Clear Secure Reports Strong Q1 Growth with Record Financial Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2026
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Should l Buy YOU?
Source: Yahoo Finance
Clear Secure Inc (YOU) saw a significant decline of 5.02% as it crossed below its 5-day SMA, despite the broader market's positive performance with the Nasdaq-100 up 1.86% and the S&P 500 up 0.73%.
The company reported strong Q1 earnings, achieving a revenue of $253 million, a 19.7% year-over-year increase, and a net income of $56.384 million, up 47.5% from the previous year. This robust performance was driven by a significant membership growth of 31.5%, reaching a total of 4.0986 million members, indicating strong demand for its secure identity platform. Additionally, the company raised its free cash flow guidance for 2026 from at least $440 million to at least $465 million, reflecting management's confidence in future growth.
Despite the stock's decline, the strong financial results and optimistic outlook suggest that Clear Secure is well-positioned for continued growth in the identity verification market, which may attract investor interest moving forward.
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Analyst Views on YOU
Wall Street analysts forecast YOU stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 58.170
Low
25.00
Averages
38.71
High
45.00
Current: 58.170
Low
25.00
Averages
38.71
High
45.00
About YOU
Clear Secure, Inc. is a secure identity company. Its secure identity platform is a multi-layered infrastructure consisting of both its front-end, including enrollment, verification and linking and its robust, secure, and scalable backend. It confirms identity on an opt-in basis using document authentication, biometric capture technology, liveness detection for anti-spoofing technologies, biometric matching, and other proprietary technologies to link an individual’s identity with their biometrics. It offers CLEAR Plus, TSA PreCheck Enrollment Provided by CLEAR, CLEAR app, CLEAR Mobile, CLEAR Plus Members, and CLEAR1. CLEAR Plus is its consumer aviation subscription service, which enables access to predictable and fast experiences through dedicated entry lanes in airport security checkpoints across the nation as well as access to its broader network. Its CLEAR app, which helps travelers plan their trip Home to Gate, and other mobile-first identity solutions such as CLEAR ID.
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.
Insider at Clear Secure (YOU.US) Plans to Sell $10.66 Million in Common Stock via Form 144
Stock Sale Announcement: Clear Secure (YOU.US) plans to sell 175,000 shares of its common stock on May 7.
Market Value: The total market value of the shares being sold is approximately $10.66 million.
See More
CLEAR SECURE INC: D.A. DAVIDSON Downgrades to Neutral from Buy; Lowers Price Target to $60 from $65
Company Update: ClearSecure Inc. has made significant changes to its stock recommendations.
Target Price Adjustment: The target price for ClearSecure's stock has been reduced from $65 to $60.
See More
CLEAR Secure Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with Significant Growth Metrics
- Significant Membership Growth: CLEAR's total membership reached 41 million, driving bookings to $292 million and free cash flow to $185 million, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the identity verification market.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: eGates now cover over 50% of the network, with plans to exceed 80% by the end of Q2, which will significantly enhance customer experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- High-Margin Service Expansion: Demand for CLEAR Concierge services surged, with management planning aggressive scaling in major cities nationwide, further driving revenue growth through this high-margin, high-touch service.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company raised its 2026 free cash flow guidance from at least $440 million to at least $465 million, reflecting management's confidence in future growth and commitment to ongoing investments.
See More
CLEAR Reports Strong Q1 Growth with Record Financial Results
- Strong Financial Performance: CLEAR achieved revenue of $253 million in Q1 2026, representing a 19.7% year-over-year increase, highlighting the robust demand for its secure identity platform and solidifying its market leadership in identity verification.
- Significant Membership Growth: As of Q1 2026, CLEAR's total membership reached 4.0986 million, a 31.5% increase year-over-year, indicating substantial progress in attracting new users and enhancing market penetration.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: The company reported a net income of $56.384 million for Q1, up 47.5% from the previous year, reflecting successful strategies in cost control and operational efficiency that have bolstered profitability.
- Positive Future Outlook: CLEAR anticipates continued revenue growth for the full year 2026, with management expressing optimism about future market demand and plans to further invest in technological innovation and market expansion to maintain its competitive edge.
See More
CLEAR Reports Strong Q1 Earnings, Raises Guidance
- Earnings Beat: CLEAR's Q1 GAAP EPS of $0.38 exceeded expectations by $0.03, with revenue reaching $253 million, representing a 19.7% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $8.62 million, indicating robust growth in the identity verification sector.
- Significant Membership Growth: As of March 31, 2026, CLEAR's total membership grew to 41 million, up 31.3% year-over-year, with active CLEAR+ members increasing to 8.2 million, a 13.0% rise, showcasing the company's successful user acquisition and retention strategies.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: The company anticipates Q2 revenue between $268 million and $271 million, exceeding the consensus of $256.49 million by 22.8%, while total bookings are projected to be between $280 million and $285 million, reflecting strong market demand and growth potential.
- Increased Cash Flow Guidance: CLEAR raised its 2026 free cash flow guidance from at least $440 million to at least $465 million, representing a minimum of 35.5% year-over-year growth, which highlights ongoing improvements in financial management and operational efficiency.
See More
Clear Secure to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 6
- Earnings Announcement: Clear Secure (YOU) is set to announce its Q1 earnings on May 6 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $0.36 and revenue at $244.38 million, reflecting a 15.6% year-over-year growth, which will provide crucial insights into the company's growth trajectory.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past two years, YOU has exceeded EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, showcasing its robust profitability and market adaptability, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward and one downward revision, while revenue estimates have experienced six upward revisions with none downward, indicating a positive market outlook for the company's future performance, potentially driving stock price increases.
- Dividend Increase and Cash Flow Target: Clear Secure raised its dividend by 20% to $0.15 and outlined a $440 million free cash flow target for 2026, demonstrating confidence in its expanded partnerships and enterprise growth, which may further attract investor interest.
See More
Insider at Clear Secure (YOU.US) Plans to Sell $10.66 Million in Common Stock via Form 144
Stock Sale Announcement: Clear Secure (YOU.US) plans to sell 175,000 shares of its common stock on May 7.
Market Value: The total market value of the shares being sold is approximately $10.66 million.
See More
CLEAR SECURE INC: D.A. DAVIDSON Downgrades to Neutral from Buy; Lowers Price Target to $60 from $65
Company Update: ClearSecure Inc. has made significant changes to its stock recommendations.
Target Price Adjustment: The target price for ClearSecure's stock has been reduced from $65 to $60.
See More
CLEAR Secure Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings with Significant Growth Metrics
- Significant Membership Growth: CLEAR's total membership reached 41 million, driving bookings to $292 million and free cash flow to $185 million, indicating strong demand and growth potential in the identity verification market.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: eGates now cover over 50% of the network, with plans to exceed 80% by the end of Q2, which will significantly enhance customer experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- High-Margin Service Expansion: Demand for CLEAR Concierge services surged, with management planning aggressive scaling in major cities nationwide, further driving revenue growth through this high-margin, high-touch service.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company raised its 2026 free cash flow guidance from at least $440 million to at least $465 million, reflecting management's confidence in future growth and commitment to ongoing investments.
See More
CLEAR Reports Strong Q1 Growth with Record Financial Results
- Strong Financial Performance: CLEAR achieved revenue of $253 million in Q1 2026, representing a 19.7% year-over-year increase, highlighting the robust demand for its secure identity platform and solidifying its market leadership in identity verification.
- Significant Membership Growth: As of Q1 2026, CLEAR's total membership reached 4.0986 million, a 31.5% increase year-over-year, indicating substantial progress in attracting new users and enhancing market penetration.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: The company reported a net income of $56.384 million for Q1, up 47.5% from the previous year, reflecting successful strategies in cost control and operational efficiency that have bolstered profitability.
- Positive Future Outlook: CLEAR anticipates continued revenue growth for the full year 2026, with management expressing optimism about future market demand and plans to further invest in technological innovation and market expansion to maintain its competitive edge.
See More
CLEAR Reports Strong Q1 Earnings, Raises Guidance
- Earnings Beat: CLEAR's Q1 GAAP EPS of $0.38 exceeded expectations by $0.03, with revenue reaching $253 million, representing a 19.7% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $8.62 million, indicating robust growth in the identity verification sector.
- Significant Membership Growth: As of March 31, 2026, CLEAR's total membership grew to 41 million, up 31.3% year-over-year, with active CLEAR+ members increasing to 8.2 million, a 13.0% rise, showcasing the company's successful user acquisition and retention strategies.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: The company anticipates Q2 revenue between $268 million and $271 million, exceeding the consensus of $256.49 million by 22.8%, while total bookings are projected to be between $280 million and $285 million, reflecting strong market demand and growth potential.
- Increased Cash Flow Guidance: CLEAR raised its 2026 free cash flow guidance from at least $440 million to at least $465 million, representing a minimum of 35.5% year-over-year growth, which highlights ongoing improvements in financial management and operational efficiency.
See More
Clear Secure to Announce Q1 Earnings on May 6
- Earnings Announcement: Clear Secure (YOU) is set to announce its Q1 earnings on May 6 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $0.36 and revenue at $244.38 million, reflecting a 15.6% year-over-year growth, which will provide crucial insights into the company's growth trajectory.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past two years, YOU has exceeded EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, showcasing its robust profitability and market adaptability, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward and one downward revision, while revenue estimates have experienced six upward revisions with none downward, indicating a positive market outlook for the company's future performance, potentially driving stock price increases.
- Dividend Increase and Cash Flow Target: Clear Secure raised its dividend by 20% to $0.15 and outlined a $440 million free cash flow target for 2026, demonstrating confidence in its expanded partnerships and enterprise growth, which may further attract investor interest.
See More
