Q2 2026 Alight Inc Earnings Call

August 4, 2026

Operator: Good afternoon, and welcome to the Alight Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call. There is a presentation accompanying today's presentation available on the Alight Investor Relations website. I will now read the safe harbor statement. Today's discussion includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements reflect management's current views and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences are described in today's earnings release and in Alight's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Risk Factors section of its most recent annual report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. During today's call, the company may reference certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #1: Good afternoon, and welcome to the Allight 2nd Quarter 2026 conference call. There is a presentation accompanying today's presentation available on the Allight Investors Relations website.

Speaker #1: I will now read the Safe Harbor statement. Today's discussion includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Securities Laws. These statements reflect management's current views and expectations.

Speaker #1: And are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to defer materially. Factors that may cause such differences are described in today's Earnings Release and in Allight filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Speaker #1: Including in the risk factors section of its most recent annual report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Speaker #1: Except as required by law. In addition, during today's call, the company may reference certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the Earnings Release available on the company's website.

Operator: A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the earnings release available on the company's website. I will now turn the call over to Rohit Verma, Chief Executive Officer of Alight. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: I will now turn the call over to Rohit Verma, a, Chief Executive Officer of Allight. ahead.

Speaker #2: Good afternoon, and welcome to Allight 2nd Quarter 2026 earnings call. I'm very pleased to have Steve Lasher, our Chief Financial Officer, joining me today.

Rohit Verma: Good afternoon, and welcome to Alight's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. I'm very pleased to have Steve Lasher, our Chief Financial Officer, joining me today. Steve joined Alight in June, so it's been a busy first few weeks for him, and we are delighted to have him on board. Included in today's discussion will be our thoughts on our Q2, our positioning in the marketplace, new initiatives we've put in place to continue strengthening our service delivery and user experience, and our long-term growth strategy. We reported a solid Q2 as we exceeded market expectations, primarily as a result of strengthened project revenue and higher volumes. Our transformation initiatives remain on track as we continue to focus on strengthening our operational execution, deepening our client relationships, and enhancing our commercial capabilities.

Speaker #2: Steve joined Alight in June, so it's been a busy first few weeks for him, and we are delighted to have him on board. Included in today's discussion will be our thoughts on our second quarter.

Speaker #2: Our positioning in the marketplace, new initiatives we've put in place to continue strengthening our service, delivery, and user experience, and our long-term growth strategy.

Speaker #2: We reported a solid 2nd quarter. As we exceeded market expectations primarily as a result of strengthened project revenue and higher volumes.

Speaker #3: Our transformation initiatives remain on track as we continue to focus on strengthening our operational execution, deepening our client relationships, and enhancing our commercial capabilities.

Speaker #2: To that end, I have now had more than 180 client meetings since I took the role of CEO. And we've continued to see improvement in our renewal activity and commercial execution as a result.

Rohit Verma: To that end, I have now had more than 180 client meetings since I took the role of CEO, and we've continued to see improvement in our renewal activity and commercial execution as a result. Q2 revenue of $511 million was comprised of $471 million in recurring revenue and $40 million in project revenue. As expected, recurring revenue was down 4.3% over the prior year period as a result of commercial activity in 2025 and earlier. As a reminder, our lag from commercial execution to revenue realization for a substantial part of our recurring business is 12 to 18 months. This is reflected in the revenue reduction we are seeing now and expect to see for the next couple of quarters as the impact of that activity runs through our P&L. Project revenue in Q2 was up approximately 11% over the prior year period.

Rohit Verma: To that end, I have now had more than 180 client meetings since I took the role of Chief Executive Officer, and we've continued to see improvement in our renewal activity and commercial execution as a result. Q2 revenue of $511 million was comprised of $471 million in recurring revenue and $40 million in project revenue. As expected, recurring revenue was down 4.3% over the prior year period as a result of commercial activity in 2025 and earlier. As a reminder, our lag from commercial execution to revenue realization for a substantial part of our recurring business is 12-18 months. This is reflected in the revenue reduction we are seeing now and expect to see for the next couple of quarters as the impact of that activity runs through our P&L. Project revenue in Q2 was up approximately 11% over the prior year period.

Speaker #2: 2nd quarter revenue of $511 million was comprised of $471 million in recurring revenue and $40 million in project revenue. As expected, recurring revenue was down 4.3% over the prior year period as a result of commercial activity in 2025 and earlier.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, our lag from commercial execution to revenue realization for a substantial part of our recurring business is 12 to 18 months.

Speaker #3: reduction we are seeing now and expect to see for the next couple of quarters as the impact of that activity runs through our P&L.

Speaker #3: The reduction we are seeing now, and expect to see for the next couple of quarters, is reflected in the revenue.

Speaker #2: Project revenue in the second quarter was up approximately 11% over the prior year period. As we've previously discussed, project revenue can be inherently unpredictable and is often the key driver behind quarter-over-quarter fluctuations in performance.

Rohit Verma: As we've previously discussed, project revenue can be inherently unpredictable and is often the key driver behind quarter-over-quarter fluctuations in performance. Adjusted EBITDA of $92 million, representing 18% margin in the quarter and exceeded market expectations, primarily due to the higher-than-expected revenue performance. We've maintained a strong liquidity position, exiting the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $250 million of cash and a $330 million of undrawn revolver. Year to date, we've generated $101 million in free cash flow, which includes $48 million in free cash flow in the Q2, and we remain confident in our cash generation for the year and beyond. Our liquidity position and cash generation provides continued flexibility to drive our business forward. We made several key hires during the quarter to strengthen and bolster our leadership team, which is now largely in place.

Rohit Verma: As we've previously discussed, project revenue can be inherently unpredictable and is often the key driver behind quarter-over-quarter fluctuations in performance. Adjusted EBITDA of $92 million, representing 18% margin in the quarter and exceeded market expectations, primarily due to the higher-than-expected revenue performance. We've maintained a strong liquidity position, exiting the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $250 million of cash and a $330 million of undrawn revolver. Year-to-date, we've generated $101 million in free cash flow, which includes $48 million in free cash flow in the Q2, and we remain confident in our cash generation for the year and beyond. Our liquidity position and cash generation provides continued flexibility to drive our business forward. We made several key hires during the quarter to strengthen and bolster our leadership team, which is now largely in place.

Speaker #2: Adjusted EBITDA of $92 million representing 18% margin in the quarter and exceeded market expectations primarily due to the higher-than-expected revenue performance.

Speaker #3: We've maintained a strong liquidity position, exiting the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $215 million of cash and a $330 million undrawn revolver.

Speaker #3: Year to date, we've generated $101 million in free cash flow, which includes $48 million in free cash flow in the 2nd quarter and we remain confident in our cash generation for the year and beyond.

Speaker #3: Our liquidity position and cash generation provides continued flexibility to drive our business forward. We made several key hires during the quarter to strengthen and bolster our leadership team, which is now largely in place.

Speaker #3: As I mentioned in June, we welcomed Steve Lasher to the team as Allight's new Chief Financial Officer. Steve brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience across the services, technology, and B2B sectors as a proven ability to drive transformation at scale and has the operating expertise and discipline needed at this stage of Allight's journey.

Rohit Verma: As I mentioned in June, we welcomed Stephen Lasher to the team as Alight's new Chief Financial Officer. Stephen brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience across the services, technology, and B2B sectors, has a proven ability to drive transformation at scale, and has the operating expertise and discipline needed at this stage of Alight's journey. In May, we appointed Dinesh Tulsiani as President, Employer Solutions. Dinesh previously served as Alight's chief strategy officer and has been part of Hewitt for 20-plus years. He leads the Employer Solutions business to help accelerate innovation, strengthen how we deliver value, and advance the outcomes our clients count on. As highlighted on our previous call, in April, we appointed Naveen Baweja as Chief Technology Officer. Naveen is a transformation-focused technology executive and leads Alight's technology organization with a focus on advancing innovation and strengthening execution of our technology roadmap.

Rohit Verma: As I mentioned in June, we welcomed Steve Lasher to the team as Alight's new Chief Financial Officer. Stephen brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience across the services, technology, and B2B sectors, has a proven ability to drive transformation at scale, and has the operating expertise and discipline needed at this stage of Alight's journey. In May, we appointed Dinesh Tulsiani as President, Employer Solutions. Dinesh previously served as Alight's chief strategy officer and has been part of Hewitt for 20-plus years. He leads the Employer Solutions business to help accelerate innovation, strengthen how we deliver value, and advance the outcomes our clients count on. As highlighted on our previous call, in April, we appointed Naveen Baweja as Chief Technology Officer. Naveen is a transformation-focused technology executive and leads Alight's technology organization with a focus on advancing innovation and strengthening execution of our technology roadmap.

Speaker #3: In May, we appointed Dinesh Tolseani as president, employer solutions. Dinesh previously served as Allight's Chief Strategy Officer, and has been part of Hewitt for 20 plus years.

Speaker #3: He leads the employer solutions business to help accelerate innovation, strengthen how we deliver value, and advance the outcomes our clients count on. As highlighted on our previous call, in April we appointed Naveen Bawaja as Chief Technology Officer.

Speaker #3: Naveen is a transformation-focused technology executive and leads Alight's technology organization with a focus on advancing innovation and strengthening execution of our technology roadmap. Beyond senior leadership, since the start of the year, we've added numerous account management and sales professionals, and have expanded our overall sales coverage, with account executive coverage now extending to 500 clients as we build greater expertise across our sales and accounts team.

Rohit Verma: Beyond senior leadership, since the start of the year, we've added numerous account management and sales professionals and have expanded our overall sales coverage, with account executive coverage now extending to 500 clients as we build greater expertise across our sales and accounts team. During the quarter, we completed the important phase of insourcing critical client service functions that had previously been outsourced. This has been a major strategic initiative for us as we look to strengthen the client experience and align the priorities of all our staff to one goal, to serve our clients with the highest possible service levels. These changes have garnered very positive feedback from our customers as well as from industry consultants, and third-party evaluators that play a critical role in us being renewed by our clients and selected by our prospects.

Speaker #3: During the quarter, we completed the important phase of insourcing critical client service functions that had previously been outsourced. This has been a major strategic initiative for us as we look to strengthen the client experience and align the priorities of all our staff to one goal.

Speaker #3: To serve our clients with the highest possible service levels. These changes have garnered very positive feedback from our customers as well as from industry consultants and third-party evaluators that play a critical role in us being renewed by our clients and selected by our prospects.

Speaker #3: A fundamental pillar of our long-term growth plan is the continued strategic investment in our technology and people to create consumer-grade customer experience and strengthen service excellence.

Rohit Verma: A fundamental pillar of our long-term growth plan is the continued strategic investment in our technology and people to create consumer-grade customer experience and strengthen service excellence. Our operating data layer will be the industry's first data framework to bring health, wealth, and Leaves benefits all under one consolidated platform. It will provide employers with a view that makes benefits experiences for their participants more intuitive and easier to understand. Furthermore, we've made ongoing investments in service delivery excellence, deploying automation with a goal of improving service quality. Alight is the only integrated benefits provider operating at true enterprise scale, with the capabilities and expertise to manage the full complexity of employer needs across our health, wealth, and Leaves solutions.

Speaker #3: We made targeted client experience investments during the quarter, intended to modernize our user experience, evolve the data layer, and improve user journeys. Our operating data layer will be the industry's first data framework to bring health, wealth, and leaves benefits all under one consolidated platform.

Speaker #3: It will provide employers with a view that makes benefits experiences for their participants more intuitive and easier to understand. Furthermore, we've made ongoing investments in service delivery excellence, deploying automation with the goal of improving service quality.

Speaker #3: Allight is the only integrated benefits provider operating a true enterprise scale. With the capabilities and expertise to manage the full complexity of employer needs across our health, wealth, and leave solutions.

Speaker #3: Our health solution platform is our largest portfolio and spans core health administration, navigation, enrollment services, spending account solutions, engagement services, and point solutions. Our goal is to help employers administer health benefits and manage healthcare spend while helping employers make better and more informed decisions for their health benefits.

Rohit Verma: Our health solutions platform is our largest portfolio and spans core health administration, navigation, enrollment services, spending account solutions, engagement services, and point solutions. Our goal is to help employers administer health benefits and manage healthcare spend while helping employees make better and more informed decisions for their health benefits. Wealth Solutions is our second-largest business, with $1.7 trillion in assets under administration. Our wealth platform includes a portfolio of financial and retirement-related benefit solutions, including defined contribution, defined benefits, and pension risk transfer that allow employees to better navigate and plan for their financial future. Our Leaves business represents our largest growth opportunity and includes leave of absence administration, medical and disability guideline information, and short-term disability administration.

Speaker #3: largest business. With Wealth solutions is our second $1.7 trillion in assets under administration. Our wealth platform includes a portfolio of financial and retirement-related benefits solutions, including defined contribution, defined benefits, and pension risk transfer, that allow employers to better navigate and plan for their financial future.

Speaker #3: Our leaves business represents our largest growth opportunity and includes leave of absence administration, medical and disability guideline information, and short-term disability administration, keeping up with ever-changing leave of absence regulations can be a difficult and time-consuming effort for employers and their HR teams.

Rohit Verma: Keeping up with ever-changing leave of absence regulations can be a difficult and time-consuming effort for employers and their HR teams, which is why our tailored leave solutions assist employers in controlling costs and avoiding compliance risk. We're continuing to see strong client demand across the benefits administration space. Employers are increasingly turning to outsourced providers to handle their benefits compliance, delivery, and technology needs, which allows them to focus on their core capabilities rather than managing the ever-complex world of benefits management. The nondiscretionary nature of benefits means that we're seeing a large and active market for our services, regardless of shifting economic conditions. Access to healthcare, financial planning, and retirement services remain essential and creates the foundation of what we believe to be a highly resilient business model.

Speaker #3: Which is why our tailored leave solutions assist employers in controlling costs and avoiding compliance risk. We're continuing to see strong client demand across the benefits administration space. Employers are increasingly turning to outsource providers to handle their benefits compliance, delivery, and technology needs, which allows them to focus on their core capabilities rather than managing the ever-complex world of benefits management.

Speaker #3: The non-discretionary nature of benefits means that we're seeing a large and active market for our services, regardless of shifting economic conditions. Access to healthcare, financial planning, and retirement services remains essential and creates the foundation of what we believe to be a highly resilient business model.

Speaker #3: Our combination of scale, expertise, and our relentless commitment to service excellence allows us to serve this market effectively, whether it be large Fortune 500 clients or major state organizations.

Rohit Verma: Our combination of scale, expertise, and our relentless commitment to service excellence allows us to serve this market effectively, whether it be large Fortune 500 clients or more main street organizations. Despite our already expansive breadth of clients and partners, the opportunity in front of us remains vast, and we are energized about the prospects ahead of us. We continue to leverage and deploy AI across our organization to transform the HR employee experience and drive organizational impact with our clients and employees always top of mind. For Alight, AI's potential is grounded in the foundation underneath it. Thousands of participant interactions, deep institutional knowledge built over decades, and a platform already operating at scale with an extensive user base.

Speaker #3: Despite our already expansive breadth of clients and partners, the opportunity in front of us remains vast, and we are energized about the prospects ahead of us.

Speaker #2: We continue to leverage and deploy AI across our organization to transform the HR employee experience and drive organizational impact. With our clients and employees always top of mind.

Speaker #2: For Alight, AI's potential is grounded in the foundation underneath it—thousands of participant interactions, deep institutional knowledge built over decades, and a platform already operating at scale with an extensive user base.

Speaker #2: It's this foundation that allows the AI tools we're deploying to be predictive, personalized, and provide actual, meaningful assistance to our members, while also ensuring these tools follow strict constraints of security, privacy, auditability, and observability.

Rohit Verma: It's this foundation that allows the AI tools we're deploying to be predictive, personalized, and provide actual, meaningful assistance to our members while also ensuring these tools follow strict constraints of security, privacy, auditability, and observability. With that said, we believe there are tangible opportunities across our portfolio of health, wealth, and Leaves businesses to leverage AI for specific tasks that enhance efficiency, quality, and user experience. We will provide additional updates on how we are deploying AI across dimensions of quality, efficiency, and user experience as our roadmap is quite extensive. While Alight has evolved with the times to strategically implement AI into our offerings, we wholeheartedly believe in a balanced approach that effectively uses AI and people in tandem. We remain intently focused on service quality, and to that end, the most significant part of our CapEx is invested in operational excellence and user experience.

Speaker #2: With that said, we believe there are tangible opportunities across our portfolio of health, wealth, and leaves businesses to leverage AI for specific tasks that enhance efficiency, quality, and user experience.

Speaker #2: We will provide additional updates on how we are deploying AI across the dimensions of quality, efficiency, and user experience, as our roadmap is quite extensive.

Speaker #2: While Alight has evolved with the times to strategically implement AI into our offerings, we wholeheartedly believe in a balanced approach that effectively uses AI and people in tandem.

Speaker #2: We remain intently focused on service quality, and to that end, the most significant part of our capex is invested in operational excellence and user experience.

Speaker #2: We have five overarching initiatives that are being undertaken under my direct oversight. First, we're building an AI-native employee and employer experience with new navigation guidance and end-to-end user journey for a simpler, more modern, and more intuitive experience that makes it easier to get things done, reducing manual work, and most importantly, friction in the benefits process.

Rohit Verma: We have five overarching initiatives that are being undertaken under my direct oversight. First, we're building an AI-native employee and employer experience with new navigation guidance and end-to-end user journey for a simpler, more modern, and more intuitive experience that makes it easier to get things done, reducing manual work, and most importantly, friction in the benefits process. The design of this is complete, and we are getting active user feedback with an expectation for rollouts next year. Second, we're building the first framework of unified data and knowledge for health, wealth, and leave that connects systems to enable AI and orchestrate workflows leading to smarter, more personalized experiences and responses which are more resilient to AI misinformation. We are heavily leveraging AI-based development and expect to begin rolling this out next year.

Speaker #2: The design of this is complete, and we are getting active user feedback with an expectation for rollouts next year. Second, we're building the first framework of unified data and knowledge for health, wealth, and leaves that connects systems to enable AI and orchestrate workflows leading to smarter, more personalized experiences, and responses which are more resilient to AI misinformation.

Speaker #2: We are heavily leveraging AI-based development and expect to begin rolling this out next year. Third is our modernization of our service model, with smarter routing, expanded self-service, and faster call center-based support, with higher quality and more consistent resolution. A number of these enhancements are already active in our call center, and new capabilities are planned incrementally every quarter.

Rohit Verma: Third is our modernization of our service model with smarter routing, expanded self-service, and AI-enabled agents to provide clients with faster call center-based support with higher quality and more consistent resolution. A number of these enhancements are already active in our call center, and new capabilities are planned incrementally every quarter. Fourth, we're enabling AI-based ingestion of client specifications, significantly automating the process of implementation, annual enrollment configuration, and off-cycle plan changes triggered by M&A activity. This improves both efficiency and service quality. The first wave of this capability goes live at the end of Q3 of 2026. Lastly, we're enhancing our file processing with greater transparency, exchange oversight, proactive intervention, and automated validation in order to achieve more reliable processing with lower likelihood of delays, errors, and manual bottlenecks.

Speaker #2: Fourth, we're enabling AI-based ingestion of client specifications, significantly automating the process of implementation, annual enrollment configuration, and off-cycle plan changes triggered by M&A activity.

Speaker #2: This improves both efficiency and service quality. The first wave of this capability goes live at the end of Q3 of 2026. Lastly, we're enhancing our file processing with greater transparency, exchange oversight, proactive intervention, and automated validation in order to achieve more reliable processing with lower likelihood of delays, errors, and manual bottlenecks.

Speaker #2: This capability is now live in our environment and enabling us to better manage our data interchange with clients and partners. The cornerstone of these initiatives are our new client service model, which aims to provide expanded client coverage with clear established ownership, and our core culture and values encapsulated by the word Alight.

Rohit Verma: This capability is now live in our environment and enabling us to better manage our data interchange with clients and partners. The cornerstone of these initiatives are our new client service model, which aims to provide expanded client coverage with clear established ownership and our core culture and values encapsulated by the word Alight. Ultimately, we believe that these initiatives align with feedback we've heard from our client base, and we look forward to successful execution of these initiatives to further drive our market leadership. I'll now turn the call over to Steve to discuss our financial results.

Speaker #2: Ultimately, we believe that these initiatives align with the feedback we've heard from our client base, and we look forward to the successful execution of these initiatives to further drive our market leadership.

Speaker #2: I'll now turn the call over to Steve to discuss our financial results.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Rui. And good afternoon, everyone. I've had the pleasure to speak with some of you since I joined, and look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months.

Stephen Lasher: Thanks, Rohit, and good afternoon, everyone. I've had the pleasure to speak with some of you since I joined and look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months. I'll now walk through our Q2 2026 results. As we discussed in the Q2, we exceeded expectations of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow. Revenue for the Q2 was $511 million, a decrease of approximately 3%. We delivered $471 million of recurring revenue in the Q2, a decrease of 4% compared to the Q2 of 2025, reflecting the impact of lower-than-desired commercial execution in prior years. Project revenue for the quarter was $40 million, up 11% compared to the Q2 last year. As Rohit noted, project revenue can often vary quarter to quarter and drives fluctuations in our consolidated results.

Steve Lasher: Thanks, Rohit, and good afternoon, everyone. I've had the pleasure to speak with some of you since I joined and look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months. I'll now walk through our Q2 2026 results. As we discussed in the Q2, we exceeded expectations of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow. Revenue for the Q2 was $511 million, a decrease of approximately 3%. We delivered $471 million of recurring revenue in the Q2, a decrease of 4% compared to the Q2 of 2025, reflecting the impact of lower-than-desired commercial execution in prior years. Project revenue for the quarter was $40 million, up 11% compared to the Q2 last year. As Rohit noted, project revenue can often vary quarter to quarter and drives fluctuations in our consolidated results.

Speaker #3: I'll now walk through our second quarter 2026 results. As we discussed, in the second quarter we exceeded expectations on revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow.

Speaker #3: Revenue for the second quarter was $511,000, a decrease of approximately 3%. We delivered $471,000 of recurring revenue in the second quarter, a decrease of 4% compared to the second quarter of 2025.

Speaker #3: Reflecting the impact of lower-than-desired commercial execution in prior years. Project revenue for the quarter was $40 million, up 11% compared to the second quarter last year.

Speaker #3: As Rohit noted, project revenue can also often vary quarter to quarter and drive fluctuations in our consolidated results. Adjusted gross profit in the second quarter was $176 million, down $29 million from the prior year period, reflecting an adjusted gross profit margin decline of 440 basis points.

Stephen Lasher: Adjusted gross profit in the Q2 was $176 million, down $29 million from the prior year period, reflecting an adjusted gross profit margin decline of 440 basis points. Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA was $92 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18%, compared to $127 million or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 24% in the prior year period. The beat on guidance in the quarter was primarily due to the flow-through of higher-than-expected volumes and project revenue in the quarter. Adjusted net income in the Q2 was $26 million, with adjusted EPS of $0.91, compared to $56 million of adjusted net income and adjusted EPS of $2.09 in the Q2 2025. We maintained a strong liquidity position and exited the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $215 million of cash and our $330 million undrawn revolver.

Steve Lasher: Adjusted gross profit in the Q2 was $176 million, down $29 million from the prior year period, reflecting an adjusted gross profit margin decline of 440 basis points. Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA was $92 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18%, compared to $127 million or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 24% in the prior year period. The beat on guidance in the quarter was primarily due to the flow-through of higher-than-expected volumes and project revenue in the quarter. Adjusted net income in the Q2 was $26 million, with adjusted EPS of $0.91, compared to $56 million of adjusted net income and adjusted EPS of $2.09 in the Q2 2025. We maintained a strong liquidity position and exited the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $215 million of cash and our $330 million undrawn revolver.

Speaker #3: Second quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA was $92 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18%, compared to $127 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 24%, in the prior year period.

Speaker #3: The beat-on guidance in the quarter was primarily due to the flow-through of higher-than-expected volumes and project revenue in the quarter. Adjusted net income in the second quarter was $26 million, with adjusted EPS of $91 cents, compared to $56 million of adjusted net income and adjusted EPS of $2.09 in the second quarter of 2025.

Speaker #3: We maintained a strong liquidity position and exited the quarter with $545 million in total liquidity, consisting of $215 million of cash and our $330 million undrawn revolver.

Speaker #3: Year-to-date, free cash flow was $101 million. We believe our liquidity and cash generation will continue to provide us with the flexibility to effectively pursue our business objectives.

Stephen Lasher: Year to date, free cash flow was $101 million. We believe our liquidity and cash generation will continue to provide us with the flexibility to effectively pursue our business objectives. Looking forward, with our visibility today for the full year, we expect revenue to be between $2 billion, $78 million and $2 billion, $98 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $400 and $415 million. As you all know, our Q3 tends to be weaker on profitability due to an uptick in expense from investment in annual enrollment. As a result, we expect Q3 2026 revenue to be between $469 and $479 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $55 and $61 million. This implies a significant rebound in EBITDA and cash in the Q4, enabling us to set the full year expectations where we have.

Steve Lasher: Year to date, free cash flow was $101 million. We believe our liquidity and cash generation will continue to provide us with the flexibility to effectively pursue our business objectives. Looking forward, with our visibility today for the full year, we expect revenue to be between $2 billion, $78 million and $2 billion, $98 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $400 and $415 million. As you all know, our Q3 tends to be weaker on profitability due to an uptick in expense from investment in annual enrollment. As a result, we expect Q3 2026 revenue to be between $469 and $479 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $55 and $61 million. This implies a significant rebound in EBITDA and cash in the Q4, enabling us to set the full year expectations where we have.

Speaker #3: Looking forward, with our visibility today, for the full year, we expect revenue to be between $2,078,000,000 and EBITDA to be between $400 million. As you all know, our Q3 tends to be weaker on profitability due to an uptick in expenses from investment in annual enrollment.

Speaker #3: As a result, we expect third quarter 2026 revenue to be between $469 million and $479 million, with adjusted EBITDA between $55 million and $61 million. This implies a significant rebound in EBITDA and cash in the fourth quarter, enabling us to set the full-year expectations where we have.

Speaker #3: It is also important to note that the back half of the year represents the biggest P&L impact from the commercial activity of 2025 and prior.

Stephen Lasher: It is also important to note that the back half of the year represents the biggest P&L impact from the commercial activity of 2025 and prior. That said, our liquidity and cash generation remains strong, we continue to benefit from disciplined cost management, operational streamlining, and progress on our transformation initiatives across IT and operations. We believe we have a strong foundation in place to support reinvestment in the business as we look to build momentum in 2027 and beyond. With that, I'll turn the call back to Rohit.

Steve Lasher: It is also important to note that the back half of the year represents the biggest P&L impact from the commercial activity of 2025 and prior. That said, our liquidity and cash generation remains strong, we continue to benefit from disciplined cost management, operational streamlining, and progress on our transformation initiatives across IT and operations. We believe we have a strong foundation in place to support reinvestment in the business as we look to build momentum in 2027 and beyond. With that, I'll turn the call back to Rohit.

Speaker #3: That said, our liquidity and cash generation remains strong, and we continue to benefit from disciplined cost management, operational streamlining, and progress on our transformation initiatives across IT and operations.

Speaker #3: We believe we have a strong foundation in place to support reinvestment in the business as we look to build momentum in 2027 and beyond.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn the call back to Rohit.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Steve. It's been a pleasure to have you on the team. My first couple of quarters at Alight have been intensely busy. And they've left me increasingly energized and excited about the opportunity we have ahead.

Rohit Verma: Thanks, Steve. It's been a pleasure to have you on the team. My first couple of quarters at Alight have been intensely busy, they've left me increasingly energized and excited about the opportunity we have ahead. As I touched upon earlier, our leadership team is now largely in place, as we made key hires during the quarter as part of our leadership transformation. Their experience and record of impact speaks for itself. Our refreshed board adds further strength to the governance and strategic focus of the company. It boasts deep public company governance experience, as well as unique and complementary financial, operational, and industry perspectives that continue to play a fundamental role in our evolving transformation. Together, we are confident that we have the right leadership team in place to guide the company through the next phase of our journey.

Speaker #2: As I touched upon earlier, our leadership team is now largely in place, as we made key hires during the quarter as part of our leadership transformation.

Speaker #2: Their experience and record of impact speaks for itself. Our refreshed board adds further strength to the governance and strategic focus of the company, it boasts deep public company governance experience, as well as unique and complementary financial, operational, and industry perspectives that continue to play a fundamental role in our evolving transformation.

Speaker #2: Together, we are confident that we have the right leadership team in place to guide the company through the next phase of our journey. Our long-term growth strategy is focused on three primary areas: growing the market reach of our Health Solutions business, expanding our Lead Solution, and market growth in our core and adjacent spaces.

Rohit Verma: Our long-term growth strategy is focused on three primary areas: growing the market reach of our health solution business, expanding our Leaves solution, and market growth in our core and adjacent spaces. We continue to make impactful strides in health solutions as we explore opportunities beyond our traditional Fortune 500 client base, and we are focused on driving growth in point solutions and expanding our Alight Partner Network. We're also making concerted efforts to strengthen our broker and consultant relationships to further penetrate this segment. In our Leaves business, Alight is one of the few major players with the scaled capabilities and expertise to handle the current growing marketplace. We remain focused on maintaining and growing our position as a leader in this space as we're capitalizing on opportunities we're seeing in the marketplace, in part by cross-selling alongside our health business as applicable.

Speaker #2: We continue to make impactful strides in health solution as we explore opportunities beyond our traditional Fortune 500 client base and we are focused on driving growth in point solutions and expanding our Alight partner network.

Speaker #2: We're also making concerted efforts to strengthen our broker and consultant relationships to further penetrate the segment. In our leads business, Alight is one of the few major players with the scaled capabilities and expertise to handle the current growing marketplace.

Speaker #2: We remain focused on maintaining and growing our position as a leader in this space, as we're capitalizing on opportunities we are seeing in the marketplace in part by cross-selling alongside our health business as applicable.

Speaker #2: Despite the depth and breadth of our services, we're consistently looking at additive and complementary offerings in adjacent spaces. And we are utilizing our partner network where we can, work to expand upon our capabilities.

Rohit Verma: Despite the depth and breadth of our services, we're consistently looking at additive and complementary offerings in adjacent spaces. We are utilizing our Partner Network where we can work to expand upon our capabilities. Additionally, we continue to see wealth as a very active space for us. We completed our 300th PRT solution and continue to provide Alight Financial Advisors services to several of our clients and see more opportunity to broaden financial wellness and planning. As we move forward, we are concentrated on strengthening the areas of our business within our control. Retention remains a key area of focus. As we've discussed on this call, we're making investments across a range of initiatives that ultimately drive service excellence and user experience. We've also placed an increased emphasis on rebuilding our commercial execution through addition of account coverage and increasing rigor on renewal activity.

Speaker #2: Additionally, we continue to see wealth as a very active space for us. We completed our 300th PRT solution and continue to provide Alight financial advisory services to several of our clients and see more opportunity to broaden financial wellness and planning.

Speaker #2: As we move forward, we are focused on strengthening the areas of our business within our control. Retention remains a key area of focus. As we've discussed on this call, we're making investments across a range of initiatives that ultimately drive service excellence and user experience.

Speaker #2: We've also placed an increased emphasis on rebuilding our commercial execution through the addition of account coverage and increasing rigor on renewal activity. We look at our growth trajectory in three distinct segments.

Rohit Verma: We look at our growth trajectory in three distinct segments. It is important to remember that the sales cycles are inherently long in our business, it can take some time to see the progress we're making reflected in our numbers. We are confident that we're doing the right things to drive future long-term performance for shareholders. 2026 is where we build upon the foundation that is in place, reinvesting in our business through the support of strong cash generation. We have prioritized delivery excellence and retention while investing in the user experience, increasing our use of AI, and expanding our sales coverage. 2027 is where we expect to gain momentum and start to realize meaningful platform advantages. Our focus next year will be on achieving efficiency gains from our work to drive operational transformation, in addition to seeing improvement in our bookings and renewal activities from strengthened commercial execution.

Speaker #2: It is important to remember that the sales cycle is inherently long in our business, so it can take some time to see the progress we're making reflected in our numbers.

Speaker #2: We are confident that we're doing the right things to drive future long-term performance for shareholders. 2026 is where we build upon the foundation that is in place, reinvesting in our business through the support of strong cash generation, we have prioritized delivery excellence and retention while investing in the user experience, increasing our use of AI and expanding our sales coverage.

Speaker #2: 2027 is where we expect to gain momentum and start to realize meaningful platform advantages. Our focus next year will be on achieving efficiency gains from our work to drive operational transformation, in addition to seeing improvement in our bookings and renewal activities from strengthened commercial execution.

Speaker #2: 2028 is when we expect to begin driving quarter-over-quarter growth as a result of the improvements we're making across the organization. At that point, we also expect AI to have created a real and tangible impact on margin expansion.

Rohit Verma: 2028 is where we begin to drive quarter-over-quarter growth as a result of the improvements we're making across the organization. At that point, we also expect AI to have created a real and tangible impact on margin expansion. The underlying foundation through each stage is our healthy liquidity and cash generation, which we expect will continue to be a competitive advantage as we move forward. I, along with the broader leadership team, remain confident in Alight's long-term outlook. The path forward is clear. Drive service excellence, deepen client relationships, and execute on our transformation agenda with urgency and discipline. Operator, we'll now open it up for questions.

Speaker #2: The underlying foundation through each stage is our healthy liquidity and cash generation, which we expect will continue to be a competitive advantage as we move forward.

Speaker #2: I, along with a broader leadership team, remain confident in Alight's long-term outlook, the path forward is clear, drive service excellence, deepen client relationships, and execute on our transformation agenda with urgency and discipline.

Speaker #2: Operator will now open it up for questions.

Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question is from Pete Heckmann with D.A. Davidson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #1: A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue.

Speaker #1: For participants using speaker equipment, you may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions.

Speaker #1: Our first question is from Pete Heckman. With DA, Davidson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Good afternoon. Thanks for taking the questions. Steve, welcome. Glad to have you on board here. As we think about retention, can you can one of you talk a little bit about the retention rates that you saw for full year 2025 and how that progressed kind of through the year?

Pete Heckmann: Good afternoon. Thanks for taking the questions. Steve, welcome. Glad to have you on board here. As we think about retention, can one of you talk a little bit about the retention rates that you saw for full year 2025 and how that progressed through the year, then how that might compare? I know it's going to take time to show real improvements, but I guess in the H1 2026, do you feel like that number has continued to deteriorate? Has it bottomed, or has it improved?

Speaker #3: And then how that might compare. I know it's going to take time to show real improvements, but I guess in the first half of 2026, do you feel like that number has continued to deteriorate?

Speaker #3: Has it bottomed or has it improved?

Speaker #2: Hey, Peter. It's Roy. How are you? Good to hear from you.

Rohit Verma: Hey, Peter, it's Rohit. How are you? Good to hear from you.

Pete Heckmann: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #2: The way I've been looking at this and as you know, right, our focus has been on pushing the renewals. The piece that we've been working on hardest has been expanding our account coverage.

Rohit Verma: The way I've been looking at this, and as you know, our focus has been on pushing the renewals. The piece that we've been working on hardest has been expanding our account coverage. We've added, as I mentioned on the call, several individuals, both on the leadership side, but also deeper in the organization, to help us get a better handle on the coverage of the account. We've increased our coverage from 100 to 500. What that has done is it's given us better visibility into our renewal work. What I can tell you is that we're actually very encouraged by the trends that we're seeing, both from a loss as well as compression side at this point of the year when we compare it to at this point last year. We feel good about where things are heading.

Speaker #2: So we've added, as I mentioned on the call, several individuals, both on the leadership side, but also deeper in the organization, to help us get a better handle on the coverage of the account.

Speaker #2: So we've increased our coverage from 100 to 500. What that has done is it's given us better visibility into our renewal work. What I can tell you is that we're actually very encouraged by the trends that we're seeing both from a loss as well as compression side.

Speaker #2: At this point of the year, when we compare it to at this point last year. So we feel good about where things are heading.

Speaker #2: More importantly, I feel good about the overarching pieces that I see. I'm seeing better momentum and velocity on the changes that we're making from a delivery excellence.

Rohit Verma: More importantly, I feel good about the overarching pieces that I see. I'm seeing better momentum and velocity on the changes that we're making from a delivery excellence. That is very encouraging. We just held four client council meetings and four innovation days with our clients that, in total probably included about 100 to 150 total clients that we met. The feedback that we got from there was very encouraging in terms of what they saw that we're implementing, and these were not just PowerPoints, but actual demos of things that are in place. Those are, I would say, the indicators that encourage me. Obviously, as you pointed out, we have a long cycle, some of these things just take time before they show up on the P&L.

Speaker #2: That is very encouraging. We just held four client council meetings and four innovation days with our clients that, in total, probably included about 100 to 150 clients that we met.

Speaker #2: And the feedback that we got from there was very, very encouraging in terms of what they saw that we're implementing and these were not just PowerPoints, but actual demos of things that are in place.

Speaker #2: So those are, I would say, the indicators that encourage me. Obviously, as you pointed out, we have a long cycle. So some of these things just take time before they show up on the P&L.

Speaker #3: Understood, understood. Okay. And I appreciate the company providing four-year guidance. That's helpful and should help everyone get their models in line. I didn't hear you say it, but certainly I think that one of the highlights of the first half, or one of the main positives, has been how well free cash flow has held up on a year-over-year basis.

Pete Heckmann: Understand. Okay. I appreciate the company providing full year guidance. That's helpful and should help everyone get their models in line. I didn't hear you say it, but certainly I think that one of the highlights of the H1, or one of the main positives has been how well free cash flow has held up on a year-over-year basis. In terms of, if I didn't hear you say it, I apologize, but did you mention at all how you're thinking about free cash flow conversion for the full year against EBITDA?

Speaker #3: In terms of if I didn't hear you say it, I apologize, but did you mention at all how you're thinking about free cash flow conversion for the full year against EBITDA?

Speaker #2: Yes. Peter, this is Steve. Thank you and look forward to working with you as you go here. When we think about free cash flow, based off the seasonality of our business, I think third quarter is going to be a little more taxing on the business just because of some of the activities and outflows from a cash perspective.

Stephen Lasher: Yeah. Peter, this is Steve. Thank you, and look forward to working with you as we go here. When we think about free cash flow based off the seasonality of our business, I think Q3 is going to be a little more taxing on the business just because of some of the activities and outflows from a cash perspective that we have within the business. You'll see that rebound within the Q4. If you look at a full year perspective, we'll probably be in that 40% to 43%-ish conversion range when you look at it on a full year basis. Obviously, again, I'll reiterate, Q3 is going to be a little bit less for us, but you'll see a rebound within Q4.

Steve Lasher: Yeah. Peter, this is Steve. Thank you, and look forward to working with you as we go here. When we think about free cash flow based off the seasonality of our business, I think Q3 is going to be a little more taxing on the business just because of some of the activities and outflows from a cash perspective that we have within the business. You'll see that rebound within the Q4. If you look at a full year perspective, we'll probably be in that 40% to 43%-ish conversion range when you look at it on a full year basis. Obviously, again, I'll reiterate, Q3 is going to be a little bit less for us, but you'll see a rebound within Q4.

Speaker #2: That we have within the business. But then you'll see that rebound within the fourth quarter. So if you look at a full-year perspective, we'll probably be in that 40 to 43-ish percent conversion range when you look at it on a full-year basis.

Speaker #2: Obviously, again, I'll reiterate, third quarter is going to be a little bit less for us, but you'll see a rebound within fourth quarter.

Rohit Verma: Peter, you're aware that in Q3, expenses go up to support annual enrollment for a bulk of our clients. We see that sort of trough, it picks up in Q4.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Peter, you're aware that in the third quarter, expenses go up to support annual enrollment for a bulk of our clients. So, we see that sort of trough, but then it picks up in Q4.

Speaker #3: Sure, sure. Okay. Well, still, I view that as very encouraging, and it compares positively to what we were forecasting. So, thank you. I'll get back in the queue.

Pete Heckmann: Sure. Okay. Well, still, I view that as very encouraging and compares positively to what we were forecasting. Thank you. I'll get back in the queue.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Rohit Verma: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. Our next question is from Curtis Nagle.

Operator: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. Our next question is from Curtis Nagle with Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: With Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Curtis Nagle: Sure. Just a quick one from me. Maybe just again, kind of square the commentary on the better retention trends. I know these things take a long time to flow through given the contract cycles, but just given the pretty material step down in implied recurring revenues for the H2 of the year, just trying to square again kind of the timing and I guess which contracts for that step down, which are those from last year or just Yeah. Again, it's kind of a big step down. Just if you could square that.

Speaker #5: Sure. Just a quick one from me. Maybe just again, kind of square the commentary on the better retention trends. I know these things take a long time to flow through given the contract cycles, but just given the pretty material step down and implied recurring revenue from the back half of the year, just trying to square again kind of the timing and what's I guess which contracts I guess for that step down, which of those from last year or just yeah, again, it's kind of a big step down.

Speaker #5: So just if you could square that for me. Appreciate it.

Rohit Verma: Yeah, Curtis.

Curtis Nagle: I'd appreciate it.

Speaker #4: Sure, Curtis, good to hear from you. As I mentioned in the Q1 call last time, as well as in the Q4 call, we have sort of a 12- to 18-month lag in terms of what we see in the commercial activity to when it starts to show up in our revenue.

Rohit Verma: Sure. Curtis, good to hear from you. As I mentioned in Q1 call last time as well as in the Q4 call, we have sort of a 12 to 18 month lag in terms of what we see in the commercial activity to when it starts to show up in our revenue. A lot of the 2027, 2026 weakness that I've talked about, is related to renewal activity that we saw in some of it in 2024, but quite a bit in 2025. I would say most of the Q3 impact is coming from that, and then some point solutions, but that's a minority of the impact.

Speaker #4: So a lot of the 2027, 2026, weakness that I've talked about is related to renewal activity that we saw in some of it in 2024, but quite a bit in 2025.

Speaker #4: So I would say most of the 27 I'm sorry, the Q3 impact is coming from that. And then some points solutions, but that's a minority of the impact.

Speaker #5: All right. Thank you.

Curtis Nagle: All right. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Our next question is from Kyle Peterson. With Needman & Co. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our next question is from Kyle Peterson with Needham & Company. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Hi. This is Ross Cole on for Kyle Peterson. I wanted to ask a little bit more about your adjusted EBITDA guide. So for three Q, it makes sense.

Ross Cole: Hi, this is Ross Cole on for Kyle Peterson. I wanted to ask a little bit more about your adjusted EBITDA guide. For Q3 it makes sense. Can you maybe go into a little bit more about how you're thinking about the implied Q4 guide? Because that's a pretty big step up. I'm wondering how do you plan on getting to that? Or maybe what's going into that number? Thank you.

Speaker #6: But then can you maybe go into a little bit more about how you're thinking about the implied four Q guide? Because that's a pretty big step up.

Speaker #6: I'm wondering how do you plan on getting to that? Or maybe what's going into that number? Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah. So look, as you know, that Q3, as I mentioned, we tend to have a higher level of expense. So the drag really is coming from that increased expense that happens for annual enrollment as opposed to anything else.

Rohit Verma: Yeah. Look, as you know that Q3, as I mentioned, we tend to have a higher level of expense. The drag really is coming from that increased expense that happens for annual enrollment as opposed to anything else. As we get into Q4, some of that gets offset. That's the reason why you're seeing the increase back in the EBITDA. Q4 tends to be our higher EBITDA quarter anyway. If you look at the seasonality over the last several years, you will see that Q4 picks up, and I think proportionately it's picking up in the same way and is not off that. I don't believe there is anything abnormal happening in Q4 that you haven't seen in the past years. There is some level of new accounts that are coming in line in Q4, and you're starting to see the impact of that.

Speaker #2: And as we get into Q4, some of that gets offset. So that's the reason why you're seeing the increase back in the EBITDA. And Q4 tends to be our higher EBITDA quarter anyways.

Speaker #2: If you look at the seasonality over the last several years, you will see that Q4 picks up. And I think proportionately, it's picking up in the same way and is not off that.

Speaker #2: So I don't believe there is anything abnormal happening in Q4 that you haven't seen in the past years. There is some level of new accounts that are coming in line in Q4 and you're starting to see the impact of that.

Speaker #2: So there's some positivity coming from there. But I think, on a relative basis, the lift is very similar to what it has been in prior quarters.

Rohit Verma: There's some positivity coming from there, but I think on a relative basis, the lift is very similar to what has been in the prior Qs. Steve, would you agree?

Stephen Lasher: No, I totally agree. As Rohit mentioned, again, as you'll see, the revenue shortfall in Q3 will flow through as we looked at our guidance as we prepared for Q4. That seasonality is really driven by the annual enrollment expenses that we'll see within Q3. We expect free cash flow to rebound as we move into Q4. Again, that really says we've laid it out based off what we can see. That seasonality of our business is you'll see the stronger revenues within Q4, which will create some of the natural fluctuations within our EBITDA as well as our cash.

Steve Lasher: No, I totally agree. As Rohit mentioned, again, as you'll see, the revenue shortfall in Q3 will flow through as we looked at our guidance as we prepared for Q4. That seasonality is really driven by the annual enrollment expenses that we'll see within Q3. We expect free cash flow to rebound as we move into Q4. Again, that really says we've laid it out based off what we can see. That seasonality of our business is you'll see the stronger revenues within Q4, which will create some of the natural fluctuations within our EBITDA as well as our cash.

Speaker #2: No, I totally agree. And as Rohit mentioned, again, as you'll see, the revenue shortfall in third quarter kind of will flow through as we looked at our guidance as we prepared for fourth quarter.

Speaker #2: That seasonality is really driven by the annual enrollment expenses that we'll see within the third quarter. And then we expect free cash flow to rebound as we move into the fourth quarter.

Speaker #2: So again, that really says we've laid it out based off what we can see that seasonality of our business is kind of you'll see the stronger revenues within fourth quarter, which will create some of the natural fluctuations within our EBITDA as well as our cash.

Speaker #6: Great. Thank you for the color.

Ross Cole: Great. Thank you for the color.

Speaker #2: Sure.

Stephen Lasher: Sure.

Steve Lasher: Sure.

Speaker #1: Our next question is from Pete Heckman with DA Davidson. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our next question is from Pete Heckmann with D.A. Davidson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Hey, just a quick follow-up. Rohit, you had said a brief comment basically saying looking at it 2028 as the time where we should start to see I think you said quarter over quarter improvements.

Pete Heckmann: Hey, just a quick follow-up. Rohit, you had said a brief comment basically saying, looking out at 2028 as the time where we should start to see, I think you said quarter-over-quarter improvements. I just want to see if you could provide a little additional commentary there, and I just want to make sure you are talking about year-over-year improvements, given some of the seasonality of the business or I guess quarter-over-quarter.

Speaker #3: I just want to see if you could provide a little additional commentary there, and I want to make sure you weren't talking about year-over-year improvements.

Speaker #3: Just given some of the seasonality of the business. Or I guess quarter over quarter improvement in some of the metrics.

Rohit Verma: Yeah

Pete Heckmann: Improvement in some of the metrics.

Speaker #2: Yeah, no, that's right. Look, I think when I look at it, I'm looking at it overarching as the net commercial activity. And what I'm looking at is that as we get our foundation consolidated by doing the work that I'm talking about, right, we've established the team.

Rohit Verma: Yeah. No, that's right. Look, I think when I look at it, I'm looking at it overarching as the net commercial activity. What I'm looking at is that as we get our foundation consolidated by doing the work that I'm talking about, we've established the team, we started to insource the work that had been outsourced, which is helping us shore up our delivery. Our velocity of implementations has increased, and we're bringing a lot of AI capability online. Those capabilities today, we are doing demos of and showing it to our clients. 2027, when clients start to pick that up and they become standard part of our RFP responses. As you can imagine, as we do that in 2027, those are the RFPs then that come through in 2028. I'm looking at the overall activity picking up.

Speaker #2: We started to insource the work that had been outsourced, which is helping us shore up our delivery. Our velocity of implementations has increased and we're bringing a lot of AI capability online.

Speaker #2: Those capabilities, today, we are doing demos of and showing to our clients, right? In 2027, when clients start to pick that up and they become a standard part of our RFP responses—and as you can imagine, right, as we do that in 2027, those are the RFPs that then come through in 2028.

Speaker #2: So I'm looking at the overall activity picking up. And as a result of that, you should see improvement in our commercial execution. I think from a P&L standpoint, again, we're not prepared to give any guide because we're still working through it.

Rohit Verma: As a result of that, you should see improvement in our commercial execution. I think from a P&L standpoint, again, we're not prepared to give any guide because we're still working through it. I think what you should see is that, the growth factor in 2028 should start to get better because of that improvement in the commercial execution, which is being foreshadowed by the improvement of the operationals that we're working on right now and in the better half of 2027. It's really giving clarity on how we're thinking about phasing the turnaround.

Speaker #2: But I think what you should see is that the growth factor in 2028 should start to get better because of that improvement in the commercial execution.

Speaker #2: Which is being foreshadowed by the improvement of the operationals that we're working on right now and in the better half of 2027. So it's really giving clarity on how we're thinking about phasing the turnaround.

Speaker #3: Yep, yep. That's very helpful. And then I'm still working on the model, but just assuming that no other uses of cash beyond just that reduction and but would you assume kind of your net leverage net leverage ratio would maybe peak maybe in the first quarter of 2027 or I guess do you have insights into that yet or that you can kind of talk to us about?

Pete Heckmann: Yeah. That's very helpful. I'm still working on the model, just assuming that no other uses of cash beyond just debt reduction. Would you assume your net leverage ratio would maybe peak maybe in Q1 2027, or I guess, do you have insights into that yet or that you can talk to us about?

Speaker #2: Yeah, I think we're still working through and this is Steve, so Pete, thank you for that. We're still working through the models within that.

Stephen Lasher: Yeah, I think we're still working through, and this is Stephen, so Pete, thank you for that. We're still working through the models within that. As I look at our net leverage ratio, obviously one of the focuses for me is to shore up our balance sheet, looking for all opportunities. Q3 obviously will be difficult for us because of the reduction in revenue, the reduction in cash, it rebounds in Q4. From a ratio perspective, we'll be balanced from a full year. We're not looking to make any major paydowns at this point. The focus is really for us to continue to reinvest within the business and make sure we have that financial flexibility as we look to continue to strengthen our balance sheet.

Steve Lasher: Yeah, I think we're still working through, and this is Stephen, so Pete, thank you for that. We're still working through the models within that. As I look at our net leverage ratio, obviously one of the focuses for me is to shore up our balance sheet, looking for all opportunities. Q3 obviously will be difficult for us because of the reduction in revenue, the reduction in cash, it rebounds in Q4. From a ratio perspective, we'll be balanced from a full year. We're not looking to make any major paydowns at this point. The focus is really for us to continue to reinvest within the business and make sure we have that financial flexibility as we look to continue to strengthen our balance sheet.

Speaker #2: Again, as I look at our net leverage ratio, obviously, one of the focus for me is to shore up our balance sheet. So looking for all opportunities.

Speaker #2: The third quarter, obviously, will be difficult for us because of the reduction in revenue, the reduction in cash, but then it rebounds in the fourth quarter.

Speaker #2: So again, from a ratio perspective, we'll be balanced from a full year. But you'll see some we're not looking to make any major paydowns at this point.

Speaker #2: The focus is really for us to continue to reinvest within the business and make sure we have that financial flexibility as we look to continue to strengthen our balance sheet.

Speaker #4: Yeah, I think Pete, as you know, this has been sort of a feature of what I've talked about pretty much since the Q4 earnings call that I did that I want to make sure that we have flexibility of all capital allocation options open to us.

Rohit Verma: Yeah, I think, Stephen, as you know, this has been sort of a feature of what I've talked about pretty much since the Q4 earnings call that I did, that I want to make sure that we have flexibility of all capital allocation options open to us. We were locked into that by the dividend, that's the reason why we canceled the dividend. It has helped us build a decent amount of cash on the balance sheet, that gives us the flexibility to deploy that cash that we think makes the best sense for us to implement our long-term strategy. We want to continue to maintain that flexibility till we get clarity on exactly what's the best way for us to use that cash to get the best cash-on-cash return and buybacks, leverage M&A, all those options are open.

Speaker #4: We were kind of locked into that by the dividend. So that's the reason why we canceled the dividend. It has helped us build a decent amount of cash on the balance sheet.

Speaker #4: And that gives us the flexibility to deploy that cash in the way that we think makes the most sense for us to implement our long-term strategy. So we want to continue to maintain that flexibility until we get clarity on exactly what's the best way for us to use that cash to get the best cash-on-cash return.

Speaker #4: And buybacks, leverage, M&A, all those options are open. We're evaluating those options as we speak and with Steve on board. It's given me a great thought partner to work through that.

Rohit Verma: We're evaluating those options as we speak, with Stephen on board, it's given me a great thought partner to work through that. We'll soon be coming out on how we want to deploy this cash.

Speaker #4: So we'll soon be coming out on how we want to deploy this cash.

Pete Heckmann: Great. All right. That is helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Great, great. All right, that is helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #1: We have reached the end of the question-and-answer session. I would now like to turn the floor back over to Rohit for closing remarks.

Operator: We have reached the end of the question and answer session. I would like to turn the floor back over to Rohit for closing remarks.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Jasmina. Thank you all for joining our call. I appreciate the hard work of all our colleagues at Alight, the trust of our clients, and the confidence of our investors.

Rohit Verma: Thank you, Jasmina. Thank you all for joining our call. I appreciate the hard work of all our colleagues at Alight, the trust of our clients, and the confidence of our investors. I look forward to updating you on our progress in the quarters ahead. Until then, thank you and God bless.

Speaker #4: I look forward to updating you on our progress in the quarters ahead. Until then, thank you and God bless.

Operator: This concludes today's teleconference. You may now disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

Q2 2026 Alight Inc Earnings Call

Request DemoDemo

Alight

Earnings