Planet stock drops after satellite imagery and data venture lowers annual revenue guidance

Shares of Planet fell after the satellite-imagery and data-analysis company cut its annual revenue guidance after it reported first-quarter results on Thursday.

The company lowered its guidance for its current fiscal year 2024 revenue to a range of $225 million to $235 million, down from its previous forecast of between $248 million to $268 million. Planet also said it expected wider losses on an adjusted EBITDA basis, increasing its forecast to a range of between $58 million and $67 million from a range of between $37 million and $47 million.

Shares of Planet fell as much as 20% in after-hours trading, from their close at $4.90.

Despite the lowered guidance, Planet co-founder and CEO Will Marshall said in a statement that the company continues “to see strong demand for our proprietary data solutions, driven by global events and the growing awareness of our capabilities.”

Planet CFO and COO Ashley Johnson further emphasized the “challenging macro environment,” and said the company remains “focused on the path to profitability.” She added that the company’s balance sheet “is strong,” with $375 million in cash and equivalents and no debt.

For the first quarter, Planet reported revenue of $52.7 million, up 31% from $40.1 million in the same period a year ago, but effectively flat from the prior quarter.

The company’s first-quarter net loss was $34.4 million, or 13 cents a share. That narrowed 22% from its net loss of $44.4 million, or 17 cents a share, a year prior.

Planet’s customer base increased to 903, up from 882 at the end of the fourth quarter. Its customer base is split into three parts by revenue: 44% are defense and intelligence, 29% are commercial, and 27% are civil government.

The company follows a fiscal year calendar that ends on Jan. 31.