The case for & against
Bull & Bear analysis
Backblaze, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLZE) is a prominent provider of cloud storage solutions, catering primarily to businesses and consumers looking for cost-effective and scalable storage options. The company emphasizes its capabilities in AI-driven data storage, intersecting with the growing demand for high-performance storage solutions as industries increasingly adopt AI workloads. Backblaze holds a competitive position within the cloud storage value chain, focusing on its B2 Cloud Storage segment that has demonstrated significant growth potential fueled by a strategic pivot towards AI technologies. This ongoing transformation is aimed at solidifying its role as an essential player in the burgeoning neocloud market.
Bull says
- ↑Q1 revenue $38.7 M, up 12% YoY; B2 Storage drove $22.4 M (+24%)
- ↑Gross margin expanded to 61% from 56%, demonstrating cost leverage
- ↑AI customer base grew 76% YoY, boosting future ARR potential
- ↑Customers with >$50 K ARR increased 30% YoY to 187, aiding up-market shift
- ↑Adjusted EBITDA hit $10 M (26% margin); on track for FCF positivity
- ↑Strong momentum and earnings-revision factors support upside
Bear says
- ↓Computer backup segment forecast to decline ~5% YoY, signaling legacy drag
- ↓Large-deal concentration risks revenue volatility as big contracts shift spend
- ↓Go-to-market transformation execution remains incomplete, risking growth trajectory
- ↓Rising hardware costs may pressure gross margins and tighten leverage
- ↓High stock volatility and AI dependency add unpredictability
- ↓Weak profitability factors and balance-sheet vulnerabilities challenge returns
Earnings Call · Q4 2025 · Mgmt. Guidance
Transcript signals
Bull points
- We grew revenue while achieving adjusted free cash flow profitability in Q4. This is a significant milestone and an important step forward in our profitability journey.
- For the quarter, total revenue was in line with guidance at $37.8 million and adjusted EBITDA exceeded the high end of our guidance by approximately 600 basis points.
- We delivered record bookings this quarter. As Gleb noted, we closed our largest contract in the company's history with over $15 million in total contract value.
Bear points
- We don't expect to see meaningful revenue in 2026 as we complete certain development work.
- Looking ahead, we anticipate some pressure on gross margins driven by increased costs.
- We do have to accelerate some capital expenditures, right? That would impact that and other things happening in the market would impact our gross margin by a few hundred basis points to help us prepare for this because it's obviously a large deal. We need to have the capacity in place.