Upwork (UPWK) Posts A Profit Beat, But Cuts Its Growth Outlook
Upwork (UPWK) reported second-quarter 2026 results that exceeded profit targets, with revenue at $191.7 million and adjusted EBITDA at $64.1 million. Despite this, the company lowered its full-year revenue outlook, citing faster AI-driven automation and challenges in new customer growth due to changes in search landscape. Upwork's "Business Plus" and "Enterprise" segments showed strong growth, but its core marketplace is shrinking, leading to a divided market sentiment regarding its future growth prospects.
Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) CEO lines up another stock sale
Upwork CEO Hayden Brown has filed a Form 144 notice indicating plans to sell 23,241 common shares, comprising performance shares and restricted stock. This follows a previous sale of 23,468 shares for $191,280.63 within the last three months. The filing highlights the upcoming stock sale through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and provides details on the types of shares involved.
Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) officer to sell 22,844 shares of stock
Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) officer Erica Gessert has filed a notice to sell up to 22,844 common shares, valued at approximately $192,476.69, under Rule 144. The sale is planned to occur through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, with the earliest sale date being August 18, 2026. This follows a previous sale by Gessert of 9,169 common shares on June 18, 2026, which generated proceeds of $74,733.77.
Upwork (UPWK) insider plans $409K stock sale in August 2026
Upwork insider Hayden Brown has filed a Form 144 notice indicating an intent to sell up to 50,000 shares of Upwork common stock, valued at approximately $409,500, with a planned sale date of August 18, 2026. The shares were acquired through the vesting of restricted and performance stock units between February and May 2024. This follows a previous sale of 23,468 shares by Brown in the past three months, yielding over $191,000.
Upwork (UPWK) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) reported Q2 2026 earnings with revenue at $191.7 million and adjusted EBITDA of $64.1 million, exceeding guidance. The company highlighted a significant transition in its marketplace driven by AI automation and changes in search engine optimization, leading to a shift from lower-value to higher-value, AI-related work. Upwork is adapting by investing in new acquisition channels, developing AI-native platform capabilities like the MCP server, and focusing on enterprise and Business Plus solutions to navigate these industry-wide changes.
Upwork Earnings Call: Profit Strength Amid AI Headwinds
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) reported strong Q2 profitability and record monetization despite facing headwinds from AI-driven automation and SEO changes. The company achieved high-end revenue guidance, surged profitability with a 33.4% adjusted EBITDA margin, and saw increased client engagement and longer contract durations. While reaffirming full-year EBITDA expectations, Upwork lowered its 2026 revenue outlook due to intensified AI impact and a subdued labor market, but management remains focused on higher-value services and disciplined capital allocation.
UPWK Stock Headed For Worst Single-Day Fall In 3 Months — Wall Street Warns Of Traffic Headwinds After A 'Challenging Q2'
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) shares are experiencing their worst single-day fall in three months after a "challenging Q2" report. Analysts at RBC Capital maintained a 'Sector Perform' rating but lowered the price target to $8, citing pressures from AI trends and Google's search algorithm changes. Upwork's CEO, Hayden Brown, acknowledged persistent AI and macro headwinds impacting new customer acquisition, while also highlighting growing demand for AI-related work on the platform.
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Upwork’s Q2 Earnings Call
Upwork's Q2 2026 earnings call highlighted challenges due to AI adoption and changes in client acquisition, with revenue and EPS beating estimates but full-year guidance being lowered. Analysts focused on the ongoing impact of AI, the transition of the active client base, and the effectiveness of Upwork's strategies to pivot towards higher-value work and enterprise solutions. Management emphasized efforts to adapt through marketing, product pivots, and strengthening AI-related offerings.
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Upwork’s Q2 Earnings Call
Upwork's Q2 earnings call revealed ongoing challenges from AI automation and changes in client acquisition, impacting active client numbers and leading to a lowered full-year revenue and EPS guidance. Analysts pressed management on the duration of AI-driven transitions, the evolution of the client base, and the effectiveness of new acquisition channels. The company is focusing on higher-value projects and enterprise offerings to counter these pressures.
Upwork (UPWK): Ancient Art and Quincy J. Lee report over 6% ownership
Ancient Art, L.P., Trango II, L.L.C., and Quincy J. Lee have reported significant ownership in Upwork, Inc. common stock. Ancient Art and Trango may be deemed beneficial owners of 5.8% of Upwork’s outstanding common stock, while Quincy J. Lee may be deemed the beneficial owner of 6.2%, including both directly held shares and those through Teton Capital Partners, L.P. These ownership percentages are based on 124,797,586 Upwork shares outstanding as of June 30, 2026.
Canaccord cuts Upwork stock price target on AI headwinds
Canaccord has lowered its price target for Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) to $9.00 from $10.00, maintaining a Hold rating due to intensifying AI and macroeconomic headwinds. Despite mixed Q2 results showing strong revenue and profitability, active clients and gross services volume continued to decline. The company also reduced its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance for the second consecutive quarter, although InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock might be undervalued despite these challenges.
Upwork Inc. Stock 12‑Month Price Target Cut to $10.81, Implies 10% Upside
Upwork Inc.'s average price target has been lowered from $12.44 to $10.81 by 8 analysts, implying a 10% potential upside from its August 10 closing price. Despite the cut, the consensus rating from 11 analysts remains a "Buy," with 3 Buys and 8 Holds. Investors can find more detailed price target data and analyst recommendations on TradingView.
RBC cuts Upwork stock price target on Google SEO, AI headwinds
RBC Capital has lowered its price target for Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) from $9.00 to $8.00, citing challenges stemming from Google's SEO changes and increasing pressures from artificial intelligence. The stock has experienced a 32% decline over the past six months, with active clients and gross services volume decreasing. Despite these headwinds, Upwork reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, exceeding Wall Street expectations, but subsequently lowered its full-year revenue guidance, leading other analysts like Scotiabank and Needham to also reduce their price targets.
OppFi Posts Downbeat Q2 Earnings, Joins Upwork, Rocket Lab And Other Big Stocks Moving Lower In Tuesday’s Pre-Market Session
OppFi reported downbeat Q2 earnings, missing analyst estimates for both earnings per share and sales, leading to an 18.4% drop in its pre-market shares. Several other companies, including Upwork, Electrovaya, ACV Auctions, and On Holding AG, also experienced significant pre-market declines after reporting their latest financial results. The U.S. stock futures were generally lower on Tuesday morning.
Janus Henderson Group PLC Sells 389,330 Shares of Upwork Inc. $UPWK
Janus Henderson Group PLC significantly reduced its stake in Upwork Inc. by selling 389,330 shares, decreasing its holdings by 86.8% to 59,070 shares. This move comes as Upwork faces cautious analyst sentiment, with several firms downgrading the stock or lowering price targets, resulting in a consensus "Hold" rating. Despite recent earnings exceeding expectations and new AI integrations, the company experienced a 1.7% year-over-year revenue decline and issued 2026 guidance below analyst estimates.
Earnings Flash (UPWK) Upwork Inc. Posts Q2 Adjusted EPS $0.41 per Share, Vs. FactSet Est of $0.34
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) reported strong Q2 adjusted EPS of $0.41 per share, significantly surpassing FactSet's estimated $0.34. This positive earnings surprise indicates a better-than-expected financial performance for the company during the second quarter.
Upwork: Q2 Earnings Snapshot
This article provides a brief "Q2 Earnings Snapshot" for Upwork. No further details are available as the content is currently protected by a privacy service.
Upwork Inc. Stock 12‑Month Price Target Cut to $10.81, Implies 10% Upside
Upwork Inc.'s average price target has been cut to $10.81 from $12.44, according to estimates from 8 analysts, implying a potential 10% upside based on its August 10th closing price. Despite the reduction, the consensus rating from 11 covering analysts remains "Buy," with 3 Buys, 8 Holds, and 0 Sells.
Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) trims costs as profit falls and EBITDA rises
Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) reported a decrease in profit for the second quarter and first half of 2026, with net income falling to $25.4 million in Q2 and $56.9 million in H1, despite essentially flat revenue. The company saw an improvement in Adjusted EBITDA, which rose 12% in Q2 and 7% year-to-date, largely due to significant cost-cutting measures, including a 20% workforce reduction by June 30 as part of a 2026 restructuring plan. While marketplace Gross Services Volume (GSV) and active clients declined, the marketplace take rate increased, and Upwork maintains strong liquidity with substantial cash reserves and a new revolving credit facility.
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) stock price, news, quote and history
This article provides comprehensive financial data for Upwork Inc. (UPWK), including its current stock price, recent performance, key statistics, and company overview. It highlights a significant overnight drop in stock value and includes details on market capitalization, P/E ratio, EPS, and analyst ratings. The article also outlines Upwork's business model, connecting businesses with freelance talent through its platform.
Earnings call transcript: Upwork tops Q2 2026 EPS estimates, but stock sinks on outlook
Upwork Inc. reported stronger-than-expected Q2 2026 earnings and revenue, with adjusted EPS of $0.41 and revenue of $191.7 million, surpassing analyst estimates. Despite the beat and strong EBITDA, the stock plunged over 20% in after-hours trading due to a reduced full-year revenue outlook. The company cited accelerated AI-related automation, Google SEO changes, and a subdued labor market as ongoing challenges, although it noted strong growth in AI-related work and larger client accounts.
Upwork Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Upwork Inc. announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, reporting revenue of $191.7 million and GAAP net income of $25.4 million. The company highlighted a record GSV per active client of $5,230, marking eight consecutive quarters of sequential growth, and significant increases in AI-related work on its platform. Upwork also provided financial guidance for the third quarter and full year 2026, anticipating continued growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA.
Upwork (UPWK) grows Q2 2026 margins as AI work surges and cash flow dips
Upwork Inc. reported mixed financial results for Q2 2026, with revenue declining 2% and GAAP net income decreasing 22% year-over-year. Despite top-line pressure and a 45% drop in free cash flow, the company saw non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA rise 12% with an expanded 33% margin, indicating improved underlying profitability. Growth was notably strong in AI-related work, with GSV up over 22%, and in its Business Plus SMB offering, which grew 174% year-over-year.
Upwork Launches MCP Server to Connect AI Tools Directly to Its Marketplace
Upwork has launched its MCP server, which integrates AI tools directly into its marketplace to facilitate seamless human-AI collaboration in hiring and work management. This new service allows clients to manage hiring tasks, such as posting jobs and drafting offers, through AI agents, while freelancers can receive tailored opportunities and streamline proposals. Available at no additional cost to all Upwork users, the MCP server is built on the Model Context Protocol, enhancing the synergy between human expertise and AI capabilities.
Upwork Talent Is Now Everywhere AI Works
Upwork has launched the Upwork MCP server, allowing users to hire or be hired through AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor. This integration enables AI agents to access Upwork's Marketplace directly, facilitating job posting, talent shortlisting, and offer drafting for clients, and presenting relevant opportunities and drafting proposals for freelancers. The initiative aims to seamlessly combine human expertise with AI workflows, providing a more integrated and efficient experience for both clients and freelancers.
Upwork: Q2 Earnings Snapshot
Upwork Inc. reported a profit of $25.4 million, or 20 cents per share, on revenue of $191.7 million for its second quarter. The company provided guidance for the fiscal third quarter, expecting earnings per share between 31 and 33 cents and revenue between $176 million and $184 million. For the full year, Upwork projects earnings per share ranging from $1.38 to $1.43 and revenue between $730 million and $750 million.
Upwork (UPWK) Stock Could Still Be A Bargain On Earnings
Upwork's stock has declined significantly over the past five years, but current valuations suggest it may be undervalued, trading at a P/E of 10.9x compared to an industry average of 22.2x. The market remains cautious, and the key for Upwork is to demonstrate stronger profitability and consistent cash flows from its marketplace scale to justify a higher valuation. The article presents both bull and bear cases, with the former highlighting AI-driven upside and the latter focusing on competition and growth risks.
Upwork (UPWK) Reports Earnings Tomorrow: What To Expect
Upwork (UPWK) is set to report its earnings tomorrow after market close. The company met revenue expectations last quarter but its revenue guidance for the next quarter missed analysts' expectations significantly. The market expects a 2.5% year-on-year revenue decline for the current quarter, with analysts largely reconfirming their estimates.
Upwork options straddle signals 16% move expected around August 10 earnings
Options traders are signaling an expected 16% price movement for Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) around its August 10 earnings release, indicated by a significant straddle activity. This suggests high anticipated volatility but no clear directional bias, with call and put volumes nearly identical. Historically, Upwork's post-earnings moves have sometimes exceeded options-implied expectations, making the upcoming announcement a key event for the stock.
Pacer Advisors Inc. Purchases 716,650 Shares of Upwork Inc. $UPWK
Pacer Advisors Inc. significantly increased its stake in Upwork Inc. by purchasing 716,650 shares in the first quarter, bringing its total holdings to 726,780 shares valued at approximately $8.0 million. Institutional investors now own 77.71% of Upwork, while analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus "Hold" rating and an average target price of $15.50. Despite some insider selling by the CEO and CFO to cover tax obligations, Upwork's stock opened at $9.59, near its 12-month low.
BlackRock, Inc. Trims Upwork Inc (UPWK) Stake -- Shares Remain 33% Undervalued on GF Value
BlackRock, Inc. reduced its stake in Upwork Inc (UPWK) by 59,499 shares on June 30, 2026, a 0.32% decrease, but still holds 18.8 million shares, representing 15.20% of its total holdings in the company. Despite Upwork's significant stock volatility and year-to-date decline, the stock is currently considered "Significantly Undervalued" by GuruFocus's GF Value, trading at $9.59 against an estimated GF Value of $14.40. BlackRock's move is likely a portfolio rebalancing rather than a bearish outlook, reflecting a cautious yet substantial long-term commitment to the online freelance marketplace.
Upwork Fees From 2016 To 2026: From Nada to Prada
The author discusses the increasing number of fees implemented by Upwork over the years, culminating in a new $2.99 fee for Direct to U.S. Bank withdrawals for international freelancers starting September 1, 2026. The article highlights freelancer frustration and uses AI to document the evolution of Upwork's monetization strategies, suggesting that the company is continually seeking new ways to charge its users, especially during challenging market conditions.
Citizens downgrades Upwork stock rating on AI disruption concerns
Citizens has downgraded Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) to Market Perform from Market Outperform due to increasing disruption from artificial intelligence in its marketplace. This downgrade follows the company's mixed Q1 2026 results, which saw revenue slightly below expectations but EPS exceeding forecasts, and a reduced full-year outlook. The analyst highlighted that AI is automating lower-value work, pressuring higher-value contracts, and impacting an expanding portion of Upwork's business.
Needham cuts Upwork stock price target to $15 on weak trends
Needham has lowered its price target for Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) shares from $25 to $15, while maintaining a Buy rating, citing weak business trends and macro headwinds. The stock is currently trading near its 52-week low and has declined significantly year-to-date. Despite the downgrade, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is undervalued, and the firm believes success from the Enterprise relaunch in late 2026 and stabilized marketplace trends are key for recovery.
How Investors May Respond To Upwork (UPWK) Trading Below Estimates Amid AI Push And Demand Questions
Upwork (UPWK) is trading below its estimated fair value as the company integrates AI into its talent matching and workflow automation processes. This comes amid concerns about slower client acquisition and the potential impact of AI on project volumes, leading investors to scrutinize the durability of Upwork's business model. Analysts are divided, with some optimistic about AI supporting revenue and margins, while others worry about AI compressing freelance work volumes.
Upwork shares may move 16% on Aug. 10 earnings release
Upwork Inc. (UPWK) shares are predicted to move 16% following its upcoming earnings announcement on August 10, based on options data from Bloomberg. The analysis indicates that in four of the last eight earnings reports, Upwork's stock price experienced a greater movement than initially suggested by options markets. This historical data provides insight into the potential volatility of the stock around its earnings release.
Upwork shares may move 16% on Aug. 10 earnings release
Upwork Inc. shares are predicted to move 16% following its upcoming earnings announcement on August 10, according to options data. Historically, the actual stock price movements have often exceeded the predictions made by options markets, with notable variances in past earnings reports. This analysis is based on examining the discrepancies between implied and actual stock movements over the past eight earnings releases.
Upwork (UPWK) Projected to Post Earnings on Monday
Upwork (UPWK) is scheduled to release its Q2 2026 earnings after market close on Monday, August 10th. Analysts anticipate earnings of $0.35 per share and revenue of nearly $190 million. The stock currently trades below its 200-day moving average, with a consensus "Hold" rating from Wall Street and an average price target of $15.50.
Liquidity Mapping Around (UPWK) Price Events
This article by the Quantitative Research Desk analyzes Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) using AI models to provide liquidity mapping and trading strategies. Key findings indicate strong near and mid-term sentiment but a weak long-term outlook, with resistance currently being tested. The analysis details a high risk-reward short setup and outlines specific position, momentum breakout, and risk hedging strategies for various time horizons.
Upwork (UPWK) Stock Looks Below Fair Value While Returns Stay Weak
Upwork (UPWK) stock is currently trading below its fair value, with a P/E ratio significantly lower than the industry average. Despite appearing undervalued on various metrics, the company has shown weak long-term returns, with its stock declining almost 80% over the past five years. Investors are considering whether the current valuation reflects overly cautious sentiment or accurately prices in competitive and regulatory risks, with debates around AI adoption for efficiency versus increased competition.
Upwork Inc (UPWK) Valuation: PE, PB & Fair Value Analysis
This article provides a valuation analysis of Upwork Inc (UPWK), noting its current valuation score of 7.28 within the Professional & Commercial Services industry. It details UPWK's P/E ratio, highlighting its position relative to recent highs and lows. The report also indicates that relevant data for P/B, P/S, and P/CF ratios have not yet been disclosed by the company.
Upwork Inc (UPWK) Financial Health: Profitability & Balance Sheet Analysis
Upwork Inc (UPWK) currently holds a strong financial score of 7.59, ranking 64th in its industry, reflecting robust financial health and average operating efficiency. The company recently reported a quarterly revenue of $195.48 million, marking a 1.44% year-over-year increase, and an impressive 16.62% rise in net profit. While its financial status is strong, some detailed financial data for various metrics like Quality of Earnings and Growth Potential have not yet been disclosed by the company.
Upwork Inc (UPWK) Risk Assessment: Volatility, Financial Risk & Investment Risk
This article provides a risk assessment for Upwork Inc (UPWK), detailing its volatility, financial risk, and investment risk. Upwork currently holds a risk assessment score of 5.28, ranking 87 out of 159 in its industry. Key metrics such as beta, VaR, maximum drawdown, and various volatility measures are presented to illustrate the stock's risk profile.
BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) discloses 18.8M-share, 15.2% holding in Upwork (UPWK)
BlackRock, Inc. has filed an amended Schedule 13G, disclosing a beneficial ownership of 18,796,623 shares of Upwork Inc. common stock, which represents 15.2% of the class as of June 30, 2026. The filing indicates BlackRock holds sole voting power over 18,589,877 shares and sole dispositive power over all 18,796,623 shares. Additionally, the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, managed by BlackRock, holds more than five percent of Upwork's outstanding common stock.
Why Upwork (UPWK) Shares Are Sliding Today
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) shares fell 2.5% today due to ongoing concerns about competition from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a softening labor market. This decline adds to a difficult year for the company, whose stock has dropped over 55% since a dismal first-quarter earnings report in early May, which included weak second-quarter guidance and analyst downgrades. Analysts, including those from UBS, specifically highlighted the risk of AI displacing freelance work available on Upwork's platform.
Why Upwork (UPWK) Shares Are Sliding Today
Shares of Upwork (UPWK) fell 2.5% due to ongoing concerns about AI competition and a weakening labor market. The company has seen a significant decline in value since a poor Q1 earnings report, which led to weak Q2 guidance and analyst downgrades, citing AI's potential to displace freelance work on the platform. Upwork's stock is down 52% year-to-date and 57% from its 52-week high, with previous guidance cuts also contributing to investor apprehension.
Why Upwork (UPWK) Shares Are Sliding Today
Shares of Upwork (UPWK) fell 2.5% in the afternoon session due to ongoing concerns about competition from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a softening labor market. This decline adds to a difficult year for the company, which has lost over 55% of its value since a dismal first-quarter earnings report in early May and subsequent analyst downgrades. The stock is currently trading at $9.52, down 52% year-to-date and 57% below its 52-week high.
UPWK|Upwork Inc|Price:9.535|Chg%:-0.275
TradingKey provides a comprehensive stock analysis of Upwork Inc (UPWK), highlighting its strong fundamentals, significant growth potential, and relatively fair valuation within the Professional & Commercial Services industry. The analysis notes high institutional ownership and a "Hold" rating from multiple analysts, predicting stable stock performance in the medium term. Despite good market performance and strong fundamentals, technical indicators suggest a sideways trading pattern between support and resistance levels.
Upwork Inc (UPWK) Earnings Forecast: Future EPS & Revenue Growth Estimates
Upwork Inc.'s (UPWK) current earnings forecast score is 6.73, ranking 120th in its industry; analysts predict an average price target of $23.00. The company's recent EPS was $0.12 against an expectation of $0.25, with the next quarter's EPS projected at $0.34 and expected revenue at $189.96 million. Based on 11 analyst ratings, the stock currently holds a "Hold" trend.
Upwork Inc (UPWK) Cash Flow
This article provides a detailed cash flow statement for Upwork Inc (UPWK), presenting both annual and quarterly data. It covers operating, investing, and financing cash flows, along with related metrics like net income from continuing operations, capital expenditures, and free cash flow. The data spans several fiscal quarters and years, allowing for an evaluation of the company's financial soundness and stability.
