New York, February 6, 2026, 10:16 EST — Regular session
- InterDigital shares gained in early trading following the company’s release of its 2026 revenue guidance and an update on licensing progress.
- Management highlighted growing recurring licensing revenue and an expanding focus on streaming services, where enforcement efforts are yielding results.
- Next on the radar: investors eye deal timing as the March quarter wraps up, while also looking for clues at Mobile World Congress.
Shares of InterDigital, Inc climbed roughly 8.5% Friday morning, extending gains after a rollercoaster week following earnings. Traders weighed the latest outlook from the patent-licensing firm. The stock last traded at $374.27, hitting a high of $376.27 earlier in the session.
This shift is significant since InterDigital’s earnings don’t follow a steady pattern. Cash flow and profits often jump around, depending on when renewals hit, new contracts close, or a legal victory compels a settlement.
That dynamic is back under the microscope as investors sift through InterDigital’s numbers, trying to tease apart the steady “base” business—its recurring licensing—from the one-off hits that can skew quarterly results. The company labels those irregular gains “catch-up revenue,” which reflects payments linked to prior periods, recorded only after contracts close or disputes settle.
InterDigital reported a sharp 37% drop in fourth-quarter revenue, down to $158.2 million. Catch-up revenue plunged to $12.6 million from $135.8 million a year earlier. For the full year 2025, the company posted $834.0 million in revenue and net income of $406.6 million. Annualized recurring revenue rose 24% to $582.4 million. The firm also highlighted a convertible-note window open until March 31. 1
RTTNews reported that InterDigital posted earnings of $1.20 per share for the quarter, with adjusted earnings reaching $2.12 per share—well above the $1.78 consensus from three analysts it referenced. Revenue also exceeded estimates. The company’s first-quarter guidance beat analysts’ profit and sales projections, while its full-year revenue outlook roughly matched Street expectations. 2
On the earnings call, CEO Liren Chen said the company “could not be happier” with its position in the Disney dispute, outlining a “multi-jurisdictional” strategy with larger venues still coming. CFO Rich Brezski hinted investors could “infer” higher costs from the guidance, expecting litigation expenses to rise in Q1 and “broadly for 2026.” Chen also revealed plans to showcase new 6G, AI, and immersive video demos at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month, including a joint presentation with Razer. 3
A regulatory filing revealed that InterDigital submitted its earnings release along with a supplemental presentation via a Form 8-K. 4
InterDigital operates in a niche of tech where earnings depend more on contract timing than on the volume of units sold. Its licensing approach aligns it with other IP-centric players — investors commonly liken it to major wireless licensors and, more recently, to patent holders asserting rights in video and streaming sectors.
There’s a downside risk, and it won’t surprise anyone. If renewals falter, enforcement slows, or a court rules against them, that “catch-up” buffer can vanish fast. Even when a deal is eventually struck, litigation can still chip away at margins.
Investors are now focused on timing. The March quarter closes on March 31, and management has warned against expecting new agreements to fall neatly within one quarter. Traders will be closely watching for licensing updates, any takeaways from the Barcelona event, and fresh signals regarding Disney and Amazon.
