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C3.ai founder and executive chairman Thomas Siebel sold $7.6 million in shares through indirect entities in late December 2025. The transaction involved 532,832 shares at a weighted average price of $14.33. This move followed a series of 18 sell trades since March 2025, reflecting broader financial pressures at the company.

C3.ai's shares dropped by 58.77% over the past year as of December 17, 2025. Siebel's direct ownership remained unchanged at 722,362 shares, while his indirect holdings fell by 91%. The company's market cap stood at $1.96 billion with a 12-month revenue of $352.91 million.

Recent earnings reports indicate mixed results for C3.ai. In Q2 2026, the company reported revenue of $75.1 million, slightly exceeding forecasts but falling 20% year over year. Subscription revenue grew 16.5% quarter-over-quarter, driven by strategic partnerships with Microsoft and AWS.

Why Did This Happen?

The sell-off by Siebel reflects a broader trend of financial challenges at C3.ai. Since 2024, the company has faced declining revenue and negative earnings, with non-GAAP operating losses exceeding $40 million in recent quarters. Analysts have cited competitive pressures and market uncertainty as key factors behind the stock's underperformance.

The company's cash position remains strong at $675 million, despite ongoing cash burn. However, C3.ai expects a significant FY26 loss, estimated near $200 million. This has led to cautious guidance for 2026, with projected revenue between $289.5 million and $309.5 million.

How Did Markets React?

C3.ai's stock closed at $13.90 on January 5, 2026, gaining 1.09% for the session. This outperformed broader market indices like the S&P 500, which rose 0.64%. However, the stock remains down 8.82% over the past month, underperforming its Computer and Technology sector peers.

Market analysts suggest that the recent debt reduction by BigBear.ai, a peer in the AI sector, could set a new benchmark for balance sheet management. BigBear.ai plans to redeem $125 million in convertible debt, significantly reducing liabilities and improving investor confidence.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Investors will closely watch C3.ai's upcoming earnings report, expected in March 2026. Analysts forecast a loss of -$0.29 per share, a significant decline from the prior year. Revenue is projected to fall to $75.88 million, a 23.19% decline.

The company's ability to stabilize subscription growth and secure new IPD contracts will be critical. C3.ai signed only 20 IPD contracts in Q2 2026, a sharp drop from earlier quarters. Management will need to regain traction with enterprise clients to justify its current market valuation of $2 billion.

C3.ai's new CEO has initiated a strategic shift toward generative AI and industry-specific solutions. The company's cash reserves provide flexibility, but analysts will monitor how effectively these initiatives translate into revenue and margin improvements.

The AI in energy and power market is expected to grow rapidly, driven by demand forecasting and machine learning applications. C3.ai is positioned to benefit from this trend but faces strong competition from firms like Siemens Energy and NVIDIA.

Investor sentiment remains cautious, reflected in C3.ai's Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Positive earnings surprises and signs of subscription recovery could lift the stock, while continued revenue declines might force further sell-offs.