Axon Enterprise, Inc.'s latest earnings press release, filed Aug 5, 2026, scored line by line for tone, guidance and what changed since the prior release.
GuidanceGuidance raisedWhat this release does to the company's outlook
Tone change▲ 5.7pointsvs the prior release (May 6, 2026)
Hedging language0.22per 100 words▼ 0.05 vs prior
New this quarter88of 125 linesWording that was not in the prior release
The lines that matter most
Ranked by how material, how strongly worded and how new each sentence is.
1
Raises full-year revenue growth outlook to 32% to 34% ; maintains Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook at 25.5%
Guidance raisedNew this quarter
2
Our increased revenue guidance is supported by our continued execution against $15.1 billion in Future Contracted Bookings, and an expanding pipeline that supports our expectation for greater than 30% growth in five-year normalized bookings year over year for 2026.
Guidance raisedNew this quarter
3
Annual recurring revenue grows 39% to $1.6 billion; net revenue retention reaches 126%
New this quarter
4
We now expect 2026 revenue growth of 32% to 34%, up from 30% to 32% previously, and continue to expect an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 25.5%.
Guidance raised
5
Axon delivered another record quarter, with revenue increasing 35% year over year to $904 million — our 10th consecutive quarter of revenue growth above 30%.
New this quarter
6
On that basis, new contract bookings grew more than 30% year over year.
New this quarter
7
Platform Solutions revenue grows 123% year over year to $150 million; Dedrone revenue surpasses $100 million
New this quarter
8
Operating cash flow improved to $20 million from an outflow of $92 million in the prior year and drove free cash outflow of $1 million, a meaningful year-over-year improvement, primarily driven by higher EBITDA, partially offset by continued inventory investment to support customer demand and timing of customer billing and collections.
New this quarter
Release by release
Tone and guidance for the last 2 earnings releases.
Axon reports Q2 2026 revenue of $904 million, up 35% year over year
3Annual recurring revenue grows 39% to $1.6 billion; net revenue retention reaches 126%
Software & Services revenue grows 36% year over year to $398 million; AI Era revenue grows nearly 700%
7Platform Solutions revenue grows 123% year over year to $150 million; Dedrone revenue surpasses $100 million
Reports net income of $29 million, non-GAAP net income of $155 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $242 million
Outlook
1Raises full-year revenue growth outlook to 32% to 34% ; maintains Adjusted EBITDA margin outlook at 25.5%Guidance raised
Results
5Axon delivered another record quarter, with revenue increasing 35% year over year to $904 million — our 10th consecutive quarter of revenue growth above 30%.
Demand remained robust among both new and existing customers, supporting our vision to build the operating system for public safety and advancing our mission to protect life.
Growth was broad-based across both segments.
Software & Services revenue increased 36% year over year to $398 million, driven by new users and increased adoption of premium software offerings, including the AI Era Plan.
Connected Devices revenue increased 35% year over year to $507 million, driven by Dedrone, TASER 10 and Axon Body 4.
This performance reflects continued adoption across the Axon Ecosystem as customers connect more devices, data and workflows.
Forward indicators were equally strong, with future contracted bookings growing 41% year over year to $15.1 billion.
Notable wins included two nine-figure agreements with major U.S. cities, including the largest individual TASER order in our history, two eight-figure agreements with major state corrections customers and our first full-scope Axon 911 customer agreement.
Momentum was also particularly strong in newer markets, with international and enterprise bookings each approximately tripling year over year.
As we expand across these markets, where contract durations are often shorter than in state and local public safety, we are beginning to share new contract bookings on a five-year normalized basis to provide a more comparable view of underlying demand across end markets.
6On that basis, new contract bookings grew more than 30% year over year.
Outlook
Axon’s strategy is rooted in a relentless focus on delivering better outcomes for our customers and the communities they serve, supported by disciplined investment and execution.
Alongside our growth, we delivered a net income margin of 3.3%, an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26.8% and positive operating cash flow.
4We now expect 2026 revenue growth of 32% to 34%, up from 30% to 32% previously, and continue to expect an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 25.5%.Guidance raised
Management commentary
The examples below show the Axon Ecosystem in action—from citywide deployments and a global event to enterprise environments—and provide context for the financial performance and outlook that follow.
Axon is building the largest connected network in public safety, bringing together sensors, customer-controlled data, AI-powered intelligence and response tools across the full mission chain.
Fixed, body-worn and in-car cameras, drones and 911 systems create signals from the field.
At the center, Axon Evidence and our broader cloud suite form the largest data repository in public safety, preserving and connecting video, audio and operational information across real-time operations, reporting, records and justice workflows.
The relationship works in both directions, and the advantage compounds with each additional connection and data point.
Each connected device enriches the data platform with additional signal and context, while the data and intelligence in the platform make every device, workflow and response more useful.
AI and real-time operations help surface relevant information, automate routine tasks and accelerate decision-making, while keeping people at the center of critical decisions.
TASER devices, Drone as First Responder (DFR), communications and training then help people act on that intelligence.
As customers add devices, users and workflows, the network becomes more useful, more intelligent and more valuable.
At the center of it all is our mission to Protect Life.
“ I’m going to add multiple pieces of technology that need to work together — so I look at systems and how they’ll function. ” — Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Walton County, Florida
The Network in Action
The capabilities of the Axon network come together in different configurations for each customer and mission.
Across deployments, the network follows a consistent operating arc:
Sense: Connected sensors identify an incident and add context.
Respond: Real-time awareness, training and response tools help coordinate the right response and shape what happens in the moment.
Resolve: Data moves through evidence, records and justice workflows to close the case and improve the next response.
Because customers already rely on Axon across many of these workflows, they have a direct path to expand from one operational need into a comprehensive network.
Today, over 80% of Axon customers deploy at least one integrated solution spanning hardware and software, while over 40% subscribe to at least one premium solution beyond our core TASER, body camera and evidence management products.
The broadest deployments connect operations end to end across all three functions.
Brookhaven Police Department provides one recent example of the measurable impact this model can deliver.
Sense
Results
With DFR coverage across 96% of the city, Brookhaven achieved a 53-second average drone response time, providing rapid visibility into incidents as they unfolded.
Management commentary
Respond
By connecting DFR with Axon Respond, Fusus and field cameras, Brookhaven cleared 10% of calls without dispatching an officer .
Resolve
Results
Brookhaven reported a 77% shoplifting clearance rate in 2025 and a 22% reduction in detective caseloads over two years .
According to the department, no DFR-assisted cases had proceeded to trial, with defendants instead accepting plea agreements.
Across the full deployment, Brookhaven also reported a 12% reduction in total index crime and a 45% reduction in burglaries in 2025.
Management commentary
“ Our response time is under 60 seconds.
So while you’re still typing the call into the CAD in another jurisdiction, we’ve already got the drone on the scene of the call.
That’s DFR. ” — Captain Abrem Ayana, Brookhaven Police Department
Corporate events
World Cup 2026
Management commentary
The same foundation can scale beyond one city to increasingly complex missions.
The 2026 World Cup demonstrated the network’s extensibility.
Across U.S. host cities, agencies built on existing Axon deployments to support a mission of significantly greater scale and complexity, spanning stadiums, fan zones, transit corridors and surrounding communities.
Corporate events
The World Cup deployment highlights:
Results
Dedrone supported all 11 U.S. World Cup stadiums
Management commentary
More than 50 additional sites were supported, including fan zones, team facilities and other key venues
Multiple agencies, jurisdictions and data sources were connected through shared operating pictures
“For FIFA, our security strategy is total visibility.
Axon’s Ecosystem—from our new First Responder Drones in the air to our real-time intelligence center on the ground—means we aren’t just responding to incidents; we are seeing them unfold before officers even arrive.
This technology allows us to de-escalate situations faster, track threats across a crowded city, and ensure that while the world is watching Dallas, everyone inside and outside the stadium stays safe.” — Daniel C. Comeaux, Chief of Police, Dallas
The strategic significance extends beyond the event itself.
The same real-time operations, DFR, counter-drone, ALPR and communications capabilities remain in place after the tournament, supporting routine patrol, severe weather response, retail crime intelligence and other daily needs.
Corporate events
Axon Body Mini Launches for Enterprise
In June, Axon Body Mini became generally available across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand.
Purpose-built for frontline enterprise workers, Body Mini combines panic activation, livestreaming, two-way voice and Axon Assistant to provide immediate access to support.
Management commentary
Early deployment activity demonstrates how workers are using the device when that support matters most:
Corporate events
300+ cameras trialed across eight retail and healthcare organizations
6,400+ recordings captured during early deployments
620+ panic activations connecting workers with supervisor support
420+ livestreams providing real-time visibility into unfolding situations
Cosentino’s Food Stores provides another enterprise example, showing how an initial body-camera deployment can expand into a system for de-escalation, employee protection and incident management.
Across 31 grocery locations, body-worn cameras, Axon Auto-Transcribe, Axon Evidence and retail crime intelligence workflows helped reduce physical confrontations, strengthen employee confidence and improve incident documentation, coaching and training.
Management commentary
Together, these examples show how integrated deployments can deepen adoption among existing customers, extend Axon into new markets and strengthen the durability of our growth.
Our financial results that follow reflect this momentum.
Results
Q2 2026 Summary Results
Quarterly revenue of $904 million grew 35% year over year, driven by Software & Services revenue of $398 million, up 36% year over year, and Connected Devices revenue of $507 million, up 35% year over year.
Total company gross margin of 60.4% was flat year over year and up 130 basis points sequentially.
Excluding non-GAAP adjustments, adjusted gross margin of 62.9% decreased 40 basis points year over year and increased 130 basis points sequentially.
Gross margin performance reflected a higher mix of professional services revenue and scaling new product offerings, partially offset by global tariff refunds received in the quarter.
Operating income of $47 million increased $48 million year over year, driven by higher revenue and global tariff refunds, partially offset by increased investment to drive future growth.
COGS of $358 million, or 39.6% of revenue, included $11 million in stock-based compensation expense.
SG&A expense of $291 million, or 32.2% of revenue, included $71 million in stock-based compensation expense.
R&D expense of $209 million, or 23.1% of revenue, included $62 million in stock-based compensation expense.
Net income of $29 million (3.3% net income margin), or $0.36 per diluted share, decreased from $36 million (5.4% net income margin) year over year.
Non-GAAP net income of $155 million (17.2% non-GAAP net income margin), or $1.88 per diluted share, decreased from $179 million (26.7% non-GAAP net income margin), or $2.18 per diluted share.
The year-over-year decreases in net income and non-GAAP net income primarily reflect a large tax benefit recognized in the prior year; pre-tax income increased year over year.
Adjusted EBITDA of $242 million (26.8% Adjusted EBITDA margin) increased over 40% year over year, driven by higher revenue and global tariff refunds.
8Operating cash flow improved to $20 million from an outflow of $92 million in the prior year and drove free cash outflow of $1 million, a meaningful year-over-year improvement, primarily driven by higher EBITDA, partially offset by continued inventory investment to support customer demand and timing of customer billing and collections.
As of June 30, 2026, Axon had $685 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and outstanding senior notes with a principal amount of $1.8 billion, resulting in a net debt position of $1.1 billion, up $46 million sequentially.
Total cash received from tariff refunds was $47 million, including $18 million in expenses realized in 2025, and the remaining associated with amounts primarily classified as inventory and property and equipment, net, for which the majority would have been expensed in the current year.
Management commentary
Financial commentary by segment
Software & Services
Results
Software & Services revenue grew 36% year over year, primarily driven by new users and increased adoption of premium software solutions by existing customers, including Axon Fusus, the AI Era Plan and Axon 911.
Software & Services gross margin of 71.3% decreased from 75.6% year over year.
Excluding non-GAAP adjustments, adjusted gross margin of 75.1% decreased from 78.9%.
The decrease in gross margin and adjusted gross margin was primarily driven by a higher mix of professional services revenue and scaling new product offerings.
Software-only gross margin continued to exceed 80%.
Connected Devices
Connected Devices revenue grew 35% year over year, primarily driven by Dedrone, TASER 10 and Axon Body 4.
Connected Devices gross margin increased to 51.9% from 48.6% a year ago and 48.7% in the prior quarter.
Excluding non-GAAP adjustments, adjusted gross margin increased to 53.4% from 51.1% a year ago and 50.4% in the prior quarter.
The improvement was primarily driven by global tariff refunds, partially offset by a higher revenue mix from Dedrone.
Outlook
Forward-Looking Operating Metrics
Results
Annual recurring revenue grew 39% year over year to $1.6 billion, reflecting growing demand for premium software offerings, including our newer Axon 911 and AI Era solutions.
Net revenue retention reached 126% in the quarter, reflecting our ability to deliver additional value to customers over time with de minimis at trition.
We drive adoption of our cloud software solutions through integrated subscription plans that include a variety of premium software options.
This Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) metric excludes the hardware portion of customer subscriptions and is normalized to account for phased customer deployments throughout the year.
Outlook
Future contracted bookings grew 41% year over year to $15.1 billion.
T his operational metric tracks total unfulfilled contracted bookings for products and services, including remaining performance obligations as well as contracts with certain ter mination or other clauses that are not otherwise included in remaining performance obligations.
We expect to fulfill between 20% and 25% of this balance over the next 12 months and generally expect the remainder to be fulfilled over the following ten years.
2026 Outlook
2026 Revenue: Axon expects full-year 2026 revenue growth in a range of 32% to 34%, an increase from 30% to 32% previously.Guidance raised
2Our increased revenue guidance is supported by our continued execution against $15.1 billion in Future Contracted Bookings, and an expanding pipeline that supports our expectation for greater than 30% growth in five-year normalized bookings year over year for 2026.Guidance raised
We provide Adjusted EBITDA guidance, rather than net income guidance, due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting certain types of expenses and gains such as income tax expenses and gains or losses on marketable securities and strategic investments, which affect net income but not Adjusted EBITDA.
We are unable to reasonably estimate the impact of such expenses, which could be material, on net income.
Accordingly, we do not provide a reconciliation of projected net income to projected Adjusted EBITDA.
2026 Stock-based compensation: Axon expects full-year 2026 stock-based compensation expense to be approximately $590 million to $620 million, in line with prior guidance.Guidance reaffirmed
Full-year 2026 stock-based compensation expense includes approximately $280 million related to the broad-based Employee XSP and the CEO Performance Award, primarily within SG&A and R&D. These performance-based incentive programs are tied to stock price, operational, and time-based requirements.
2026 CapEx: Axon expects 2026 CapEx to be in the range of $160 million to $190 million.
Our 2026 capital expenditure plans include long-term R&D investment projects, continued capacity expansion, global facility build-outs and new product development costs.
Expected capital expenditures do not include costs related to investments in a new headquarters.
35 boilerplate lines (safe-harbor disclaimer, contacts, call details) are set aside.
How this is scored
Source: the press release Axon Enterprise, Inc. filed with the SEC as Exhibit 99 to Form 8-K (Item 2.02). Financial statements and boilerplate are set aside.
Tone: a financial sentiment model scores each sentence 0 to 100; the release score weights sentences by how material they are.
Materiality and guidance: a classifier judges whether each sentence is specific information, and what the release does to the outlook.
New this quarter: wording that does not appear in the prior release.
Hedging: uncertainty words (may, could, approximately, headwinds and similar) per 100 words of narrative.
These scores describe the release's language. They are not a forecast or a recommendation. Read the original filing