MARKETWISE, INC.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 8, 2025.
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Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 8, 2025
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Notes to the financial statements (unaudited)
- Organization
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
MarketWise, Inc. (“MarketWise,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a holding company that has no material assets other than its ownership in MarketWise, LLC, and operates and controls all of the businesses and operations of MarketWise, LLC and its subsidiaries. The Company provides independent investment research for investors around the world. We believe we are a leading content and technology multi-brand platform for self-directed investors. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, independent investment research, as well as several software and analytical tools, on a subscription basis.
We operate multiple subsidiaries in the United States from our headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MarketWise, Inc. and its subsidiary, MarketWise, LLC, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which MarketWise, Inc. is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.
MarketWise, Inc. is a holding company that owns a minority economic interest in MarketWise, LLC but, through its role as the managing member of MarketWise, LLC, controls all of the business and operations of MarketWise, LLC. Therefore, MarketWise, LLC and its subsidiaries are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”). As of March 31, 2025, MarketWise, Inc. had a 14.5% ownership interest in MarketWise, LLC.
The Company determined that MarketWise, LLC is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, and therefore, the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of that VIE are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying unaudited financial statements and the related footnote disclosures have been prepared by us in accordance with GAAP for interim financial reporting and as required by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the unaudited financial statements may not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited financial statements. The year-end December 31, 2024 consolidated balance sheet data included herein was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of items of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of March 31, 2025, the results of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The information contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC. Management considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of issuance of these condensed financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying financial statements include, but are not limited to, the fair value of common units, estimates of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, useful lives of intangible assets with definite lives, benefit period of deferred contract acquisition costs, determination of standalone selling prices, estimated life of lifetime customers, recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, the incremental borrowing rates to calculate lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and certain accruals. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjust those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our unaudited condensed financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Reverse Stock Split
Effective as of April 2, 2025, the Company effected a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s shares of Class A and Class B common stock at a ratio of 1-for-20 as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and stockholders.
The Reverse Stock Split proportionately decreased the number of shares of common stock authorized under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. The authorized Class A common stock was reduced from 950,000,000 shares to 47,500,000 shares and the authorized Class B common stock from 300,000,000 shares to 15,000,000 shares. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock remained unchanged.
Proportional adjustments were made to (i) the per share exercise price and number of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding equity awards, including Sponsor Earnout Shares and Management Earnout Shares (as defined and discussed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2021); and (ii) the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan and employee stock purchase plan.
No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Holders of fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split were paid in cash, with reference to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on April 2, 2025 (adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split), without interest.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, unless otherwise specified.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest represents the Company’s noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries which are not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling Class A common stock ownership of the Company.
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was fully attributable to consolidated MarketWise, Inc. and its respective noncontrolling interests.
As of March 31, 2025, MarketWise, Inc.’s controlling interest in MarketWise, LLC is 14.5% and the noncontrolling interest was 85.5%. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net income attributable to controlling interests included a $1,038 tax provision, which is 100% attributable to the controlling interest.
As of March 31, 2024, MarketWise, Inc.’s controlling interest in MarketWise, LLC was 11.7% and the noncontrolling interest was 88.3%. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net income attributable to controlling interests included a $735 tax provision, which was 100% attributable to the controlling interest.
- Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of revenues
The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to customer type and is consistent with how we evaluate our financial performance. We believe this depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | Advertising | Revenue Share (Related Party) | Revenue Share (Third-party) | Total | |
| Timing of transfer: | |||||
| Transferred over time | $82,932 | $— | $— | $— | $82,932 |
| Transferred at a point in time | — | 12 | 493 | 70 | 575 |
| Total | $82,932 | $12 | $493 | $70 | $83,507 |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | Advertising | Revenue Share (Related Party) | Revenue Share (Third-party) | Total | |
| Timing of transfer: | |||||
| Transferred over time | $108,275 | $— | $— | $— | $108,275 |
| Transferred at a point in time | — | 319 | 379 | 18 | 716 |
| Total | $108,275 | $319 | $379 | $18 | $108,991 |
Revenue recognition by subscription type was as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Membership subscriptions | $41,963 | $49,626 |
| Term subscriptions | 40,969 | 58,649 |
| Non-subscription revenue | 575 | 716 |
| Total | $83,507 | $108,991 |
Revenue for the Membership and Term subscription types are determined based on the terms of the subscription agreements. Non-subscription revenue consists of revenue from advertising and other revenue.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings, cash collections and refunds affects the recognition of accounts receivable, contract assets and deferred revenue. Our current deferred revenue balance in the condensed consolidated balance sheets includes an obligation for refunds for contracts where the provision for refund has not lapsed. Accounts receivable, deferred revenue and obligation for refunds are as follows:
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
| Contract balances | ||
| Accounts receivable | $8,789 | $1,876 |
| Obligations for refunds | $2,388 | $2,647 |
| Deferred revenue – current | $210,616 | $215,326 |
| Deferred revenue – non-current | $202,099 | $209,013 |
We recognized $70,915 and $92,561 of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, that was included within the beginning contract liability balance of the respective periods. The Company has collected all amounts included in deferred revenue other than $8,789 and $1,876 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, related to the timing of cash settlement with our credit card processor.
Assets Recognized from Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer
The following table presents the opening and closing balances of our capitalized costs associated with contracts with customers:
| Balance at January 1, 2025 | $99,335 |
|---|---|
| Royalties and sales commissions | 3,650 |
| Revenue share and cost per acquisition fees | 6,229 |
| Amortization of capitalized costs | (18,078) |
| Balance at March 31, 2025 | $91,136 |
We didnot recognize any impairment on capitalized costs associated with contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $415,103 of remaining performance obligations presented as deferred revenue in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We expect to recognize approximately 51% of that amount as revenues over the next twelve months, with the remainder recognized thereafter.
- Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill
The carrying amounts of goodwill are as follows:
| Balance at January 1, 2025 | $30,043 |
|---|---|
| Balance at March 31, 2025 | $30,043 |
Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of the dates indicated:
| March 31, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | Weighted-Average Remaining Useful Life (in years) | |
| Finite-lived intangible assets: | ||||
| Customer relationships | $12,443 | $(11,262) | $1,181 | 1.9 |
| Tradenames | 3,588 | (2,996) | 592 | 3.1 |
| Capitalized software development costs | 5,457 | (3,926) | 1,531 | 2.7 |
| Finite-lived intangible assets, net | 21,488 | (18,184) | 3,304 | |
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | ||||
| Internet domain names | 1,087 | — | 1,087 | |
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net | 1,087 | — | 1,087 | |
| Intangible assets, net | $22,575 | $(18,184) | $4,391 | |
| December 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | Weighted-Average Remaining Useful Life (in years) | |
| Finite-lived intangible assets: | ||||
| Customer relationships | $12,443 | $(11,087) | $1,356 | 2.1 |
| Tradenames | 3,588 | (2,921) | 667 | 3.2 |
| Capitalized software development costs | 5,262 | (3,699) | 1,563 | 2.8 |
| Finite-lived intangible assets, net | 21,293 | (17,707) | 3,586 | |
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | ||||
| Internet domain names | 1,087 | — | 1,087 | |
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net | 1,087 | — | 1,087 | |
| Intangible assets, net | $22,380 | $(17,707) | $4,673 | |
We recorded amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets of $477 and $633 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, within depreciation and amortization in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. These amounts include amortization of capitalized software development costs of $225 and $264 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
We recorded additions to capitalized software development costs of $195 and $297 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
As of March 31, 2025, the total expected future amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
| Remainder of 2025 | $1,363 |
| 2026 | 1,406 |
| 2027 | 376 |
| 2028 | 104 |
| 2029 | 53 |
| Thereafter | 2 |
| Finite-lived intangible assets, net | $3,304 |
- Fair Value Measurements
The following tables summarize our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of the dates indicated:
| March 31, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Aggregate Fair Value | |
| Assets: | ||||
| Money market funds | $74,789 | $— | $— | $74,789 |
| Contingent consideration receivable | — | — | 1,372 | 1,372 |
| Total assets | 74,789 | — | 1,372 | 76,161 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Profits interests, noncurrent | — | — | 2,610 | 2,610 |
| Total liabilities | $— | $— | $2,610 | $2,610 |
| December 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Aggregate Fair Value | |
| Assets: | ||||
| Money market funds | $96,069 | $— | $— | $96,069 |
| Contingent consideration receivable | — | — | 146 | 146 |
| Total assets | 96,069 | — | 146 | 96,215 |
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Profits interests, noncurrent | — | — | 2,811 | 2,811 |
| Total liabilities | $— | $— | $2,811 | $2,811 |
The level 3 assets relate to contingent consideration receivable from a related party associated with the sale of brands disposed as part of the Legacy Reorganization and the Buttonwood Publishing sale. The level 3 liabilities relate to profits interests, which are presented in other liabilities, noncurrent on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the recurring Level 3 fair value measurements during the three months ended March 31, 2025:
| Level 3 Fair Value Measurements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Statement Line Item That Includes The Gains And Losses | Contingent consideration receivable | Profits interests, noncurrent | |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $146 | $2,811 | |
| Total gains (losses) recorded in earnings | General and administrative expense | 1,226 | — |
| Total (gains) losses recorded in earnings | General and administrative expense | — | (201) |
| Balance at March 31, 2025 | $1,372 | $2,610 | |
The following table provides quantitative information regarding the recurring Level 3 fair value measurements inputs for the contingent consideration receivable, profits interests, and contingent consideration liability at their measurement dates:
| As of | |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2025 | |
| Contingent consideration receivable | |
| Discount rate | 27.2% |
| Profits interests | |
| Discount rate | 30.0% |
| Discount for lack of marketability | 30.1% |
- Balance Sheet Components
Capitalized Implementation Costs
The capitalized implementation costs are capitalized within other current assets and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. There wereno capitalized cloud computing costs during thethree months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024. Amortization expense related to capitalized cloud computing implementation costs was$242 and$238 for thethree months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
| As of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Useful Lives | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
| Furniture and fixtures | 5 years | $968 | $960 |
| Computers, software and equipment | 3 years | 1,691 | 1,653 |
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of estimated useful life or remaining term of lease | 61 | 1,271 |
| 2,720 | 3,884 | ||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (2,517) | (3,292) | |
| Total property and equipment, net | $203 | $592 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $54 and $60 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded an impairment loss on leasehold improvement assets totaling $380, and the related lease was terminated for a gain of $1,646, which is included within general and administrative expense.
Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
| Commission and variable compensation | $6,978 | $10,523 |
| Payroll and benefits | 3,538 | 5,164 |
| Other accrued expenses | 7,941 | 7,585 |
| Total accrued expenses | $18,457 | $23,272 |
- Stock-Based Compensation
Included within cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses are total stock-based compensation expenses as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Cost of revenue | $1,264 | $599 |
| Sales and marketing | 694 | 621 |
| General and administrative | 1,183 | 2,587 |
| Total stock based-compensation expense | $3,141 | $3,807 |
Total stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 includes expenses related to our 2021 Incentive Award Plan, our ESPP and profits interests, as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| 2021 Incentive Award Plan | $3,329 | $2,086 |
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 13 | 89 |
| Profits interests | (201) | 1,632 |
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $3,141 | $3,807 |
2021 Incentive Award Plan
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we granted 17,429 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees and service providers in aggregate under our 2021 Incentive Award Plan.
For employees and service providers, both RSUs and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) are primarily time based and typically vest ratably over four years, as specified in the individual grant notices. The RSUs may entitle the recipients to dividend equivalents if approved by the Plan Administrator, which are subject to the same vesting terms and accumulate during the vesting period. Upon vesting, the RSU holder will be issued the Company’s Class A common stock. The SARs will be settled in the Company’s Class A common stock upon exercise. The shares to be issued upon exercise will have a total market value equal to the SAR value calculated as (x) number of shares underlying SAR, multiplied by (y) any excess of the Company’s share value on the date of exercise over the exercise price set in each individual grant notice.
The fair value of the RSU is the same as the Company’s share price on the date of grant. The fair value of the SARs was determined using a Black-Scholes model.
The activities of the RSUs and SARs and the related weighted average grant-date fair value of the respective share classes are summarized as follows, including granted, exercised and forfeited from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025.
| RSUs | SARs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
| Outstanding at January 1, 2025 | 1,269,883 | $25.60 | 60,965 | $81.00 |
| Granted | 17,429 | 11.62 | — | — |
| Vested (RSUs) or Exercised (SARs) | (119,314) | 30.19 | — | — |
| Forfeited | (34,982) | 23.13 | (1,704) | 81.00 |
| Expired | — | — | — | — |
| Outstanding at March 31, 2025 | 1,133,016 | $24.99 | 59,261 | $81.00 |
| Exercisable at March 31, 2025 | — | $— | 44,624 | $81.00 |
The stock compensation expense related to the RSU and SAR grants was $3,329 and $2,086 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025,44,624 SARs were exercisable and they have a remaining contractual term of 6.5 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company recognized $13 and $89 of stock-based compensation expense related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP”) during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, $64 has been withheld on behalf of employees for the June 30, 2025 purchase date.
Profits Interests
The Company recognized $(201) and $1,632 of stock-based compensation (benefit) expense related to the profits interests during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
- Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Basic earnings per share: | ||
| Numerator: | ||
| Net income | $16,841 | $22,712 |
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 15,951 | 21,055 |
| Net income attributable to Class A common stockholders | $890 | $1,657 |
| Denominator: | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands) | 2,051 | 1,836 |
| Basic earnings per share | $0.43 | $0.90 |
| Diluted earnings per share: | ||
| Numerator: | ||
| Net income | $16,841 | $22,712 |
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 15,951 | 21,055 |
| Net income attributable to Class A common stockholders | $890 | $1,657 |
| Denominator: | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands) | 2,160 | 1,956 |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.41 | $0.85 |
The Company’s potentially dilutive securities and their impact on the computation of diluted earnings per share is as follows:
Sponsor and MarketWise Management Member Earnout Shares: the 152,550 Sponsor Earnout Shares and the 100,000 MarketWise Management Member Earnout Shares held in escrow are excluded from the earnings per share computation in both periods since the earnout contingency has not been met.
Restricted stock units: The basic earnings per share calculation includes the impact of vested RSUs. The diluted earnings per share calculation includes the impact of unvested RSUs, where the impact is dilutive, unless the Company has a net loss.
Stock appreciation rights: The diluted earnings per share calculation excludes the impact of SARs since the effect was antidilutive.
ESPP: The diluted earnings per share calculation includes the impact of dilutive shares and excludes the impact of antidilutive shares under the ESPP as of March 31, 2025 and 2024.
- Income Taxes
We are subject to U.S. federal and state taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income or loss of MarketWise, LLC, as well as any stand-alone income or loss we generate. MarketWise, LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes and for most applicable state and local income tax purposes and generally does not pay income taxes in most jurisdictions. Instead, MarketWise, LLC’s taxable income or loss is passed through to its members, including us.
Our effective income tax rate was 5.8% and 3.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The main driver of the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was the impact of discrete items related to a lease termination and the change in fair value of contingent consideration. The main driver of the increase in the effective tax rate from the three months ended March 31, 2024 is the change in the income allocation to the non-controlling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily because we generally do not record income taxes for the noncontrolling portion of pre-tax income.
As a result of the reverse capitalization in 2021, we recorded a deferred tax asset resulting from the outside basis difference in our interest in MarketWise, LLC. The company considers both positive and negative evidence when measuring the need for a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is not required to the extent that, in management’s judgment, positive evidence exists with a magnitude and duration sufficient to result in a conclusion that it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized.
In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset, the company considered positive evidence related to its historic earnings, forecasted income and reversal of temporary differences. Therefore, the Company recorded a valuation allowance in the amount of $30,944 for certain deferred tax assets that are not more likely than not to be realized.
As part of the Transactions (as defined and discussed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2021), we entered into Tax Receivable Agreements (“TRAs”) with certain shareholders. Pursuant to our election under Section 754 of the Code, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder, we expect to receive a step up in the tax basis of our ownership in MarketWise, LLC as exchanges of the LLC Units (as defined herein) occur. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount we may otherwise pay to various tax authorities in the future. The TRA liability will represent approximately 85% of the calculated tax savings based on basis adjustments and other carryforward attributes assumed that we anticipate to be able to utilize in future years. We will retain the remaining 15% of calculated tax savings. The payments contemplated by the TRA are not conditioned upon any continued ownership interest in MarketWise, LLC. The timing and amount of aggregate payments due pursuant to the TRA may vary based on several factors including the timing and amount of future taxable income, as well as future applicable tax rates. As such, significant inputs and assumptions are used to estimate the future expected payments under the TRA. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Members of MarketWise, LLC exchanged an aggregate of 261,634 common units of MarketWise, LLC (“LLC Units”) together with an equal number of shares of Class B common stock for 261,634 newly-issued shares of Class A common stock. As a result, we have recorded a cumulative liability of $3,737 under the TRA as of March 31, 2025. No payments have been made under the TRA and no significant payments are expected in the next 12 months.
As of March 31, 2025, we hadno unrecognized tax positions and believe there will beno changes to uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.
- Related Party Transactions
We have certain revenue share agreements with related parties. Accordingly, we recognized revenue from related parties of $493 and $379 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
We also incurred revenue share expenses paid to related parties of $1,061 and $1,306 which were capitalized as contract origination costs for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
A related party provided call center support and other services to the Company for which we recorded an expense within cost of revenue of $110 and $134 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
A related party provided marketing and copywriting services to the Company for which we recorded an expense within cost of revenue of $90 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
A related party also provided certain corporate functions to MarketWise and the costs of these services are charged to MarketWise. We recorded $24 and $23 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, within related party expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. We held balances of $704 and $354 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 of related party payables related to revenue share expenses, call center support, and the services noted above. The balances with this related party are presented net and are included in related party payables in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
We earned fees and provided certain accounting and marketing services to companies owned by certain of MarketWise’s Class B stockholders. As a result, we recognized $160 and $155 in other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Related party receivables related to these services were $160 and $194 as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
We lease offices from related parties. Lease payments made to related parties were $403 and $435 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and related party rent expense of $551 and $603 were recognized in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, ROU assets of $2,770 and $3,172 and lease liabilities of $1,762 and $4,335 are associated with leases with related parties. Additionally, we paid $700 in lease termination fees related to our former Legacy Research lease during the three months ended March 31, 2025. For more information, see Note 6 – Balance Sheet Components.
- Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | ||
| Cash paid for interest | $(1) | $(281) |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | (1,114) | (465) |
| Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | ||
| Capitalized software included in accounts payable | 18 | 45 |
| As of March 31, | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $79,178 | $131,175 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | $79,178 | $131,175 |
- Stockholders’ Equity
The Company’s capital stock consists of (i) issued and outstanding Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share, and (ii) issued and outstanding Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
The table set forth below reflects information about the Company’s equity as of March 31, 2025. The 152,550 Sponsor Earnout Shares held in escrow and the 100,000 Management Member Earnout Shares are considered contingently issuable shares and therefore excluded from the number of Class A common stock issued and outstanding in the table below.
| Authorized | Issued | Outstanding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common stock - Class A | 47,500,000 | 2,320,126 | 2,320,126 |
| Common stock - Class B | 15,000,000 | 13,732,864 | 13,732,864 |
| Preferred stock | 100,000,000 | — | — |
| Total | 162,500,000 | 16,052,990 | 16,052,990 |
Each share of Class A and Class B common stock entitles the holder toone vote per share. Holders of Class A common stock have the right to receive dividends while holders of Class B common stock have the right to receive a proportionate amount of distributions. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, only holders of Class A common stock have the right to receive liquidation proceeds, while the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to only the par value of their shares. Class B common stock can be issued only to members of MarketWise, LLC, their respective successors and permitted transferees. Under the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of MarketWise, LLC (the “MarketWise Operating Agreement”), and subject to certain restrictions set forth therein, the MarketWise Members are entitled to have their LLC Units redeemed or exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock, at our option. If redeemed for cash at the Company’s option, such cash would have to be generated through an offering of shares to the market such that there would not be any situation where there would be a net cash obligation to the Company for such redemption. Shares of our Class B common stock held by any such redeeming or exchanging MarketWise Member will be canceled for no additional consideration on aone-for-one basis with the redeemed or exchanged LLC Units whenever the MarketWise Members’ LLC Units are so redeemed or exchanged. The MarketWise Members may exercise such redemption rights for as long as their LLC Units remain outstanding. Our Board has discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we paid quarterly dividends on shares of our Class A common stock. We also declared a special dividend for Class A shareholders on January 15, 2025 which was paid on March 26, 2025. Our continued declaration and payment of dividends and institution of any other distributions of capital to shareholders will nonetheless be at the discretion of our Board and will depend on many factors, including our earnings, financial condition and results of operations, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, ability to obtain cash or other assets from our subsidiaries, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that our Board may deem relevant. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future. Therefore, the success of an investment in shares of our Class A common stock may in the future depend only upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that shares of our Class A common stock will appreciate or even maintain their value.
The dividends and distributions declared during the three months ended March 31, 2025 were as follows:
| Dividends · Distributions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date declared | Date paid | per share | Total | per unit | Total |
| January 15, 2025 | February 26, 2025 | $0.60 | $1,249 | N/A | N/A |
| February 27, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | $0.20 | $722 | $0.20 | $2,766 |
On February 28, 2025, the Company announced that the Board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $50 million of Class A common stock. Repurchases of Class A common stock may be made from time to time, either through open market transactions (including pre-set trading plans) or through other transactions, at the discretion of the management of the Company and in accordance with the limitations set forth in Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable securities laws. The timing of the repurchases will depend on market conditions and other requirements. Repurchases under the program have been authorized for the next 12 months but the program may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares.
For each share of Class A common stock the Company repurchases under the share repurchase program, MarketWise, LLC, the Company’s direct subsidiary, will redeem one common unit of MarketWise, LLC held by the Company, decreasing the percentage ownership of MarketWise, LLC by the Company and relatively increasing the ownership by the other unitholders of MarketWise, LLC in accordance with the MarketWise Operating Agreement.
- Segment Reporting
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) monitors financial results for internal purposes that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP (“Adjusted Basis”) because these results more closely align to how the business generates and uses cash.
The CODM uses Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) as the key performance measure for evaluating segment income or loss on a monthly basis when assessing segment performance and when making decisions about how to allocate operating resources, such as marketing spend and determining variable compensation for certain employees.
The primary components of the “Corporate and all other” line in the following tables include certain corporate overhead charges, expenses that have not been allocated to the reportable segment, including corporate functions, taxes, and activity related to components that is below quantitative threshold for separate disclosure.
The reconciliation of reportable segment Adjusted Basis Net Profit (Loss) to the consolidated totals are as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Total net revenue for reportable segment (a) | $86,104 | $109,028 |
| Adjustment to total net revenue for reportable segment (b) | (12,995) | (31,783) |
| Variable expense (c) | (5,813) | (7,795) |
| Revenue share expense (c) | (3,541) | (1,451) |
| Direct marketing (c) | (13,298) | (16,526) |
| Compensation and outside labor (c) | (20,043) | (24,342) |
| Other overhead (c) | (7,448) | (7,320) |
| Corporate allocations (c) | (4,073) | (5,531) |
| Reportable segment Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) | 18,893 | 14,280 |
| Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) to consolidated income before income taxes: | ||
| Corporate and all other Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) | (3,573) | (5,178) |
| Adjustment to total net revenue (b) | 12,969 | 31,910 |
| Stock-based compensation expense (d) | (3,141) | (3,807) |
| Deferred contract acquisition costs (e) | (8,199) | (13,839) |
| Depreciation and amortization (f)(g) | (477) | (633) |
| Other (h) | 1,407 | 714 |
| Consolidated income before income taxes | $17,879 | $23,447 |
(a)total net revenue for reportable segment is in accordance with GAAP
(b)subscription revenue, revenue share and other income are generally recognized on a cash basis under Adjusted Basis, rather than deferred and recognized over the subscription term or when earned in accordance with ASC 606
(c)amounts represent Adjusted Basis
(d)amounts represent stock-based compensation expense
(e)costs to obtain a contract are expensed under Adjusted Basis, rather than capitalized as deferred contract acquisition costs and subsequently amortized in accordance with ASC 340
(f)certain operating leases are recognized on a cash basis under Adjusted Basis, rather than initially recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, which are subsequently amortized over the lease term in accordance with ASC 842
(g)certain intangible assets arising from business combinations are not recognized upon acquisition and subsequently amortized in accordance with ASC 805 under Adjusted Basis
(h)other line includes various items that are recognized differently under Adjusted Basis, including software development and implementation related costs, including implementation costs of cloud computing arrangements, employee benefit related items, gain on lease termination, change in fair value of contingent consideration, and certain tax related items.
The reconciliation of reportable segment revenues to the consolidated totals are as follows:
| Year Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Total net revenue for reportable segment | $86,104 | $109,028 |
| Corporate and all other | (2,597) | (37) |
| Consolidated total net revenue | $83,507 | $108,991 |
The CODM does not use segment assets to evaluate segment performance or allocate resources. Therefore, we do not disclose segment assets. Long-lived assets were located in the United States as of March 31, 2025 and 2024.
- Subsequent Events
Subsequent events have been evaluated through May 8, 2025, which is the date that the financial statements were issued.
In April 2025, the Company commenced repurchases under the share repurchase program. We have repurchased approximately 20,306 shares of Class A common stock totaling $219 in aggregate, including fees and commissions of $1 through May 8, 2025.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.