Cannae Holdings, Inc. (CNNE)

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Quarterly Report") that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding our expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. It is important to note that our actual results could vary materially from those forward-looking statements contained herein due to many factors, including but not limited to: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including among others, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, investor and consumer confidence, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, inflation levels, changes in trade policy, tariffs on goods, and supply chain disruptions; risks associated with the Investment Company Act of 1940; our potential inability to find suitable acquisition candidates, acquisitions in lines of business that will not necessarily be limited to our traditional areas of focus, or difficulties in integrating acquisitions; significant competition that our operating subsidiaries face; and other risks detailed in the "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information," "Risk Factors" and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (our "Annual Report") and other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used herein, the terms "we," "us," "our," "Cannae," or the "Company" refer collectively to Cannae Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report. For an additional description of our business, including descriptions of segments and recent business developments, see the discussion in Note A - Basis of Financial Statements and Note E - Segment Information to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Part I, Item 2.

Seasonality, Macroeconomic Conditions and Other Business Trends

Restaurant Group. Recent years were a period of high inflation relative to long-term inflation expectations in the U.S. This inflationary environment primarily impacted the commodity and labor costs of our Restaurant Group. We have adjusted menu pricing to account for these cost increases to an extent, but will continue to balance the impact of inflationary pressures on our costs with the value proposition offered to customers, focusing on long-term profitability.

Average weekly sales per restaurant are typically higher in the first and second quarters than in other quarters, and we typically generate a disproportionate share of our earnings from operations in the first half of the year. Holidays, severe weather and other disruptive conditions may impact sales volumes seasonally in some operating regions.

We anticipate various macroeconomic factors will continue to drive uncertainty and instability, which could have a significant impact on the Company during fiscal 2026. These factors include, among others, consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, investor and consumer confidence, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, inflation levels, changes in trade policy, tariffs on goods, and supply chain disruptions. In light of increasing uncertainty in the markets we serve, we are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the significance of the financial and operational impacts to us.

We are continuing to explore strategic alternatives related to our restaurant group as part of our portfolio transformation strategy.

Our revenues and operating income in future periods will continue to be subject to these and other factors that are beyond our control and, as a result, are likely to fluctuate.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates disclosed in Item 7 of our Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference. Other than as described below, there have been no changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates - impairment monitoring. On an ongoing basis, management monitors the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates to determine whether there are indications that the fair value of an investment may be other-than-temporarily below our recorded book value of the investment. Factors considered when determining whether a decline in the fair value of an investment is other-than-temporary, include but are not limited to: the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than book value, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the investee for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

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As of June 30, 2026, the book value of our investment in Alight accounted for under the equity method of accounting is $71.1 million. Based on the closing stock price of Alight common shares as of June 30, 2026 and July 31, 2026, the fair value of our investment in Alight was $22.7 million and $34.4 million, respectively. While the fair value of our investment in Alight is currently below our book value as of June 30, 2026, the fair value has only been below book value for approximately six months. Though we do not currently believe our investment in Alight is other than temporarily impaired, because the fair value is below the book value of our investment as of June 30, 2026, further declines in fair value of the investment, deterioration in Alight's actual or forecasted results of operations or adverse changes in the U.S. macroeconomic environment could result in an impairment charge in future periods to record our asset at fair value.

Accounting for Income Taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss ("NOL") and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates and laws on deferred taxes, if any, is applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled and reflected in the financial statements in the period enacted.

As of June 30, 2026, the Company has a net deferred tax asset of $1.0 million, which is primarily attributable to temporary differences for certain state income taxes, and a deferred tax liability of $1.9 million related to historical UK corporate taxes of Exeter. The Company continues to record a full valuation allowance on its US federal NOL carryforwards and certain other US deferred taxes related to our ownership interests where it is not more likely than not that the tax benefit will be realized. As of June 30, 2026, our federal valuation allowance was $151.6 million. Additionally, a state valuation allowance of $6.7 million has been recorded representing certain state NOLs where it is not more likely than not that the tax benefit of certain state NOLs will be realized before the NOLs in those certain states expire.

The Company’s prospective investment strategy, fluctuations in the fair market value of its ownership interests prior to any dispositions and other factors may influence the timing of reversals of deferred tax assets and liabilities and their ultimate impact on taxable income or loss, which could have an effect on the recoverability of deferred tax assets and our related valuation allowances. The Company will continue to monitor the recoverability of deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and may need to adjust its valuation allowances on its net deferred tax asset in future periods.

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Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

Net Earnings (Loss). The following table presents certain financial data for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 and 2025

The following is a discussion of the material fluctuations in our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2025. The material changes in revenues, expenses and pre-tax loss for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are discussed in further detail at the segment level below.

Revenues

Restaurant sales including food and beverage sales, are net o

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Item 7.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For a description of our business, including descriptions of segments and recent business trends, see the discussion under Business in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report. The following discussion should also be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.

Recent Developments

Dun & Bradstreet

On March 24, 2025, Dun & Bradstreet ("D&B") entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (the "D&B Sale"). Under the terms of the agreement, D&B shareholders received $9.15 in cash for each share of common stock they own upon closing of the D&B Sale.

In conjunction with the D&B Sale, Cannae entered into a Voting and Support Agreement with Dun & Bradstreet pursuant to which Cannae agreed to vote the 69,048,691 shares of D&B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for which the Company was then the beneficial owner (the "Owned Shares") in favor of the D&B Sale. Pursuant to the Voting and Support Agreement, the Company also agreed not to take certain actions, including (i) tendering any Owned Shares into any tender or exchange offer, (ii) transferring any Owned Shares (subject to certain exceptions), (iii) granting any proxies or powers of attorney or (iv) taking any action that would make any representation or warranty by the Company contained in the Voting and Support Agreement untrue or incorrect in any material respect or have the effect of preventing or disabling the Company from performing its obligations under the Voting and Support Agreement in any material respect. Under the Voting and Support Agreement, the Company was permitted to sell up to 10.0 million of the Owned Shares prior to completion of the D&B Sale or termination of the merger agreement entered into by D&B related to the D&B Sale in accordance with its terms.

As a result of the D&B Sale, we present our investment in Dun & Bradstreet as a discontinued operation in our Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025 and all prior periods have been recast to reflect our investment in D&B as a discontinued operation and held for sale. See Note Q - Discontinued Operations for further discussion of our accounting for our ownership interest in D&B.

During the second quarter, we sold 10.0 million shares of common stock of D&B, and Cannae received proceeds of $89.5 million. On August 26, 2025, the D&B Sale closed, and Cannae completed the disposition of its remaining ownership interests in Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. for aggregate proceeds of $540.3 million in cash in exchange for our remaining 59,048,691 shares of common stock (the "D&B Disposition"). Following the consummation of the D&B Disposition and as of December 31, 2025, Cannae no longer has any ownership interest in D&B.

JANA

On May 12, 2025, Cannae entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 30% ownership interest in JANA Partners (the "JANA Investment") in exchange for an upfront payment of $67.5 million and potential further payments aggregating to $26.0 million if JANA Partners achieves certain assets under management thresholds (the "JANA Contingent Consideration"). The transaction closed on September 2, 2025 and as of December 31, 2025, the Company has a 50.0% total ownership interest in JANA Partners.

On September 2, 2025, Cannae invested an additional $30.0 million into the JANA Fund. We previously accounted for our investment in the JANA Fund as an equity security without a readily determinable fair value. Due to our incremental investment in the JANA Fund and JANA Partners, as of September 30, 2025, we began accounting for our ownership interest in the JANA Fund as an unconsolidated affiliate using the equity method of accounting and record our ratable share of the JANA Fund's net income or loss on a three-month lag.

Black Knight Football

During the year ended December 31, 2025, we invested $50.0 million in BKFC and as of December 31, 2025, we held a 44.7% ownership interest. In January 2026, BKFC purchased the remaining 60% equity interest in FC Lorient ("FCL") for total consideration of $70.3 million including cash of $40.7 million and stock of BKFC of $29.6 million and as a result of this transaction we now hold a 42.7% ownership interest in BKFC.

Paysafe

In November 2025, we sold approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock of Paysafe for $16.5 million which will generate expected tax savings for the Company as the sale resulted in an $87.3 million tax loss which the Company will use to offset capital gains realized in 2025 and to carry back the excess losses to utilize against excess capital gains realized in prior years. As of December 31, 2025, Cannae no longer has any ownership interest in the common stock of Paysafe.

Other Developments

In January 2025, WineDirect, Inc. completed the spin-off of its fulfillment division as WineDirect Fulfillment, LLC

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("Fulfillment") and sold its E-commerce division (the "WD Transaction"). As a result of the WD Transaction, we received $20.4 million in proceeds including $13.6 million of cash and a 21.6% ownership interest in Fulfillment valued at $6.8 million. We recorded a new investment in Fulfillment of $6.8 million in Investments in unconsolidated affiliates in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and a $15.0 million gain which is included in Recognized gains, net on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2025.

On May 12, 2025, Cannae, Cannae LLC and the Manager (Cannae, Cannae LLC and the Manager collectively, the "Parties"), entered into that certain Management Services Agreement Termination Agreement (the "MSA Termination Agreement"). As previously disclosed, on February 26, 2024, the Parties entered into that certain Third Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement among the Parties (the "MSA"), which provided for a termination of the MSA by the Company effective June 30, 2027, unless terminated earlier by the Company. The MSA Termination Agreement terminated the MSA in its entirety as of May 12, 2025 without any further obligations or liabilities other than certain obligations relating to the continued indemnification and limitation on liability and the remaining obligations of the Company and/or Cannae LLC, as applicable, to pay the Manager: (i) an amount of $0.6 million in each month from May to December 2025, representing each of the unpaid monthly Management Fees (as defined in the MSA) that would have been due to the Manager through December 31, 2025; (ii) on January 1, 2026, $11.4 million, representing the aggregate remaining unpaid monthly Management Fees that would have been due to the Manager from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; (iii) on July 1, 2025, $6.7 million, representing the second installment of the unpaid Termination Fees (as defined in the MSA) that would have been due to the Manager on such date; and (iv) on July 1, 2026, $6.6 million, representing the final installment of the unpaid Termination Fees (as defined in the MSA) that would have been due to the Manager on July 1, 2026.

On May 12, 2025, Mr. Foley transitioned from his roles as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company and now serves as the Board's non-executive Vice Chairman pursuant to a director services agreement (the "DSA"). Doug Ammerman was appointed as Chairman of the Board and Ryan R. Caswell, the Company’s former President, now serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, also effective as of May 12, 2025. In connection with the change in Mr. Foley's employment and as described in Mr. Foley’s original employment agreement, Mr. Foley received a lump-sum payment of $17.2 million, and all of Mr. Foley’s outstanding but unvested equity awards were accelerated in the second quarter of 2025.

The following dividends were declared by our Board in 2025:

Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Board declared cash dividends of $0.15 per share, payable on March 31, 2026, to Cannae common shareholders of record as of March 17, 2026.

Related Party Transactions

Our financial statements for all years presented reflect transactions with our Manager and certain members of our Board. See Note O - Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for further discussion.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note A - Basis of Financial Statements to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for discussion of all our significant accounting policies.

The accounting policies and estimates described below are those we consider critical in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements. Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures with respect to contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates - applicability of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 323. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are recorded using the equity method of accounting. If an investor does not possess a controlling financial interest over an investee but has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies, the investor must account for such an investment under the equity method of accounting. For investments in common stock or in-substance common stock of an investee, which

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an investor does not control, the general but rebuttable presumption exists that an ownership of greater than 20% of the outstanding common stock of an investee indicates the investor has significant influence. For investments in partnerships and similar entities for which an investor does not control, equity method of accounting for the investment is generally required unless the investor's interest is so minor that the investor has virtually no influence.

In the ordinary course of our business, we make investments in companies that provide us with varying degrees of control and influence over the underlying investees through our level of ownership of the outstanding equity of the investee, participation in management of the investee, participation on the board of directors of the investee, and/or legal agreements with other investors with control implications. As a result, our analysis of the appropriate accounting for our various ownership interests often requires judgment regarding the level of control, significant influence or lack thereof the Company has over each investee. If we are required to account for certain of our ownership interests in which we have concluded the Company has significant influence resulting in the application of the equity method of accounting at fair value, the impact of such change could significantly impact the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of December 31, 2025, we held less than 20% of the

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