Core Insights - C3.ai and UiPath are significant players in the AI automation sector, with C3.ai focusing on enterprise AI applications and UiPath on robotic process automation [1][2] - Both companies are positioned at the intersection of AI and digital transformation, making them attractive for long-term investment [2] - A comparative analysis of their fundamentals is necessary to determine the better investment option [3] C3.ai Overview - C3.ai offers a suite of over 100 pre-built AI applications aimed at large organizations, focusing on predictive analytics and operational optimization [4][5] - The company has established strong partnerships with major cloud providers, including Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services, enhancing its market reach [5] - In fiscal Q3, C3.ai reported total revenues of $98.8 million, a 26% year-over-year increase, with subscription revenues growing 22% to $85.7 million [6] - C3.ai's federal revenues grew over 100% in fiscal 2024, indicating strong demand from government clients [5] - The company faces challenges in achieving sustainable profitability, reporting a GAAP net loss of $0.62 per share in fiscal Q3 [7][8] - Cash reserves stand at $724.3 million, but ongoing losses raise concerns about potential dilution or spending pressure [8] UiPath Overview - UiPath specializes in robotic process automation, focusing on automating repetitive digital tasks, which has led to broad adoption across various sectors [10] - The company reported revenues of $1.43 billion for fiscal 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, with a strong annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $1.666 billion [11] - UiPath generated a GAAP operating profit of $34 million in fiscal Q4, indicating a shift towards profitability [11] - The company has a robust cash position of approximately $1.7 billion and initiated a $500 million share buyback program [11] - Despite its strengths, UiPath's revenue growth has slowed, with rates declining to 5% in fiscal Q4 [12] Share Price Performance & Valuations - Year-to-date performance shows UiPath's stock up 3%, while C3.ai's stock is down 29.7% [13] - C3.ai trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 6.7X, above the sector average of 5.74X, while UiPath's forward earnings multiple is 4.63X [16][17] - C3.ai's higher valuation premium and lack of current profitability present greater investment risk compared to UiPath's more balanced profile [17] EPS Projections - EPS estimates for C3.ai have remained unchanged, suggesting a 4.3% improvement for 2025, while UiPath's estimates indicate a decline of 1.9% [19] Conclusion - C3.ai offers higher growth potential but is unprofitable and faces significant competition [24][25] - UiPath, while growing more slowly, has a proven business model, strong cash flow, and reasonable valuation, making it a more resilient investment option [25]