Planet Labs Skyrockets 402% in a Year: How to Play the Stock

Core Insights - Planet Labs (PL) shares have increased by 402.4% over the past year, outperforming its industry, sector, and the Zacks S&P 500 composite [1][10] - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-sales multiple of 21.58, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.49 and the three-year median of 3.61, indicating it is overvalued [5][10] - The company has a substantial contract backlog of $734.5 million, reflecting a 216% year-over-year increase, which enhances revenue visibility [13] Company Performance - Planet Labs generates revenue primarily through fixed-price subscription agreements and usage-based contracts, serving government agencies and large commercial customers [8][12] - The company has emphasized securing large government and defense contracts, which provide improved revenue visibility and long-term stability [12] - Despite strong revenue growth, Planet Labs remains unprofitable, with high costs impacting margins and expected to continue reporting losses through fiscal 2027 [10][14] Market Position - Compared to Rocket Lab (RKLB) and BlackSky Technology (BKSY), PL shares are relatively expensive, although cheaper than RKLB [7][10] - Analyst sentiment is muted, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 revenues indicating a 26% year-over-year increase, while earnings are expected to rise by 78% year-over-year [15] Future Outlook - The company is expected to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA in fiscal 2026, reflecting efforts to balance growth investments with financial discipline [13] - Ongoing enhancements to products, particularly AI-enabled analytics, are anticipated to support broader commercial adoption over time [12] - Current market conditions and the stock's premium valuation suggest caution for potential investors [17]