Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
- Planet Labs is experiencing strong demand for its satellite services, especially following the successful JSAT partnership, and is pursuing additional strategic partnerships, indicating potential for significant revenue growth and market expansion.
- The company anticipates doubling its growth rate in FY27, supported by a strong backlog and increased revenue visibility, demonstrating confidence in future performance.
- Investments in AI-powered solutions are a strategic focus for the year, expected to accelerate opportunities, enhance product offerings, and maintain Planet Labs’ competitive edge in the market.
- The company projects a decline in non-GAAP gross margin to between 55% and 57% for fiscal 2026, down from 60% in fiscal 2025, due to increased depreciation and costs related to the new JSAT contract, potentially impacting profitability.
- Despite achieving adjusted EBITDA profitability in Q4 fiscal 2025, the company expects to have an adjusted EBITDA loss of between minus $13 million and minus $7 million in fiscal 2026, indicating a return to losses and delaying consistent profitability.
- The company's revenue growth rate is expected to slow in fiscal 2026, with projected revenue between $260 million and $280 million, representing growth of approximately 6% to 15% over fiscal 2025's revenue of $244.4 million, compared to 11% growth in the prior year, signaling potential challenges in sustaining growth momentum.
Metric | YoY Change | Reason |
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Total Revenue | Increased by 4.6% (from $58,852K to $61,554K) | A modest revenue increase reflects a stabilization following previously stronger growth, suggesting that initiatives supporting customer expansion and sector diversification continue to contribute, though at a slower pace compared to earlier periods. |
Cost of Revenue | Declined by 11.5% (from $26,371K to $23,339K) | Reduced Cost of Revenue is driven by lower depreciation expense (as high-resolution satellites have fully depreciated) and diminished hosting costs, aligning with prior period adjustments which now yield favorable cost outcomes. |
Gross Profit | Increased by 17.6% (from $32,481K to $38,215K) | Gross Profit improvement resulted from the combined effect of higher revenue and significant cost reductions, illustrating enhanced operational efficiency relative to previous periods. |
Total Operating Expenses | Decreased by 13% (from $66,399K to $57,581K) | Lower operating expenses stem from targeted cost optimization measures in R&D, Sales & Marketing, and General & Administrative areas, building on prior period initiatives to streamline spending. |
Operating Loss | Improved by 42.9% (from $(33,918)K to $(19,366)K) | The reduction in operating loss is attributable to the improved gross profit and lower operating expenses, marking a significant turnaround relative to prior losses despite remaining in the red. |
Net Loss | Widened by 16.8% (from $(30,086)K to $(35,154)K) | Net Loss deterioration is primarily due to a dramatic negative swing in other income/expense items, which offset operating improvements; it highlights the impact of non-operating factors such as fair value adjustments compared to the prior period. |
Total Other Income (Expense) | Reversed to a swing of $(14,692)K from $3,403K | A sharp decline in other income mainly reflects a substantial negative change in the fair value of warrant liabilities and lower interest income, turning a previously positive figure into a significant drag on net income. |
Cash and cash equivalents | Increased by approximately 40% (from $83,866K to $118,048K) | A robust increase in cash balances was driven by strong cash inflows from investing activities—especially the maturities and sales of available-for-sale securities—and lower operating cash outflows relative to previous periods. |
Short-term investments | Fell by approximately 51.7% (from $215,041K to $104,027K) | The significant decline in short-term investments indicates a strategic rebalancing of liquidity; funds were likely redeployed to support operating improvements and capital expenditures, contrasting with the higher levels maintained in the previous period. |
Metric | Period | Previous Guidance | Current Guidance | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue | Q4 2025 | $61 million to $63 million | no current guidance | no current guidance |
Non‑GAAP Gross Margin | Q4 2025 | 63% to 65% | no current guidance | no current guidance |
Adjusted EBITDA Profit | Q4 2025 | $0 to $2 million | no current guidance | no current guidance |
Capital Expenditures (CapEx) | Q4 2025 | $8 million to $11 million | no current guidance | no current guidance |
Revenue | Q1 Fiscal 2026 | no prior guidance | $61 million to $63 million | no prior guidance |
Non‑GAAP Gross Margin | Q1 Fiscal 2026 | no prior guidance | 58% to 60% | no prior guidance |
Adjusted EBITDA Loss | Q1 Fiscal 2026 | no prior guidance | minus $3 million to minus $2 million | no prior guidance |
Capital Expenditures (CapEx) | Q1 Fiscal 2026 | no prior guidance | $11 million to $16 million | no prior guidance |
Revenue | FY 2026 | no prior guidance | $260 million to $280 million | no prior guidance |
Non‑GAAP Gross Margin | FY 2026 | no prior guidance | 55% to 57% | no prior guidance |
Adjusted EBITDA Loss | FY 2026 | no prior guidance | minus $13 million to minus $7 million | no prior guidance |
Capital Expenditures (CapEx) | FY 2026 | no prior guidance | $50 million to $65 million | no prior guidance |
Cash Burn Reduction | FY 2026 | no prior guidance | reduce cash burn by approximately 50% compared to fiscal 2025 | no prior guidance |
Metric | Period | Guidance | Actual | Performance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue | Q4 2025 | Between $61 million and $63 million | $61.55 million | Met |
Topic | Previous Mentions | Current Period | Trend |
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Government and Defense Contracts | Consistently discussed from Q1 through Q3 with emphasis on revenue growth in the Defense and Intelligence sector, pilot programs (e.g. DoD and NRO contracts), NATO and international defense deals | Q4 continued the focus with new high-value contracts such as the JSAT deal, enhanced maritime domain awareness initiatives, and continued discussions on global monitoring services | Recurring focus with expansion to larger, higher‐value contracts and increased emphasis on maritime domain awareness and international opportunities. |
AI-powered Solutions and Integration | Featured in Q1 through Q3 via pilots, partner integrations, and product enhancements—ranging from road detection and forest carbon monitoring to AI-enabled pilots for defense and commercial applications | Q4 emphasized strategic AI partnerships (e.g. with Anthropic) and product improvements including AI-accelerated satellite data extraction and resolution sharpening techniques | Continues as a core strategic theme with deeper integration and collaboration, underlining its growing role as a business accelerant. |
Satellite Technology Advancements and Fleet Expansion | Addressed in Q1 through Q3 with updates on Tanager-1, Pelican tech demos, and SuperDove operations; ongoing fleet improvements and technology demos were key points | Q4 highlighted successful launches like Pelican 2, ambitious future fleet expansion (nearly 100 satellites planned), and advances like physics-based resolution sharpening | Consistently high priority with escalating ambitions and technological enhancements to scale the satellite fleet. |
Revenue Growth Projections and Financial Guidance | Discussed across Q1–Q3 with steady revenue guidance, margin targets, and a focus on improving adjusted EBITDA and managing CapEx, with caution noted due to timing of contracts and evolving customer usage | Q4 provided FY26 and Q27 projections, detailed guidance on revenue and margin (with expectations for 55–57% non-GAAP margins), and highlighted reduced cash burn while managing satellite-related expenses | Steady improvement with cautious optimism; guidance becomes more defined and optimistic while still considering timing risks and partner cost impacts. |
Commercial Sector Challenges and Agricultural Revenue Decline | Q1 through Q3 noted challenges, particularly in the agriculture vertical due to macroeconomic pressures and digital agriculture headwinds, with noticeable revenue declines and adjustments in customer strategies | Q4 reported over a 10% year-on-year decline but signaled stabilization and early signs of recovery in agricultural usage | Persistent challenges across periods—notably in agriculture—with Q4 showing initial stabilization but the sector remains soft. |
Contract Conversion Delays and Renewal Issues | Mentioned in Q2 and Q3 with discussions on delayed renewals (e.g. NASA contract) and impacts on net retention, while Q1 referenced timing challenges in government pilots | No explicit discussion in Q4. | Previously notable issues appear absent in Q4, suggesting a possible resolution or strategic de-emphasis on this topic. |
International Expansion and Strategic Partnerships | Q1–Q3 consistently highlighted international growth opportunities and various strategic partnerships, including engagements with U.K. EO Data Hub, Kenya Space Agency, and partner-led initiatives | Q4 emphasized strong international revenue growth across regions and a blockbuster partnership with JSAT, reinforcing their commitment to global expansion | Remains a key focus with increasing scale and high-profile partnerships driving strategic international market penetration. |
Cost Management and Operational Efficiency | Across Q1 to Q3, the company discussed initiatives such as cloud infrastructure savings, headcount reductions, restructuring, and progressive EBITDA improvements aimed at better margins and operational efficiencies | Q4 underlined improved non-GAAP gross margins, first adjusted EBITDA profitability, reduced cash burn, and continued strategic CapEx discipline | Consistent and gradually improving, with Q4 marking tangible progress towards profitability and tighter operational controls. |
Macroeconomic Headwinds and Margin Pressure | Q1 and Q2 referenced macroeconomic challenges affecting agriculture and overall cost pressures, with discussions on cloud efficiencies partly offsetting these issues; Q3 did not specifically mention these factors | Q4 explicitly acknowledged macroeconomic headwinds impacting revenue guidance and noted margin pressure due to factors like increased satellite depreciation and partner costs, while still setting longer-term margin targets | Recurring caution regarding external economic factors; while margin pressure persists, management remains focused on long‐term efficiency and margin improvement targets. |
Declining Emphasis on EU Deforestation Regulation | In Q1, the EU deforestation regulation was discussed in the context of growing regulatory interest, with engagement from affected governments and companies as a potential long-term driver | Not mentioned in Q2, Q3, or Q4. | The topic has dropped out of focus in recent periods, suggesting a strategic de-prioritization or that its impact is no longer central to current business discussions. |
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Free Cash Flow and Profitability Timeline
Q: When will you achieve free cash flow profitability?
A: We expect our cash burn to be roughly half of last year's, aided by the front-end loaded cash payments from the JSAT contract. Based on our current view, we could reach free cash flow profitability over the next 24 months. -
Growth Rate Doubling and Drivers
Q: Does doubling growth rate include AI and new services?
A: The anticipated doubling is based on contracts we've secured and our ability to renew existing business. Upside to this growth rate includes investments in AI, potential additional satellite services contracts, and the launch of Pelican and Tanager fleets. These would be incremental to our current projections. -
AI Partnerships and Monetization
Q: How will you monetize AI deals like Anthropic?
A: We're excited about our partnership with Anthropic and similar ventures. Our unique data set is ideal for training AI models tackling real-world problems. While near-term focus is on AI-enabled solutions like maritime domain awareness, foundational efforts can significantly speed time to value for customers. -
Revenue Guidance Amid Macro Pressures
Q: How does macro uncertainty affect your revenue guidance?
A: We've adopted a conservative approach, factoring in potential macro pressures and variability in customer usage. Despite uncertainties, our solutions are critical for government efficiency, and the current environment may present opportunities for us. -
Definition of Positive Cash Flow
Q: Do you mean free cash flow or operating cash flow positive?
A: We're referring to free cash flow, which is cash flow from operations minus CapEx. -
Increased Expenses: One-Time or Ongoing
Q: Are increased expenses in '26 one-time or ongoing?
A: These are ongoing investments in our Space Systems—including Pelican, Tanager, and staffing for the JSAT contract—as well as in AI and software engineering teams. We view them as essential R&D investments, not one-time costs. -
Monetizing Non-JSAT Capacity
Q: How will you monetize capacity outside JSAT's region?
A: The JSAT partnership funds our satellites and allows us to monetize the rest of the world, representing most of the capacity. This offers significant upside with strong margin potential, and we're pursuing similar strategic partnerships. -
Customer Strategy and Net Dollar Retention
Q: How will you improve net dollar retention rates?
A: By building solutions that accelerate time to value and integrating operationally with customers, we're aiming for strong retention and expansion rates. Aligning product development with customer needs and focusing on larger accounts are key strategies. -
Timeline for JSAT Satellite Launches
Q: When will JSAT satellites be launched?
A: We'll first launch our own satellites critical for SkySat fleet continuity. JSAT satellites will follow, launching primarily over the next 24 months. -
Additional Satellite Services Opportunities
Q: What's the size of your satellite services pipeline?
A: While it's early, we're seeing strong demand from other countries since announcing our JSAT partnership. Interest has accelerated, and we're strategically focusing on opportunities aligned with our product pipeline.