SpaceX Posts $4.4 Billion Profit in Its First Full Quarter as a Public Company

SpaceX closed its first full quarter as a publicly traded company with net income of $4.4 billion for the third quarter of 2026, alongside revenue of approximately $14.7 billion.

Revenue came in significantly higher than analysts' expectations of around $12.8 billion, rising 87% compared to the second quarter and 161% compared to the same period last year, according to the company's financial results.

For the first time, the company's artificial intelligence division—renamed SpaceXSI, short for "Super Intelligence"—surpassed Starlink's revenue, recording $7.6 billion in revenue and $431 million in operating income, following a $1.3 billion loss in the second quarter. Cloud computing deals and the Cursor and Grok products accounted for most of the gain, with Cursor, acquired in August, bringing in $608 million.

Starlink maintained its position as the largest source of profit, generating $2.4 billion in operating income on $5.2 billion in revenue, adding 1.6 million subscribers to reach a total of 13.6 million. Regarding talk of a potential merger with Tesla, Elon Musk said calling the deal a done deal "would be an exaggeration," as the two companies have not yet agreed on terms, and any agreement would require a shareholder vote.

What do these terms mean?

Operating Income: The profit remaining from revenue after deducting daily operating expenses, before interest and taxes, measuring the core business performance of the company.

Capital Expenditure: The funds paid by a company to acquire or build long-term assets such as data centers, satellites, and factories, aiming to expand production capacity.

Net Profit: What remains for the company after deducting all costs, interest, and taxes from its revenues, serving as the figure that measures the company's profitability at the end of the period.