain and protect our reputation for trustworthiness and independence; our ability to attract, develop, and retain capable management, editors, and other key personnel; our ability to grow market share in our existing markets or any new markets we may enter; adverse or weakened conditions in the financial sector, global financial markets, and global economy; current macroeconomic events, including heightened inflation, rise in interest rates and the potential for an economic recession; failure to comply with laws and regulations or other regulatory action or investigations, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; our ability to respond to and adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior; failure to successfully identify and integrate acquisitions, or dispose of assets and businesses; our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment; our future capital needs; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and to address and remediate existing material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; and other factors beyond our control.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations.
MarketWise Investor Relations Contact Information
Email: ir@marketwise.com
MarketWise Media Contact
Email: media@marketwise.com
FAQ
Did Monument & Cathedral withdraw its acquisition proposal for MarketWise (MKTW)?
What was the offer price in the withdrawn Monument & Cathedral Proposal for MKTW?
How did MarketWise perform operationally in Q4 and full-year 2025 (MKTW)?
What shareholder returns did MarketWise (MKTW) report for FY2025?
When will MarketWise (MKTW) release its fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results?
