Planet Labs PBC (PL) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Revenue $81.3 million, representing approximately 33% growth year-over-year. The growth was driven primarily by defense and intelligence and civil government customers, as well as progress against the JSAT satellite services contract. Upside was also supported by the Luno B win with the NGA and some onetime factors.
Non-GAAP Gross Margin 60% in the quarter, compared to 64% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. The decrease reflects investments in satellite services contracts and the mix of contracts, including AI-enabled partner solutions.
Adjusted EBITDA Profit $5.6 million, marking the fourth sequential quarter of adjusted EBITDA profitability. This was better than expected, primarily driven by revenue outperformance and disciplined OpEx spend.
Backlog $734.5 million at the end of the quarter, representing a year-over-year increase of 216%. This growth reflects strong demand and strategic wins in government sectors.
Free Cash Flow Positive for the third quarter in a row, reinforcing the expectation of being free cash flow positive for the full fiscal year.
Defense and Intelligence Sector Revenue Accelerated to over 70% growth year-on-year, up over 15% quarter-over-quarter. Growth was driven by strong performance in data subscription, solutions businesses, and satellite services.
Civil Government Sector Revenue Up approximately 1% year-over-year and up approximately 15% quarter-over-quarter. Growth was supported by a $13.5 million task order from NASA under the commercial satellite data acquisition program.
Commercial Sector Revenue Moderately down both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter. The decline is attributed to increased focus on large government customers and seasonality in the agricultural sector.
Capital Expenditures Approximately $27.7 million in Q3, above guidance range due to prepayments for favorable pricing in hardware procurements and launch deposits for next-generation satellites.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments $677 million at the end of the quarter, an increase of approximately $406 million sequentially, driven by a $460 million convertible note raise.
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- Capital Rotation: As investors shift funds from established public players to SpaceX, many public peers have experienced significant double-digit declines over the past 30 days, reflecting a cautious market sentiment towards emerging space companies.
- Divergent Stock Performance: While AST SpaceMobile has shown resilience due to its satellite-to-phone milestones, hardware and launch providers like Rocket Lab and Sidus Space have suffered greater losses, highlighting varying levels of market confidence among different companies.
- Challenges for Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is racing to deploy its reusable Neutron rocket, but remains at a disadvantage until it transitions from the expendable Electron model, impacting its competitive position in the market.
Palantir Deepens Defense Ties with Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
- Software Platform Deployment: On January 20, Palantir announced it would provide the Ukrainian defense ministry with the Brave1 Dataroom software platform to counter Russian drone threats, enhancing Ukraine's defensive capabilities and operational efficiency through real-time war data protection.
- AI Technology Application: The Brave1 system will enable Ukraine to utilize advanced military software and data infrastructure for developing next-generation algorithmic weapon systems, which not only enhances Ukraine's combat capabilities but also lays the groundwork for sharing battlefield experiences with allies in the future.
- International Support Network: Palantir's expanded role is part of a broader effort by US and European tech firms to support Ukraine's war efforts, with private sector involvement reshaping national defense strategies, particularly in response to Russian aggression.
- Digital Capability Enhancement: Palantir has signed agreements with multiple Ukrainian government ministries to enhance digital capabilities for defense, reconstruction, and strategic planning, which not only strengthens Ukraine's digital resilience but also opens avenues for future technological collaboration.
Director Kristen Robinson Sells 47,835 Shares of Planet Labs PBC
- Transaction Overview: Director Kristen Robinson sold 47,835 shares of Planet Labs PBC on January 21, 2026, for approximately $1.3 million, indicating active trading in the market.
- Ownership Changes: Post-transaction, Robinson retains 37,107 shares directly and 222,897 shares indirectly, suggesting a significant ongoing investment in the company that warrants investor attention.
- Performance Highlights: Planet Labs PBC's stock soared approximately 381% in 2025 and increased by 26% in January 2026, despite a net loss of $129.56 million, reflecting strong market confidence among investors.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunity: The company recently secured a nine-figure deal with Sweden's Armed Forces to provide outer space data for security operations, further solidifying its market position in aerospace and defense.
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- Mixed Earnings in Tech Sector: The technology sector is experiencing a varied start to the earnings season, indicating both successes and failures among companies.
- AI as a Driving Force: The rise of artificial intelligence continues to be a significant influence on the tech industry, contributing to growth for some companies.
- Challenges from Chip Shortage: A shortage of chips is impacting production and performance, leading to difficulties for certain tech firms.
- Doubts About AI's Software Impact: There are growing concerns regarding the actual effects of AI on the software sector, resulting in uncertainty for investors and companies alike.
York Space Systems' IPO Aims to Leverage Trump's Golden Dome Advantage
Defense Companies' Optimism: Defense companies are anticipating significant financial gains from President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense plan.
Stock Market Reaction: Several defense stocks have surged in value due to expectations of benefiting from the $151 billion SHIELD program.
Surge in Space Stocks: The Convergence of Retail Investors and Wall Street
Retail vs. Institutional Investors: Over the past five years, retail traders have pursued hype-driven investments while institutional investors have focused on fundamentals, leading to a divide in strategies. However, recent trends suggest a shift as institutional investors begin to align with retail trends, particularly in the technology sector.
Rocket Lab's Market Position: Rocket Lab has gained significant attention from retail investors due to its transparent leadership and frequent launches. Recent upgrades from major investment banks have raised its price targets, indicating a bullish outlook for the company as it transitions into a larger-scale infrastructure provider.
AST SpaceMobile's Ambitious Goals: AST SpaceMobile is attempting to connect standard cell phones directly to satellites, a feat previously thought impossible. The company is currently trading around $108, but it remains a controversial stock with a significant portion of shares sold short, indicating skepticism among some investors.
Investment Strategies in the Space Sector: Investors are encouraged to consider diversified options like the Procure Space ETF, which holds shares in various space-related companies, providing exposure to the sector's growth without the volatility of individual stocks. This approach allows for a balanced investment strategy amid the excitement surrounding space exploration.
