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Aura Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results, Highlights Strong Momentum Following Qoria Acquisition

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Q2 pro forma ARR and pro forma revenue both grew 27% year over yearQ2 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA improved 51% year over yearReaffirming calendar year 2026 outlook for 20%+ ARR growth and positive free cash flow from transaction close to year-end

BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aura Consolidated Group, Inc. ARBN 695 488 843 (ASX: AXQ) (“Aura” or “the Company”), a global leader in online safety and wellbeing, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, its first earnings announcement following the completion of its July 17 acquisition of Qoria Limited (“Qoria”) (formerly ASX: QOR), a global leader in student safety and wellbeing.

On a pro forma basis, the Company exited the quarter with approximately US$339.7 million in annual recurring revenue (“ARR”), representing 27% year-over-year growth, and remains on track to generate positive free cash flow in 2026 from acquisition completion. With a $100 million equity raise and an upsized $100 million debt facility completed in connection with the transaction close, Aura enters its next phase of growth with a strengthened capital position and enhanced financial flexibility.

“It has been a momentous few months for Aura. We posted very strong second quarter financial results on a pro forma basis, completed the previously announced acquisition of Qoria, enhancing our mission to be a global leader in online safety, and began trading on the ASX under the ticker symbol AXQ. These milestones align with our mission and strategic priorities and further the vision we have for this Company,” said Hari Ravichandran, Founder and CEO of Aura. “All of this, while we continue to invest in the innovation that has differentiated Aura from the rest of the industry. I could not be more proud of the position we are in and excited about the vision we have as we enter the second half of 2026.”

Aura’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian DeCenzo, added, “Our second-quarter results highlight the strength and increasing efficiency of our model, with ARR and GAAP revenue each growing 27% year over year and Adjusted EBITDA improving substantially. At the same time, we have actioned $27 million in direct and operating cost savings year to date and increased the efficiency of our marketing investments. This combination of growth and operating discipline gives us confidence in our ability to achieve our strategic and financial goals.”

Aura continues to execute its integration roadmap and remains on track to achieve full product integration by the second quarter of 2027.

Cost Reductions

Aura is executing ahead of plan on the $55 million cost-out program outlined to investors in February 2026. The Company has actioned $27 million in annualized run-rate direct and operating cost reductions to date, ahead of its $25 million target. In addition, the Company achieved a $7 million reduction in brand and performance marketing spend in the first half of 2026, with a further $28 million reduction planned for the second half. These cost actions, combined with expanding operating leverage and consistent top-line growth, support Aura’s path to achieving its free cash flow goals in the second half of 2026.

Q2’26 Pro Forma Financial Highlights

Because the acquisition closed after the end of the second quarter, Aura’s statutory financial statements reflect Aura on a standalone basis. To provide context on the combined company as it will operate going forward, Aura is presenting unaudited pro forma summary financial results for the merged group, reflecting Aura’s historical financial information combined with Qoria’s historical financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP accounting standards.

GAAP revenue was $85.1 million, an increase of 27% year over year.ARR1 was $339.7 million, an increase of 27% year over year.Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $12.6 million represents a 51% year-over-year improvement.As of the transaction close on July 17, 2026, Total Liquidity3 was $124.0 million, fortified by a $100 million equity raise and an upsized $100 million debt facility, leaving the business well-capitalized to execute on its plan and reach profitability.

Q2’26 Business Highlights

Completed the acquisition of Qoria and commenced unrestricted trading on the ASX under the ticker “AXQ” on July 20, 2026, following implementation of the scheme of arrangement on July 17, 2026.Launched Aura Business in April 2026, an enterprise security solution designed to address identity-based security risks for managed service providers and small and mid-sized businesses.Introduced new AI-powered capabilities, including the continued evolution of Aura Intelligence into an embedded, context-aware intelligence layer and the release of a new self-harm detection model to support child wellbeing.Strengthened executive leadership across marketing, product, and AI with the appointments of Steven Young as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Adam Medros as Chief Product Officer.

Investor Conference Call

A conference call will be held today as follows:

US EDT: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:30pm
AEST: Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 10:30am

Link to register: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/280029693

This conference call and related materials will be publicly available and can be accessed at investors.aura.com. A replay will also be made available after the call.

The release of this announcement was authorized by the Aura Board of Directors.

About Aura

Aura (ASX: AXQ) is a global leader in online safety and wellbeing. Built on the belief that people deserve a trusted, always-on layer of protection, Aura’s AI-powered platform delivers protection for individuals, families, and enterprises—from proactive protection against identity theft, financial fraud, and online threats to tools that help schools and parents protect children from cyberbullying, harmful content, and threats to their wellbeing. Aura’s platform spans the environments that matter most—home, school, and work—empowering people of all ages with end-to-end protection for every aspect of online life. Learn more at aura.com.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement and the accompanying presentation and conference call include certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” regarding possible or assumed future performance or potential growth of the Company that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” or “would” and/or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. They appear in a number of places throughout these materials and include statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, the industry in which the Company operates in, and other information that is not historical information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although management of the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in these materials, the Company cannot assure you that the Company will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Except as required by applicable regulations or by law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events.

Non-GAAP financial information

This announcement and the accompanying presentation and conference call contain pro forma information and certain measures of financial performance not determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), such as Adjusted EBITDA and Total Liquidity at transaction close (the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The non-GAAP financial measures are used by Company management to evaluate financial performance of, and determine resource allocation for, the Company’s operations. Items excluded from each of the non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation, or as alternatives to, or substitutes for, pro forma net income, pro forma general and administrative expense, or other financial statement data presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Because the non-GAAP financial measures are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying definitions, the non-GAAP financial measurements as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Please refer to the accompanying presentation for additional information. The pro forma financial information has not been subject to audit or review by the Company’s independent auditor.

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation

In US$M

Three months ended June 30

2025

2026

Net loss

($43.5)

($16.8)

     Income tax benefit

(1.9)

(0.3)

Interest expense

2.0

5.1

Depreciation and amortization

5.4

3.6

EBITDA

($38.0)

($8.4)

     IPO readiness costs

0.3

     Acquisition-related costs

6.8

     Mark-to-market gain/loss

4.0

(17.3)

     Stock-based compensation expense

5.2

5.7

     Foreign currency exchange loss

3.0

0.6

Adjusted EBITDA

($25.5)

($12.6)

 

Pro forma Total Liquidity as of the transaction close 

In US$M

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (6/30)

$92.6

Available revolving credit facility (6/30)

30.0

GAAP liquidity (6/30)

$122.6

Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

28.0

Total Liquidity at close (7/16), before cost adjustments

$150.6

Less: one-time transaction costs (non-GAAP adjustment)

(26.6)

Total Liquidity, net of costs (non-GAAP)

$124.0

Note: The financial information in this release is unaudited. All monetary figures are reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

1Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) reflects annualized recurring GAAP revenue recognized in the final month of a given period. Prior disclosures combined Aura and Qoria ARR as calculated under each company’s historical methodology. Post-close, the methodologies were aligned, and the definition above will be used for future reporting. Using the methodology applied in prior disclosures, Q2’26 ARR would have been $354.0 million.

2Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, IPO readiness costs, acquisition-related costs, stock-based compensation, mark-to-market gains/losses, and foreign currency exchange gains/losses.

3Total Liquidity represents available sources of funding, consisting of cash plus available borrowing capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility, assuming payment of estimated transaction costs.

CATEGORY: Financial News

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China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

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SOURCE South

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PUDU D7 Named Honoree in IFA Innovation Awards for Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, today announced that its PUDU D7 Semi-humanoid Intelligent Robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights PUDU D7’s ability to combine mobile navigation, dexterous manipulation and intelligent sensing to perform a range of tasks in real-world industrial and commercial environments.

The IFA Innovation Awards recognize outstanding innovations across the global technology landscape. Entries are evaluated by an independent international jury based on criteria including technology and functionality, innovation and originality, and the potential to create tangible value for users and the market. The recognition places PUDU D7 among emerging technologies demonstrating new possibilities for the future of robotics.

From Industrial Operations to Guest Interaction

PUDU D7 is designed for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality environments, where it can move through human-oriented spaces and perform tasks that require both mobility and dexterous manipulation.

In industrial and warehouse settings, D7 can handle materials, pick items from shelves, replenish inventory, transport goods between work areas and push carts. With a payload capacity of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and an operating height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), it can work with a range of storage systems and materials.

In retail, D7 can support shelf replenishment, item handling and store organization, moving products between storage areas and shelves and helping maintain product displays.

In hotels and hospitality, PUDU D7 can take on the role of an intelligent front-desk host, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee, interacting with visitors and providing engaging experiences. Its semi-humanoid form and dual-arm capabilities allow it to combine practical service tasks with natural human-robot interaction, bringing a more personable and engaging presence to the guest experience.

Designed for Adaptable Performance

PUDU D7 combines a dual-arm manipulation system, tactile sensing and a 360-degree perception system to support these applications. Front- and rear-facing LiDAR and other sensors enable navigation around people and obstacles, while tactile sensing provides precise control when handling objects.

The robot also features autonomous battery swapping, allowing it to independently replace its battery and reduce downtime during extended operation.

Together, these capabilities enable D7 to support different tasks across a range of environments without being limited to a single application.

PUDU D7 Makes Its European Debut at IFA

IFA 2026 marks the first time PUDU D7 is being showcased in Europe. At the Pudu Robotics booth, visitors can experience live demonstrations highlighting the robot’s capabilities and its potential for human-robot interaction.

D7 interacts directly with visitors through demonstrations including waving, making heart gestures and picking up objects. These demonstrations showcase the robot’s ability to combine movement, manipulation and interaction in a human-oriented environment.

Advancing the Next Generation of Intelligent Robotics

The IFA Innovation Awards recognition marks another step in Pudu Robotics’ expansion from service delivery, commercial cleaning and industrial delivery into embodied intelligent robotics.

PUDU D7 is part of Pudu Robotics’ broader strategy to develop a portfolio of specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, building on its capabilities in embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction. This approach enables the company to address a broader range of applications across commercial and industrial environments.

Pudu Robotics will continue working with customers and partners worldwide to explore new applications for embodied intelligence and bring increasingly capable robots into real-world environments.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in commercial service robotics and the industry’s first company to offer a full portfolio spanning specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest market report, Pudu Robotics ranks No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume. Built on its One Brain, Multiple Embodiments architecture, Pudu offers robots for service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI applications across hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, public services, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 robots to customers across 85+ countries and regions.

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SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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Asia-Pacific Media Forum held in China’s Guangdong

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Xinhuanet: 

The Asia-Pacific Media Forum opened on Saturday in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, with the theme of “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action.”

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, attended the forum and delivered a speech.

Participating guests noted that this year marks 2026 APEC “China Year,” during which China will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. They expressed their belief that with support from all sides, the summit will yield fruitful outcomes and elevate Asia-Pacific cooperation to new heights.

Participating guests emphasized that development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region depend on the active participation of media. The media are expected to share stories of openness and integration, provide comprehensive coverage of the region’s progress and achievements across various fields, and help foster a favorable public opinion environment for the region’s open development.

Participating guests noted that the media should actively promote outcomes of the series of APEC activities, interpret policies and measures of various economies to support scientific and technological innovation, and build regional consensus for innovative development.

They also called for deepening results-oriented cooperation in joint reporting, technological innovation and personnel training, and leveraging media exchanges to carry forward civilizations, spread culture and convey goodwill, so as to enhance mutual understanding and closer bonds among the peoples of the Asia-Pacific.

The forum was co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Xinhua News Agency and the Guangdong provincial government, and organized by the Shenzhen municipal government.

More than 400 representatives from over 40 countries and regions, as well as UN agencies and international organizations, attended the event. At the opening ceremony, 16 founding organizations from China and abroad jointly formed the Organizing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Program.

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