SpaceX Crushes Q3 Expectations on AI Boom and Starlink Growth as Musk Teases Tesla Merger
SpaceX reported third-quarter revenue that surged 161 percent year-over-year to 14,58 miliardy dolarů, easily surpassing the 12,72 miliardy dolarů analyst consensus cited by Seznam Zprávy. The company posted a net income of 4,4 miliardy dolarů, reversing a net loss of 1,05 miliardy dolarů from the same period a year earlier, as artificial intelligence growth and Starlink expansion drove unexpected profitability. Upravený zisk na akcii dosáhl 45 centů oproti očekávaným 13 centům, while the company also posted an operating profit of 2,8 miliardy dolarů.
Elon Musk also addressed the potential combination of SpaceX and automaker Tesla, noting that special committees have been formed by both companies to examine the possible transaction at the request of shareholders.
AI Revenues Beat Analyst Expectations
The artificial intelligence business expanded rapidly with revenues increasing nearly tenfold year-over-year to 7,56 miliardy dolarů, beating analyst expectations of 6,47 miliardy dolarů. This growth was supported by new contracts for cloud services, computing capacity rentals to companies, and the wider utilization of AI. The artificial intelligence business generated an operating profit of 431 milionů dolarů during the quarter, while the company also completed the acquisition of programming-focused AI startup Cursor for 60 miliard dolarů and integrated xAI.
To support this expansion, capital expenditures reached 19,6 miliardy dolarů during the quarter, with over 16,4 miliardy dolarů directed toward artificial intelligence. Musk stated that the company plans to accelerate infrastructure development for computing power, cooling, and data center power supply, aiming to deploy 200 tisíc Nvidia Grace Blackwell systems monthly in Memphis-area facilities by the end of the year. Musk announced that SpaceX intends to begin mass production of AI chips in the third quarter of 2028 at a planned Terafab factory in Texas in cooperation with Tesla and Intel.
Starlink Connectivity Revenues Rise 69 Percent
The Starlink satellite internet division remained a core pillar of profitability, with total connectivity revenues rising 69 percent year-over-year to 5,25 miliardy dolarů compared to the 4,84 miliardy dolarů expected by analysts, reported Seznam Zprávy. Consumer subscriptions accounted for 3,12 miliardy dolarů of that total, while government and enterprise customers contributed 2,13 miliardy dolarů.
Starlink subscriber numbers increased to 13,6 milionu, up from 12 milionu v předchozím čtvrtletí v předchozím čtvrtletí, while the average revenue per user grew from 66 to 69 dolarů according to Seznam Zprávy. Additionally, connectivity operating profit approximately doubled year-over-year to 2,37 miliardy dolarů, whereas the space division brought in 1,77 miliardy dolarů in revenue but recorded an operating loss of 7 milionů dolarů. By the end of the quarter, Starlink internet was active on more than 3,800 aircraft, including American Airlines flights.
Musk Comments on Tesla Merger Talks
Addressing the prospect of uniting SpaceX and Tesla, Musk stated during a conference call, Myslím, že by to byl dobrý nápad, ale je to skutečně na zvláštních výborech obou společností.