Upwork Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 2/6
Upwork has been growing earnings at an average annual rate of 66.9%, while the Professional Services industry saw earnings growing at 13.1% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 13.4% per year. Upwork's return on equity is 18.3%, and it has net margins of 14.7%.
Key information
66.86%
Earnings growth rate
66.87%
EPS growth rate
| Professional Services Industry Growth | 10.99% |
| Revenue growth rate | 13.43% |
| Return on equity | 18.31% |
| Net Margin | 14.65% |
| Next Earnings Update | 07 May 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
UPWK: Share Repurchases And Higher Margin Assumptions Will Support Future Earnings Power
Upwork's updated narrative keeps the analyst price target steady at $27.00 as analysts balance small tweaks to discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions with a mixed set of recent Street target cuts and one modest target increase. Analyst Commentary Street research around Upwork has recently leaned toward trimming price targets, yet the average remains anchored at $27.00.
UPWK: AI Workflows And Buybacks Will Support Long-Term Earnings Power
The analyst price target for Upwork has edged lower to $21.40 from $21.70, reflecting a series of small target cuts from several firms and slightly more cautious assumptions on the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Upwork has been active, with several firms trimming price targets and one raising its view.UPWK: Share Buybacks And Higher Margin Outlook Will Support Future Earnings Power
Upwork's updated analyst price target holds at $27, as analysts balance slightly higher modeled revenue growth and profit margins with a modestly higher discount rate and mostly lower Street targets in recent research. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Upwork reflects a mixed but constructive tone, with several firms trimming their price targets while one raised its target, and Goldman Sachs also adjusting its view.UPWK: AI Workflows And Buybacks Will Support Long-Term Enterprise And SMB Gains
The analyst price target for Upwork has been reset from $23.90 to $21.70 as analysts factor in updated discount rate assumptions and P/E expectations following a series of recent target revisions across major firms. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Upwork clusters around target cuts from multiple firms, with only one target increase, reflecting a mixed reaction to current valuation and execution risks.UPWK: Share Buybacks And Governance Changes Will Support Long Term Earnings Power
Analysts have trimmed their average price target on Upwork by a few dollars to reflect a slightly higher discount rate and modestly adjusted assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E, even though one firm raised its target by $1 while several others reduced theirs by $1 to $5. Analyst Commentary Even with several firms trimming their targets, the latest batch of research still includes a clear pocket of optimism around Upwork.Upwork: Strong Profitability And AI Growth Help Offset Shakier Guidance (Downgrade)
Feb 24UPWK: Investor Day Plan Will Pursue US$1.3t Digital Knowledge Work Opportunity
The analyst price target for Upwork has been reduced by $1 to $27, as analysts incorporate slightly higher discount rates and profit margin assumptions while still recognizing higher modeled revenue growth and a marginally lower future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Upwork has mixed signals, but there are a few clear bullish threads that stand out for investors trying to make sense of the new $27 price target.UPWK: Investor Day Roadmap To Capture US$1.3t Digital Knowledge Work Market
Analysts have increased their fair value estimate for Upwork from US$23.68 to US$28.00. They cite higher assumed revenue growth, improved profit margins, and a lower future P/E multiple following the company's Investor Day outlook and updated long-term targets.Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) Shares Could Be 37% Below Their Intrinsic Value Estimate
Jan 21
UPWK: AI Workflows And Index Adds Will Support Long-Term Enterprise And SMB Gains
Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Upwork up by $1 to $23.90, citing higher published price targets, a more constructive view on the company's three year outlook and investor day growth pillars, and updated assumptions that include a modestly higher future P/E multiple and slightly lower long term revenue growth and profit margin inputs. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Upwork clusters around a more constructive medium term view, with higher price targets grounded in the company’s investor day messaging, Q3 execution and refreshed financial targets.
UPWK: AI Workflow Ambitions Will Likely Outpace Realistic Profit Margins
Analysts have raised their average price target for Upwork into the mid to high $20s, citing stronger three-year growth ambitions around AI-driven workflows, increased SMB adoption and an expanded enterprise offering, along with updated expectations for higher revenue growth and profit margins on a lower future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent research highlights a more constructive tone around Upwork, with several firms lifting their price targets into the low to high $20s.Returns on Capital Paint A Bright Future For Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK)
Dec 29UPWK: AI Driven Revenue Optimism Will Likely Outrun Fundamentals
We are raising our Upwork fair value estimate to $17 from $15, reflecting analysts' higher price targets and improved confidence in the company's AI driven growth initiatives, accelerating revenue outlook, and expanding enterprise platform. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Upwork has skewed constructive, with multiple firms lifting price targets as confidence builds around the company’s AI roadmap, enterprise expansion, and improving Gross Services Volume trends.Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) Surges 29% Yet Its Low P/E Is No Reason For Excitement
Dec 13UPWK: AI Momentum Will Drive Long-Term Enterprise And SMB Gains
The analyst price target for Upwork has inched higher to approximately $22.90 per share, up from about $22.60, as analysts factor in stronger multi year revenue growth and margin expansion expectations following upbeat Investor Day targets and a series of upward Street revisions. Analyst Commentary Street research has turned incrementally more constructive on Upwork as recent results and Investor Day targets point to a healthier long term growth and profitability profile.UPWK: AI Momentum Will Drive New Operating Gains Into 2026
Upwork's analyst price target has increased from $21.40 to $22.60, reflecting analysts' views that AI-driven momentum and improving Gross Services Volume support a higher valuation. Analyst Commentary Following Upwork's latest quarterly results, analyst commentary reflects both optimism and caution regarding the company's prospects and valuation trends.UPWK: AI Momentum And Enterprise Platform Expansion Will Drive Business Growth
Upwork's fair value estimate increased from $19.90 to $21.40 per share. Analysts cited improving growth prospects and recent positive earnings momentum as key drivers for the upward revision.AI-powered Automation Will Reshape Enterprise Platforms Amid Rising Challenges
Analysts have raised Upwork's price target to $19.90, citing renewed enterprise expansion through its Lifted platform, improving GSV trends, and company-specific growth drivers, signaling increased confidence in an operational turnaround. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts highlight Upwork’s new enterprise platform, Lifted, as a driver for material expansion in its enterprise offering and improving competitiveness against traditional staffing firms.Upwork Inc.'s (NASDAQ:UPWK) Price Is Right But Growth Is Lacking After Shares Rocket 32%
Sep 24Little Excitement Around Upwork Inc.'s (NASDAQ:UPWK) Earnings
Jul 29At US$12.92, Is It Time To Put Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) On Your Watch List?
Jul 14Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Is Experiencing Growth In Returns On Capital
Jun 30With EPS Growth And More, Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Makes An Interesting Case
Jun 17Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Could Easily Take On More Debt
May 08Upwork Inc.'s (NASDAQ:UPWK) Shares Lagging The Market But So Is The Business
Apr 08I'd Love Exposure To Upwork And Fiverr, But Can't Get Past The Financial Realities
Mar 20Is There Now An Opportunity In Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK)?
Feb 24Upwork: What To Do After This Rally (Rating Downgrade)
Feb 17Upwork: Operational Improvements And Labor Conditions Could Propel This One Higher
Feb 04Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Might Have The Makings Of A Multi-Bagger
Jan 25Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Seems To Use Debt Rather Sparingly
Jan 11Upwork: Macro Weakness More Important Than AI For Now
Dec 19Is Now The Time To Put Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) On Your Watchlist?
Nov 26Upwork: Disciplined Cost Reduction, Platform Improvements - Buy
Nov 22The Strong Earnings Posted By Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) Are A Good Indication Of The Strength Of The Business
Nov 13Revenues Not Telling The Story For Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) After Shares Rise 39%
Nov 07Upwork Vs. Fiverr: AI Fears Likely Overblown, Fiverr Looks More Attractive
Oct 25Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
How Upwork makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.
Earnings and Revenue History
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | G+A Expenses | R&D Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 25 | 788 | 115 | 286 | 186 |
| 30 Sep 25 | 781 | 247 | 277 | 184 |
| 30 Jun 25 | 773 | 245 | 280 | 187 |
| 31 Mar 25 | 771 | 235 | 288 | 194 |
| 31 Dec 24 | 769 | 216 | 304 | 201 |
| 30 Sep 24 | 762 | 86 | 316 | 202 |
| 30 Jun 24 | 744 | 74 | 314 | 195 |
| 31 Mar 24 | 719 | 48 | 325 | 186 |
| 31 Dec 23 | 689 | 47 | 340 | 177 |
| 30 Sep 23 | 667 | 13 | 351 | 173 |
| 30 Jun 23 | 650 | -28 | 370 | 168 |
| 31 Mar 23 | 638 | -48 | 378 | 161 |
| 31 Dec 22 | 618 | -90 | 371 | 155 |
| 30 Sep 22 | 594 | -96 | 362 | 146 |
| 30 Jun 22 | 563 | -80 | 337 | 138 |
| 31 Mar 22 | 531 | -73 | 311 | 131 |
| 31 Dec 21 | 503 | -56 | 288 | 119 |
| 30 Sep 21 | 472 | -33 | 256 | 108 |
| 30 Jun 21 | 441 | -26 | 239 | 98 |
| 31 Mar 21 | 404 | -21 | 219 | 91 |
| 31 Dec 20 | 374 | -23 | 205 | 83 |
| 30 Sep 20 | 348 | -29 | 198 | 77 |
| 30 Jun 20 | 329 | -30 | 189 | 72 |
| 31 Mar 20 | 315 | -22 | 176 | 68 |
| 31 Dec 19 | 301 | -17 | 163 | 64 |
| 30 Sep 19 | 288 | -17 | 150 | 63 |
| 30 Jun 19 | 274 | -20 | 139 | 61 |
| 31 Mar 19 | 263 | -18 | 128 | 58 |
| 31 Dec 18 | 253 | -20 | 122 | 55 |
| 30 Sep 18 | 241 | -25 | 117 | 54 |
| 30 Jun 18 | 229 | -18 | 109 | 51 |
| 31 Mar 18 | 214 | -17 | 101 | 49 |
| 31 Dec 17 | 203 | -11 | 90 | 46 |
| 31 Dec 16 | 164 | -16 | 72 | 38 |
Quality Earnings: UPWK has high quality earnings.
Growing Profit Margin: UPWK's current net profit margins (14.7%) are lower than last year (28%).
Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis
Past Earnings Growth Analysis
Earnings Trend: UPWK has become profitable over the past 5 years, growing earnings by 66.9% per year.
Accelerating Growth: UPWK's has had negative earnings growth over the past year, so it can't be compared to its 5-year average.
Earnings vs Industry: UPWK had negative earnings growth (-46.5%) over the past year, making it difficult to compare to the Professional Services industry average (3.2%).
Return on Equity
High ROE: UPWK's Return on Equity (18.3%) is considered low.
Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
Discover strong past performing companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/05 18:19 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/05 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Upwork Inc. is covered by 19 analysts. 11 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Nathaniel Schindler | BofA Global Research |
| Marvin Fong | BTIG |
| Maria Ripps | Canaccord Genuity |