Peloton's Q2 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Plummets
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 06 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PTON?
Source: Fool
- Sales Decline: Peloton's Q2 sales fell by 3%, and earnings turned negative again, both missing Wall Street expectations, resulting in a 27.24% drop in stock price to $4.30, with a market cap of $2.5 billion.
- Guidance Miss: Management's guidance for $2.42 billion in sales for 2026 fell short of the consensus estimate of $2.48 billion, indicating challenges for future growth and further undermining investor confidence.
- Leadership Change: The announcement of the CFO's departure after four years raises concerns about the stability of the company's leadership, potentially impacting future strategic direction.
- Margin Improvement: Despite the sales decline, Peloton's gross margin increased by 320 basis points, and it maintained an 11% free cash flow margin, indicating potential in cost control and cash generation, particularly with a 10% growth in its commercial business.
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Analyst Views on PTON
Wall Street analysts forecast PTON stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
8 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 4.230
Low
6.50
Averages
9.48
High
14.00
Current: 4.230
Low
6.50
Averages
9.48
High
14.00
About PTON
Peloton Interactive, Inc. is a global fitness company. The Company is a category innovator at the nexus of fitness, technology, and media, with a subscription platform that combines hardware, distinctive software, and exclusive content. Its segments include Connected Fitness Products and Subscription. The Company’s Connected Fitness Products portfolio includes the Peloton Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+, Guide, Row, and various Precor products. Access to the Peloton App is available with an All-Access or Guide Membership for Members who have Connected Fitness Products or through a standalone App Membership with multiple Membership tiers. Access to the Strength+ App is available with an All Access, Guide, or App+ Membership or through a standalone Strength+ subscription. The Company’s subscriptions provide access to Peloton content and its library of live and on-demand fitness classes. The Company’s subscriptions are offered on a month-to-month or prepaid basis.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Financial Discipline Strengthened: Peloton exceeded its goal of achieving $200 million in annual cost savings in fiscal 2025, and despite laying off 11% of its workforce to control expenses, this reflects management's commitment to financial discipline, potentially laying the groundwork for future profitability.
- Free Cash Flow Recovery: The company reported free cash flow of $71 million in Q2 of fiscal 2026, up from $67 million in Q1, indicating an improvement in financial health after a prolonged period of cash burn, which may enhance investor confidence.
- Shrinking User Base: Despite launching the Cross Training series and an AI coaching platform, revenue fell 3% year-over-year in Q2 of fiscal 2026, with a declining subscriber base indicating limited growth potential in the high-priced fitness equipment market, leading to cautious investor sentiment.
- Declining Valuation Appeal: With a price-to-sales ratio below 0.8, Peloton's stock reflects low market expectations for future growth; although the valuation appears attractive, investors should remain cautious and avoid long-term holdings until consistent growth is observed.
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- Financial Improvement: Peloton achieved $200 million in annual run-rate cost savings in fiscal 2025, with management's focus on financial discipline leading to significant debt reduction and positive free cash flow, which reached $71 million in Q2 2026, indicating a proactive approach to financial management.
- Shrinking User Base: Despite launching the Cross Training Series and AI coaching platform, revenue in Q2 fiscal 2026 fell 3% year-over-year, with expectations of a similar decline for the full year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of a dwindling subscriber base that undermines investor confidence.
- Debt Reduction: Peloton's net debt decreased from $670 million a year ago to $319 million now, reflecting improvements in financial structure; however, persistent user attrition and declining revenues cast uncertainty on future growth prospects.
- Market Valuation: Peloton's stock trades at a price-to-sales ratio below 0.8, indicating market pessimism regarding its growth potential, and while the low valuation may seem attractive, investors should exercise caution in the absence of consistent growth.
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- Overreaction by Investors: David Einhorn purchased Peloton stock after its latest earnings report, asserting that investors overreacted to the company's disappointing holiday quarter results, which caused a 26% drop in share price on Thursday, while he believes new management and an improving balance sheet will drive recovery.
- Historical Price Comparison: Peloton's stock peaked above $170 during the pandemic but has since plummeted to under $5; Einhorn argues that the stock has been unfairly punished and anticipates improvements in cash flow through cost-cutting and debt refinancing in the near future.
- Acadia Healthcare Outlook: Einhorn is also optimistic about Acadia Healthcare, suggesting that the return of a former successful CEO could help revive the stock, which has fallen from $80 to $13 in recent years, with potential for it to rebound significantly in the coming years.
- View on Housing Market: Einhorn expressed a negative outlook on the housing market, citing a structural decline due to housing shortages, rising rates, and affordability challenges, while mentioning he has high-conviction short positions that he does not plan to disclose.
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- Revenue Decline: In the first half of fiscal 2026, Peloton reported total revenue of $1.2 billion, a 4% decrease year-over-year, with equipment sales at $396 million and subscription revenue at $811 million, highlighting the company's struggle with demand post-pandemic.
- Cost-Cutting Success: Despite a staggering $2.8 billion net loss in fiscal 2022, Peloton managed to reduce operating expenses by 10% to $588 million in the first half of fiscal 2026, successfully avoiding bankruptcy risks and achieving a positive EBITDA of $199.7 million.
- Shrinking User Base: As of December 31, 2025, Peloton's connected fitness members decreased by 7% to 2.66 million, while paid app subscribers fell by 11% to 522,000, indicating waning consumer interest in its products.
- Debt and Cash Position: Peloton currently holds approximately $1.2 billion in cash but also carries $945 million in long-term debt, which limits its flexibility in marketing and experimenting with new strategies, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
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- Sales Decline: Peloton's sales exceeded $4 billion in fiscal 2022, yet the recently reported second-quarter paid fitness subscriptions fell 7% year-over-year to under 2.7 million, indicating significant post-pandemic customer attrition that pressures revenue growth.
- Pricing Strategy Adjustment: Despite a decrease in subscribers, Peloton's management opted to raise prices, accompanied by some product enhancements; however, this strategy may exacerbate customer churn, leading to a 3% year-over-year revenue decline, reflecting the company's struggles in a competitive market.
- Narrowing Operating Loss: Peloton's operating loss decreased from $45.9 million to $14.3 million, yet ongoing losses and declining revenues raise investor concerns about its future prospects, potentially putting further pressure on the stock price.
- Valuation Trap Risk: With a price-to-sales ratio of 0.7, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 3.4, Peloton may appear undervalued, but due to long-term competitive challenges, investors should exercise caution to avoid falling into a value trap.
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- Sales Decline: Peloton's sales surged to $915 million in fiscal 2020 and exceeded $4 billion by 2022, yet recent reports indicate a 7% year-over-year drop in paid fitness subscriptions, highlighting significant challenges in regaining growth momentum.
- Pricing Strategy Shift: Despite an increase in churn rates, Peloton's management opted to raise prices amid declining sales, reflecting confidence in product enhancements, but this strategy may exacerbate customer attrition risks.
- Narrowing Operating Loss: Peloton's operating loss decreased from $45.9 million to $14.3 million; however, a continued revenue decline of 3% year-over-year indicates that the company has yet to establish a viable path to profitability.
- Valuation Dilemma: With a price-to-sales ratio of 0.7, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 3.4, Peloton's stock may appear undervalued, yet analysts caution that the long-term competitive pressures could render it a value trap, advising investors to tread carefully.
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