Palantir Cites ‘Astonishing’ AI Impact in Earnings

Palantir has demonstrated impressive growth in its US commercial segment, nearly doubling its run rate to over $1.2 billion, but lacks clear transparency on how much of this growth is driven by AI, raising questions about the sustainability of its high valuation. Facing strong competition from legacy vendors and AI-focused hyperscalers like Microsoft, Palantir’s future success hinges on its ability to maintain market share and clearly articulate AI’s impact on its revenue.

The video discusses Palantir’s impressive growth in its US commercial segment, which expanded by 93% over the full year, with guidance projecting an 85% increase. This segment now boasts a run rate exceeding $1.2 billion, highlighting significant momentum. However, there remains uncertainty about how much of this growth is directly attributable to AI contributions, particularly from the EIB (Enterprise Investment Bank) segment. Comparisons are made to Microsoft Azure, where AI contributed 17% to growth, but Palantir has not provided clear data on AI’s exact impact on its revenue.

A key point raised is the need for greater transparency from Palantir regarding the breakdown of its revenue growth, especially given the company’s high valuation multiple. Investors and analysts are eager to understand how much AI is driving the top-line growth and how sustainable this momentum might be. Without detailed insights, it is challenging to fully assess the company’s future prospects and justify its market valuation.

The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape, noting that Palantir’s core business revolves around data warehousing. It competes with legacy vendors like Teradata and Oracle, as well as cloud-based companies such as Snowflake and Databricks. Databricks, in particular, is noted for its strong growth rates, indicating a highly competitive market. Palantir’s expansion in the commercial sector suggests it is gaining market share, but this growth likely comes at the expense of these established players.

Additionally, the video highlights the role of hyperscalers like Microsoft, which are aggressively pursuing market share with AI-driven solutions such as Copilot. Microsoft aims to address similar use cases as Palantir by integrating AI capabilities into its offerings. This competition from much larger companies presents a challenge for Palantir, which is smaller in scale but striving to maintain its growth trajectory.

Ultimately, the sustainability of Palantir’s commercial growth will be crucial in determining whether it can uphold its current valuation. While Palantir has shown strong performance, the net new ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) metrics from hyperscalers currently outpace Palantir’s additions. The company’s ability to continue expanding its market presence and clearly demonstrate AI’s impact on its business will be key factors for investors moving forward.