Planet Labs 2026 Q3 Earnings Widens Loss by 194.7% Despite 32.6% Revenue Jump

Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 10:49 am ET1min read
PL--
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Planet LabsPL-- reported 32.6% Q3 revenue growth to $81.25M but widened net loss by 194.7% to $59.19M.

- Defense/intelligence segment drove 70% YoY growth, contributing $49.37M of total revenue.

- Strategic expansion to boost satellite production and $26M Q4 capex plans follow major defense contract wins.

- GoogleGOOGL-- partnership for space-based AI and 0.93% post-earnings stock gain highlight strategic momentum despite losses.

Planet Labs reported fiscal 2026 Q3 earnings on Dec 10th, 2025, with revenue rising 32.6% year-over-year to $81.25 million, surpassing expectations. The company raised Q4 and FY2026 revenue guidance amid strong defense contract wins but reported a net loss of $59.19 million, a 194.7% increase from the prior year.

Revenue

The company’s total revenue surged to $81.25 million in Q3 2026, driven by robust performance in defense and intelligence. The defense and intelligence segment contributed $49.37 million, reflecting 70% year-over-year growth, while civil government revenue reached $18.83 million. Commercial revenue totaled $13.06 million, highlighting a strategic shift toward higher-margin government contracts.

Earnings/Net Income

Planet Labs’ losses widened significantly, with a net loss of $59.19 million in Q3 2026, a 194.7% increase from $20.08 million in the prior year. The per-share loss expanded to $0.19 from $0.07, underscoring ongoing financial challenges despite revenue growth.

Post-Earnings Price Action Review

A strategy of buying Planet LabsPL-- shares 30 days after earnings reports that exceed revenue expectations has historically delivered strong returns. Over three years, this approach generated a 124.04% return, outperforming the benchmark’s 74.74%. The strategy demonstrated no maximum drawdown and a Sharpe ratio of 0.40, highlighting its risk-adjusted performance.

CEO Commentary

CEO Will Marshall described Q3 as “another strong quarter,” emphasizing $81.3 million in revenue (33% YoY growth) and $5.6 million in Adjusted EBITDA profit. He cited key wins like the NGA’s $12.8M LUNO B contract and NRO’s $13.2M EOCL renewal, alongside strategic initiatives in AI-enabled solutions and satellite expansions.

Guidance

For Q4 2026, Planet Labs expects revenue of $76–80 million (27% YoY growth at midpoint) and Adjusted EBITDA loss of $7–5 million. Full-year 2026 revenue is projected at $297–301 million, with Adjusted EBITDA profit of $6–8 million. Capital expenditures are anticipated at $22–26 million in Q4 and $81–85 million annually.

Additional News

  1. Strategic Expansion: Planet Labs announced a new Berlin facility to double Pelican satellite production capacity, supporting growing demand for high-resolution imaging.

  2. Contract Wins: The company secured significant contracts, including the NGA’s $12.8M LUNO B and NRO’s $13.2M EOCL renewals, bolstering its defense and intelligence segment.

  3. AI Collaboration: A partnership with Google for the SunCatcher project advances space-based AI computing, enhancing real-time data processing capabilities.

The stock closed at $12.88 post-earnings, with a 0.93% post-market gain, reflecting investor confidence in its strategic direction and long-term growth potential.

Get noticed about the list of notable companies` earning reports after markets close today and before markets open tomorrow.

Latest Articles

Stay ahead of the market.

Get curated U.S. market news, insights and key dates delivered to your inbox.

Comments



Add a public comment...
No comments

No comments yet