Rackspace Tumbles as Business Improves, but Is It a Buy Yet?

Core Insights - Rackspace Technology (RXT) reported Q4 revenue of $683 million, surpassing estimates, with losses narrowing to $0.01 per share compared to an expected loss of $0.04 [1] - The company guided a 31% increase in operating profit for 2026 and anticipates 6% growth in private cloud revenue for the first time in years [1] - Despite these positive developments, Rackspace's stock fell 10% after a previous surge of 69% following the earnings announcement, indicating profit-taking by investors [1] Financial Performance - Q4 revenue showed a slight decline of 0.4% year-over-year but was above the guidance and consensus estimates of around $675 million [1] - For the full year, total revenue was $2.69 billion, down 2% from 2024 [1] - The private cloud segment experienced a 10% decline, while the public cloud outperformed expectations [1] - Non-GAAP operating profit reached $41 million, exceeding guidance, with margins expanding by 120 basis points sequentially [1] - Cash flow from operations was $60 million, increasing year-end liquidity to $397 million [1] Future Outlook - Management projects 2026 revenue between $2.6 billion and $2.7 billion, indicating flat to slight decline at midpoint, with non-GAAP operating profit targeted at $160 million to $170 million [1] - The anticipated 6% growth in private cloud revenue is expected to be driven by AI-related enterprise deals [1] - Public cloud revenue may decline by 6% due to a large contract transition, but overall outlook suggests stabilization and selective growth in high-margin areas [1] Strategic Partnerships - The recent partnership with Palantir Technologies aims to enhance AI deployments, positioning Rackspace as a strategic partner for managing Palantir's Foundry and AI Platform [1] - Rackspace will provide managed services, including cloud hosting and compliance, particularly for regulated sectors [1] Market Dynamics - Rackspace's stock has experienced significant volatility, rising from lows of $0.42 to recent highs around $2.67, reflecting investor sentiment and market reactions to news [1] - Despite improvements in business metrics, the company still faces challenges such as substantial debt of $2.76 billion and ongoing net losses [1] - Competition from major players like AWS and Azure continues to pose risks in the hybrid cloud market [1]