Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Highlights:
NEW YORK, March 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025.
“2025 marked the successful execution of two key initiatives: the launch of the OTCID Basic Market on July 1, 2025 and the ramp up of our overnight trading offering in NMS securities,” said R. Cromwell Coulson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we look into 2026, we continue engaging and educating companies on how to use our OTCQX, OTCQB, and OTCID markets to improve the investor and broker experience, while expanding the scale and value of our data-driven platforms.”
“In 2025, our business generated strong top and bottom line growth with gross revenues exceeding $125 million and operating margin expanding 160 basis points, which translated into a 14% increase in diluted earnings per share,” said Antonia Georgieva, Chief Financial Officer. “OTC Markets delivered strong growth in revenue across all business lines. OTC Link saw significantly elevated trading volumes. Market Data Licensing benefited from price increases for key products and subscriber growth, and Corporate Services experienced meaningful growth from the launch of OTCID and improved sales overall. We remain focused on our various initiatives to support the success of our subscribers.”
Fourth Quarter 2025 compared to Fourth Quarter 2024
| Quarter Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except shares and per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | % change | $ change | |||||||||
| OTC Link | $ | 6,830 | $ | 6,364 | 7 | % | 466 | ||||||
| Market data licensing | 12,745 | 10,893 | 17 | % | 1,852 | ||||||||
| Corporate services | 13,147 | 11,194 | 17 | % | 1,953 | ||||||||
| Gross Revenues | 32,722 | 28,451 | 15 | % | 4,271 | ||||||||
| Net revenues | 31,737 | 27,660 | 15 | % | 4,077 | ||||||||
| Revenues less transaction-based expenses | 29,311 | 25,503 | 15 | % | 3,808 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | 17,788 | 16,753 | 6 | % | 1,035 | ||||||||
| Income from operations | 11,523 | 8,750 | 32 | % | 2,773 | ||||||||
| Operating profit margin | 36.3 | % | 31.6 | % | |||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 11,840 | 9,050 | 31 | % | 2,790 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 9,237 | $ | 7,215 | 28 | % | 2,022 | ||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.60 | 28 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.91 | 26 | % | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted | 11,878,478 | 11,855,291 | - | ||||||||||
Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights
Fiscal Year 2025 Results compared to Fiscal Year 2024
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except shares and per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | % change | $ change | |||||||||
| OTC Link | $ | 26,260 | $ | 22,409 | 17 | % | 3,851 | ||||||
| Market data licensing | 50,364 | 43,626 | 15 | % | 6,738 | ||||||||
| Corporate services | 48,664 | 45,029 | 8 | % | 3,635 | ||||||||
| Gross Revenues | 125,288 | 111,064 | 13 | % | 14,224 | ||||||||
| Net revenues | 121,335 | 107,882 | 12 | % | 13,453 | ||||||||
| Revenues less transaction-based expenses | 112,086 | 101,233 | 11 | % | 10,853 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | 73,851 | 69,021 | 7 | % | 4,830 | ||||||||
| Income from operations | 38,235 | 32,212 | 19 | % | 6,023 | ||||||||
| Operating profit margin | 31.5 | % | 29.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 39,188 | 33,142 | 18 | % | 6,046 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 31,136 | $ | 27,360 | 14 | % | 3,776 | ||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.58 | $ | 2.26 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.94 | $ | 3.41 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted | 11,846,132 | 11,840,819 | - | ||||||||||
Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Highlights
Dividend Declaration – Quarterly Cash Dividend
OTC Markets Group announced today that its Board of Directors authorized and approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of Class A Common Stock. The quarterly cash dividend is payable on March 26, 2026, to stockholders of record on March 19, 2026. The ex-dividend date is March 19, 2026.
Stock Buyback Program
The Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time on the open market, from employees and consultants, and through block trades, in compliance with applicable law.
On March 2, 2026, the Board of Directors refreshed the Company’s stock repurchase program, giving the Company authorization to repurchase up to 300,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to disclosing results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company also discloses certain non-GAAP results of operations, including adjusted EBITDA and adjusted diluted earnings per share that either exclude or include amounts that are described in the reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP information provided at the end of this release. Non-GAAP financial measures do not replace and are not superior to the presentation of GAAP financial results but are provided to improve overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance. Management believes that this non-GAAP information is useful to both management and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends related to the operating results. Management uses this non-GAAP information, along with GAAP information, in evaluating its historical operating performance.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, during which management will discuss the financial results in further detail.
Webcast:
The conference webcast and management presentation can be accessed at the following link (replay available until March 4, 2027):
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/yh22xxco
Live Call:
Participants intending to ask a question during the live call and Q&A session should also register in advance at:
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI2b70f22a17e8418a8b099b2ccd4975e6
Upon registration, participants will receive a dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that can be used to access the live call. Live call participants may also select a “Call Me” option.
OTC Markets Group’s Annual Report, earnings release, transcript of the earnings call, and management presentation will also be available in the Investor Relations section of our corporate website at www.otcmarkets.com/about/investor-relations.
About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCIDTM Basic Market, and Pink LimitedTM Market.
Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.
OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS® are each an SEC-regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC-registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.
To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.
Investor Contact:
Antonia Georgieva
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (212) 220-2215
Email: ir@otcmarkets.com
Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc.
Phone: (212) 896-4428
Email: media@otcmarkets.com
| OTC MARKETS GROUP INC. | ||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share information) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| OTC Link | $ | 6,830 | $ | 6,364 | $ | 26,260 | $ | 22,409 | ||||||||
| Market data licensing | 12,745 | 10,893 | 50,364 | 43,626 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate services | 13,147 | 11,194 | 48,664 | 45,029 | ||||||||||||
| Gross revenues | 32,722 | 28,451 | 125,288 | 111,064 | ||||||||||||
| Redistribution fees and rebates | (985 | ) | (791 | ) | (3,953 | ) | (3,182 | ) | ||||||||
| Net revenues | 31,737 | 27,660 | 121,335 | 107,882 | ||||||||||||
| Transaction-based expenses | (2,426 | ) | (2,157 | ) | (9,249 | ) | (6,649 | ) | ||||||||
| Revenues less transaction-based expenses | 29,311 | 25,503 | 112,086 | 101,233 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 10,795 | 10,160 | 46,434 | 44,123 | ||||||||||||
| IT Infrastructure and information services | 2,910 | 2,673 | 11,380 | 10,574 | ||||||||||||
| Professional and consulting fees | 1,947 | 1,783 | 7,660 | 6,294 | ||||||||||||
| Marketing and advertising | 488 | 422 | 1,637 | 1,368 | ||||||||||||
| Occupancy costs | 622 | 619 | 2,557 | 2,369 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 610 | 668 | 2,561 | 2,681 | ||||||||||||
| General, administrative and other | 416 | 428 | 1,622 | 1,612 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 17,788 | 16,753 | 73,851 | 69,021 | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 11,523 | 8,750 | 38,235 | 32,212 | ||||||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 317 | 300 | 953 | 930 | ||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 11,840 | 9,050 | 39,188 | 33,142 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 2,603 | 1,835 | 8,052 | 5,782 | ||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 9,237 | $ | 7,215 | $ | 31,136 | $ | 27,360 | ||||||||
| Earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 2.59 | $ | 2.29 | ||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 2.58 | $ | 2.26 | ||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 11,781,035 | 11,729,845 | 11,771,713 | 11,721,215 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 11,878,478 | 11,855,291 | 11,846,132 | 11,840,819 | ||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 9,237 | $ | 7,215 | $ | 31,136 | $ | 27,360 | ||||||||
| Excluding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense (income) | (318 | ) | (312 | ) | (951 | ) | (940 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 2,603 | 1,835 | 8,052 | 5,782 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 610 | 668 | 2,561 | 2,681 | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 1,693 | 1,573 | 6,788 | 6,370 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 13,825 | $ | 10,979 | $ | 47,586 | $ | 41,253 | ||||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.91 | $ | 3.94 | $ | 3.41 | ||||||||
| Note: We use non-GAAP financial measures of operating performance. Non-GAAP measures do not replace and are not superior to the presentation of our GAAP financial results, but are provided to improve overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance. | ||||||||||||||||
| OTC MARKETS GROUP INC. | |||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
| (in thousands, except number of shares) | |||||||
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 49,231 | $ | 34,522 | |||
| Short-term investments | 5,047 | 4,513 | |||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $267 and $326 | 9,053 | 8,097 | |||||
| Prepaid income taxes | 249 | 244 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,361 | 2,237 | |||||
| Total current assets | 65,941 | 49,613 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 5,557 | 7,096 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 9,508 | 10,951 | |||||
| Deferred tax assets, net | 6,809 | 10,120 | |||||
| Goodwill | 3,984 | 3,984 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 6,247 | 6,829 | |||||
| Long-term restricted cash | 1,606 | 1,606 | |||||
| Other assets | 457 | 543 | |||||
| Total Assets | $ | 100,109 | $ | 90,742 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,184 | $ | 1,175 | |||
| Income taxes payable | 138 | 54 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 14,884 | 13,425 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 33,640 | 29,084 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 49,846 | 43,738 | |||||
| Income tax reserve | 1,050 | 927 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 8,748 | 10,360 | |||||
| Total Liabilities | 59,644 | 55,025 | |||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
| Stockholders' equity | |||||||
| Common stock - par value $0.01 per share | |||||||
| Class A - 17,000,000 authorized, 12,912,423 issued, 12,020,991 outstanding at December 31, 2025; | |||||||
| 12,815,075 issued, 11,979,165 outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 129 | 128 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 41,364 | 35,127 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 24,644 | 23,200 | |||||
| Treasury stock - 891,432 shares at December 31, 2025 and 835,910 shares at December 31, 2024 | (25,672 | ) | (22,738 | ) | |||
| Total Stockholders' Equity | 40,465 | 35,717 | |||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 100,109 | $ | 90,742 | |||