Kingsoft Cloud Announces Unaudited First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Kingsoft Cloud (NASDAQ: KC) reported unaudited Q1 2026 revenue of RMB2,703.7 million, up 37.2% year-over-year and down 2.1% sequentially. Public cloud revenue rose 47.5% to RMB1,996.3 million, while enterprise cloud increased 14.7% year-over-year but fell 17.6% quarter-over-quarter.
AI gross billing grew about 90% year-over-year and contributed over half of public cloud revenue. Gross margin declined to 12.8%. Operating loss narrowed 29.1% year-over-year to RMB166.1 million, but net loss increased 8.7% to RMB343.7 million. Non-GAAP EBITDA reached RMB747.5 million with a 27.6% margin.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Total revenue rose 37.2% year-over-year to RMB2,703.7 million
- Public cloud revenue increased 47.5% year-over-year to RMB1,996.3 million
- AI business gross billing grew about 90% year-over-year and exceeded half of public cloud revenue
- Total operating expenses decreased 7.4% year-over-year to RMB511.9 million
- GAAP operating loss narrowed 29.1% year-over-year to RMB166.1 million
- Non-GAAP EBITDA increased to RMB747.5 million with 27.6% margin vs 16.2% a year ago
Negative
- Total revenue declined 2.1% quarter-over-quarter from RMB2,761.4 million
- Enterprise cloud revenue fell 17.6% quarter-over-quarter to RMB707.4 million
- Gross margin decreased to 12.8% from 16.2% a year earlier
- Cost of revenues grew 42.8% year-over-year to RMB2,358.0 million
- GAAP net loss increased 8.7% year-over-year to RMB343.7 million
- Cash and cash equivalents declined from RMB6,018.0 million to RMB4,903.8 million during the quarter
News Market Reaction – KC
On the day this news was published, KC gained 0.69%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. This price movement added approximately $27M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $3.96B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
KC’s -8.37% move contrasts with mixed peer action: SPSC up 1.32% while VERX, SOUN, WK and QTWO are modestly negative, pointing to a company-specific reaction rather than a broad software move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25 | Q4 2025 earnings | Positive | +6.7% | Strong Q4 revenue, AI growth and improved non-GAAP profitability metrics. |
| Nov 19 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -0.6% | Rapid AI and public cloud growth with EBITDA and non-GAAP profits improving. |
| Aug 20 | Q2 2025 earnings | Neutral | +1.3% | Solid revenue and AI growth but a wider net loss versus prior year. |
| May 28 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | -7.9% | Revenue and AI acceleration with better EBITDA, despite ongoing net loss. |
| Apr 15 | 2024 annual & ESG | Positive | -6.0% | Annual 20-F and ESG report highlighting operational and sustainability achievements. |
Earnings and related disclosures have often seen muted or negative next-day moves, even when revenue and AI metrics improved, with only one of the last five earnings-tagged events showing a clearly positive price alignment.
Recent results highlight sustained AI-driven growth and improving profitability metrics. Q1 2025, Q2 2025, and Q3 2025 all showed rising revenues and rapidly expanding AI gross billing, with non-GAAP EBITDA and margins improving and briefly turning non-GAAP operating profit positive. The Q4 2025 release on March 25, 2026 continued this trend with higher revenue and EBITDA. Today’s Q1 2026 report extends AI and revenue growth but coincides with lower gross margins and a wider net loss.
Historical Comparison
In the past five earnings-related releases, KC’s average move was -1.29%. Today’s -8.37% reaction to Q1 2026 results is significantly more negative than typical earnings responses.
Across recent quarters, Kingsoft Cloud’s earnings have shown consistent AI and public cloud revenue growth, rising non-GAAP EBITDA and margins, and occasional shifts into non-GAAP operating profit, while GAAP profitability remains pressured by AI-related depreciation and investment.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights strong top-line and AI-driven growth, with Q1 2026 revenue up 37.2% year-over-year and public cloud revenue rising 47.5%. At the same time, GAAP gross margin declined to 12.8% and net loss widened to RMB343.7M, reflecting heavy AI-related depreciation and investment. Investors may watch how future quarters balance continued AI expansion, capital expenditures of around RMB3.0B, and the path toward sustained profitability.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial
ebitda financial
u.s. gaap financial
depreciation and amortization financial
cost of revenues financial
net loss financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Mr. Tao Zou, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Kingsoft Cloud, commented: "We continued to advance our 'High Quality and Sustainable Development Strategy'. The gross billing of AI business grew
Ms. Yi Li, Chief Financial Officer of Kingsoft Cloud, added, "We delivered a solid quarter, with our total revenue reaching
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Total Revenues reached
Revenues from public cloud services were
Revenues from enterprise cloud services were
[1] This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi (RMB) amounts into |
Cost of revenues was
Gross profit was
Total operating expenses were
Selling and marketing expenses were
General and administrative expenses were
Research and development expenses were
Operating loss was
[2] Non-GAAP gross profit is defined as gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses allocated in the cost of revenues, and we define Non- GAAP gross margin as Non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. |
[3] Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit is defined as operating loss excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets, and we define Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit margin as Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. |
Net loss was
Non-GAAP EBITDA[5] was
Basic and diluted net loss per share was
Cash and cash equivalents were
Outstanding ordinary shares were 4,490,544,972 as of March 31, 2026, equivalent to about 299,369,665 ADSs.
Conference Call Information
Kingsoft Cloud's management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 8:15 am,
Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI0c3c6d36e97944f292b62e0d1101c115. Once preregistration has been completed, participants will receive dial-in numbers, direct event passcode, and a unique access PIN.
To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after preregistering, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.ksyun.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
[4] Non-GAAP net loss is defined as net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses and foreign exchange (gain) loss, and we define Non-GAAP net loss margin as Non-GAAP net loss as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. |
[5] Non-GAAP EBITDA is defined as Non-GAAP net loss excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization, and we define Non-GAAP EBITDA margin as Non-GAAP EBITDA as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. |
These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under
We compensate for these limitations by reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest
Exchange Rate Information
This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the
About Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited
Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX:3896) is a leading cloud service provider in
For more information, please visit: http://ir.ksyun.com.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited
Wayne Wang
Tel: +86 (10) 6292-7777 Ext. 6300
Email:ksc-ir@kingsoft.com
Other information
Mr. Tian Kaiyan has served as our senior vice president since 2025.
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | |||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||
(All amounts in thousands) | |||
Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | US$ | |
ASSETS | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 6,018,043 | 4,903,797 | 710,901 |
Restricted cash | 99,194 | 46,897 | 6,799 |
Accounts receivable, net | 1,740,472 | 2,066,757 | 299,617 |
Prepayments and other assets | 2,592,314 | 2,796,114 | 405,350 |
Amounts due from related parties | 573,396 | 686,697 | 99,550 |
Total current assets | 11,023,419 | 10,500,262 | 1,522,217 |
Non-current assets: | |||
Property and equipment, net | 10,094,870 | 12,173,645 | 1,764,808 |
Intangible assets, net | 532,769 | 489,142 | 70,911 |
Goodwill | 4,605,724 | 4,605,724 | 667,690 |
Prepayments and other assets | 139,836 | 271,264 | 39,325 |
Equity investments | 234,166 | 281,712 | 40,840 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 98,405 | 134,505 | 19,499 |
Total non-current assets | 15,705,770 | 17,955,992 | 2,603,073 |
Total assets | 26,729,189 | 28,456,254 | 4,125,290 |
LIABILITIES, NON-CONTROLLING | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Accounts payable | 2,014,453 | 2,216,441 | 321,316 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 3,222,429 | 3,564,021 | 516,675 |
Short-term borrowings | 3,348,279 | 3,590,727 | 520,546 |
Income tax payable | 73,310 | 72,128 | 10,456 |
Amounts due to related parties | 721,932 | 722,431 | 104,731 |
Current operating lease liabilities | 40,941 | 50,993 | 7,392 |
Total current liabilities | 9,421,344 | 10,216,741 | 1,481,116 |
Non-current liabilities: | |||
Long-term borrowings | 3,023,538 | 3,293,125 | 477,403 |
Amounts due to related parties | 2,212,325 | 2,023,958 | 293,412 |
Deferred tax liabilities | 61,914 | 57,259 | 8,301 |
Other liabilities | 2,645,895 | 3,804,427 | 551,526 |
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 51,139 | 62,426 | 9,050 |
Total non-current liabilities | 7,994,811 | 9,241,195 | 1,339,692 |
Total liabilities | 17,416,155 | 19,457,936 | 2,820,808 |
Shareholders' equity: | |||
Ordinary shares | 30,888 | 30,888 | 4,478 |
Treasury shares | (31,068) | (18,958) | (2,748) |
Additional paid-in capital | 24,073,006 | 24,124,371 | 3,497,299 |
Statutory reserves funds | 51,661 | 51,661 | 7,489 |
Accumulated deficit | (15,247,868) | (15,591,688) | (2,260,320) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 440,407 | 405,935 | 58,848 |
Total Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited | 9,317,026 | 9,002,209 | 1,305,046 |
Non-controlling interests | (3,992) | (3,891) | (564) |
Total equity | 9,313,034 | 8,998,318 | 1,304,482 |
Total liabilities, non-controlling interests and | 26,729,189 | 28,456,254 | 4,125,290 |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||
(All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
Revenues: | ||||
Public cloud services | 1,353,479 | 1,902,378 | 1,996,301 | 289,403 |
Enterprise cloud services | 616,498 | 859,009 | 707,431 | 102,556 |
Total revenues | 1,969,977 | 2,761,387 | 2,703,732 | 391,959 |
Cost of revenues | (1,651,671) | (2,296,037) | (2,357,984) | (341,836) |
Gross profit | 318,306 | 465,350 | 345,748 | 50,123 |
Operating expenses: | ||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (144,338) | (122,914) | (123,776) | (17,944) |
General and administrative expenses | (181,999) | (218,685) | (194,765) | (28,235) |
Research and development expenses | (226,170) | (190,201) | (193,315) | (28,025) |
Total operating expenses | (552,507) | (531,800) | (511,856) | (74,204) |
Operating loss | (234,201) | (66,450) | (166,108) | (24,081) |
Interest income | 4,946 | 39,039 | 32,030 | 4,643 |
Interest expense | (82,897) | (153,415) | (153,595) | (22,267) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 9,051 | 10,265 | (44,006) | (6,380) |
Other gain (loss), net | 3,244 | (5,822) | (6,588) | (955) |
Other (expense) income, net | (7,012) | 74 | (372) | (54) |
Loss before income taxes | (306,869) | (176,309) | (338,639) | (49,094) |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (9,241) | 13,437 | (5,081) | (737) |
Net loss | (316,110) | (162,872) | (343,720) | (49,831) |
Less: net (loss) profit attributable to non- | (2,184) | (2,632) | 100 | 14 |
Net loss attributable to Kingsoft Cloud | (313,926) | (160,240) | (343,820) | (49,845) |
Net loss per share: | ||||
Basic and diluted | (0.08) | (0.04) | (0.08) | (0.01) |
Shares used in the net loss per share | ||||
Basic and diluted | 3,728,092,123 | 4,544,291,397 | 4,555,310,453 | 4,555,310,453 |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 7,744 | (70,987) | (34,472) | (4,997) |
Comprehensive loss | (308,366) | (233,859) | (378,192) | (54,828) |
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income | (2,200) | (2,388) | 100 | 14 |
Comprehensive loss attributable to | (306,166) | (231,471) | (378,292) | (54,842) |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | ||||
(All amounts in thousands, except for percentage) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
Gross profit | 318,306 | 465,350 | 345,748 | 50,123 |
Adjustments: | ||||
– Share-based compensation expenses (allocated in cost of revenues) | 9,365 | 5,526 | 5,658 | 820 |
Adjusted gross profit (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | 327,671 | 470,876 | 351,406 | 50,943 |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | |||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | |||
(All amounts in thousands, except for percentage) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | |
Gross margin | 16.2 % | 16.9 % | 12.8 % |
Adjusted gross margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | 16.6 % | 17.1 % | 13.0 % |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | ||||
(All amounts in thousands, except for percentage) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
Net Loss | (316,110) | (162,872) | (343,720) | (49,831) |
Adjustments: | ||||
– Share-based compensation expenses | 134,611 | 78,505 | 62,571 | 9,071 |
– Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (9,051) | (10,265) | 44,006 | 6,380 |
Adjusted net loss (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | (190,550) | (94,632) | (237,143) | (34,380) |
Adjustments: | ||||
– Interest income | (4,946) | (39,039) | (32,030) | (4,643) |
– Interest expense | 82,897 | 153,415 | 153,595 | 22,267 |
– Income tax expense (benefit) | 9,241 | (13,437) | 5,081 | 737 |
– Depreciation and amortization | 421,901 | 778,941 | 858,003 | 124,384 |
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | 318,543 | 785,248 | 747,506 | 108,365 |
– Gain on disposal of property and equipment | (2,110) | (72,662) | - | - |
Excluding gain on disposal of property and equipment, normalized | 316,433 | 712,586 | 747,506 | 108,365 |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | ||||
(All amounts in thousands, except for percentage) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
Operating loss | (234,201) | (66,450) | (166,108) | (24,081) |
Adjustments: | ||||
– Share-based compensation expenses | 134,611 | 78,505 | 62,571 | 9,071 |
– Amortization of intangible assets | 43,781 | 42,531 | 43,720 | 6,338 |
Adjusted operating (loss) profit (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | (55,809) | 54,586 | (59,817) | (8,672) |
– Gain on disposal of property and equipment | (2,110) | (72,662) | - | - |
Excluding gain on disposal of property and equipment, normalized | (57,919) | (18,076) | (59,817) | (8,672) |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | |||
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS | |||
(All amounts in thousands, except for percentage) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | |
Net loss margin | -16.0 % | -5.9 % | -12.7 % |
Adjusted net loss margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | -9.7 % | -3.4 % | -8.8 % |
Adjusted EBITDA margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | 16.2 % | 28.4 % | 27.6 % |
Normalized Adjusted EBITDA margin | 16.1 % | 25.8 % | 27.6 % |
Adjusted operating (loss) profit margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) | -2.8 % | 2.0 % | -2.2 % |
Normalized Adjusted operating loss margin | -2.9 % | -0.7 % | -2.2 % |
KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS | ||||
(All amounts in thousands) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
Mar 31, | Dec 31, | Mar 31, | Mar 31, | |
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |
Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities | (418,390) | 1,042,626 | 533,978 | 77,411 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (490,393) | (427,671) | (1,630,049) | (236,307) |
Net cash generated from financing activities | 549,998 | 1,514,234 | 7,606 | 1,103 |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted | 15,028 | (62,205) | (78,078) | (11,320) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (343,757) | 2,066,984 | (1,166,543) | (169,113) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 2,730,101 | 4,050,253 | 6,117,237 | 886,813 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | 2,386,344 | 6,117,237 | 4,950,694 | 717,700 |
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SOURCE Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited