Planet Labs PBC research snapshot

PL AI Stock Analysis

PL AI stock analysis as of the August 3, 2026 data cutoff reads Planet Labs PBC as a fundamentally improving Earth observation company that is trading in a broken technical trend. The stock closed at $20.48 on July 31, 2026, with an after-hours print of $20.26 and a market capitalization near $7.30 billion, re-verified during this full refresh as $20.48 times 356.40 million shares outstanding with 0.01% deviation. The stock fell about 60% from a 52-week high of $51.76 set on May 28, 2026, as the SpaceX IPO triggered a broad de-rating of space stocks and a post-earnings sell-off erased a record Q1 report. Planet still reported record fiscal Q1 2027 revenue of about $94 million, up 42% year over year, a third consecutive quarter of Rule of 40, end-of-period backlog of about $906 million up 72%, RPO of about $816 million up 80%, 99% recurring ACV, and about $731 million of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments after warrant exercises and convertible debt issuance. Management raised full-year fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $425 million to $441 million with non-GAAP gross margin of 52% to 54% and adjusted EBITDA of breakeven to $10 million. The stock now sits below all major moving averages, with 14-day RSI near 32.5, ADX near 38 with negative directional pressure, and elevated volatility. At $20.48 the stock trades at about 21.75x trailing sales, 15.61x forward sales, and near 157x free cash flow, with no meaningful P/E because GAAP and adjusted earnings remain negative. This page is an information tool for research and risk control, not investment advice.

Current price

$20.48 at the July 31, 2026 close

Market cap

$7.30 billion, verified as $20.48 x 356.40 million shares with 0.01% deviation from the reported figure

AI score

61 / 100

Rating

High-growth Earth observation platform with record backlog and improving cash generation, but a broken short-term trend after the space sector de-rating and heavy dilution

Trend status

Downtrend below the 5-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages after a roughly 60% pullback from the late May high

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
A-level information richness. Planet has public filings, audited fiscal 2026 results, the Q1 FY2027 earnings release and call transcript from June 4, 2026, detailed backlog and satellite disclosures, management commentary, and independent market data. The August 3, 2026 full refresh re-fetched and re-validated the key figures: the $20.48 close, $7.30 billion market cap, $335.61 million TTM revenue, Q1 FY2027 results, and the balance sheet figures of $730.84 million cash, $488.04 million total debt, and $242.80 million net cash, which matched across StockAnalysis.com, Barchart, the Q1 FY2027 earnings release, and the earnings call transcript.
bias Check
The main AI bias risk is extrapolating one strong growth trajectory while ignoring a 60% drawdown. The reverse check asks whether defense and intelligence growth of more than 65%, commercial growth of more than 20%, and a $906 million backlog can convert into durable per-share value after share count rose 8.87% quarter over quarter, GAAP losses remain large, and the space sector de-rating continues. The refresh also checks the mirror bias of treating the pullback as a pure sentiment problem when the stock trades at a rich multiple and depends on launches, government budgets, and backlog timing.
ai Confidence
High for filings, market data, Q1 FY2027 results, balance sheet math, and valuation ratios that cross-validated across StockAnalysis.com, Barchart, the Q1 FY2027 earnings release, and the earnings call transcript during the August 3, 2026 refresh. Medium for forward valuation because launch timing, dilution, government award timing, and sector sentiment can change quickly. The StockAnalysis.com statistics page lists operating income of -$89.65 million and the financials page -$107.19 million on a different presentation basis; this page reports the full range and notes that GAAP net loss of -$373.10 million includes a large warrant revaluation loss.
investment Certainty
Medium-low. Planet has a differentiated data asset, record backlog, and improving cash flow, but investors still have to accept a premium revenue multiple, negative GAAP earnings, ongoing dilution, and a technical trend that is currently broken.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityPlanet operates a global Earth observation platform with a large satellite constellation, a daily imagery archive, AI-enabled analytics, and satellite services. Q1 FY2027 revenue was a record about $94 million, up 42% year over year, with a third consecutive quarter of Rule of 40.High
MoatThe moat combines a daily land-imaging capability, a deep archive, customer workflow integration, and sovereign satellite delivery speed, such as the first Swedish Armed Forces Pelican launched four months after contract signing. It is real but must be maintained through ongoing constellation investment.Medium-high
ManagementCo-founder and CEO Will Marshall and President and CFO Ashley Johnson delivered record Q1 revenue, raised fiscal 2027 guidance, and executed launches and government wins. The key test is whether growth produces per-share value without repeated dilution, since shares rose 8.87% in the quarter.Medium
Financial trendTTM revenue is $335.61 million, up 34.15%, fiscal 2026 revenue rose 25.94% to $307.73 million, Q1 FY2027 revenue rose 42% to about $94 million, backlog hit about $906 million up 72%, and TTM operating cash flow is $132.46 million with free cash flow of $46.55 million, while the GAAP net loss of -$373.10 million includes a warrant revaluation loss.High
ValuationAt $20.48, the stock trades at about 21.75x trailing sales, 15.61x forward sales, 16.45x book value, and 156.80x free cash flow, with EV to sales near 21x and no meaningful P/E while GAAP earnings remain negative.High
Technical trendPL closed at $20.48 on July 31, 2026, below its 5-day average near $20.32, its 20-day near $23.69, its 50-day near $31.16, its 100-day near $32.87, and its 200-day near $25.85, with 14-day RSI near 32.48 and ADX near 38 confirming a downtrend.High
Risk levelRisk is high because Planet remains GAAP loss-making, depends on launches and satellite availability, has a share count that rose 8.87% in the quarter, faces a space sector that de-rated after the SpaceX IPO, and trades at a premium revenue multiple with short interest near 9.1% of shares outstanding.High
AI confidenceThe research has strong support for current operating metrics, guidance, and balance sheet figures, but long-term returns depend on contract conversion, gross margin, capex discipline, dilution, and whether geospatial data becomes a consistently profitable platform.Medium-high
Investment certaintyInvestment certainty is medium-low. The business is understandable and improving, but the market price still assumes substantial future growth before durable GAAP profitability is demonstrated, and the technical trend is currently unfavorable.Medium

PL AI stock forecast

PL AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The PL AI stock forecast is expressed as a revenue and enterprise-value sensitivity range because Planet has negative GAAP and adjusted EPS, so a P/E model is not economically meaningful. The financial_rigor.py three-scenario command was run with negative EPS as required, and its negative price outputs confirm that the P/E method cannot be used for this company yet. A three-year range based on fiscal 2027 consensus revenue near $436 million, later growth, net cash near $243 million, and different EV to revenue assumptions gives a wide reference band that starts near the current price. These ranges are scenario outputs, not price targets or promises.

Bullish case

$30 to $42

More likely if space sector sentiment recovers, fiscal 2027 revenue reaches or exceeds the high end of guidance, defense and intelligence growth sustains near 50% or more, commercial accelerates, backlog and RPO convert on schedule, Pelican Gen 1 and Gen 2 scale with acceptable capex, and dilution moderates.

Base case

$19 to $27

More likely if Planet delivers the current growth plan, holds recurring ACV near 99%, converts backlog steadily, keeps adjusted EBITDA near breakeven, and the market holds a lower EV to sales multiple than the peak of the cycle as the sector stabilizes.

Bearish case

$10 to $17

More likely if the space sector de-rating deepens, launch or satellite availability problems delay revenue, government awards become lumpy, commercial demand slows, capex and stock compensation remain high, dilution continues, or the market compresses the multiple toward lower-growth aerospace peers.

PL AI technical analysis

PL AI Technical Analysis

PL AI technical analysis is bearish as of the August 3, 2026 data cutoff. The stock closed at $20.48 on July 31, 2026, below its 5-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, with 14-day RSI near 32.48 and ADX near 38 with negative directional pressure confirming a downtrend. The stock fell about 60% from a 52-week high of $51.76 on May 28, 2026, and set a recent closing low near $19.16 on July 28. Because this is a static page without request-time chart data, confirm every level with a live chart before use.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$20.48StockAnalysis closing quote on July 31, 2026, with an after-hours print of $20.26. The session range was $19.79 to $21.27 on volume of about 5.76 million shares.
5-day moving average$20.32Barchart reported the 5-day moving average near $20.32 on July 31, 2026, essentially at the closing price, so the stock has no near-term trend cushion.
Near support$19.20 to $20.50The July 28 low was $19.16 and the late-July closes clustered near $20, forming the first support zone. A sustained break below this area would extend the downtrend.
Deeper support$16 to $18This is a scenario reference zone below the July lows. It is not a guaranteed technical floor and would only matter if the sector de-rating deepens.
Near resistance$22.40 to $23.70The 20-day moving average was near $23.69 and the July 21 close was $23.10. Reclaiming this zone would be the first sign that selling pressure is easing.
Higher resistance$25.85 then $31.16The 200-day moving average was near $25.85 and the 50-day near $31.16 on July 31, 2026, forming overhead supply that a recovery would have to clear.
50-day moving averageAbout $31.16StockAnalysis and Barchart both listed the 50-day moving average near $31.16, well above the current price.
200-day moving averageAbout $25.85StockAnalysis and Barchart both listed the 200-day moving average near $25.85, above the current price and now a resistance zone.
MomentumRSI about 32.5; Stochastic oversold14-day RSI was near 32.48 with 14-day stochastic percent K near 11.5 and percent D near 10.2, a deeply oversold reading, but oversold conditions in a high-beta stock are not a reversal signal by themselves.
Trend strengthADX about 38, -DI above +DIBarchart reported 14-day ADX near 38.33 with negative directional index near 28.51 above positive directional index near 11.54, confirming an active downtrend.
VolumeAbout 7.9 million average shares20-day average volume was near 7.9 million shares on StockAnalysis and near 7.98 million on Barchart, with heavy selling spikes on the worst days such as about 40.3 million shares on June 5.
VolatilityVery highBarchart reported 14-day historical volatility near 69.14% and 50-day near 104.93%, so position sizing must account for large daily swings around earnings, launches, and sector news.
InvalidationClose above $23.70 for a reboundA sustained close above the 20-day moving average near $23.70 would be the first stabilization signal, and a close above the 200-day near $25.85 would turn the chart more constructive. A close below $19.16 extends the downtrend.

PL AI trading strategy

PL AI Trading Strategy Framework

The PL AI trading strategy is a rules-based research framework, not personalized advice. It should be paired with live chart checks, position sizing, the September 8, 2026 earnings date, launch schedules, new filings, and government contract disclosures because PL can move sharply on operational, launch, and sector news.

Trend-following setup

In the current downtrend, the trend-following setup waits for PL to reclaim the $22.40 to $23.70 zone and then the 200-day average near $25.85 with improving volume before adding long exposure. Confirm price strength with backlog conversion, Q2 revenue, gross margin, and capex execution rather than price alone.

A failed reclaim followed by a close below $19.16 keeps the bearish structure intact. A break into the $16 to $18 zone signals that the market is assigning a lower growth or execution multiple.

Mean-reversion setup

With RSI near 32.5 and stochastic deeply oversold, a tactical bounce toward the $22.40 to $23.70 zone is possible. Monitor whether any rebound is supported by the $102 million to $107 million Q2 revenue outlook, recurring ACV, satellite deployment, and stable cash after capital expenditure.

Do not average down solely because price is near oversold levels in a high-beta stock. Reassess if backlog conversion slows, capex rises without revenue support, free cash flow weakens, dilution expands, or the stock loses the $19.16 low.

Fundamental monitor

Track revenue growth, recurring ACV, backlog and RPO conversion, gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, GAAP operating loss, free cash flow after satellite investment, cash and debt, stock-based compensation, and the number of shares outstanding.

Reduce confidence if growth relies on one or two government contracts, if new satellites do not improve capacity utilization, if adjusted metrics diverge further from GAAP, or if dilution offsets per-share progress.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay Planet to observe change on Earth without building their own satellite constellation and data pipeline. Planet collects frequent imagery, stores a large archive, and adds analytics and software so governments, defense teams, agriculture companies, and other customers can monitor assets and events over time.

Moat

The moat is a system of daily coverage, archive, workflow integration, and operating experience rather than a single patent. A large constellation and daily land coverage create data density, while customer integrations, AI analytics, and sovereign satellite delivery speed can raise switching costs. The moat is strongest in monitoring workflows that depend on frequent historical comparisons and weakest where imagery is interchangeable.

Munger risk inversion

The failure path starts if the cost of operating and replacing satellites grows faster than the value customers will pay for the data. Launch delays, hardware failures, cloud competition, government budget changes, contract concentration, weak commercial adoption, cyber incidents, and persistent stock compensation could turn strong revenue growth into weak per-share economics.

Management

Co-founder Will Marshall remains CEO and chairperson, while Ashley Johnson serves as president and CFO. Management delivered a record Q1, raised fiscal 2027 guidance, executed launches including the first Swedish sovereign Pelican, and used warrant exercises and convertible debt to add about $500 million of cash year over year. The capital allocation test is whether new satellites and partnerships produce higher recurring cash flow before further dilution becomes necessary.

Industry trend

Earth observation is supported by defense and intelligence demand, climate and natural-resource monitoring, agriculture, infrastructure, and AI-enabled geospatial analysis. The long-term trend is credible, but the June 2026 SpaceX IPO triggered a broad de-rating of space stocks, and industry growth does not guarantee Planet captures the economics. Launch providers, government procurement, cloud platforms, and competitors with higher-resolution or lower-cost imagery can all shape returns.

Valuation and margin of safety

At $20.48, the stock traded at about 21.75x trailing sales and 15.61x forward sales, with price to free cash flow near 157x. Net cash of about $242.8 million helps liquidity, but the premium valuation assumes strong growth and eventual margin improvement. The margin of safety is limited until Planet proves that cash generation can scale after capex, stock compensation, and dilution.

Source-backed data

PL Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
PL closing price$20.48 on July 31, 2026, with an after-hours print of $20.26StockAnalysis real-time quoteAugust 3, 2026
Market cap and shares$7.30 billion market cap, verified as $20.48 x 356.40 million shares with 0.01% deviation; shares up 8.13% year over year and 8.87% quarter over quarterStockAnalysis statistics and market-cap verificationAugust 3, 2026
TTM financial summary$335.61 million revenue up 34.15%; $186.53 million gross profit; operating income about -$89.65 million to -$107.19 million depending on presentation; -$373.10 million net loss including a warrant revaluation loss; EPS -$1.17StockAnalysis statistics and financials pagesAugust 3, 2026
Q1 FY2027 operating resultsRecord revenue about $94 million, up 42% year over year; non-GAAP gross margin 56%; adjusted EBITDA loss about $1 million; Rule of 40 for a third consecutive quarter; defense and intelligence up more than 65%; commercial up more than 20%; civil government roughly flatPlanet Q1 FY2027 earnings release and callJune 4, 2026
Q1 FY2027 backlog and RPOBacklog about $906 million, up 72% year over year; remaining performance obligations about $816 million, up 80%; 99% recurring ACV; net dollar retention 113%Planet Q1 FY2027 earnings release and callJune 4, 2026
Cash and debt position$730.84 million cash and short-term investments; $488.04 million total debt; net cash about $242.80 million or about $0.68 per shareStockAnalysis Q1 FY2027 balance sheet summaryAugust 3, 2026
TTM cash flowOperating cash flow $132.46 million; capital expenditures -$85.91 million; free cash flow $46.55 millionStockAnalysis cash flow statementAugust 3, 2026
Fiscal 2027 guidanceRevenue $425 million to $441 million, up about 41% at the midpoint; non-GAAP gross margin 52% to 54%; adjusted EBITDA breakeven to $10 million; capital expenditures $80 million to $95 million; free cash flow positive on an annual basis; Q2 revenue $102 million to $107 millionPlanet Q1 FY2027 earnings release and callJune 4, 2026
Segment revenue, TTMDefense and intelligence $204.97 million; civil government $71.8 million; commercial $58.84 millionStockAnalysis segment KPIsAugust 3, 2026
Valuation snapshot21.75x price to sales; 15.61x forward price to sales; 16.45x price to book; 156.80x price to free cash flow; EV to sales about 21x; PE not meaningful with negative earningsStockAnalysis statisticsAugust 3, 2026
Analyst consensusBuy from 11 analysts with an average target of $40.10, median $38, low $25, and high $53, implying roughly 96% upside from the July 31 closeStockAnalysis forecast and analyst ratingsJuly 28, 2026
Analyst rating mix, July 20266 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 3 Hold, 0 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell out of 11 analystsStockAnalysis forecast recommendation trendsJuly 28, 2026
Recent analyst target updatesNorthland maintained Buy at $50 on July 15; Goldman Sachs raised to $25 from $22 on July 14; Wedbush maintained Buy at $50 on July 1; Deutsche Bank cut to $36 from $38 on June 15; Morgan Stanley maintained Hold at $35 on June 10StockAnalysis forecast and news feedJuly 28, 2026
Short interest32.42 million shares short, 9.10% of shares outstanding and 11.00% of float, 2.49 days to cover, down from 41.43 million the prior monthStockAnalysis statistics short sellingAugust 3, 2026
Technical snapshot5-day average near $20.32, 20-day near $23.69, 50-day near $31.16, 100-day near $32.87, 200-day near $25.85, 14-day RSI near 32.48, ADX near 38.33, 14-day historical volatility near 69.14%Barchart and StockAnalysis technical snapshotsAugust 3, 2026
Price history and range52-week range $5.87 to $51.76 with a 52-week gain of 226%; fell about 60% from the May 28, 2026 high to the July 31 close; June 5, 2026 dropped about 26% on about 40.3 million sharesStockAnalysis historical price dataAugust 3, 2026
Company platform and coverageApproximately 200 Earth imaging satellites, daily coverage of the world land mass, and a new London office opened July 2026 to expand the European footprintPlanet investor relations overview and press releaseJuly 20, 2026
Space sector contextThe June 2026 SpaceX IPO triggered a broad de-rating of space stocks, and Planet Labs was among the names that reversed sharply from their 2026 highs, with analysts and investors debating whether the pullback is a sentiment reset or a fundamentals issueStockAnalysis news feed and Invezz market coverageAugust 3, 2026
Next earnings dateQ2 FY2027 results expected on September 8, 2026, before market openStockAnalysis earnings calendarAugust 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This PL AI stock analysis is an informational research tool, not investment advice, a recommendation, or a promise of returns. Forecast ranges are scenario outputs based on available data and assumptions that can be wrong. The stock is highly volatile and has recently fallen sharply, and it depends on launches, government contracts, satellite performance, and market sentiment. Verify current prices, filings, technical levels, tax rules, and personal suitability before making any financial decision.