Planet Labs (NYSE:PL), the Earth-imaging and geospatial analytics company based in San Francisco, has evolved from a specialized satellite operator into a swiftly growing AI-driven data platform. Currently, shares are trading near $9, having increased by over 110% year-to-date from their early 2025 lows, as enthusiasm rises around record contract acquisitions, enhanced AI analytics capabilities, and the launch of next-generation satellites.
Shares of the Earth imaging company soared Monday after Planet Labs reported a narrower-than-expected second-quarter loss.
Planet Labs is at an inflection point, driven by surging backlog, AI-based service shift, and major defense/government contract wins fueling topline growth. Fleet expansion is de-risked through client-funded models, supporting scalable growth, while first positive FCF and EBITDA signal improving financial stability. Risks include heavy dependence on government contracts, premium valuation, and execution challenges—any misstep or contract loss could trigger sharp downside.
AI hype is everywhere, but investors must distinguish between empty buzz and companies with real, data-driven AI advantages. I highlight Five9, Intuit, Hello Group, Getty Images, and Planet Labs as firms with clear, practical AI use cases tied to their existing data assets. The biggest AI winners will be those with unique, extensive datasets—like Intuit, Getty, and Planet Labs—enabling superior AI training and monetization.
Planet Labs delivered a strong Q1, beating on both EPS and revenue, and achieved positive operating cash flow for the first time. Growth is driven by defense and intelligence contracts, with new deals in civil government and promising AI partnerships with Google and Anthropic. Despite a positive quarter, higher Q2 CapEx and margin variability mean that break-even profitability is still neither consistent nor guaranteed.
Planet Labs is capitalizing on expanding satellite imaging demand, securing major contracts in defense, agriculture, and climate, with strong recurring revenue and growing backlog. Despite robust gross margins and positive free cash flow, the company remains unprofitable, with high capital expenditures and negative EBITDA, EBIT, and net income margins. Valuation is steep, trading at significant premiums to sector averages, justified by growth potential but undermined by cash flow losses and capital intensity.
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL ) Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call June 4, 2025 5:00 PM ET Company Participants Ashley Whitfield Fieglein Johnson - President & CFO Cleo Palmer-Poroner - Corporate Participant William Spencer Marshall - Co-Founder, CEO & Chairman of the Board Conference Call Participants Anthony Valentini - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division Christopher David Quilty - Quilty Space Inc., Research Division Colin Michael Canfield - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division Jason Michael Gursky - Citigroup Inc., Research Division Jeffrey Van Rhee - Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, Research Division Kristine T. Liwag - Morgan Stanley, Research Division Michael James Latimore - Northland Capital Markets, Research Division Ryan Boyer Koontz - Needham & Company, LLC, Research Division Trevor James Walsh - Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Research Division Xin Yu - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division Operator Good afternoon.
Planet Labs PBC (PL) reported break-even quarterly earnings per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.05. This compares to loss of $0.05 per share a year ago.
RKLB edges out PL in terms of stock price performance. PL's stagnant near-term estimates may prompt investors to consider divesting this stock.
Investors should adopt a wait-and-watch approach for RKLB and PL stocks, considering their negative ROE and downward earnings revisions.
Planet Labs' hyperspectral and high-resolution satellites are opening new opportunities, positioning the company for strong future growth. While agriculture has been an area of recent weakness, recent deals with Bayer and Syngenta suggest this part of the business is stabilizing. Growth is expected to accelerate significantly in the coming years, which is supported by the company's large backlog and a recent uptick in hiring.
Planet Labs (PL 7.92%) stock tumbled 11% through the closing bell Friday after "missing" on its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report and guiding investors to expect further misses throughout fiscal 2026 (which, by the company's calendar, is this year).