VeriSign Delivers Strong Q1 2026 Results, Boosts Dividend and Expands Share Repurchase Program
VeriSign, a leading provider of domain name registry services, delivered strong financial and operational results in its first quarter 2026 earnings call. The company reported a record combined .com and .net domain name base of 176.1 million names, with new registrations reaching their highest levels since the first half of 2021.
Jim Bidzos, Executive Chairman, President, and CEO, stated that VeriSign's performance in the first quarter shows sustained demand for domain names, with growth across its three main regions, including the U.S. and EMEA. The renewal rate for the first quarter of 2026 is expected to be 76.3%, compared to 75.5% a year ago.
The company's financial results were also impressive, with revenue up 6.6% year-over-year and earnings per share (EPS) increasing 11.4% year-over-year. VeriSign returned over 100% of its free cash flow to investors in the last 12 months, totaling $1.13 billion through share repurchases and dividends.
VeriSign's board of directors also approved a cash dividend of $0.81 per share of outstanding common stock, payable on May 27th, 2026. The company intends to continue paying a quarterly dividend, subject to market conditions and approval by the board.
In addition, VeriSign gave notice of a price increase of $0.71 to the annual wholesale price for .com domain names, effective November 1st, 2026. This is the first allowable price increase since February 2024. Despite this increase, Bidzos believes that .com will remain highly competitive with other TLD choices.
The company has also expanded its share repurchase program, with $863 million remaining available under the current program, which has no expiration. VeriSign's financial and liquidity position remains stable, with $556 million in cash equivalents and marketable securities at the end of the quarter.
VeriSign's performance in the first quarter of 2026 demonstrates sustained demand for domain names and growth across its three main regions. The company's strong financial results, increased dividend payout, and expanded share repurchase program make it an attractive investment opportunity for shareholders.
