ACCESS Newswire Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results ACCESSWIRE 2025-11-11
Increased ARR Leads to Higher Revenue and EBITDA
Q3 2025 revenue grew modestly to $5.7M compared to $5.6M in Q2 2025 and Q3 2024
Q3 Adjusted EBITDA increased 71% to $933,000 compared to $546,000 in Q3 2024
Gross margin percentage remained strong at 75%
RALEIGH, NC / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / ACCESS Newswire Inc. (NYSE American:ACCS), a leading communications company, today reported its operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.
"Q3 was another positive quarter for ACCESS Newswire, marked by operational discipline, continued customer growth and increased Adjusted EBITDA," said Brian R. Balbirnie, ACCESS Newswire's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We have clear visibility into the opportunities ahead, and we are confident that the steps we are taking now will deliver long-term value for our shareholders."
Mr. Balbirnie continued, "ACCESS Newswire is entering a pivotal period of product advancement. As we move into the final quarter of the year, we remain focused on driving growth through continued product innovation and operational efficiency. With a broad and expanding set of communications solutions, we believe we are well-positioned to capture additional market-share in the evolving communications landscape. The product enhancements we plan to introduce before year-end are designed to further enhance the customer experience and support sustained top-line growth."
Third Quarter 2025 Highlights:
Revenue - Total revenue was $5.7M, a 2% increase from $5.6M in Q3 2024 and Q2 2025. The increase in revenue during the quarter is due to an increase in core press release revenue of approximately 7% and 4% as compared to the same periods of the prior year and prior quarter, respectively. The increase in revenue is primarily attributable to increases in volume during these periods.
Gross Margin - Gross margin for Q3 2025 was $4.3M, or 75% of revenue, compared to $4.2M, also 75% of revenue, during Q3 2024 and $4.3M, or 76% of revenue in Q2 2025. Gross margin was impacted by increased distribution costs as we continue to invest in our distribution partners, however, this was partially offset by lower employee costs due to optimization of our operational teams.
Operating Loss -Operating loss was $184,000 for Q3 2025, as compared to $604,000 during Q3 2024. Operating expenses decreased $380,000, or 8%, to $4.5 million. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in general and administrative expenses due to decreases in headcount, provision for credit losses, as well as indirect costs associated with the Compliance business.
Loss from continuing operations - On a GAAP basis, net loss from continuing operations was $45,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, for Q3 2025, compared to $870,000, or $0.23 per diluted share, for Q3 2024. In addition to our lower operating loss, the decrease in loss from continuing operations is due to lower interest expense due to our restructured debt, increased interest income as well as lower loss on change in fair value of our interest rate swap.
Non-GAAP Measures -Q3 2025 EBITDA was $537,000, or 9%, compared to $(212,000), or (4)%, during Q3 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was $933,000, or 16% of revenue, for Q3 2025 compared to $546,000, or 10% of revenue, for Q3 2024. Non-GAAP net income for Q3 2025 was $760,000, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $187,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, during Q3 2024. Adjusted free-cash flow was $(418,000) for Q3 2025 compared to $1.4M for Q3 2024. Q3 2025 included over $1.1M of tax payments related to gain on sale of the compliance business.
Year To Date Q3 2025 Highlights:
Revenue - Total revenue was $16.8M, a 2% decrease from $17.2M during the first nine months of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to declines in revenue across our product lines, however, core press release revenue increased 1%.
Gross Margin - Gross margin for the first nine months of 2025 was $12.8M, or 76% of revenue, compared to $13.1M, also 76% of revenue, during the first nine months of 2024. As noted for the quarter, gross margin was impacted by increased distribution costs as we continue to invest in our distribution partners, however, this was partially offset by lower employee costs due to optimization of our operational teams.
Operating Loss -Operating loss was $1.1M, for the first nine months of 2025, as compared to $2.0M during the first nine months of 2024. Operating expenses decreased over $1.1M, or 7%, to $13.9M. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in headcount and operational efficiencies throughout the organization.
Loss from continuing operations - On a GAAP basis, net loss from continuing operations was $1.0M, or $0.26 per diluted share during the first nine months of 2025, compared to $2.3M, or $0.61 per diluted share during the first nine months of 2024.
Non-GAAP Measures -EBITDA for the first nine months of 2025 was $1.0M, or 6%, compared to $70,000 during the first nine months of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.3M, or 14% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2025 compared to $961,000, or 6% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2024. Non-GAAP net income for the first nine months of 2025 was $1.5M, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to $(78,000), or $(0.02) per diluted share, during the first nine months of 2024. Adjusted free-cash flow was $799,000 for the first nine months of 2025 compared to $1.9M for first nine months of 2024. Adjusted free-cash flow for the first nine months of 2025 included $1.5M of tax payments primarily related to gain on sale of the compliance business.
Key Performance Indicators:
As of September 30, 2025, we had 12,445 customers who had an active contract during the past twelve months.
Subscription customers increased during the quarter to 972.
Average ARR for subscriptions per customer at the end of the quarter was $11,651, up from $10,189 as of September 30, 2024.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The non-GAAP adjustments referenced below and herein relate to the exclusion of stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. and other expenses the Company believes to be non-recurring. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP historical financial measures has been provided in the tables at the end of this press release.
Management believes that the use of EBITDA from continuing operations, Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations, non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations per share, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow is helpful to its investors. These measures, which are referred to as non-GAAP financial measures, are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as tools for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating our own operating results over different periods of time.
EBITDA from continuing operations is calculated by excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, and income taxes from the loss from continuing operations. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes certain other expenses which the Company believes to be non-recurring as well as the gain or loss on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap. Non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets from loss from continuing operations and certain other adjustments noted in the tables below. Non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding as presented in the calculation of GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations per share. Because of varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of equity instruments that can impact a company's non-cash expenses, management believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation expense allows for more meaningful comparisons between its operating results from period to period. For business combinations, management generally allocates a portion of the purchase price to intangible assets. The amount of the allocation is based on estimates and assumptions made by management and is subject to amortization. The amount of purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the term of its related amortization can vary significantly and are unique to each acquisition and thus management does not believe they are reflective of ongoing operations.
Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, represents cash flow from operating activities less purchase of property and equipment and capitalized software. Adjusted free cash flow also deducts certain cash payments which the Company believe to be non-recurring in nature. Management considers free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow to be liquidity measures that provide useful information to investors about the amount of cash generated or used by the business.
Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in our industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on our reported financial results.
The presentation of non-GAAP financial information below and herein are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included below and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES ($ in '000's, except per share amounts) CALCULATION OF EBITDA & ADJUSTED EBITDA
Three Months Ended September 30,
2025
2024
Amount
Amount
Net loss from continuing operations:
$
(45
)
$
(870
)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
722
735
Interest expense, net
(207
)
270
Income tax expense (benefit)
67
(347
)
EBITDA from continuing operations
537
(212
)
Acquisition and/or integration costs (1)
42
43
Other non-recurring expenses (2)
174
468
Stock-based compensation expense (3)
180
247
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations:
$
933
$
546
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2025
2024
Amount
Amount
Net loss from continuing operations:
$
(1,049
)
$
(2,336
)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
2,203
2,191
Interest (income) expense, net
(14
)
857
Income tax expense (benefit)
(127
)
(642
)
EBITDA from continuing operations
1,013
70
Acquisition and/or integration costs (1)
243
150
Other non-recurring expenses (2)
505
336
Stock-based compensation expense (3)
572
405
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations:
$
2,333
$
961
(1)
This adjustment gives effect to one-time corporate projects, including acquisition, divestiture and integration related expenses, incurred during the periods.
(2)
For the three months ended September 30, 2025, this adjustment gives effect to the loss on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $2,000 and non-recurring fees of $172,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, this adjustment gives effect to the loss on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $80,000, as well as corporate re-brand costs of $132,000 and non-recurring fees of $293,000. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, this adjustment gives effect to a loss recorded on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $343,000 and $124,000, respectively, as well as one-time accounting fees, termination benefits and other non-recurring or unusual expenses of $125,000 and $212,000, respectively.
(3)
The adjustments represent stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations related to awards of stock options, restricted stock units, or common stock in exchange for services. Although we expect to continue to award stock in exchange for services, the amount of stock-based compensation is excluded as it is subject to change as a result of one-time or non-recurring projects.
CALCULATION OF NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2025
2024
Amount
Per diluted
share
Amount
Per diluted
share
Net loss from continuing operations:
$
(45
)
$
(0.01
)
$
(870
)
$
(0.23
)
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets(1)
622
0.16
639
0.17
Stock-based compensation expense(2)
180
0.05
247
0.06
Other unusual items(3)
216
0.06
511
0.13
Discrete items impacting income tax expense(4)
-
-
(47
)
(0.01
)
Tax impact of adjustments(5)
(213
)
(0.06
)
(293
)
(0.07
)
Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations:
$
760
0.20
$
187
$
0.05
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
3,870
3,835
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2025
2024
Amount
Per diluted
share
Amount
Per diluted
share
Net loss from continuing operations:
$
(1,049
)
$
(0.27
)
$
(2,336
)
$
(0.61
)
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets(1)
1,882
0.49
1,919
0.50
Stock-based compensation expense(2)
572
0.14
405
0.11
Other unusual items(3)
748
0.19
486
0.12
Discrete items impacting income tax expense(4)
41
0.01
38
0.01
Tax impact of adjustments(5)
(672
)
(0.17
)
(590
)
(0.15
)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations:
$
1,522
0.39
$
(78
)
$
(0.02
)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
3,857
3,826
(1)
The adjustments represent the amortization of intangible assets related to acquired assets and companies.
(2)
The adjustments represent stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations related to awards of stock options, restricted stock units, or common stock in exchange for services. Although we expect to continue to award stock in exchange for services, the amount of stock-based compensation is excluded as it is subject to change as a result of one-time or non-recurring projects.
(3)
For the three months ended September 30, 2025, this adjustment gives effect to the loss on the change in fair value of our interest rate swap of $2,000 and non-recurring fees, including acquisition, integration and divestiture costs of $214,000. For the nine mont
