# SpaceX reports third-quarter results after the bell as AI spending and Starlink draw scrutiny

SpaceX is due to post only its second set of results as a public company on Tuesday; analysts expect revenue near $12.7 billion to $12.9 billion.

By The Signal Edition | Business / Earnings
Published: 2026-10-20T10:59:36Z
Updated: 2026-10-20T10:59:36Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/spacex-q3-earnings-preview-after-the-bell-bxmc5a
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/bced25d37aec93d6991680fb3b29725a.jpg (A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral on a Starlink mission in 2021, shown as a file photo; credit: Joshua Conti / U.S. Space Force (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons)

## Summary
- SpaceX said it will post third-quarter 2026 results after the market close on Tuesday, October 20, with an audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET.
- Bloomberg consensus cited by Yahoo Finance and Teslarati puts revenue at roughly $12.7 billion to $12.9 billion; the two outlets give slightly different figures.
- TipRanks says options imply a move of about 7.8% in SPCX shares after the report.

## When and how SpaceX reports

SpaceX said in an October 16 investor release that it will post third-quarter 2026 results after the market close on Tuesday, October 20, and host an audio-only webcast at 3:30 p.m. Central (4:30 p.m. Eastern), streamed on X and replayed on its investor site. [1](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/SpaceX-to-Post-Third-Quarter-2026-Results-and-Host-Webcast-on-October-20-2026-2026-QssQGye3im/default.aspx)

Yahoo Finance describes the report as only the company's second as a public company; the first covered the second quarter and was published in August. [2](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/spacex-earnings-preview-ai-spending-annual-recurring-revenue-now-becoming-the-bigger-story-162610825.html)

## What analysts expect

Yahoo Finance, citing Bloomberg consensus, put third-quarter revenue near $12.7 billion with adjusted earnings of about 15 cents a share. Teslarati, also citing Bloomberg through a Pepperstone note, gave $12.89 billion. The differing figures likely reflect different snapshot times; neither could be reconciled from the sources. [2](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/spacex-earnings-preview-ai-spending-annual-recurring-revenue-now-becoming-the-bigger-story-162610825.html) [3](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-q3-earnings-preview/)

TipRanks reported analysts expect almost $12.9 billion in revenue and adjusted earnings of 14 cents a share, and said options pricing implies a move of about 7.8%, or roughly $11.39, in either direction from the October 16 close of $146.03. [4](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-q3-earnings-preview-options-market-signals-7-8-move-as-analysts-forecast-12-9b-revenue)

The second quarter produced revenue of about $7.8 billion and a net loss of $541 million, according to TipRanks and Yahoo Finance. Yahoo Finance said AI computing spending reached $15.8 billion that quarter. [2](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/spacex-earnings-preview-ai-spending-annual-recurring-revenue-now-becoming-the-bigger-story-162610825.html) [4](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-q3-earnings-preview-options-market-signals-7-8-move-as-analysts-forecast-12-9b-revenue)

## What investors are watching

Yahoo Finance said attention has shifted toward AI spending and annual recurring revenue, and cited chief financial officer Bret Johnsen as saying the company aims for a $100 billion annualized revenue run rate by year-end. Teslarati reported the same target. [2](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/spacex-earnings-preview-ai-spending-annual-recurring-revenue-now-becoming-the-bigger-story-162610825.html) [3](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-q3-earnings-preview/)

Analyst views are mixed on valuation: TipRanks listed a consensus of Moderate Buy, with an average price target of $217.50. Sources disagree on at least one target change, with TipRanks reporting an Evercore increase to $270 and Teslarati citing $275. [3](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-q3-earnings-preview/) [4](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-q3-earnings-preview-options-market-signals-7-8-move-as-analysts-forecast-12-9b-revenue)

The results had not been published in the sources reviewed. This article reports expectations only and will be updated once SpaceX releases its figures. [1](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/SpaceX-to-Post-Third-Quarter-2026-Results-and-Host-Webcast-on-October-20-2026-2026-QssQGye3im/default.aspx)

## Reporting sources
1. [SpaceX Investor Relations: SpaceX to Post Third Quarter 2026 Results and Host Webcast on October 20, 2026](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/SpaceX-to-Post-Third-Quarter-2026-Results-and-Host-Webcast-on-October-20-2026-2026-QssQGye3im/default.aspx) (2026-10-16)
2. [Yahoo Finance: SpaceX earnings preview: AI spending, annual recurring revenue now becoming the bigger story](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/spacex-earnings-preview-ai-spending-annual-recurring-revenue-now-becoming-the-bigger-story-162610825.html) (2026-10-19)
3. [Teslarati: SpaceX's biggest earnings test yet lands Tuesday, and Tesla shareholders should be watching](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-q3-earnings-preview/) (2026-10-18)
4. [TipRanks: SpaceX Q3 Earnings Preview: Options Market Signals 7.8% Move as Analysts Forecast $12.9B Revenue](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-q3-earnings-preview-options-market-signals-7-8-move-as-analysts-forecast-12-9b-revenue) (2026-10-19)