CoreWeave Shares Retain 19% Post-Earnings Rally; $104 Billion Backlog Supported by Capex Outlay at 3.6 Times Normal

CoreWeave Shares Retain 19% Post-Earnings Rally; $104 Billion Backlog Supported by Capex Outlay at 3.6 Times Normal

NEW YORK, August 13, 2026, 13:15 EDT

  • CoreWeave stock hovered around Wednesday’s closing level following a 19% rise in earnings.
  • Revenue backlog climbed to $104.2 billion, marking a 246% increase compared to the previous year.
  • Capital spending for the quarter was 3.6 times higher than revenue.

CoreWeave Inc. largely maintained its post-earnings gains on Thursday. The stock was trading at $107.23 as of 12:54 EDT, a decrease of 0.5% for the session. On Wednesday, shares rose 19% to $107.73 after investors responded positively to a $104.2 billion revenue backlog.

Stock chart for NASDAQ:CRWV

The company’s order backlog is substantial, as are its construction expenses. CoreWeave invested $9.35 billion in capital projects over the quarter, which is 3.63 times its revenue of $2.58 billion.

The ratio highlights the trade-off for investors. While demand visibility has outpaced reported revenue growth, turning contracts into actual business depends on having data centers, sufficient power, and financing in place before significant revenue can materialize.

Operating measureQ2 2026Q1 2026Q2 2025Year-on-year change
Revenue$2.575 billion$2.078 billion$1.212 billionup 112%
Adjusted EBITDA$1.510 billion$1.157 billion$753 millionup 101%
Adjusted operating income$128 million$21 million$200 milliondown 36%
Net loss$626 million$740 million$290 millionloss deepened 116%

Revenue more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA likewise doubled, though the margin decreased by three points to 59%. Adjusted operating margin declined to 5%, down from 16%. Expenses for depreciation and infrastructure continue to be substantial.

Capital and financing measureQ2 2026Investor reading
Capital expenditures$9.352 billion3.63 times quarterly revenue
Net interest expense$640 million24.9% of revenue
Cash and equivalents$5.524 billionIncreased $2.397 billion from year-end
Total recourse and non-recourse debt$35.068 billion6.35 times cash
Debt less cash$29.544 billionInitial estimate

Interest costs increased by 140% to $640 million, accounting for almost 25 cents of each revenue dollar. CoreWeave generated $679 million in operating cash; however, property acquisitions totaled $6.42 billion. Overall capital expenditures climbed to $9.35 billion.

Chief Executive Michael Intrator stated that scale was now yielding “expanding operating leverage.” He noted customer demand was picking up pace as more enterprises adopt the technology. The adjusted operating result reflects this trend sequentially, though not compared to the previous year. company statement

Backlog schedulePortion of $104.2 billionEstimated value
Anticipated in the next 24 months21%$21.9 billion
Projected for months 25–4839%$40.6 billion
Projected after 48 months40%$41.7 billion
Early-Q3 new contracts not counted in backlog24% of Q2 backlogOver $25 billion

Just 21% of the backlog is anticipated in the next two years, while 40% is not expected until after four years. Over $25 billion in commitments made in early third quarter were not counted in the backlog total, though these commitments still depend on delivery and service capacity.

The outlook for 2026 demands faster progress. Projected revenue for the entire year is between $12.4 billion and $13.2 billion. With $4.65 billion already reported for the first half, the second-half target is set at $7.75 billion to $8.55 billion.

Based on midpoint guidance, fourth-quarter revenue would require approximately $4.62 billion, following a third-quarter midpoint of $3.53 billion. This suggests a sequential increase of 31%. The estimate is preliminary and uses midpoint figures from guidance.

Analyst firmRatingTargetDateChange from $107.23
NeedhamHoldNot statedAugust 13Not applicable
BarclaysHold$105August 13-2.1%
Bernstein SocGen GroupSell$74August 12-31.0%
Piper SandlerBuy$153August 12+42.7%
DA DavidsonHold$100August 12-6.7%

Opinions across Wall Street are split following the report. Price targets in the chosen group range from $74 to $153. The broader consensus target stands at $142.54, representing a roughly 33% premium to Thursday’s midday level.

Risks: Backlog conversion may be impacted by potential data-center delays. High debt levels and increasing interest costs might weigh on equity returns. Quicker deployments, more affordable financing, or further prepayments have the potential to enhance cash flow.

The rally in earnings places priority on demand. The following challenge is capital efficiency. CoreWeave needs to convert a sizable order backlog into revenue more quickly than its financing expenses accumulate.

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Further analysis

What caused CoreWeave shares to surge following its second-quarter earnings?
Demand was a priority for investors. Revenue increased 112% to $2.575 billion, and the revenue backlog surged 246% to $104.2 billion. CoreWeave reported over $25 billion in early third-quarter customer commitments not included in the backlog. The key question is how rapidly those deals convert into revenue and cash.
What portion of CoreWeave's backlog is expected in the near term?
Approximately 21%, or close to $21.9 billion, is anticipated over the next 24 months. A further 39% is projected to materialise between months 25 and 48. The last 40% extends past a four-year horizon. While backlog offers extended visibility, a large proportion falls outside immediate funding requirements.
What makes CoreWeave's capital expenditure significant for investors?
In the second quarter, capital expenditures reached $9.352 billion, representing 3.63 times revenue. The company is required to construct data centers and arrange power access prior to recording the majority of contracted sales. While high spending may drive growth ahead, slower deployment or lower utilization could impact returns.
What is the principal risk facing the balance sheet?
Overall recourse and non-recourse debt stood at around $35.1 billion, while cash amounted to $5.5 billion. Net interest expense totaled $640 million during the quarter, making up almost 25% of revenue. Reducing financing costs would be beneficial. Persisting in borrowing at elevated rates would further strain equity investors.
What is the next item CoreWeave is required to provide?
Guidance midpoints for the full year and third quarter suggest approximately $4.62 billion in fourth-quarter revenue. This projection stands about 31% higher than the third-quarter midpoint. Investors are advised to monitor deployment timelines, adjusted operating income, and interest costs. The estimate is based on initial calculations using midpoint figures from the guidance.
Mateusz Kaczmarek

Mateusz Kaczmarek is a financial and technology journalist at TS2.tech, covering stocks, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and global market developments. A graduate of the Poznań University of Economics and Business, he previously worked in financial analysis before moving into business journalism. His reporting focuses on technology companies, market trends and the forces shaping global investment markets. Follow Mateusz Kaczmarek on Google News.

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