STOCK TITAN

System1 (NYSE: SST) Q2 2026 revenue $30.2M and gross debt cut in half

(High)
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

System1, Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $30.2 million, down from $78.1 million a year earlier, with GAAP gross profit of $24.3 million and an 80% gross margin. GAAP net loss was $15.3 million, while Adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 million versus $11.7 million in Q2 2025.

Adjusted Gross Profit was $25.5 million, implying an 85% adjusted gross margin as the Products business generated most revenue and gross profit. Management highlighted a “transformative agreement” to cut gross debt by half and the launch of new agentic AI products, including MCP servers for MapQuest, Dogpile, and the IntentStream audience data platform.

The CFO noted Q2 performance reflected a late-Q1 decision to significantly reduce marketing tied to search monetization on owned-and-operated properties, leading to a planned year-over-year revenue decline but higher margins. The company plans continued investment in its Products business and operational efficiency in its Partner Network.

Positive

  • Gross debt reduction: Management signed and closed a “transformative agreement” expected to cut the company’s gross debt by half, which directly addresses balance sheet leverage.
  • High-margin mix shift: Adjusted Gross Profit margin reached 85%, with the higher-quality Products business generating the majority of revenue and gross profit.

Negative

  • Sharp revenue decline: Quarterly revenue fell to $30.2 million from $78.1 million in Q2 2025, reflecting a significant planned pullback in search-related marketing.
  • Profitability deterioration: Adjusted EBITDA dropped to $1.9 million from $11.7 million a year earlier, despite higher margins, indicating lower earnings on a smaller revenue base.
  • Continuing net losses: The company posted a GAAP net loss of $15.3 million for Q2 2026, following a $21.5 million net loss in Q2 2025.

Filing Explained

The August 5 Form 8-K reports System1’s second-quarter 2026 results through Item 2.02, but the release and its financial information are furnished rather than treated as filed under Section 18 or incorporated by reference, so the disclosure changes the reporting record without itself changing the company’s capital structure.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Revenue Q2 2026 $30.2 million Three months ended June 30, 2026 revenue; prior-year period was $78.1 million
GAAP Gross Profit Q2 2026 $24.3 million Three months ended June 30, 2026; GAAP gross margin 80%
Adjusted Gross Profit Q2 2026 $25.5 million Three months ended June 30, 2026; adjusted gross margin 85%
GAAP Net Loss Q2 2026 $15.3 million Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2026; prior-year loss was $21.5 million
Adjusted EBITDA Q2 2026 $1.9 million Three months ended June 30, 2026; down from $11.7 million in Q2 2025
Cost of Revenue Q2 2026 $5.9 million Three months ended June 30, 2026; compared with $50.2 million in Q2 2025
Depreciation and Amortization Q2 2026 $6.8 million Adjustment in reconciliation from net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2026
Interest Expense Q2 2026 $7.1 million Interest expense included in Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation for Q2 2026 and Q2 2025
Adjusted EBITDA financial
"The following table reconciles net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods"
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.
Adjusted Gross Profit financial
"Add: amortization included in cost of revenue ... Adjusted Gross Profit"
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.
non-GAAP financial measures financial
"The Company makes reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures in the press"
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
Impairment of long-lived assets financial
"Impairment of long-lived assets | 0.9 | | | —"
An impairment of long-lived assets occurs when a company concludes that a physical or intangible asset—like a building, equipment, or a patent—is worth less than its recorded value on the books, so the company writes down that asset to its recoverable amount. For investors this matters because such write-downs reduce reported profits and company net worth, signaling potential problems with future cash flow or that management overpaid for assets; think of it like recognizing that a car you bought has lost more value than you expected.
non-cash revaluation of warrant liability financial
"Non-cash revaluation of warrant liability | — | | | 0.1"
debt exchange transaction financial
"The signing and closing of the debt exchange transaction sets us up"
A debt exchange transaction is when a borrower offers creditors new loan or bond terms in place of their existing debt, for example changing payment dates, interest rates, or the amount owed. Think of it as swapping an old IOU for a new one with different rules; it matters to investors because it can change a company’s likelihood of repaying, alter cash flow needs, affect bond prices and recovery prospects, and sometimes dilute shareholders if new securities are issued.
Revenue $30.2 million Down from $78.1 million in Q2 2025
GAAP Net Loss $15.3 million Improved from $21.5 million net loss in Q2 2025
Adjusted EBITDA $1.9 million Down from $11.7 million in Q2 2025
GAAP Gross Profit $24.3 million (80% margin) Compared with $27.9 million in Q2 2025
Adjusted Gross Profit $25.5 million (85% margin) Compared with $41.0 million in Q2 2025

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What were System1 (SST) revenue and net loss for Q2 2026?

System1 reported Q2 2026 revenue of $30.2 million and a GAAP net loss of $15.3 million. Revenue declined versus $78.1 million a year earlier, while the net loss narrowed from $21.5 million in Q2 2025.

How did System1 (SST) Q2 2026 results compare to Q2 2025?

In Q2 2026, System1 generated $30.2 million revenue and $1.9 million Adjusted EBITDA, versus $78.1 million and $11.7 million in Q2 2025. GAAP net loss improved to $15.3 million from $21.5 million but profitability weakened on an adjusted basis.

What was System1 (SST) Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2026?

System1’s Adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. This compares with Adjusted EBITDA of $11.7 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting lower earnings after the company reduced marketing tied to search monetization.

What margins did System1 (SST) report in Q2 2026?

System1 reported a GAAP gross margin of 80% and an Adjusted Gross Profit margin of 85% in Q2 2026. Management attributed the high adjusted margin to the Products business generating most of the company’s revenue and gross profit.

What debt actions did System1 (SST) take in Q2 2026?

System1’s CEO stated the company signed a transformative agreement to cut gross debt by half, with the debt exchange transaction signed and closed. Management said this positions the company to continue investing in its Products business while working on operational efficiencies.

What new AI products did System1 (SST) launch in Q2 2026?

System1 launched a new suite of agentic AI products, including MCP servers for MapQuest and Dogpile and its new IntentStream audience data platform. These offerings extend proprietary mapping, shopping, and search data into infrastructure that AI agents rely on.

How is System1 (SST) changing its marketing and business mix?

Management described a late-Q1 decision to significantly reduce marketing tied to search monetization on owned-and-operated properties. This drove a planned revenue decline but raised adjusted gross margin to 85% as the higher-quality Products business became the main revenue and profit contributor.
0001805833FALSE00018058332026-08-052026-08-05

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 5, 2026
System1, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-39331
92-3978051
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
4235 Redwood Avenue
Los Angeles, California
90066
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(310) 924-6037
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
SST
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



Section 2 - Financial Information

Item 2.02 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On August 5, 2026, System1, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing financial results for its quarter ended June 30, 2026. The full text of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

The Company makes reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures in the press release. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and reasons for why the Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful are contained in the attached press release.



Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press Release of System1, Inc. dated August 5, 2026
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
1


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

System1, Inc.
Date:
August 5, 2026
By:
/s/ Tridivesh Kidambi
Name:
Tridivesh Kidambi
Title:
Chief Financial Officer

2
Exhibit 99.1

system1logobmpa.jpg

System1 Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Launch of New Agentic Products

Revenue of $30.2 million
GAAP Gross Profit of $24.3 million, margin of 80%
Adjusted Gross Profit of $25.5 million, margin of 85%
GAAP Net Loss of $15.3 million
Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 million

LOS ANGELES, CA August 5, 2026System1, Inc. (NYSE: SST) ("System1" or the "Company"), which operates flagship internet utilities including CouponFollow, MapQuest, and Startpage, and a best-in-class customer acquisition and marketing platform powered by artificial intelligence, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026. During the quarter, System1 launched a new suite of agentic AI products including MCP servers for MapQuest, its Dogpile search engine and its new IntentStream audience data platform, extending the Company's proprietary mapping, shopping and search data into the infrastructure AI agents rely on.

"The second quarter was a pivotal one for System1 as we signed a transformative agreement to cut our gross debt by half, and our Products business continued to demonstrate real operating strength," commented Michael Blend, System1’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer. "We also launched several new agentic data products, including our MapQuest and Dogpile MCP servers. As we head into the second half of 2026, we are focused on capitalizing on the tailwinds and initiatives powering our Products business while returning our Partner Network to growth mode."

Tridivesh Kidambi, Chief Financial Officer of System1, added, "Our Q2 results reflect our decision in late Q1 to significantly reduce marketing activity tied to search monetization across our owned and operated properties, leading to a planned decrease in year over year revenue but also driving adjusted gross margin up to 85% as a result of the higher-quality Products business generating the majority of our revenue and gross profit. The signing and closing of the debt exchange transaction sets us up to continue to invest in our Products business for the long-term while continuing to focus on operational efficiencies in our Partner Network business and cost structure in the short-term."

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

Second Quarter 2026 Highlights

CouponFollow.com became the second-largest organic coupon site in Q2, reflecting continued strength in our SEO-driven traffic and market position.

Startpage continued its user growth across both our core Startpage.com experience as well as our mobile browser app. Startpage.com user sessions and mobile sessions app sessions grew 31% and 63% year-over-year, respectively.

MapQuest completed the rebuild of its RoadWarrior app on a unified React Native platform, bringing iOS and Android to feature parity while improving development efficiency. The release also introduced a redesigned brand and user experience that simplifies core workflows and better supports drivers' daily needs.

The Company launched IntentStream, its audience data product which collects, enriches and packages first-party data across its network of owned & operated properties. IntentStream provides brands with real-time
pre-purchase intent signals, enabling them to reach consumers while purchase decisions are actively being made.

System1 continued expanding its push into agentic AI through integration with LLMs:
MapQuest launched its Model Context Protocol ("MCP") Server, which exposes MapQuest's core location tools to any connected agent through conversational language inside the LLMs developers already work in. Developers point their agent at the server, authenticate with an API key, and the tools appear automatically, with no changes to MapQuest's underlying APIs.
The Company also launched Dogpile Fetch, a web search API and MCP server that routes AI agent queries to the best search backend.

About System1, Inc.

System1 operates flagship internet utilities including CouponFollow, MapQuest, and Startpage, and a best-in-class marketing platform powered by artificial intelligence, enabling third party publishers to monetize and maximize the value of user traffic across a wide range of advertising category verticals. 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 ending 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 marketing platform; (4) changes in customer demand for our services and our ability to quickly adapt 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; (11) our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; (12) our integration of new and developing technologies, including the adoption of artificial intelligence 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, impairment 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.


Exhibit 99.1

system1logobmpa.jpg

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30,
2026
2025
Revenue
$
30,200 
$
78,115 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue
5,926 
50,212 
Salaries and benefits
17,113 
26,297 
Selling, general, and administrative
14,541 
17,511 
Impairment of long-lived assets
911 
 
Total operating expenses
38,491 
94,020 
Operating loss
(8,291)
(15,905)
Other expense:
Interest expense, net
7,116 
7,116 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities
— 
68 
Total other expense, net
7,116 
7,184 
Loss before income tax
(15,407)
(23,089)
Income tax benefit
(75)
(1,547)
Net loss
(15,332)
(21,542)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(2,733)
(4,079)
Net loss attributable to System1, Inc.
$
(12,599)
$
(17,463)




Exhibit 99.1

system1logobmpa.jpg

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except for par values)
June 30, 2026
December 31, 2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
40,484 
$
86,887 
Restricted cash, current
500 
1,243 
Accounts receivable, net
40,980 
57,289 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
7,557 
4,061 
Total current assets
89,521 
149,480 
Restricted cash, non-current
379 
379 
Property and equipment, net
1,358 
1,562 
Internal-use software development costs, net
13,097 
13,672 
Intangible assets, net
96,007 
148,089 
Goodwill
82,407 
82,407 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
8,315 
9,120 
Other non-current assets
287 
263 
Total assets
$
291,371 
$
404,972 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
15,139 
$
22,016 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
23,367 
46,277 
Operating lease liabilities, current
1,538 
1,427 
Debt, net
76,915 
76,718 
Total current liabilities
116,959 
146,438 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
7,312 
8,183 
Long-term debt, net
214,880 
228,399 
Deferred tax liability
3,573 
4,013 
Other non-current liabilities
1,651 
520 
Total liabilities
344,375 
387,553 
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock - $0.0001 par value; 500,000 shares authorized, 8,406 and 8,225 Class A shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively
Class C common stock - $0.0001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized, 1,779 and 1,813 Class C shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively
— 
— 
Additional paid-in capital
881,755 
878,859 
Accumulated deficit
(907,345)
(847,679)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(325)
(157)
Treasury stock, at cost - 190 and 137 shares as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively
(759)
(557)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to System1, Inc.
(26,673)
30,467 
Non-controlling interest
(26,331)
(13,048)
Total stockholders' equity
(53,004)
17,419 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
291,371 
$
404,972 



Exhibit 99.1

system1logobmpa.jpg

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

Three Months Ended June 30,
2026
2025
Revenue
$
30.2 
$
78.1 
Less: Cost of revenue
(5.9)
(50.2)
Gross profit
24.3 
27.9 
Add: amortization included in cost of revenue
1.2 
13.1 
Adjusted Gross Profit
$
25.5 
$
41.0 



Exhibit 99.1

system1logobmpa.jpg

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

Three Months Ended June 30,
2026
2025
Net loss
$
(15.3)
$
(21.5)
Adjustments:
Income tax benefit
(0.1)
(1.5)
Interest expense
7.1 
7.1 
Depreciation and amortization
6.8 
20.6 
Impairment of long-lived assets
0.9 
— 
Other expense
(0.1)
0.1 
Stock-based compensation & distributions to members
1.4 
4.5 
Non-cash revaluation of warrant liability
— 
0.1 
Acquisition and restructuring costs
1.2 
2.3 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
1.9 
$
11.7 
















Investors:
System1 Investor Relations
ir@system1.com


Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents