Waton Financial (NASDAQ: WTF) doubles revenue but posts larger loss
Waton Financial Limited reported rapid growth but wider losses for the first half of fiscal 2026. Revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2025 rose 106.3% to $6.10 million from $2.96 million a year earlier, mainly from higher brokerage and commission income.
Costs grew much faster than revenue. Total operating costs and expenses increased to $13.81 million from $3.88 million, driven largely by $6.10 million of share-based compensation and higher staff costs, pushing operating loss to $7.71 million versus $0.92 million.
Net loss expanded significantly. Net loss was $8.37 million compared with $1.15 million, while adjusted net loss excluding share-based compensation was $2.26 million versus $1.15 million. Cash and cash equivalents plus segregated cash increased to $29.88 million as of September 30, 2025, from $13.90 million as of March 31, 2025.
Positive
- Revenue more than doubled to $6.10 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $2.96 million a year earlier, driven mainly by increased brokerage and commission income.
- Liquidity strengthened as cash and cash equivalents plus cash segregated under regulatory requirements rose to $29.88 million as of September 30, 2025, from $13.90 million as of March 31, 2025.
Negative
- Net loss widened sharply to $8.37 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared with a net loss of $1.15 million for the prior-year period.
- Operating costs surged, with total operating costs and expenses increasing to $13.81 million from $3.88 million, including $6.10 million of share-based compensation expenses introduced in the current period.
Insights
Waton doubled revenue but absorbed heavy share-based costs, leading to a much larger net loss.
Waton Financial showed strong top-line momentum, with total revenues rising to $6.10 million, up 106.3% year over year. Growth came mainly from brokerage and commission income, including related-party business, plus new contributions from principal transactions and higher interest income.
The cost base expanded even faster. Operating costs and expenses climbed to $13.81 million, with share-based compensation of $6.10 million a major new item. This pushed operating loss to $7.71 million and net loss to $8.37 million, although adjusted net loss excluding share-based compensation was a smaller $2.26 million.
The balance sheet scaled up alongside activity. Total assets increased to $68.98 million as of September 30, 2025, driven by higher client receivables and segregated cash balances. Total liabilities rose to $41.28 million, reflecting larger payables to clients and broker-dealers as the brokerage business grew.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
How did Waton Financial (WTF) perform financially in the first half of fiscal 2026?
What drove Waton Financial’s (WTF) revenue growth for the six months ended September 30, 2025?
Why did Waton Financial’s (WTF) net loss increase despite higher revenue?
What is Waton Financial’s (WTF) adjusted net loss for the first half of fiscal 2026?
How did Waton Financial’s (WTF) balance sheet change by September 30, 2025?
What were Waton Financial’s (WTF) cash and segregated cash balances as of September 30, 2025?
How did Waton Financial’s (WTF) loss per share change year over year?
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
|
|
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99.1
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Waton Financial Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2026
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Waton Financial Limited
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||
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Date: January 29, 2026
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By:
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/s/ WEN Huaxin
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Name:
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WEN Huaxin
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|
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Title:
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Chief Financial Officer
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|
| ■ |
Total Revenues: Increased by 106.3% to $6.10 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $2.96 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, driven primarily by growth in brokerage and commission income.
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| ■ |
Brokerage and Commission Income (including related parties’ portion): Increased by 223.1% to $4.17 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $1.29 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, reflecting increased
trading volumes and customer engagement.
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| ■ |
Interest Income (including related parties’ portion): Increased by 83.8% to $0.96 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $0.52 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, supported by expanded margin financing
to customers.
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| ■ |
Operating Loss: Increased to $7.71 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $0.92 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in staff compensation and benefits in share-based
compensation as a result of our business expansion, our research and development initiatives and professional fees for our initial public offering we closed on April 1, 2025 (the “IPO”), all of which were recognized during the six months
ended September 30, 2025 (2024: nil).
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| ■ |
Net Loss: Increased to $8.37 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, or $0.17 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $1.15 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share for the six months ended September 30, 2024.
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| ■ |
Adjusted Net Loss: Being net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses of $6.10 million and its corresponding tax effects. Approximately $2.26 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, as compared to $1.15 million for
the six months ended September 30, 2024.
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| ■ |
Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents plus cash segregated under regulatory requirements increased by 115.0% to $29.88 million as of September 30, 2025, from $13.90 million as of March 31, 2025, primarily attributable to the closing
of the IPO.
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| ■ |
Total Assets: Increased to $68.98 million as of September 30, 2025, from $30.72 million as of March 31, 2025, reflecting our business expansion during the period.
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| ■ |
Revenue from brokerage and commission income, including the related parties’ portion, increased to $4.17 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $1.29 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily
attributable to the increase in security brokerage income resulting from the increased trading activity amid enthusiasm in the Hong Kong stock market during the period.
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| ■ |
Interest income, including the related parties’ portion, increased by 83.8% to $0.96 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $0.52 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to
an increase in margin loan extended to margin customers during the six months ended September 30, 2025 in comparison with the six months ended September 30, 2024.
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| ■ |
Revenue from software licensing (including subscription-based licenses) and related support services income, including the related parties’ portion, decreased by 42.3% to $0.66 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from
$1.15 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in the number of software licensing and related support services customers for the six months ended September 30, 2025 in comparison with
the six months ended September 30, 2024.
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| ■ |
Compensation and benefits increased to $8.23 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $1.47 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024. Primarily as a result of i) an increase in number of employees as well as
average salary level, as a result of our business expansion; and ii) increase in share-based compensation expenses of $6.10 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from nil for the six months ended September 30, 2024, resulting
from the granting of restricted share units following its 2024 Global Equity Incentive Plan adopted in November 2024.
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| ■ |
Professional service fee increased to $1.01 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $0.77 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily resulting from the effort for listing of the Company’s share on
Nasdaq and ongoing compliance costs as a listed company during the period.
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| ■ |
Commissions and brokerage fees increased to $1.64 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, from $0.17 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, and interest expenses increased to $0.35 million from $0.09 million
during the period were primarily in line with our business expansion.
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| ■ |
Net cash used in operating activities was $1.44 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $2.55 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily attributable to a slight increase in outstanding
payments to suppliers during such period.
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| ■ |
Net cash used in investing activities was $2.38 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $0.01 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, attributable to the
subscriptions in certain investment funds during such period.
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| ■ |
Net cash provided by financing activities increased to $19.79 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $1.90 million for the six months ended September 30, 2024, primarily
attributable to the proceeds of our IPO share issuances during such period.
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As of
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||||||||
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September 30,
2025
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March 31, 2025
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||||||
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Assets
|
||||||||
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Current assets:
|
||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
14,347,536
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$
|
7,717,087
|
||||
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Cash segregated under regulatory requirements
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15,535,468
|
6,183,232
|
||||||
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Receivables from:
|
||||||||
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Clients
|
20,238,873
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1,729,408
|
||||||
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Clients − related parties
|
3,188
|
4,826,387
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||||||
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Broker-dealers and clearing organization
|
9,220,122
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1,739,276
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||||||
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Software licensing (including subscription based) and related support services − related party
|
1,800,000
|
600,000
|
||||||
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Contract assets
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230,845
|
—
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||||||
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Contract assets – related party
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400,000
|
1,200,000
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||||||
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Due from ST MA Ltd
|
447,570
|
449,877
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||||||
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Investment securities, at net asset value (“NAV”)
|
358,536
|
—
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||||||
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Investment securities, at NAV – related party
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1,000,000
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—
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||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
1,319,774
|
893,051
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||||||
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Total current assets
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64,901,912
|
25,338,318
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||||||
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Property and equipment, net
|
330,162
|
123,297
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||||||
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Operating lease right-of-use assets
|
199,252
|
467,016
|
||||||
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Investments, cost
|
2,878,575
|
2,878,575
|
||||||
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Equity method investment
|
—
|
189,932
|
||||||
|
Other assets
|
666,186
|
1,726,837
|
||||||
|
TOTAL ASSETS
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$
|
68,976,087
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$
|
30,723,975
|
||||
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Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
|
||||||||
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Current liabilities:
|
||||||||
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Payables to:
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||||||||
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Clients
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$
|
23,783,079
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$
|
6,163,171
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||||
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Clients − related party
|
40,745
|
1,417,153
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||||||
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Broker-dealers and clearing organization
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12,327,285
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7,335,535
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||||||
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Bank overdrafts
|
1,580,583
|
—
|
||||||
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
|
801,265
|
748,918
|
||||||
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Amounts due to related parties
|
2,540,810
|
1,797,774
|
||||||
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Operating lease liabilities, current
|
211,186
|
463,120
|
||||||
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Total current liabilities
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41,284,953
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17,925,671
|
||||||
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Operating lease liabilities, non-current
|
—
|
30,561
|
||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES
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41,284,953
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17,956,232
|
||||||
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Commitments and contingencies
|
—
|
—
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||||||
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Shareholders’ equity:
|
||||||||
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Ordinary shares, unlimited shares authorized; no par value; 48,237,472 shares and 43,206,222 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025,
respectively
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
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Additional paid-in capital
|
45,097,848
|
21,817,729
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||||||
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Accumulated deficit
|
(17,473,787)
|
(9,107,145)
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||||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
67,073
|
57,159
|
||||||
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TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
27,691,134
|
12,767,743
|
||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
$
|
68,976,087
|
$
|
30,723,975
|
||||
|
For the six months ended September 30,
|
||||||||
|
2025
|
2024
|
|||||||
|
Revenues
|
||||||||
|
Brokerage and commission income
|
$
|
2,774,888
|
$
|
396,547
|
||||
|
Brokerage and commission income – related parties
|
1,390,497
|
892,837
|
||||||
|
Principal transactions and proprietary trading
|
315,337
|
—
|
||||||
|
Interest income
|
507,872
|
2,562
|
||||||
|
Interest income – related parties
|
452,808
|
520,183
|
||||||
|
Software licensing (including subscription based) and related support services income
|
261,498
|
546,134
|
||||||
|
Software licensing (including subscription based) and related support services income – related party
|
400,000
|
600,000
|
||||||
|
Total revenues
|
6,102,900
|
2,958,263
|
||||||
|
Operating costs and expenses
|
||||||||
|
Commissions and brokerage fees
|
1,639,072
|
172,712
|
||||||
|
Software licensing (including subscription based) and related support outsourcing cost – related party
|
487,860
|
507,822
|
||||||
|
Interest expenses
|
353,587
|
85,657
|
||||||
|
Compensation and benefits
|
2,123,489
|
1,471,937
|
||||||
|
Share-based compensation expenses
|
6,104,672
|
—
|
||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
387,425
|
—
|
||||||
|
Professional service fees
|
1,011,754
|
771,165
|
||||||
|
Market information
|
412,158
|
332,094
|
||||||
|
Lease costs
|
325,960
|
315,013
|
||||||
|
Other general and administrative expenses
|
967,079
|
224,117
|
||||||
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
13,813,056
|
3,880,517
|
||||||
|
Operating loss
|
(7,710,156)
|
(922,254)
|
||||||
|
Other income (expense):
|
||||||||
|
Income from foreign currency spread
|
180,236
|
28,340
|
||||||
|
Loss from equity method investment
|
(31,603
|
)
|
(341,428
|
)
|
||||
|
Changes in NAV of investment securities
|
(741,482
|
)
|
—
|
|||||
|
Others
|
(63,637)
|
9,949
|
||||||
|
Total other expense, net
|
(656,486)
|
(303,139)
|
||||||
|
Loss before income tax expenses
|
(8,366,642)
|
(1,225,393)
|
||||||
|
Income tax benefit
|
—
|
77,138
|
||||||
|
Net loss
|
$
|
(8,366,642
|
)
|
$
|
(1,148,255
|
)
|
||
|
Net loss per ordinary share
|
||||||||
|
Basic and diluted
|
$
|
(0.17
|
)
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
||
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
|
||||||||
|
Basic and diluted
|
48,209,979
|
40,980,000
|
||||||
|
Net loss:
|
$
|
(8,366,642
|
)
|
$
|
(1,148,255
|
)
|
||
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
9,914
|
68,477
|
||||||
|
Total comprehensive loss
|
$
|
(8,356,728
|
)
|
$
|
(1,079,778
|
)
|
||