System1 Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Key Terms

adjusted gross profit financial

Adjusted gross profit is a company’s revenue from selling goods or services minus the direct costs of producing them, with one-time or unusual items added back or removed to show the core margin. Investors use it like a cleaned-up snapshot of how much a business actually earns on its products, similar to measuring body weight after removing heavy clothes, because it helps compare performance across periods and companies without noise from rare events.

adjusted gross profit margin financial

Adjusted gross profit margin shows how much money a company keeps from sales after subtracting the direct costs of making its products or services, but it removes one-time or unusual charges to show the underlying performance. Think of it as the profit rate of a lemonade stand after paying for ingredients, but with a one-off broken juicer or a special sale taken out so you can see how the stand normally performs; investors use it to compare profitability without distortions.

gaap net loss financial

GAAP net loss is the amount by which a company’s expenses and losses exceed its revenues for a reporting period, calculated according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). It matters to investors because it provides a standardized, rule-based picture of profitability—like a household budget showing you overspent after following agreed rules—so stakeholders can compare companies and assess financial health, sustainability of operations, and potential impact on stock value.

adjusted ebitda financial

Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.

non-gaap financial

Non-GAAP refers to financial measures that companies use to show their earnings or performance without including certain expenses or income that are often added back to give a different picture. It matters because it can make a company's results look better or more favorable, but it may also hide important costs, so investors need to look at both GAAP (official rules) and non-GAAP numbers to get a full understanding.

ai-powered technical

"AI-powered" describes technology that uses artificial intelligence to perform tasks, make decisions, or analyze information automatically. It’s similar to having a highly skilled assistant that can learn from data, recognize patterns, and improve over time, helping to make processes faster and more accurate. For investors, this means better insights and more efficient operations, potentially leading to smarter investment choices.

Full Year Results Demonstrate Strength of Platform in Challenging Operating Environment

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results:

• Revenue Decreased 23% Over Prior Year to $266.1 million
• Gross Profit Decreased 1% Over Prior Year to $100.4 million
• Adjusted Gross Profit Increased 1% Over Prior Year to $153.4 million
• Adjusted Gross Profit Margin Increased to 58% from 44% Year-Over-Year
• GAAP Net Loss Decreased 17% Over Prior Year to $81.2 million
• Adjusted EBITDA Increased 9% Over Prior Year to $41.9 million

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:

• Revenue Decreased 31% Over Prior Year to $51.9 million
• Gross Profit Decreased 33% Over Prior Year to $21.3 million
• Adjusted Gross Profit Decreased 22% Over Prior Year to $34.9 million
• Adjusted Gross Profit Margin Increased to 67% from 59% Over Prior Year
• GAAP Net Loss Decreased 1% Over Prior Year to $17.8 million
• Adjusted EBITDA Decreased 54% Over Prior Year to $8.2 million

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- System1, Inc. (NYSE: SST) ("System1" or the "Company"), an omnichannel customer acquisition marketing platform, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025.

"Our full-year 2025 results demonstrate the strength and resilience of our platform and the disciplined execution of our team." said Michael Blend, System1’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer. "While we experienced macro and market-specific headwinds in the fourth quarter, continued investment in our products and AI capabilities is positioning the business for long-term growth. We look forward to hosting a call in the near future to provide additional perspective on our strategy, performance, and opportunities ahead."

Tridivesh Kidambi, Chief Financial Officer of System1, added, "Despite a challenging operating environment in the fourth quarter, our full-year performance reflects solid execution against our strategic priorities combined with prudent financial resource management. In collaboration with our key stakeholders, we are continuing to evaluate opportunities to strengthen our balance sheet and optimize our capital structure. We believe this balanced approach positions us well for the future, and we look forward to discussing our financial results and broader corporate updates in the near future."

Note: Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP metrics that are defined and reconciled at the end of this release.

Fourth Quarter Business Highlights

• Startpage.com had 1.6 million daily active users in December 2025, up 42% year-over-year.
• Mapquest.com had 36 million sessions in December 2025, up 24% year-over-year.
• CouponFollow.com launched new AI-powered tools that enhance partnership performance by optimizing offer visibility and driving stronger results for brand partners across the platform.

About System1, Inc.

System1 operates several flagship brands across multiple consumer verticals, including shopping, travel and search, and a best-in-class customer acquisition and marketing platform powered by AI and machine learning. The Company's platform is omnichannel and omnivertical, delivering high-intent customers to its advertising partners to maximize their reach and effectiveness. For more information, visit www.system1.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly any statements or materials regarding System1's future results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding System1 or its management team's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause System1's actual financial results or operating performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Readers or users of this press release should evaluate the risk factors summarized below, which summary list is not exclusive. Readers or users of this press release should also carefully review the "Risk Factors" and other information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as well as our Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time. Please refer to these SEC filings for additional information regarding the risks and other factors that may impact System1's business, prospects, financial results and operating performance.

Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: (1) our ability to maintain our key relationships with network partners and advertisers, including our monetization arrangements; (2) our ability to collect, process, effectively utilize and safely store the first party data that we obtain through our services; (3) the performance of our responsive acquisition marketing platform; (4) changes in customer demand for our services and our ability to incorporate to such changes; (5) our ability to maintain and attract consumers and advertisers in the face of changing economic or competitive conditions; (6) our ability to improve and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting and remediate identified material weaknesses; (7) our ability to successfully source and complete acquisitions and to integrate the operations of companies System1 acquires; (8) our ability to raise financing in the future as and when needed or on market terms; (9) our ability to compete with existing competitors and the entry of new competitors in the market; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations impacting the business in which we operate and our ability to maintain compliance with the various laws that our business and operations are subject to; and (11) our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; (12) our integration of new and developing technologies, including the adoption of AI and machine learning technologies; and (13) substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern; and (14) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, they could cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. System1's independent auditors have not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the forward-looking statements for the purpose of their inclusion in this press release, and accordingly, do not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this press release. System1 will not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not take any statement regarding past trends or activities as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.

Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and represent key metrics used by System1's management and board of directors to measure the operational strength and performance of its core business, to establish budgets, and to develop operational goals for managing its business. Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as gross profit plus depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenues. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, deferred compensation, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, non-cash revaluation of warrant liability and acquisition and restructuring costs.

System1 believes Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are relevant and useful metrics for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by management. There are limitations on the use of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA and it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in System1's industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than System1 does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

Adjusted Gross Profit should not be considered a substitute for gross profit. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), or net income (loss) attributable to System1 on a consolidated basis that System1 reports in accordance with GAAP. Although System1 uses Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA as financial measures to assess the performance of its business, such use is limited because it does not include certain costs necessary to operate System1's business. System1's presentation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as indications that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands)
	For The Three Months Ended December 31,								For The Year Ended December 31,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Revenue	$	51,940			$	75,595			$	266,129			$	343,925
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue		30,626				43,778				165,734				242,602
Salaries and benefits		20,108				25,915				92,747				113,512
Selling, general, and administrative		18,650				17,805				69,688				76,412
Total operating expenses		69,384				87,498				328,169				432,526
Operating loss		(17,444	)			(11,903	)			(62,040	)			(88,601	)
Other expense (income):
Interest expense, net		6,303				7,764				27,556				31,562
Gain on extinguishment of tax receivable agreement liability		(5,253	)			—				(5,253	)			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—				—				—				(20,109	)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities		(304	)			(915	)			(275	)			(2,386	)
Total other expense, net		746				6,849				22,028				9,067
Loss before income tax		(18,190	)			(18,752	)			(84,068	)			(97,668	)
Income tax benefit		(398	)			(729	)			(2,875	)			(370	)
Net loss		(17,792	)			(18,023	)			(81,193	)			(97,298	)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(4,309	)			(3,862	)			(15,848	)			(22,625	)
Net loss attributable to System1, Inc.	$	(13,483	)		$	(14,161	)		$	(65,345	)		$	(74,673	)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except for par values)
	December 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	86,887			$	63,607
Restricted cash, current		1,243				3,970
Accounts receivable, net		57,289				62,916
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,061				3,984
Total current assets		149,480				134,477
Restricted cash, non-current		379				371
Property and equipment, net		1,562				2,104
Internal-use software development costs, net		13,672				14,436
Intangible assets, net		148,089				222,341
Goodwill		82,407				82,407
Operating lease right-of-use assets		9,120				2,644
Other non-current assets		263				349
Total assets	$	404,972			$	459,129
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22,016			$	10,401
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		46,277				76,200
Operating lease liabilities, current		1,427				2,089
Debt, net		76,718				16,405
Total current liabilities		146,438				105,095
Operating lease liabilities, non-current		8,183				1,365
Long-term debt, net		228,399				255,118
Deferred tax liability		4,013				6,199
Other non-current liabilities		520				6,356
Total liabilities		387,553				374,133
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock - $0.0001 par value; 500,000 shares authorized, 8,225 and 7,365 Class A shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively		1				1
Class C common stock - $0.0001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized, 1,813 and 1,870 Class C shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively		—				—
Additional paid-in capital		878,859				863,041
Accumulated deficit		(847,679	)			(782,335	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(157	)			(443	)
Treasury stock, at cost - 137 shares as of December 31, 2025		(557	)			—
Total stockholders' equity attributable to System1, Inc.		30,467				80,264
Non-controlling interest		(13,048	)			4,732
Total stockholders' equity		17,419				84,996
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	404,972			$	459,129

The following tables reconcile net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in millions):

	For The Three Months Ended December 31,								For The Year Ended December 31,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Net loss	$	(17.8	)		$	(18.0	)		$	(81.2	)		$	(97.3	)
Adjustments:
Income tax benefit		(0.4	)			(0.7	)			(2.9	)			(0.4	)
Interest expense		6.3				7.8				27.6				31.6
Depreciation and amortization		21.0				20.2				82.9				80.1
Other expense		0.2				(0.1	)			0.2				(0.1	)
Stock-based compensation and distributions to members		1.3				4.6				11.3				15.8
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—				—				—				(20.1	)
Non-cash revaluation of warrant liability		(0.3	)			(0.9	)			(0.3	)			(2.4	)
Acquisition and restructuring costs		3.2				5.0				9.6				31.4
Realized tax benefit		(5.3	)			—				(5.3	)			—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	8.2			$	17.9			$	41.9			$	38.6

The following table reconciles Revenue to Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit for the periods presented (in millions):

	For The Three Months Ended December 31,								For The Year Ended December 31,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Revenue	$	51.9			$	75.6			$	266.1			$	343.9
Less: Cost of revenue		(30.6	)			(43.8	)			(165.7	)			(242.6	)
Gross profit		21.3				31.8				100.4				101.3
Add: amortization related to cost of revenue		13.6				12.9				53.0				51.0
Adjusted Gross Profit	$	34.9			$	44.7			$	153.4			$	152.3

 

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ir@system1.com

Source: System1, Inc.