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Item 2 — Management's Discussion and Analysis
Playtika Holding Corp. · 10-Q · Q2 FY2026 · Period ended Jun 30, 2026
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Overview
We are one of the world’s leading developers of mobile games creating fun, innovative experiences that entertain and engage our users. We have built best-in-class live game operations services and proprietary technology tools to support our portfolio of games which enable us to drive strong user engagement and monetization. Our games are free-to-play, and we are experts in providing novel, curated in-game content and offers to our users, at optimal points in their game journeys. Our players love our games because they are fun, creative, engaging, and kept fresh through a release of new features that are customized for different player segments. As a result, we have retained paying users over long periods of time.
Recent Events
Since early 2026, the conflict involving Iran and Israel has remained highly volatile, with periodic exchanges of missile, drone, air, and maritime-related attacks, and with related hostilities involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region. Recent reporting indicates that although diplomatic efforts and ceasefire-related discussions have continued, the situation remains fluid and fragile, and renewed escalation remains possible if a durable arrangement is not achieved.
While this prolonged regional conflict has not had a direct material financial impact on the Company as of the date of this filing, the Company’s headquarters are located in Israel, and the Company employs approximately 1,195 professionals in Israel, including the majority of the Company’s senior leadership team. The Company continues to actively monitor developments in Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and the broader region, including the possible effects of renewed hostilities, security disruptions, maritime chokepoint risks, and related operational, supply chain, and personnel risks.
Components of our Results of Operations
Revenues
We primarily derive revenue from the sale of virtual items associated with online games.
We distribute our games to the end customer through various web and mobile platforms, such as Apple and Google and other web and mobile platforms plus our own Direct-to-Consumer (“DTC”) platforms. Through these platforms, users can download our free-to-play games and can purchase virtual items to enhance their game-playing experience. Players can purchase virtual items through various widely accepted payment methods offered in the games. Payments from players for virtual items are non-refundable and relate to non-cancellable contracts that specify our obligations and cannot be redeemed for cash nor exchanged for anything other than virtual items within our games.
Our games are played on various third-party platforms, some of which allow customers to choose to make purchases through our DTC platform or through the third-party platform. If paid through the third-party platform, the platform providers collect proceeds from our customers and pay us an amount after deducting platform fees. For purchases made through both the third-party and DTC platforms, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the virtual items, have the control over the content and functionality of games and have the discretion to establish the virtual items’ prices. Therefore, we are the principal and, accordingly, revenues are recorded on a gross basis. Payment processing fees paid to platform providers are recorded within cost of revenue.
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue includes payment processing fees, royalties, customer support, hosting fees and depreciation and amortization expenses associated with assets directly involved in the generation of revenues, including servers and internal use software. Payment processing fees and other related expenses for in-app purchases made through our DTC platforms are typically 3-4%. If our players choose to pay through a third-party platform, platform providers (such as Apple and Google)
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charge a transactional payment processing fee of 30% to accept payments from our players for such purchases. We generally expect cost of revenue to fluctuate proportionately with revenues.
Research and development
Research and development consists of salaries, bonuses, benefits, other compensation, including stock-based compensation and allocated overhead, related to engineering, research, and development. In addition, research and development expenses include depreciation and amortization expenses associated with assets associated with our research and development efforts. We expect that research and development expenses specifically associated with new game development will fluctuate over time.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing consists of costs related to advertising and user acquisition, including costs related to salaries, bonuses, benefits, and other compensation, including stock-based compensation and allocated overhead. In addition, sales and marketing expenses include depreciation and amortization expenses associated with assets related to our sales and marketing efforts. We plan to continue to invest in sales and marketing to retain and acquire users. However, sales and marketing expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of revenues depending on the timing and efficiency of our marketing efforts.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries, bonuses, benefits, and other compensation, including stock-based compensation, for all our corporate support functional areas, including our senior leadership. In addition, general and administrative expenses include outsourced professional services such as consulting, legal and accounting services, taxes and dues, insurance premiums, and costs associated with maintaining our property and infrastructure. General and administrative expenses also include depreciation and amortization expenses associated with assets not directly attributable to any of the expense categories above. We also record adjustments to contingent consideration payable recorded after the acquisition date, and legal settlement expenses, as components of general and administrative expense.
Interest and other, net
Our interest expense includes interest incurred under our Credit Agreement and amortization of deferred financing costs. We expect to continue to incur interest expense under our Credit Agreement, although such interest expense will fluctuate based upon the underlying variable interest rates. We entered into multiple interest rate swap agreements in March 2021 and in January 2023, accumulating to a total notional amount of $1.0 billion, reducing our overall exposure to variable interest rates.
Interest income consists of interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net, include gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of certain non-USD denominated balance sheet items.
Provision for income taxes
The provision for income taxes consists of current income taxes in the various jurisdictions where we are subject to taxation, primarily the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, and Austria, as well as deferred income taxes reflecting the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in each of these jurisdictions for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Under current U.S. tax law, the federal statutory tax rate applicable to corporations is 21%. Our effective tax rate can fluctuate based on various factors, including our financial results and the geographic mix to which they relate, the applicability of special tax regimes, changes in our business or operations, examination-related developments and uncertain tax positions, and changes in tax law.
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Net Income
We calculate net income as revenue minus cost of revenues, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, interest and taxes.
Consolidated Operating Results of Playtika Holding Corp
We measure the performance of our business by using several key financial metrics, including revenue and operating income, and operating metrics, including Daily Active Users, Average Revenue per Daily Active User, Paying Users, and Average Revenue per Paying User. These operating metrics help our management to understand and measure the engagement levels of our players, the size of our audience and our reach. See “Basis of Presentation” and “Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data” for additional information of these measures.
Daily Active Users
We define Daily Active Users, or DAUs, as the number of individuals who played one of our games during a particular day on a particular platform. Under this metric, an individual who plays two different games on the same day is counted as two DAUs. Similarly, an individual who plays the same game on two different platforms (e.g., web and mobile) or on two different social networks on the same day would be counted as two DAUs. Average DAUs for a particular period is the average of the DAUs for each day during that period. We believe that Daily Active Users is a useful metric to measure the scale and usage of our game platform.
Daily Paying Users
We define Daily Paying Users, or DPUs, as the number of individuals who purchased, with real world currency, virtual currency or items in any of our games on a particular day. Under this metric, an individual who makes a purchase of virtual currency or items in two different games on the same day is counted as two DPUs. Similarly, an individual who makes a purchase of virtual currency or items in any of our games on two different platforms (e.g., web and mobile) or on two different social networks on the same day could be counted as two DPUs. Average DPUs for a particular period is the average of the DPUs for each day during that period. We believe that Daily Paying Users is a useful metric to measure game monetization.
Daily Payer Conversion
We define Daily Payer Conversion as the total number of DPUs divided by the number of DAUs on a particular day. Average Daily Payer Conversion for a particular period is the average of the Daily Payer Conversion rates for each day during that period. We believe that Daily Payer Conversion is a useful metric to describe the monetization of our users.
Average Revenue per Daily Active User
We define Average Revenue per Daily Active User, or ARPDAU, as (i) the total revenue in a given period, (ii) divided by the number of days in that period, (iii) divided by the average DAUs during the period. We believe that ARPDAU is a useful metric to describe monetization.
Monthly Active Users
We define Monthly Active Users, or MAUs, as the number of individuals who played one of our games during a calendar month on a particular platform. Under this metric, an individual who plays two different games in the same calendar month is counted as two MAUs. Similarly, an individual who plays the same game on two different platforms (e.g., web and mobile) or on two different social networks during the same month would be counted as two MAUs. Average MAUs for a particular period is the average of the MAUs for each month during that period. We believe that MAUs is a useful metric to measure the scale and reach of our platform, but we base our business decisions primarily on daily performance metrics, which we believe more accurately reflect user engagement with our games.
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Results of Operations
The table below shows the results of our key financial and operating metrics for the periods indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, financial metrics are presented in millions of U.S. Dollars, user statistics are presented in millions of users, and ARPDAU is presented in U.S. Dollars.
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
(in millions, except percentages, Average DPUs and ARPDAU) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues $ 731.1 $ 696.0 $ 1,475.8 $ 1,402.0
Total costs and expenses $ 596.5 $ 586.3 $ 1,390.8 $ 1,224.5
Operating income (loss) $ 134.6 $ 109.7 $ 85.0 $ 177.5
Net income (loss) $ 48.0 $ 33.2 $ (9.5) $ 63.8
Adjusted EBITDA $ 206.1 $ 167.0 $ 331.3 $ 334.3
Non-financial performance metrics
Average DAUs 8.0 8.8 8.3 8.9
Average DPUs (in thousands) 367 378 377 384
Average Daily Payer Conversion 4.6 % 4.3 % 4.6 % 4.3 %
ARPDAU $ 1.01 $ 0.87 $ 0.99 $ 0.87
Average MAUs 24.8 30.0 27.5 30.9
Comparison of the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 versus the three and six months ended June 30, 2025
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
(in millions) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues $ 731.1 $ 696.0 $ 1,475.8 $ 1,402.0
Cost of revenue $ 192.9 $ 195.8 $ 385.1 $ 393.2
Research and development 96.4 114.5 194.4 218.3
Sales and marketing 252.6 257.7 613.2 529.5
General and administrative 54.1 17.9 197.6 83.1
Impairment charges 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4
Total costs and expenses $ 596.5 $ 586.3 $ 1,390.8 $ 1,224.5
Revenues
Revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 increased by $35.1 million and $73.8 million, respectively, when compared with the comparable periods of 2025 primarily due to incremental revenues from certain SuperPlay titles which more than offset the decrease in revenues due to reduced monetization in other games.
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Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 decreased by $2.9 million and $8.1 million, respectively, when compared with the comparable period of 2025. The decrease in cost of revenue was primarily driven by a higher proportion of revenue generated through our direct-to-consumer platforms, which incur lower platform fees compared to third-party platforms, partially offset by increased platform fees associated with higher overall revenue and higher royalty expenses.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 decreased by $18.1 million and $23.9 million, respectively, when compared with the comparable period of 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower headcount and reduced outsourcing spend as well as lower stock-based compensation expense as previously granted awards became fully vested, partially offset by the issuance of fewer new equity awards with lower grant-date fair values. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, the decrease was offset by severance expense related to the reduction in force.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2026 decreased $5.1 million when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease was largely due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization related to fully amortized assets and a decrease in media buy in some games, offset by an increase in media buy related to SuperPlay.
Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased by $83.7 million when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2025. The increases in sales and marketing expenses were due largely to increased media buy related to SuperPlay, offset by a decrease in media buy in some other games and in depreciation and amortization related to fully amortized assets. Sales and marketing expenses may continue to fluctuate between quarters as a percentage of revenues driven by the timing and scale of marketing investments at SuperPlay.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 increased by $36.2 million and $114.5 million, respectively, when compared with the comparable period of 2025 primarily due a one-time benefit from the revaluation of contingent consideration, which reduced general and administrative expenses in 2025. Excluding the impact of contingent consideration revaluation, general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, as higher consulting expenses were partially offset by lower payroll and related costs from reduced headcount, and for the six months ended June 30, 2026, general and administrative expenses decreased $8.6 million, as lower payroll and related costs from reduced headcount were partially offset by higher consulting expenses.
Impairment charge
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 we recorded $0.5 million of impairment charges related to our investments in unconsolidated affiliates and the impairment of an operating lease right-of-use asset. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.4 million related to the impairment of an operating lease right-of-use asset.
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Other Factors Affecting Net Income
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2026 2025 2026 2025
(in millions) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Interest expense $ 37.8 $ 36.5 $ 72.5 $ 72.6
Interest income (4.6) (5.7) (11.8) (11.5)
Foreign currency exchange, net 32.9 33.8 29.5 30.1
Other — — 0.1 0.1
Provision for income taxes 20.5 11.9 4.2 22.4
Interest
Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026 increased $1.3 million when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2025 as a result of higher average interest rates paid on that balance. Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2026 decreased $0.1 million when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2025 as a result of a lower variable debt balance offset by higher average interest rates paid on that balance.
Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2026 decreased $1.1 million when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2025 as a result of lower balances held in interest bearing cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment accounts, and lower average interest rates earned on those balances.. Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased by $0.3 million when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2026 as a result of higher average balances held in interest bearing cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment accounts, slightly offset by lower interest rates earned on those balances.
Provision for income taxes
The effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was 29.9% compared to 26.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was (79.2)% compared to 26.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The effective tax rates were determined using a worldwide estimated annual effective tax rate and took discrete items into consideration. The difference between the effective tax rate and the 21% U.S. federal statutory rate for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was primarily due to impacts of tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard. The difference between the effective tax rate and the 21% U.S. federal statutory rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to the inclusion of Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, state income taxes, and changes in valuation allowances, partially offset by a favorable impact of tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard.
Net Income (Loss)
Upon aggregating all of the components of our results of operations above, net income for the three months ended June 30, 2026 increased $14.8 million and for the six months ended June 30, 2026, decreased $73.3 million when compared with the same periods of 2025.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be construed as an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance, nor as an alternative to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or any other performance measure in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the closest GAAP financial measure. Our Credit Agreement defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest expense, (ii) interest income, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization expense, (v) impairment charges, (vi) stock-based compensation, (vii) contingent
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consideration, (viii) acquisition and related expenses, and (ix) certain other items. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin as calculated herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies within the industry and are not determined in accordance with GAAP. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or unexpected items.
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
(in millions) 2026 2025 2026 2025
Net income $ 48.0 $ 33.2 $ (9.5) $ 63.8
Provision for income taxes 20.5 11.9 4.2 22.4
Interest and other, net 66.1 64.6 90.3 91.3
Depreciation and amortization 45.2 61.0 90.1 120.2
EBITDA 179.8 170.7 175.1 297.7
Stock-based compensation(1) 12.6 17.5 26.7 43.0
Impairment charge 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4
Changes in estimated value of contingent consideration 2.0 (33.0) 97.0 (26.1)
Acquisition and related expenses(2) 9.2 3.6 16.4 10.1
Other items(3) 2.0 7.8 15.6 9.2
Adjusted EBITDA $ 206.1 $ 167.0 $ 331.3 $ 334.3
Net income margin 6.6 % 4.8 % (0.6) % 4.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA margin 28.2 % 24.0 % 22.4 % 23.8 %
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(1) Reflects stock-based compensation expense related to the issuance of equity awards to our employees and Directors.
(2) Includes costs incurred to evaluate and pursue acquisition activities as well as costs incurred by the Company in connection with the evaluation of strategic alternatives.
(3) Amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 consists primarily of $1.6 million and $15.3 million, respectively, incurred by the Company for severance.
Amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 consists of $7.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively, incurred by the Company related to restructuring activities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital spending
We incur capital expenditures in the normal course of business and perform ongoing enhancements and updates to our social and mobile games to maintain our quality standards. Cash used for capital expenditures in the normal course of business is typically made available from cash flows generated by operating activities. We may also pursue acquisition opportunities for additional businesses or social or mobile games that meet our strategic and return on investment criteria. Capital needs are evaluated on an individual opportunity basis and may require significant capital commitments.
Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated from our operations, currently available unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, short-term highly liquid investments, and borrowings under our $550 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) (together with our senior secured first lien term loan, the “Credit Agreement”). Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $438.5 million and $820.2 million at June 30, 2026 and December 31,
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2025, respectively. On April 23, 2025, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment (the “Fourth Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement which, among other things, decreased the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility from $600 million to $550 million. On February 16, 2026, the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement which, among other things, extended the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility to March 6, 2027.
As of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had $550 million in additional borrowing capacity pursuant to our Revolving Credit Facility. Payments of short-term debt obligations and other commitments are expected to be made from cash on the balance sheet and operating cash flows. Long-term obligations are expected to be paid through operating cash flows, refinancing of our existing credit facilities or additional debt issuances.
In 2024 and 2025, our Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per share on the Company’s outstanding common stock. Beginning in 2026, the Board determined to discontinue the regular quarterly dividend as part of a broader capital allocation strategy. The Company remains committed to maintaining financial discipline through a balanced evaluation of strategic growth opportunities, including potential mergers and acquisitions, alongside returns to stockholders and the capital needs of ongoing operations.
Our ability to fund our operations, pay our debt obligations and fund planned capital expenditures depends, in part, upon economic and other factors that are beyond our control, and disruptions in capital markets could impact our ability to secure additional funds through financing activities. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents balance, short-term investments, restricted cash and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our normal operating requirements during the next 12 months and the foreseeable future and to fund capital expenditures.
Cash flows
The following tables present a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
2026 2025
Net cash flows provided by operating activities $ 51.5 $ 164.9
Net cash flows used in investing activities 99.0 (135.2)
Net cash flows used in financing activities (398.4) (97.0)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 0.9 2.0
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (247.0) $ (65.3)
Operating activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $51.5 million compared with $164.9 million for the same period of 2025. Net cash flows provided by operating activities for each period primarily consisted of net income generated during the period, exclusive of non-cash expenses such as depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration payable, with changes in working capital impacted by the payment of annual and incentive bonuses and payment of long-term cash compensation during the first quarter and other normal working-capital timing differences. The activity for the six months ended June 30, 2026 includes a cash outflow of $111.0 million for the payment of the SuperPlay earnout in excess of acquisition day fair value.
Investing activities
Net cash flow provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $99.0 million compared with cash flow used in investing activities of $135.2 million for the same period of 2025. Cash flows related to investing activities generally includes activity related to the purchase of and proceeds from short-term investments and marketable securities as well as outflows related to the purchase and capitalization of assets. The activity for the six months ended June 30, 2026 includes a cash inflow of $135.6 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. The activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025 includes a cash outflow of $159.8 million for the purchase of short-term investments.
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Financing activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $398.4 million, compared with $97.0 million for the same period of 2025. Financing activity cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2026 primarily relates to cash paid in relation to the Company’s purchase of SuperPlay. Financing activity cash flows in both 2026 and 2025 included cash dividends paid and repayments on our bank borrowings and for the six months ended June 30, 2025 includes $10.9 million of cash paid for repurchases of common stock under the Company’s stock repurchase program.
Capital resources
We have a $1.9 billion senior secured first lien term loan (the “Term Loan”) maturing on March 11, 2028, and a $550 million Revolving Credit Facility (together, the “Credit Agreement”) maturing on March 6, 2027. The Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments equal to 0.25% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan with balance due at maturity.
On March 11, 2021, we issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.250% senior notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). The Notes mature on March 15, 2029. Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate of 4.250% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2021.
Significant terms of the Credit Facilities, the Term Loan and the Notes, including balances outstanding, interest and fees, mandatory and voluntary prepayment requirements, collateral and guarantors and restrictive covenants are detailed in Note 4, Debt, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and in Note 13, Debt, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 26, 2026.