NIQ Global Intelligence plc reported fourth‑quarter 2025 revenue of $1,139.1 million, up 9.2 % year‑over‑year, and a full‑year total of $4,198.4 million, a 5.7 % increase. Quarterly earnings per share were $0.20, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.09, while the full‑year EPS also came in at $0.20 against a consensus of $0.29 for the quarter. The revenue beat of roughly $19 million—about 1.7 % above expectations—was driven by robust demand in the company’s core Intelligence segment, which grew 7.7 % and represented 80 % of total revenue.
The Intelligence segment’s growth was supported by a 30 % increase in data‑center and cloud‑based AI deployments, as well as a 12 % rise in government‑sector revenue. The company’s AI‑powered platform helped secure higher pricing and improved contract mix, while the integration of GfK added $200 million in incremental revenue and contributed to cost efficiencies. Activation and other ancillary services grew modestly, offsetting a slight decline in legacy data‑collection contracts.
Adjusted EBITDA rose to $289.2 million in Q4, a 30.2 % year‑over‑year increase, and $916.5 million for the full year, up 23.8 %. The adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 25.4 % in Q4 from 20.2 % a year earlier, a 410‑basis‑point lift driven by higher pricing power, AI‑enabled cost reductions, and the synergies realized from the GfK acquisition. Management attributed the margin growth to “profitable revenue growth, GfK integration, and early AI‑driven efficiencies.”
For 2026, NIQ reiterated revenue guidance of $4.44 billion to $4.45 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.04 billion to $1.06 billion. CEO James Peck said, “2025 was a defining year for NIQ. We entered the public markets and executed consistently against our profitable growth strategy and exceeded all key financial targets set at our IPO.” He added, “Client data consumption grew more than 30 % year‑over‑year, a leading indicator of deeper workflow embedment.” CFO Michael Burwell noted the company’s deleveraging progress, ending 2025 with a 3.25× EBITDA debt ratio and targeting sub‑3× by year‑end 2026.
Pre‑market trading reflected investor optimism: the stock advanced roughly 6.6 % after the release, driven by the revenue beat, margin expansion, and the confident 2026 outlook. Analysts highlighted the company’s ability to monetize its AI platform and the successful integration of GfK as key factors underpinning the positive market reaction.
On the same day, NIQ announced that COO Tracey Massey would step down for personal reasons. The company said the responsibilities would be absorbed by the executive team, with no immediate replacement named.
Overall, NIQ’s Q4 2025 results demonstrate a company that is scaling its AI‑powered platform, integrating acquisitions, and improving operational leverage, while still facing challenges in translating top‑line growth into EPS. The forward guidance signals continued confidence in revenue growth and margin expansion, positioning the company for a positive trajectory in 2026.
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