Planet Labs PBC

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Быки укрепили уверенность в своих позициях.

Strong index, significantly up. Bulls have strengthened their confidence in their positions.

Слабый индекс, незначительно вырос. Рынок на стороне быков.

Weak index, slightly up. The market is on the bulls' side.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Отток средств из лонгов на высоком уровне.

Strong index, significantly down. Outflow of funds from longs at a high level.

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 28, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Planet Labs PBC PL, Satellogic Inc. SATL and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. GILT.
Industry: Satellite & Communications
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2995615/3-stocks-to-watch-from-the-satellite-and-communication-industry
Macroeconomic uncertainty, evolving trade policies, inflation and supply-chain dynamics are likely to impact the outlook of the Zacks Satellite and Communication industry at least in the near term. Additionally, high capital spending and extended return-on-investment cycles may strain the profitability of existing players and discourage new entrants. Spectrum allocation, orbital congestion and regulatory approvals remain key risks.
However, the prospects seem bright in the long term. The industry is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by the convergence of rapid technological progress and higher global connectivity requirements. Increasing interest in space-based infrastructure is another tailwind. The expansion of the Internet in remote areas through low Earth orbit (“LEO”) constellations, such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Amazon Leo is driving demand for satellite broadband services. Meanwhile, direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and non-terrestrial networks (“NTN”) are increasingly bringing satellite connectivity directly to smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
The embedding of AI and machine learning has given rise to multiple use cases across industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, transportation and non-governmental organizations.
Planet Labs PBC, Satellogic Inc. and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. have significant growth potential amid simmering geopolitical tensions, surging defense budgets and demand for high-quality imagery and value-added services. Growing government focus on sovereign satellite infrastructure bodes well for the industry.
Industry Description
The Zacks Satellite and Communication industry includes space technology companies that offer satellite imagery, intelligence services, and spacecraft and robotics for space exploration, research and national security. They assist customers in understanding and navigating the changing planet, provide global broadband communications and explore space. These companies deliver communication services to media businesses, fixed and wireless telecommunications providers, data networking firms and Internet service providers. They also supply commercial satellite communication services to government and military entities. Additionally, the firms offer satellite-based consulting and technical services, covering the entire satellite lifecycle and infrastructure, from satellite and launch vehicle procurement to telemetry and commanding services.
What's Shaping the Industry's Future?
Spending on Space Infrastructure Could Be Affected by Macroeconomic Weakness: With significant exposure to government customers, the industry will likely benefit from increasing defense and space infrastructure budgets amid simmering geopolitical tensions. The explosion of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and communications is expected to boost government investments in the sector. Governments are also emphasizing sovereign satellite communications infrastructure, particularly for defense, and national security. This bodes well for the industry participants.
However, weakness in global macroeconomic conditions amid tariff troubles could compel customers to lower spending, which does not bode well for industry participants. Volatile supply-chain dynamics and inflation could lead to higher costs and increased lead time, which are major concerns. Also, competition from fiber optics and terrestrial networks, in certain regions, could deter the growth of the industry participants, as these may offer relatively lower-cost and higher-speed alternatives.
Capital-Intensive Sector: The satellite industry is one of the most capital-intensive sectors, requiring substantial upfront investment in satellite manufacturing, launch services and ground infrastructure. Further, an increasing number of satellites is raising concerns about space debris and orbital congestion. Collisions may disrupt operational satellites and the viability of space activities. This makes space traffic management and collision avoidance increasingly important.
Managing these risks requires advanced systems such as improved tracking and collision avoidance and strong co-ordination among satellite operators, adding a layer of operational complexity.
Advancements in Technology Hold the Key: Rapid technological advancement is the primary catalyst driving the industry’s growth trajectory. Integration of space-based networks with terrestrial telecom networks, as well as cloud computing and AI, marks a new phase of growth. The integration of Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (“GEO”) and LEO constellations with terrestrial networks is enabling trade-offs between coverage, latency and capacity. D2D and NTN are extending satellite connectivity directly to smartphones and IoT endpoints. Reusable rockets, mass-produced satellites and low-cost launch systems are significantly improving prospects for the participants.
Countries with comprehensive space programs have distinct military, economic and scientific advantages. However, complexity and barriers to entry into space have allowed only a few to develop notable capabilities. The demand for small satellites across regions is expected to increase over time. North America has the bulk of the market share, followed by the Asia Pacific, Europe and the rest of the world.
North America maintains its dominance with the highest number of small satellite launches by government end users. The companies continue to align their products and services with the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Defense Strategy and the growing demand for international defense and intelligence.
Subscriber Momentum to Drive Growth: Wide proliferation and cheaper access to space technology have led to diverse end-market users. The companies share a strategic relationship with various government organizations, including military and disaster response agencies and non-governmental organizations, to provide robust, tactical, real-time voice and low-latency data command and control communications.
A comprehensive product portfolio enables companies to expand their customer base and offset the losses from one product category with the benefits from another. Network reliability, security, low latency and service availability remain important competitive aspects.
For civil customers, notably NASA, growth is being driven by space exploration programs. For commercial customers, growth drivers include a strong demand for imagery due to new use cases, space-based remote sensing, GEO replacement demand and LEO communications programs. Advanced mobile networks need strong backhaul and global infrastructure, increasing reliance on satellite support for rural and oceanic coverage.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bleak Prospects
The Zacks Satellite and Communication industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. The industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank #219, which places it in the bottom 11% of more than 247 Zacks industries.
The group’s ZacksIndustry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bleak near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.
Before we present a few satellite and communication stocks you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms the Sector and the S&P 500
In the past year, the Zacks Satellite and Communication industry outperformed the S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector.
The industry has gained 37.4% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s rise of 16.8%. The broader sector has moved up 26.1%.
Industry's Current Valuation
The industry has a trailing 12-month price/book ratio of 2.75X compared with the S&P 500’s 7.22X. The sector’s trailing 12-month price/book ratio stands at 9.19X.
In the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 9.24X and as low as 0.37X, with a median of 2.09X.
3 Stocks to Add to the Watchlist
Planet Labs: PL provides daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Revenues surged 58% year over year to $116 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. Defense and Intelligence revenues (including satellite services revenues) rose more than 90% year over year, while commercial and civil-government revenues increased over 15% and 5%, respectively.
The handover of the Pelican satellite to the Swedish Armed Forces supported top-line growth. In August, the company was awarded a satellite services tender by Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, making the country the first civil government to procure Planet Labs’ dedicated Constellation Services. The tender includes options and has a maximum possible value of €25 million over five years.
The company had a backlog of approximately $815 million, up about 11% year over year at the end of the fiscal second quarter. Roughly 50% of the backlog applies to the next 12 months and 70% to the next 24 months. Remaining performance obligations (“RPO”) totaled approximately $753 million, up 9% year over year.
Management estimates that executing contracts already in backlog could generate more than $400 million in revenues over the next four quarters, excluding new business and renewals. The company added that it is confident of sustaining “high growth rates in future years” supported by near-term visibility and pipeline strength.
This visibility is important as Planet Labs ramps up its satellite services business. On the lastearnings call management added that it had identified more than $4 billion in satellite-services opportunities, with over 25% qualified as near term.
Planet Labs is also expanding capacity to support this opportunity. The company recently opened its Berlin manufacturing facility, which is expected to produce Pelican satellites and eventually scale to as many as 60 satellites per year.
PL currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The bottom-line estimate for fiscal 2027 stands at a loss of 5 cents, unchanged over the past seven days. The stock is up 44.5% in the past year.
Gilat Satellite Networks: Based in Petah Tikva, Israel, Gilat provides satellite-based broadband services, including the design and manufacture of advanced equipment and innovative technology. Gilat’s solutions support a range of applications, including broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise services, in-flight connectivity, maritime, trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting high service standards.
Strength in the Defense segment bodes well for Gilat as demand for defense SATCOM solutions grows amid geopolitical shifts. Management expects Defense revenues to be higher in the second half of 2026 than in the first half, supported by firm backlog, scheduled deliveries and expected book-to-ship activity.
In June 2026, Gilat announced the strategic acquisition of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation's Satellite & Space Communications segment for $157.5 million in cash. The deal will expand Gilat’s presence in the United States and will boost its exposure to more complex defense and space programs.
The Commercial segment is another major growth driver, particularly the in-flight connectivity business. Demand for SkyEdge platforms is expected to benefit from satellite operators’ transition toward next-generation, multi-orbit networks.
Management reiterated its 2026 revenue guidance of $500-$520 million and adjusted EBITDA view of $61-$66 million, implying roughly 13% year-over-year revenue growth and 19% adjusted EBITDA growth at the midpoints.
However, stiff competition in this space remains a concern, along with integration risks from M&A activity. The strengthening Israeli shekel against the U.S. dollar is expected to increase second-half operating expenses by roughly $3-$5 million.
GILT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The earnings estimate for 2026 stands at 74 cents per share, unchanged over the past seven days. The stock has lost 14.6% in the past year.
Satellogic: SATL is a vertically integrated Earth-observation and geospatial intelligence company.
Strong global sovereign demand is creating a durable tailwind. In the last reported quarter, Space Systems delivered $8.8 million in revenues (comprising 55% of total revenues) driven by sovereign satellite deliveries. Europe accounted for 58% of Satellogic's second-quarter revenues, supported by deliveries under Portugal's $18 million CEiiA program.
Data & Analytics revenues also increased 54% sequentially to $7.1 million, reflecting growing adoption of persistent monitoring services. Satellogic is also ramping production for its Merlin, NewSat and NextGen programs as defense demand grows.
The company ended the second quarter of 2026 with $80.7 million in contracted non-cancellable RPO, including $45.8 million expected to be realized within the next 12 months.
On the lastearnings call management added that the broader Space Systems pipeline remains around $1 billion. Recently, Satellogic announced that it will launch two new NewSat Mark VI satellites equipped with inter-satellite link technology and one additional NewSat Mark V satellite in October 2026. The Mark V satellite is intended to add capacity to its sovereign Space Systems program.
However, Satellogic faces execution and revenue-timing risks. Space Systems contracts can be lumpy, with management noting that sovereign deals can take anywhere from four to six months to as long as three years to convert.
SATL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. The bottom-line estimate for 2026 stands at a loss of 2 cents, unchanged over the past seven days. The stock is up 77.1% in the past year.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Planet Labs, Satellogic and Gilat Satellite

Key Points
The total transaction involved ~106,000 shares with an estimated value of ~$1.8 million based on the weighted average execution price.
The shares traded represent 11% of the total equity stake held by the insider prior to this filing.
Dispositions were executed through a direct withholding of 54,117 shares and an indirect sale of 52,240 shares by the Ulysses Trust 02021.1, Dated February 26, 2021.
Robert H. Schingler, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, reported the disposition of ~106,000 shares of Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) on Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summary
Transaction value
~$1.8 million
Shares sold
~106,000
Shares sold (directly held)
54,117
Shares sold (indirectly held)
52,240
Post-transaction shares (directly held)
~719,000
Post-transaction value
~$15.1 million
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($16.48); post-transaction value based on September 17, 2026 market close ($16.99).
Key questions
What necessitated the direct equity disposition?
The company withheld 54,117 shares to satisfy tax liabilities incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs), which is a common mechanism for managing equity compensation taxes.
How was the indirect portion of the transaction managed?
The sale of 52,240 shares from the Ulysses Trust 02021.1, Dated February 26, 2021 was conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan established on April 23, 2026, to provide for pre-scheduled portfolio management.
What is the current status of the insider's total equity holdings?
Following these transactions, Schingler retains ~889,000 total shares, of which 638,627 shares are derivative securities in the form of unvested RSUs.
How has the stock performed leading up to these transactions?
Shares were priced at $16.99 as of the September 17, 2026 market close, and the company has delivered a 66% return over the one-year period ending on the transaction date.
Company Overview
Share Price (as of market close 2026-09-17)
$16.99
Market Capitalization
$5.5 billion
Revenue (TTM)
$378.3 million
Net Income (TTM)
-$359.9 million
Company Snapshot
Planet Labs PBC operates an extensive satellite constellation that delivers frequent, global geospatial imagery and data analytics services to institutional customers through a proprietary cloud-native platform.
The company generates revenue through subscription-based access to its satellite imagery and analytics platform, leveraging its constellation of Earth observation satellites to provide real-time and historical geospatial intelligence.
The company serves government agencies, commercial enterprises, and institutional investors requiring high-frequency geospatial data for applications including agriculture, urban planning, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring.
Planet Labs PBC, based in San Francisco, is a leading provider of Earth observation data and analytics, operating one of the world's largest satellite constellations. The company has demonstrated significant market momentum, with its stock appreciating 66.08% over the past year, reflecting growing demand for accessible geospatial intelligence.
As a growth-stage aerospace and defense company, Planet Labs is positioned at the intersection of satellite technology and cloud computing, offering differentiated capabilities in frequent, global Earth imaging that support critical decision-making across multiple industries.
What this transaction means for investors
Planet Labs co-founder Robert Schingler's disposition of company shares on Sept. 15 is not a cause for investor concern, since it was a non-discretionary transaction executed to fulfill tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of RSUs.
An RSU is a form of compensation where a company grants an employee shares of stock at a future date. When that vesting date arrives, as was the case here, a "sell to cover" transaction occurs to pay the related taxes.
Schingler's subsequent sale of stock on Sept. 17 was a pre-arranged disposal as part of a Rule 10b5-1 plan, making this a non-discretionary transaction. Such plans allow insiders to sell shares at predetermined times to avoid concerns of trading on non-public information.
Planet Labs has been successfully growing its business. The company reported record revenue of $116.1 million in its fiscal second quarter, ended July 31. This represented an impressive 58% year-over-year increase. Planet Labs expects to maintain sales growth in fiscal Q3, forecasting approximately $101 million to $105 million in revenue, up from the prior year's $81 million.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $389,154!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,406,303!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of September 24, 2026.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Planet Labs Co-Founder Dumps ~106,000 Shares in $1.8 Million Transaction

Given the huge growth potential in these categories, it's not surprising to see the interest in Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) stock.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Sept. 19, 2026. The video was published on Sept. 21, 2026.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $395,625!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,397,147!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 951% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 23, 2026.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Planet Labs Combines Two of the Biggest Investment Themes: Space and Artificial Intelligence

This business reminds me of how Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) started with government contracts and expanded into enterprise solutions.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Sept. 18, 2026. The video was published on Sept. 20, 2026.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $395,625!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,397,147!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 951% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 22, 2026.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

Could Planet Labs Be the Next Palantir?

I think the primary reason so many investors are discussing Planet Labs' (NYSE: PL) stock is the rising geopolitical tensions.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Sept. 17, 2026. The video was published on Sept. 19, 2026.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $387,158!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,365,749!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 932% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 20, 2026.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Why Is Everyone Talking About Planet Labs Stock?

Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) combines satellite imagery with artificial intelligence to deliver value to customers.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Sept. 16, 2026. The video was published on Sept. 18, 2026.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $387,158!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,365,749!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 932% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 19, 2026.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

What's Going on With Planet Labs Stock?

Key Points
The current sell-off began in May and shows no signs of ending.
Growth is slowing but should still remain robust as no other company photographs the surface of the planet daily.
Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) stock had been on a meteoric rise amid its rapid growth and high demand for its up-to-date Earth images. Unfortunately, after peaking in May, the stock reversed course and gave up about 67% of its value.
Despite the decline, the sell-off has continued and shows no obvious signs of bottoming. Amid those conditions, should investors begin to buy or remain on the sidelines?
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Assessing Planet Labs and its stock
Planet Labs has developed a service that is hard to replicate. Unlike its competitors, its satellites photograph the planet's surface daily, providing its customers with up-to-date imagery. Before Planet Labs, users would have to turn to images that could be months or even years old.
Consequently, organizations can now react in real time to environmental, infrastructure, or geopolitical events. Additionally, the technology can process the data faster, allowing users to devote more time to analysis. This has become a more valuable resource as the company has now collected about 10 years of data.
Also, since government contracts power revenue growth, it likely does not surprise investors that its revenue for the first half of fiscal 2027 (ended July 31, 2026) was $210 million, up 44% from the same period in 2025.
Also, while it lost $148 million in the first two quarters of fiscal 2027, a change in the fair value of warrant liabilities accounted for $106 million of that loss. Fortunately, it also generated more than $21 million in free cash flow, meaning its "loss" comes from non-cash expenses.
Still, these attributes did not make Planet Labs free of problems. Investors balked at the $1.5 billion equity dilution program the company announced in June to raise capital. Also, cautious revenue guidance in Q3 may have made investors question its high price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, which peaked at 49 back in June.
However, thanks to the pullback, the P/S ratio has fallen to 15, a level comparable to its valuation before the recent surge in the stock price. Also, while growth may slow, analysts forecast 42% revenue growth in this fiscal year and 31% in fiscal 2028.
Investors tend not to react well to slowing growth, even when it remains strong. Still, considering the recent drop in the stock price, that growth may be compelling enough to bring investors back to Planet Labs stock.
Is it time to buy Planet Labs stock?
Given Planet Labs' current conditions and stock price, investors could justify some cautious buying.
Admittedly, the stock has not stopped falling, and a 15 sales multiple is not cheap. Thus, prospective shareholders should consider a dollar-cost averaging approach if they decide to buy.
Nonetheless, Planet Labs is the only company imaging the Earth on a daily basis, and its rapid revenue growth speaks to the demand for its images. That should help the company maintain higher growth rates and bring about an eventual recovery in the tech stock's price.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $406,141!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,347,745!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 940% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 19, 2026.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

Planet Labs Stock Is Down 67% From Its High. Time To Buy?

Key Points
The filing reports the sale of ~135,000 shares at $16.02 per share, representing a total transaction value of ~$2.2 million on September 15, 2026.
The transaction involved shares equal to 5% of the executive's direct equity stake held before the filing.
The activity reflects a liquidation associated with the company's equity compensation program.
William Spencer Marshall, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL), disclosed a sale of 134,642 shares on September 15, 2026 in an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summary
Transaction value
~$2.2 million
Shares sold
134,642
Post-transaction shares (directly held)
2,568,473
Post-transaction value
~$41.15 million
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($16.02); post-transaction value based on September 15, 2026 market close ($16.02).
Key questions
What was the nature of this transaction?
The sale was a non-discretionary "sell-to-cover" event where shares were withheld by Planet Labs to satisfy tax liabilities incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs).
What is the executive's remaining equity compensation profile?
Marshall continues to hold a significant number of additional restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest in quarterly installments.
How does this impact the CEO's total direct equity position?
The CEO maintains a direct position of 2,568,473 shares of Class A Common Stock, which is valued at approximately $43.6 million based on the $16.99 market close as of September 17, 2026.
How does the current market valuation relate to this withholding event?
While the transaction price was $16.02 on September 15, 2026, the company's market cap stood at $5.5 billion as of the September 17, 2026 close, during a period in which trailing twelve months revenue reached $378.3 million.
Company Overview
Share Price (as of market close 2026-09-17)
$16.99
Market Capitalization
$5.5 billion
Revenue (TTM)
$378.3 million
Net Income (TTM)
-$359.9 million
Company Snapshot
Planet Labs PBC operates an extensive satellite constellation that delivers frequent, worldwide geospatial imagery and data to institutional and commercial customers through a proprietary cloud-native platform.
The company generates revenue through subscription-based access to its satellite imagery platform and value-added analytics services, leveraging its differentiated constellation architecture to capture recurring revenue streams from government and enterprise customers.
Planet Labs serves a diverse customer base including government agencies, defense contractors, agricultural enterprises, and commercial organizations requiring high-frequency geospatial intelligence for monitoring, analysis, and decision-making applications.
Planet Labs PBC is a leading provider of frequent, global geospatial data derived from its proprietary satellite constellation, serving institutional customers across defense, intelligence, agriculture, and commercial sectors. The company has demonstrated significant market momentum, with trailing 12-month revenue of $378.3 million as of September 2026.
Despite current net losses reflecting investments in constellation expansion and platform development, Planet Labs maintains a competitive advantage through its unique ability to deliver high-frequency imagery at scale, positioning the company as a critical infrastructure provider in the rapidly growing geospatial intelligence market.
What this transaction means for investors
The September 15 disposal of Planet Labs stock involving CEO William Marshall is not a cause for investor concern. The company withheld 134,642 shares to fulfill tax obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs).
An RSU is a form of compensation where a company grants an employee shares of stock at a future date. When that vesting date arrives, as was the case here, a "sell to cover" transaction occurs to pay the related taxes.
Post-disposition, Marshall retains a large equity stake in Planet Labs. His 2.6 million directly held shares, which includes 1.7 million RSUs, ensures his continued alignment with shareholder interests.
Planet Labs stock has plunged from a 52-week high of $51.76 reached in May because it had reached a sky-high valuation that was unsustainable. Now, shares are more reasonably priced, and the company is doing well.
Planet Labs reported record second-quarter revenue of $116.1 million, representing an impressive 58% year-over-year increase. On September 15, the company announced a deal with the German government that provides dedicated satellite service in a sign Planet Labs is expanding customer adoption of its offerings.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $412,074!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,314,319!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 932% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 209% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 18, 2026.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Planet Labs CEO's Stake in the Company Drops by Over 100,000 Shares Worth $2.2 Million

Key Points
Planet Labs benefits from a non-replicable dataset that powers essential AI-driven defense analytics.
Significant capital expenditure requirements and persistent net losses remain primary risks for investors.
The shift toward high-margin sovereign satellite contracts provides a clearer path to long-term profitability.
A soldier in a remote theater of operation pulls up a tablet to view a high-resolution, time-stamped map of a supply route. He isn't looking at a static archive. He is watching movement captured by Planet Labs (NYSE:PL) earlier that same morning.
The company operates the world's largest commercial fleet of Earth-observation satellites, effectively functioning as a real-time scanning utility for the planet. While the stock has seen a 75% gain over the last year, it remains a volatile asset, trading at $16.95 as of September 11, 2026, as the market weighs its high capital demands against its growing importance to national security agencies.
Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system assigns Planet Labs PBC an overall Superscore of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Above Average category. The Superscore is an AI-powered score that evaluates a company's overall strength by combining financial performance, product market position, technological capabilities, leadership quality, and relative valuation.
It represents the unification of all our scores into a single score for public companies, with five rating bands: Exceptional (90-100), Strong (75-89), Above Average (60-74), Average (40-59), and Cautious (0-39). This 73 Superscore places Planet Labs in the Top ~24% of all public companies we track, indicating a performance profile ahead of roughly 76 out of every 100 companies we score. This analysis serves as a research input to help you weigh the company's defensive moat against its operational risks before making your own determination.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
Why PL Has a 73 Superscore
Revenue growth momentum: Planet Labs achieved 26% year-over-year revenue growth in fiscal 2026, demonstrating that its pivot toward high-value defense and intelligence contracts is successfully scaling.
Sovereign contract wins: The company secured a major 9-figure agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces, providing durable, multi-year revenue visibility that validates its shift into essential geospatial infrastructure.
Operational inflection: Achieving positive operating cash flow of $134 million in fiscal 2026 marks a structural shift for the company, proving it can fund its own growth after years of heavy cash burn.
AI data leadership: The company's massive, proprietary, and non-replicable historical archive of daily Earth imagery creates a formidable competitive barrier that software-only AI rivals cannot retroactively assemble.
Recurring revenue model: With 98% of its annual contract value being recurring as of Q2 fiscal 2027, which ended July 31, the business provides the stability required to withstand unpredictable shifts in government procurement cycles.
Why Is PL's Superscore Not Higher?
Persistent net losses: Despite achieving positive cash flow, the company reported a net loss of $247 million in fiscal 2026, highlighting the continued drag of heavy amortization and non-cash expenses on the bottom line.
High capital intensity: Maintaining a fleet of roughly 200 satellites requires constant replenishment, with capital expenditures frequently consuming significant portions of revenue and capping near-term margin expansion.
Stretched valuation multiples: Trading at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 14.5x leaves little margin for error if guidance slips or if the pace of contract conversion to revenue slows in the coming quarters.
Concentration risks: Reliance on long-term government and defense contracts means the company remains exposed to shifts in national security budgets and the inherent delays in sovereign program procurement.
Planet Labs currently maintains a low return on net tangible assets, which ranks in the bottom half of the companies we score. This reflects the reality of its business model: it is a capital-intensive aerospace business that must build and deploy its own physical orbital infrastructure before it can generate the high-margin analytics revenue that will eventually justify its current market valuation.
Hidden Gems Database Scores for Planet Labs PBC (PL)
Score
Score (out of 100)
Rank
Supporting Data Point
Product (1Y)
77
Top ~24%
Revenue growth and NDR of 116% signal strong product-market fit in defense.
Product (5Y)
64
Top ~43%
Persistent R&D investment scaled the platform into a unique, non-replicable data archive.
Financial (1Y)
75
Top ~21%
The company turned positive in operating cash flow in fiscal 2026.
Financial (5Y)
57
Top ~46%
Heavy infrastructure build-outs historically suppressed profitability and ROA.
Leaders
75
Top ~31%
Management demonstrates clear strategic clarity regarding the pivot to AI-driven geospatial analytics.
AI
95
Top ~1%
The proprietary global imagery archive provides a data-centric moat that is impossible to replicate.
Valuation Risk
53
Bottom ~46%
The trailing P/S ratio of 14.5x reflects the premium market sentiment toward high-growth aerospace assets.
Is PL Right For Your Portfolio?
This stock warrants a closer look if...
You seek exposure to industrial stocks positioned at the intersection of satellite infrastructure and AI-driven defense analytics.
You are comfortable underwriting the execution risks of multi-year sovereign contracts and the capital-intensive nature of space-based data businesses.
You may want to keep researching before buying if...
You prefer companies that have demonstrated sustained net profitability rather than those relying on ongoing capital raises to fund fleet maintenance.
You are concerned by high revenue multiples that price in perfect execution across the company's complex pipeline of government programs.
The Superscore is one data-driven signal worth investigating, not a stand-alone buy recommendation. Always weigh this data against your own research, financial goals, and risk tolerance before acting.
My 5-year prediction for PL stock
Planet Labs is at a key inflection point in its business. It is ramping up customer adoption of its services, while trying to wrangle costs on its path to profitability. Investor excitement over space-based companies caused Planet Labs stock to soar to a 52-week high of $51.76 in May, but it has since fallen back to earth.
While its valuation currently remains high, several factors point to Planet Labs shares delivering a robust return over the next several years. Primary among them is that the company's data of the Earth supports a wide range of use cases, from government defense and intelligence objectives to agriculture and natural resource management.
For example, Planet Labs signed an agreement with Rwanda in August to deliver satellite data for the government to gain insights into agriculture and food security, urban planning, disaster response, and more. In September, it acquired a European defense and intelligence customer in a seven-figure deal.
The company's sales have grown annually over the past five years, from $131 million in its fiscal 2022 to $308 million in fiscal 2026, ended Jan. 31. Its poised to continue this trend, forecasting revenue between $430 million to $441 million in fiscal 2027. It also reported a customer backlog of about $815 million in its fiscal second quarter, ended July 31.
In fiscal 2026, Planet Labs turned a corner in its financial health. It recorded adjusted free cash flow (FCF) of $53 million compared to negative FCF of $64 million in the prior year. In fiscal Q2, it reported year-to-date FCF of $21.3 million. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for its unique satellite data, which is why I bought the stock.
The Hidden Gems Superscore reflects The Motley Fool's proprietary AI-driven evaluation of a company across product, financial, leadership, and valuation pillars as of the article date and may change over time. Performance figures are point-in-time. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now?
Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Planet Labs PBC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $417,413!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,341,294!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 950% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 212% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 13, 2026.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Planet Labs PBC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Planet Labs' 2026 Outlook: Government Contracts Power Revenue Growth

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Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.
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