Revenue growth remains under pressure with a 17.5% year-over-year decline in 2026Q1, while operating margins have struggled to reach profitability, hitting -17.8% in the same period.
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 |
|---|
| Sales/Revenue | 29.84M | 31.24M | 35.88M | 36.21M | 41.1M | 30.02M | 17.97M | 18.96M | 20.1M | 24.44M | 27.31M | 20.47M | 8.32M | 6.63M | 4.95M | 4.35M | 3.82M |
| Revenue Growth % | -19.12% | -12.94% | -0.92% | -11.88% | 36.88% | 67.1% | -5.21% | -5.69% | -17.75% | -10.52% | 33.43% | 145.94% | 25.58% | 33.76% | 13.96% | 13.8% | - |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 15.75M | 16.23M | 21.2M | 21.62M | 24.74M | 14.46M | 7.9M | 8.52M | 9.04M | 11.59M | 14.24M | 12.24M | 2.85M | 2.7M | 2.15M | 1.95M | 1.82M |
| COGS % of Revenue | - | 51.95% | 59.1% | 59.7% | 60.2% | 48.17% | 43.95% | 44.95% | 44.99% | 47.41% | 52.15% | 59.79% | 34.2% | 40.72% | 43.4% | 44.89% | 47.64% |
| Gross Profit | 14.09M | 15.01M | 14.68M | 14.59M | 16.36M | 15.56M | 10.07M | 10.43M | 11.06M | 12.85M | 13.07M | 8.23M | 5.48M | 3.93M | 2.8M | 2.4M | 2M |
| Gross Margin % | 47.21% | 48.05% | 40.9% | 40.3% | 39.8% | 51.83% | 56.05% | 55.05% | 55.01% | 52.59% | 47.85% | 40.21% | 65.8% | 59.28% | 56.6% | 55.11% | 52.36% |
| Gross Profit Growth % | - | 2.28% | 0.57% | -10.79% | 5.13% | 54.51% | -3.48% | -5.64% | -13.96% | -1.65% | 58.77% | 50.3% | 39.4% | 40.11% | 17.04% | 19.78% | - |
| Operating Expenses | 16.46M | 16.87M | 34.16M | 24.48M | 21.99M | 20.92M | 20.56M | 17.6M | 16.47M | 18.33M | 20.54M | 15.45M | 10.12M | 6.84M | 7.27M | 6.68M | 4.08M |
| OpEx % of Revenue | - | 54% | 95.2% | 67.58% | 53.51% | 69.68% | 114.45% | 92.86% | 81.92% | 75% | 75.23% | 75.5% | 121.63% | 103.24% | 146.73% | 153.72% | 106.81% |
| Selling, General & Admin | 16.14M | 16.23M | 28.87M | 23.76M | 21.16M | 19.83M | 14.61M | 15.43M | 15.17M | 16.81M | 20.54M | 15.45M | 10.12M | 6.84M | 7.27M | 6.68M | 4.09M |
| SG&A % of Revenue | - | 51.97% | 80.46% | 65.62% | 51.49% | 66.05% | 81.32% | 81.42% | 75.47% | 68.79% | 75.23% | 75.5% | 121.63% | 103.24% | 146.73% | 153.72% | 107.07% |
| Research & Development | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.99M | 3.21M | 3.13M | 1.94M | 1.05M | 503K | 974K | 0 | 0 |
| R&D % of Revenue | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14.88% | 13.15% | 11.48% | 9.49% | 12.61% | 7.59% | 19.66% | - | - |
| Other Operating Expenses | 326.79K | 636.39K | 5.29M | 713.13K | 828.16K | 1.09M | 5.95M | 2.17M | -28.09K | 34.22K | -10.07K | 9.64K | 0 | 0 | -639 | 0 | -10K |
| Operating Income | -2.38M | -1.86M | -19.48M | -9.88M | -5.63M | -5.36M | -10.49M | -7.17M | -5.41M | -5.48M | -7.48M | -7.22M | -4.65M | -2.91M | -4.47M | -4.29M | -2.23M |
| Operating Margin % | -7.96% | -5.95% | -54.29% | -27.29% | -13.7% | -17.85% | -58.4% | -37.81% | -26.91% | -22.41% | -27.38% | -35.29% | -55.83% | -43.96% | -90.13% | -98.61% | -58.38% |
| Operating Income Growth % | - | 90.46% | -97.13% | -75.5% | -5.1% | 48.94% | -46.38% | -32.51% | 1.23% | 26.75% | -3.52% | -55.45% | -59.5% | 34.76% | -4.17% | -92.23% | - |
| EBITDA | -1.75M | -1.22M | -18.32M | -9.17M | -4.8M | -4.27M | -8.84M | -5.42M | -4.11M | -3.96M | -6.18M | -6.16M | -4.44M | -2.82M | -4.35M | -4.22M | -2.14M |
| EBITDA Margin % | -5.86% | -3.91% | -51.06% | -25.32% | -11.69% | -14.22% | -49.2% | -28.58% | -20.45% | -16.2% | -22.62% | -30.11% | -53.36% | -42.49% | -87.76% | -97.16% | -56.02% |
| EBITDA Growth % | 88.31% | 93.33% | -99.82% | -90.92% | -12.51% | 51.71% | -63.19% | -31.78% | -3.82% | 35.9% | -0.22% | -38.78% | -57.71% | 35.23% | -2.94% | -97.37% | - |
| D&A (Non-Cash Add-back) | 625.28K | 636.39K | 1.16M | 713.13K | 828.16K | 1.09M | 1.65M | 1.75M | 1.3M | 1.52M | 1.3M | 1.06M | 205.37K | 97.19K | 117.75K | 63.14K | 90K |
| EBIT | -982.22K | -1.86M | -19.24M | -7.35M | -4.47M | -3.12M | -10.45M | -7.06M | -5.45M | -5.4M | -7.48M | -11.19M | 3.21M | -3.26M | -4.56M | -3.95M | -2.23M |
| Net Interest Income | -5.12K | -6.4K | -8.13K | 2.53M | -799 | -25.32K | -63.01K | -233.65K | -269.47K | -64.95K | -82.94K | -115.86K | -25.38K | -63.4K | -115.8K | -24.39K | 0 |
| Interest Income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.53M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest Expense | 5.12K | 6.4K | 8.13K | 0 | 799 | 25.32K | 63.01K | 233.65K | 269.47K | 64.95K | 82.94K | 115.86K | 25.38K | 63.4K | 115.8K | 24.39K | -70K |
| Other Income/Expense | 1.78M | 1.9M | 234.04K | 2.53M | 1.16M | 2.22M | -16.3K | -122.42K | -309.36K | 8.54K | -83.86K | -4.09M | 7.83M | -408.94K | -207.18K | 308.2K | 70K |
| Pretax Income | -592.4K | 42.33K | -19.25M | -7.36M | -4.47M | -3.14M | -10.51M | -7.29M | -5.72M | -5.47M | -7.56M | -11.31M | 3.18M | -3.32M | -4.67M | -3.98M | -2.16M |
| Pretax Margin % | -1.99% | 0.14% | -53.64% | -20.31% | -10.88% | -10.46% | -58.49% | -38.46% | -28.45% | -22.37% | -27.68% | -55.25% | 38.26% | -50.13% | -94.32% | -91.52% | -56.54% |
| Income Tax | 0 | 0 | -394.65K | -6.1K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -8.54K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -70K |
| Effective Tax Rate % | 0% | 0% | 2.05% | 0.08% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.16% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 3.24% |
| Net Income | -592.4K | 42.33K | -18.85M | -7.35M | -4.47M | -3.14M | -10.51M | -7.29M | -5.72M | -5.47M | -7.56M | -11.31M | 3.18M | -3.32M | -4.67M | -3.98M | -2.09M |
| Net Margin % | -1.99% | 0.14% | -52.54% | -20.29% | -10.88% | -10.46% | -58.49% | -38.46% | -28.45% | -22.37% | -27.68% | -55.25% | 38.26% | -50.13% | -94.32% | -91.52% | -54.71% |
| Net Income Growth % | 96.23% | 100.22% | -156.52% | -64.43% | -42.31% | 70.11% | -44.15% | -27.49% | -4.59% | 27.68% | 33.14% | -455.15% | 195.85% | 28.91% | -17.44% | -90.36% | - |
| Net Income (Continuing) | -592.4K | 42.33K | -18.85M | -7.35M | -4.47M | -3.14M | -10.51M | -7.29M | -5.72M | -5.47M | -7.56M | -11.31M | 3.18M | -3.32M | -4.67M | -3.98M | -2.09M |
| Discontinued Operations | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minority Interest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EPS (Diluted) | -0.03 | 0.00 | -1.10 | -0.45 | -0.29 | -0.21 | -1.02 | -1.20 | -2.68 | -3.85 | -5.62 | -12.10 | 4.00 | -21.43 | -78.93 | -519.47 | -0.03 |
| EPS Growth % | 96.84% | 100.21% | -144.44% | -55.17% | -38.1% | 79.41% | 15% | 55.22% | 30.39% | 31.49% | 53.55% | -402.5% | 118.67% | 72.85% | 84.81% | -1541354.01% | - |
| EPS (Basic) | - | 0.00 | -1.10 | -0.45 | -0.29 | -0.21 | -1.02 | -1.20 | -2.68 | -3.85 | -5.62 | -12.10 | 4.80 | -21.60 | -78.93 | -519.47 | -0.03 |
| Diluted Shares Outstanding | 17.31M | 18.3M | 17.07M | 16.37M | 15.55M | 15.1M | 10.32M | 6.38M | 2.14M | 1.42M | 1.35M | 934.47K | 792.5K | 155K | 59.2K | 7.66K | 62M |
| Basic Shares Outstanding | 17.31M | 17.26M | 17.07M | 16.33M | 15.55M | 15.1M | 10.32M | 6.38M | 2.14M | 1.42M | 1.35M | 934.47K | 654.09K | 153.79K | 59.2K | 7.66K | 62M |
| Dividend Payout Ratio | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Revenue volatility and margin compression
As reported in recent financial filings, IZEA's revenue has faced significant downward pressure, culminating in a 17.5% year-over-year decline in 2026Q1, which underscores the inherent volatility of its project-based managed services model amidst a broader pullback in discretionary marketing expenditures across the digital advertising landscape.
The consistent revenue volatility suggests that the company's reliance on transactional marketing flights lacks the recurring revenue stability required to weather cyclical downturns. Investors should monitor whether the current contraction reflects a structural loss of market share or merely the lumpy nature of campaign-based revenue recognition.
Based on the company's historical income statements, gross margins have fluctuated within a narrow band, peaking at 50.3% in 2025Q2 before retreating to 42.5% in 2026Q1, reflecting the inherent difficulty in scaling a service-heavy model where creator payments represent a significant, non-discretionary variable cost.
The inability to consistently expand gross margins suggests that IZEA lacks the pricing power to decouple its revenue growth from the direct costs of influencer compensation. This margin profile appears to be a fundamental characteristic of the agency model, which may limit long-term profitability unless the software-as-a-service segment achieves meaningful scale.
According to quarterly data, IZEA has struggled to achieve positive operating leverage, as evidenced by the 2026Q1 operating margin of -17.8%, which indicates that fixed overhead costs remain disproportionately high relative to the current revenue base and continue to weigh heavily on the bottom line.
The persistent operating losses suggest that the company's current cost structure is not optimized for its recent revenue scale, necessitating a potential reduction in fixed expenses to reach breakeven. Without a significant shift in the revenue mix toward higher-margin software subscriptions, the firm may continue to face challenges in achieving sustainable operating profitability.
Analysis of recent income statements reveals that reported net income is frequently bolstered by non-operating items, as the company's razor-thin net margins are often supported by interest income from its cash reserves rather than core operational performance, which warrants caution regarding the sustainability of reported earnings.
The reliance on interest income to subsidize operating losses suggests that the underlying business model is not yet self-sustaining. Investors should distinguish between core operational profitability and the temporary benefits provided by the company's cash-heavy balance sheet, as the latter does not reflect long-term competitive viability.
While the company maintains a fortress balance sheet with over $50 million in cash, the persistent operating losses and double-digit revenue declines suggest that this capital is currently being eroded rather than deployed into a defensible, high-growth business model, presenting a significant risk to long-term shareholder value.
Short-term observers might focus on the cash-to-market-cap ratio as a valuation floor, but the fundamental trend indicates a business in terminal decline that has yet to find a successful pivot. The lack of clear ROI on internal product development suggests that the current cash pile may be insufficient to offset the ongoing operational cash burn.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying IZEA stock.
For fiscal year 2025, IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (IZEA) reported total revenue of $31.2M. This represents a 717.7% increase compared to $3.8M in 2010.
IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (IZEA) is profitable, generating $0.0M in net income for the fiscal year ending 2025 with a net profit margin of 0.1%.
IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (IZEA) reported an operating income of $-1.9M, resulting in an operating profit margin of -6.0%. This margin reflects the operational efficiency of the business before interest and taxes.
IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (IZEA) generated $15.0M in gross profit for the year, representing a gross profit margin of 48.1%. This demonstrates the company's core pricing power and production efficiency.