Getty Images (NYSE:GETY) shares climbed nearly 18% following the company’s fourth quarter results, as a significant revenue beat offset weaker-than-expected earnings and a softer 2026 outlook.
For Q4 2025, Getty reported revenue of $282.3 million, up 14.1% year over year and well above analyst estimates of roughly $246 million.
Growth was driven across all segments, with Creative revenue rising 4.6% to $149 million, Editorial increasing 21.4% to $109.4 million, and Other revenue jumping 61.3% to $23.9 million.
Profitability metrics were also strong on an adjusted basis. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $104.1 million, up 29.1% year over year and significantly ahead of expectations of about $74.7 million, with margins expanding to 36.9% from 32.6% a year earlier.
However, the company missed on the bottom line, reporting an adjusted loss of $0.01 per share versus expectations for a profit of $0.03.
Getty said results were also influenced by two significant multi-year licensing agreements signed during the quarter, which contributed meaningful revenue recognized on an accelerated basis. These deals boosted reported revenue but reduced the proportion of subscription revenue to 48.6% from 54.9% a year earlier, a shift the company said was mechanical rather than indicative of underlying demand trends.
For the full year, Getty reported record revenue of $981.3 million, up 4.5%, supported by continued demand across its content marketplace and editorial offerings.
Looking ahead, the company guided 2026 revenue to a range of $948 million to $988 million, with a midpoint slightly below consensus estimates. Getty noted that approximately $40 million in revenue recognized early from the Q4 licensing agreements creates a difficult year-over-year comparison, masking underlying growth that it expects to remain positive on a normalized basis.
Adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is projected between $279 million and $295 million, implying a year-over-year decline on a reported basis, again due primarily to timing effects from the accelerated revenue.
“We enter 2026 with a resilient business, a strong pipeline of long-term deals and a differentiated offering which makes Getty Images the partner of choice now and into the future,” Getty Images CEO Craig Peters said.
Separately, Getty said its proposed merger with Shutterstock has received regulatory clearance in all jurisdictions except the UK, where a final decision from the Competition and Markets Authority is expected by June 14.